Fifth Grade

The fifth grade curriculum challenges students and encourages curiosity as they prepare for middle school. Lessons are differentiated, incorporate real-world applications, and use Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences to support all learners in an inclusive environment.

Language Arts

The reading program uses the Reader’s Workshop model to build independent reading skills and deepen comprehension across genres. Grammar instruction covers sentence structure, mechanics, and conventions, while weekly Writer’s Workshop sessions develop creative, narrative, informative, and persuasive writing. Spelling and vocabulary development stems from a literature-based program, focusing on word origins, patterns, prefixes, suffixes, and context clues.

 Math

Fifth grade math is taught at on-level or above-level pacing, with a focus on building strong number sense in decimals, fractions, and their relationships. Students solve problems involving all operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions, graph on coordinate grids, measure and draw angles, and explore properties of geometric shapes. Real-world, project-based learning enriches problem-solving by challenging students to collect, analyze, and interpret data while applying strategies in practical scenarios.

Science

Students explore earth, life, and physical science through hands-on projects and weekly experiments. They study Earth’s changes and processes, the solar system, states of matter, and physical and chemical changes. Students also learn about Newton’s Laws of Motion, forces and energy, and classify organisms based on traits and adaptations.

Social Studies

The curriculum studies American Indian cultures, European exploration, colonization, settlement, revolution against British rule, the founding of the Republic, and the beginnings of the United States. Students develop a solid understanding of the main components and characteristics of the Constitution and the United States government, and can identify and explain key ideas in government from the colonial and founding periods that continue to shape civic and political life.

Religion

Students grow in our appreciation of the Church as a worshiping community. They learn about the four pillars of the Church: the Apostle's Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, and Prayer and discuss and understand that Christ is present among us in the Eucharistic Liturgy and in the sacraments. Students discuss all the parts of the Mass and participate in planning and leading school liturgies throughout the year. They develop a deep understanding that we can worship God through prayer, loving service, and celebrating the liturgical seasons.

Enrichment classes include Physical Education, Art, Music, Technology, Library and Spanish.