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Fifth Grade |
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There are significant differences between 4th and 5th grade that influences the 5th grade curriculum and affect the overall school experience. While the 5th grade curriculum creates more responsibilities and challenges for the students, these changes are designed to develop the students and prepare them for the demands of the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades at Country Day School of Arlington. Fifth grade changes include:
A typical day in the fifth grade begins with silent reading and a discussion of current events. The class moves on to the daily language arts lessons, which are comprised of literature, vocabulary, writing, discussion and projects. Reading, discussion, note-taking, and periodic projects throughout the year form the structure for World History, and this subject is followed by either Foreign Language (Spanish or French) or science and health, depending on the day’s schedule. In the afternoons, fifth grade continues with math, which involves problem solving skills, math boxes, and study links with group and independent work. Language Arts Fifth grade language arts incorporate three key elements of study: reading, writing, and vocabulary/ spelling. The writing process is explored (Brainstorming, Drafting, Revising, Editing, and Publishing) while incorporating grammar, vocabulary and spelling as parts of the process. The specific writing skills developed in fifth grade include sentence development, word usage, paragraph development, and language mechanics. Two textbooks from the Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop series are used. Students start the year in the Level Blue (5th grade) text and then move on to the middle school Level A series. Vocabulary Workshop is continued in the 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Fifth graders study challenging and relevant words that are frequently used in newspapers, magazines, and novels. Students are tested for spelling and comprehension of these words, and individual attention is paid to each child on words that pose a spelling challenge. The class reads a variety of novels, poetry, short stories, mythology, and folk tales. Students learn how to effectively use specific function texts such as encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, maps, newspapers, and schedules. They utilize informational texts such as indices, glossaries, tables of contents, summaries, and footnotes, and also learn how to recognize and understand the literary elements and devices that authors use. Literature discussions utilizing Jr. Great Books are also a part of the fifth grade curriculum. Literary elements and devices studied in fifth grade include: setting, plot, characterization, theme, main idea, dialect, dialogue, flashback, foreshadowing, fact/opinion, point of view, simile, metaphor, personification, idiom, onomatopoeia, and stanza. Strategies used in reading:
Students respond to literature through writing and discussion. They also put their language arts skills and knowledge to use in other areas of the curriculum. Time Allocation: 7 ¾ hrs, weekly Core Curriculum: Harcourt Language Basic- Level 5 Jr. Great Books Novels World History Fifth graders explore the time period from the first civilizations through to the Renaissance. Students study the ancient cultures of the world and their contributions to civilization. World geography and map skills are an ongoing focus throughout the year. Throughout their study of World History, which continues into the sixth grade, students are encouraged to write, research, discuss, draw conclusions, and think critically about past world events and the effects those events have on today’s society. Time allocation: 3 ½ hours weekly Core Material: Harcourt Brace, The World Inspire Ed World Studies Units, emphasizing Middle East and North America Science As with other major areas of study in the 5th grade, students prepare for future specialization of science by reviewing the main classifications: life science, physical science, earth science, and the human body. This broad coverage provides students a framework from which to begin their upcoming detailed study of science. Following are the main subjects:
Health Students are provided with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health. Fifth Graders have opportunities to learn and practice life skills for positive health behaviors. Additional Topics Covered: Feelings, Growth & Development, Keeping Fit & Healthy, Legal & Illegal drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco and Planning for Safety Time allocation: 3 hours weekly (three 45 minute formal science classes) Core Material: McGraw Hill, Science Other Resources: CDSA Campus as a “Living Laboratory” Wilkie Science Center Mathematics Everyday Mathematics helps students develop a variety of successful problem-solving strategies and techniques. Fifth graders improve creative and flexible thinking processes and can make easy transitions among all problem representations. The curriculum specifically helps prepare students for Pre-Algebra, Algebra, and Geometry classes offered in grades 7 and 8.
Building on fundamental mathematical strands such as numeration and order, measures and measurement, reference frames, operations, patterns, functions, and sequences, it uses more of the mathematical spectrum by exploring data and chance, geometry and spatial sense, algebra and the uses of variables.
