Fifth Grade
Curriculum
5th Grade
Social Studies
Fifth grade social studies covers American history from the first migrations into the Americas through the 20th century. The social studies curriculum, TCI, covers the State standards and actively engages students in learning about the events that structured our nation. Our students are informed observers and participants of U.S. history and participate in weekly geography challenges, simulations, and debates.
Science
The science curriculum in 5th grade is STEMscopes from Accelerate Learning. STEMscopes is built on an instructional philosophy that centers on students learning science through hands-on exploration and inquiry. Our students participate in mainly three categories of activities: exploratory, investigative, and comprehensive activities that tie both cognitive processes together. In fifth grade, we begin with matter and energy flow in an ecosystem. We investigate topics including observation of the sky, human impact on earth's systems, and interactions in matter. We also attend a three-day science camp at the Howell Nature Center.
Reading
Fifth graders follow the Louisiana Believes curriculum along with a combination of other materials and resources that adhere to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. They also will do several novel studies including Esperanza Rising.
Writing/Grammar/Handwriting
Fifth graders study writing mechanics and skills using the Voyages program, which meets all Michigan state standards. Students also receive a Zaner/Bloser Handwriting book to develop cursive handwriting skills.
Vocabulary
Rather than having spelling words, fifth graders will study vocabulary lists from the Wordly Wise 3000 Instructional Resource, which involves a monthly study of 15 words ending with a test requiring spellings and definitions of those words.
Religion
The Alive in Christ program is the perfect tool to teach students to know, love, and live their Catholic faith through Sacred Scripture, doctrine, prayer, practices of the faith, and seasonal celebrations. The units are as follows: Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and Kingdom of God.
Students will learn through reading, prayer, discussion, developing skits, and other creative projects. Scripture from both the Old Testament and the New Testament is presented in a variety of ways that encourage students to listen to the voice of God in his written word and learn about the people and stories of the Bible. Illustrations, Catholic art, and photos emphasize Scripture and visually present the information in a way that young students can understand and relate to.
New this year is Revealed - Theology of the Body lessons. What is Theology of the Body? It is a program based on public speeches given by Pope St. John Paul II during the first five years of his papacy. This curriculum helps students to understand the very foundation of their identities that are created in God’s image as male or female. These interactive lessons answer such questions as 1) Who am I? 2) Who is God? 3) Why did God give me a body? and 4) What is the purpose of life?
Math
Thoughtfully constructed and designed like a story, Eureka Math is a rigorous program that offers opportunity for differentiation. There is an intense focus on key concepts that layer over time, creating enduring knowledge.
Students gain a complete body of math knowledge, not just a discrete set of skills. They use the same models and problem-solving methods from grade to grade, so math concepts stay with them, year after year. Topics covered in 5th grade are: place value and decimal fractions, multi-digit whole number and decimal fraction operations, addition and subtraction of fractions, multiplication and division of fractions and decimal fractions, volume and area, and problem solving with the coordinate plane.
Social Studies
Fifth grade social studies covers American history from the first migrations into the Americas through the 20th century. The social studies curriculum, TCI, covers the State standards and actively engages students in learning about the events that structured our nation. Our students are informed observers and participants of U.S. history and participate in weekly geography challenges, simulations, and debates.
Science
The science curriculum in 5th grade is STEMscopes from Accelerate Learning. STEMscopes is built on an instructional philosophy that centers on students learning science through hands-on exploration and inquiry. Our students participate in mainly three categories of activities: exploratory, investigative, and comprehensive activities that tie both cognitive processes together. In fifth grade, we begin with matter and energy flow in an ecosystem. We investigate topics including observation of the sky, human impact on earth's systems, and interactions in matter. We also attend a three-day science camp at the Howell Nature Center.
Reading
Fifth graders follow the Louisiana Believes curriculum along with a combination of other materials and resources that adhere to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. They also will do several novel studies including Esperanza Rising.
Writing/Grammar/Handwriting
Fifth graders study writing mechanics and skills using the Voyages program, which meets all Michigan state standards. Students also receive a Zaner/Bloser Handwriting book to develop cursive handwriting skills.
Vocabulary
Rather than having spelling words, fifth graders will study vocabulary lists from the Wordly Wise 3000 Instructional Resource, which involves a monthly study of 15 words ending with a test requiring spellings and definitions of those words.
Religion
The Alive in Christ program is the perfect tool to teach students to know, love, and live their Catholic faith through Sacred Scripture, doctrine, prayer, practices of the faith, and seasonal celebrations. The units are as follows: Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and Kingdom of God.
Students will learn through reading, prayer, discussion, developing skits, and other creative projects. Scripture from both the Old Testament and the New Testament is presented in a variety of ways that encourage students to listen to the voice of God in his written word and learn about the people and stories of the Bible. Illustrations, Catholic art, and photos emphasize Scripture and visually present the information in a way that young students can understand and relate to.
New this year is Revealed - Theology of the Body lessons. What is Theology of the Body? It is a program based on public speeches given by Pope St. John Paul II during the first five years of his papacy. This curriculum helps students to understand the very foundation of their identities that are created in God’s image as male or female. These interactive lessons answer such questions as 1) Who am I? 2) Who is God? 3) Why did God give me a body? and 4) What is the purpose of life?
Math
Thoughtfully constructed and designed like a story, Eureka Math is a rigorous program that offers opportunity for differentiation. There is an intense focus on key concepts that layer over time, creating enduring knowledge.
Students gain a complete body of math knowledge, not just a discrete set of skills. They use the same models and problem-solving methods from grade to grade, so math concepts stay with them, year after year. Topics covered in 5th grade are: place value and decimal fractions, multi-digit whole number and decimal fraction operations, addition and subtraction of fractions, multiplication and division of fractions and decimal fractions, volume and area, and problem solving with the coordinate plane.