Time allocation: 1 hour, 15 minutes each day Core Material: Everyday Mathematics - Level 5
Foreign Language In the fifth grade the focus of foreign language shifts from a “special” subject to an academic one, which means that students are given a letter grade that is included in their overall academic profile. The areas of focus are: listening, speaking, writing, reading, and culture
Listening—students should be able to
Speaking—students should be able to
Reading—students should be able to
Writing—students should be able to
Cultural
Time allocation: 45 minutes, 3 times a week
Spanish Core Material: Prentice Hall, Paso a Paso A (2nd edition) Other Resources: Amsco School Publishing, Spanish First Year Workbook
French Core Material: Glencoe/Mc Graw-Hill, Bienvenue 1A Music CDSA offers students a very comprehensive music program. Music provides a vehicle for students to become confident, creative, and expressive. Their discipline, practice, and hard work are rewarded by recognition, growth in self-esteem, character development, and enhanced intellectual functioning. The curriculum provides musical growth through a variety of programs. Fifth grade students study the basic elements of music through several approaches. Movement, rhythm instruments, dance, and body percussion activities teach rhythm. Melody is explored in song. Singing fun songs, informative songs that link with academic curriculum, songs from here, and songs from far away lead to positive musical experiences. Listening experiences, utilizing multi-media, add to age-appropriate participation in music/history appreciation activities. Fifth grade students are offered activities involving recorder performance in an ensemble setting, vocal harmony, music theory, music appreciation, music history, composers past and present, instruments of the orchestra, instrument making, the basic elements of music, composition, dance, music vocabulary, and learning opportunities in creative performance and movement through the Orff-Schulwerk method. Computers The technology program is conducted through hands-on projects that integrate computer instruction with language arts, math, science, and social studies, health, music, and art. Categories covered include:
Athletics At CDSA, fifth grade is included in the middle school athletic program. We offer students the opportunity to participate on the following teams: Girls Boys Fall Co-ed Soccer Co-ed Soccer Volleyball Winter Basketball Basketball Spring Golf Golf Cross Country Cross Country Tennis Tennis
Each team practices three times a week during the school day. Those not practicing in the sports program attend a more traditional PE class three times a week.
Our philosophy about competitive sports stems from the belief that participation should be fun, that as much as possible players should all get equal playing time, and that while winning is a great outcome, it is by no means a goal unto itself.
We believe that having an athletic program is an important part of a middle school program for several reasons:
All of our students in Middle School are expected to practice with the school teams, but we do make participation in the games against other schools optional. Special offerings for fifth grade students: Electives: In addition to weekly core classes in music, computer and art, students choose one self-selected elective course each quarter, which meets twice a week. These include Drawing, General Art, Painting, Playwriting, So You Want to be an Actor, Puppetmaking, Language Arts through the Arts, Math Lovers Unite, Recorder Explorers, Percussion on the Move, Insects of CDSA, Birds of CDSA, Floating Your Boat, Making Social Studies Come Alive, Keyboarding and Math and Science Projects Using Excel. Kindergarten Buddies Program: Participation in the Kindergarten buddies program as part of our developing leadership curriculum Club soccer: available after school on Monday afternoons Chess club: available after school on Friday afternoon Families program: All K-8th grade students form small groups of mixed ages to work on special events and community service projects. Each group is led by an eighth grade family head and consists of about nine other members. Fifth Grade Trip: In the spring, fifth graders participate in a field trip to Sky Ranch in Van, Texas for 3 days and 2 nights. Sky Ranch offers a unique, hands-on learning experience that has been specifically designed for 4th, 5th and 6th grade students. The program provides students with the opportunity to learn by removing them from a classroom and placing them in a new environment under the guidance of outstanding faculty. Students learn by seeing, touching and discovering the world around them through innovative courses, during which CDSA teachers can relax and learn with their students. This residential outdoor education program is three days and two nights. Near Van, Texas, the Sky Ranch site, located on 290 acres including a 90-acre lake, has 20 cabins and a dining room. All cabins are fully enclosed with central heat and air, plus indoor bathrooms with private showers. Each cabin comfortably houses 16 students and up to 4 adults. Meals are served family style with the students seated at round tables in a comfortable dining hall. During their visit, students participate in a variety of classes selected from those listed below. They also enjoy evening programs and a campfire.
Sky Ranch's mission is to develop each student's awareness and knowledge of their environment. Through this learning experience, students develop respect for, and a desire to preserve and protect their natural environment. The aim of the program is to accomplish the following goals:
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