Fifth Grade Curriculum

Religion

Understanding that they are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, these students can more easily verbalize the everyday struggles between sinful and sanctified natures. As reading skills increase, they can more meaningfully read the Gospel and gain strength from it. Their personal knowledge of Jesus’s life expands and gives them more insight into this loving and caring God. They understand God's omniscience, always by their sides and helping them in many ways. Through their love for God, they learn to love others and encourage classmates and others in their walk with the Lord. They continue to gain an appreciation for Martin Luther and his teachings as well as recognizing the liturgical seasons and the significance of visual symbols in the church. Selected passages of Scripture and the catechism are learned.

Math

The concepts of simplifying and determining which information is essential in solving a problem draw on previous learning. Students work with decimals, ratios, estimating, factoring, and rounding as they continue on with higher level thinking skills and how these skills relate to mathematics. The understanding of fractions and decimals prepares them for future learning. Geometric terms and constructions provide visual evidence of learning in this area and measurement concepts include dimensional objects. Students will continue to develop skills of division as they work with larger numbers.

Language Arts

Enjoying literature involves all aspects of reading at this level. Students continue to develop their skills, while at the same time, exposure to a wide variety of literary forms occurs. Grammar skills develop with the students understanding of all eight parts of speech, sentence structure, and diagraming. In conjunction with the grammar skills, writing involves applying those skills to many different forms.

Handwriting

Maintaining and reinforcing correct letter and number formation is emphasized in this grade. Students are expected to show an orderliness and high level of neatness in all written work that uses letters and/or numbers. Self-evaluation charts are used by students to compare the accuracy and neatness of their handwriting.

Social Studies

God’s hand in the creation of our nation and its government is the focus of this class. Historic events, individuals, and the impact of the contributions from the groups that settled this nation are all studied to give the students a broad understanding of this great nation and the strength that has resulted from the diversity. The role of the United States as an economic power is studied and contributions to the economic well-being are identified. The Constitution and its power to preserve the freedoms of the citizens of America are acknowledged by the students as they study this and other documents. Learning more about maps and developing more map skills enable the students to see the relationship between the United States and other nations of the world.

Science

Students at this age are becoming more aware of their bodies and how they are alike and yet different from others. They learn about cells, organs, and systems of the body. Asexual and sexual reproduction is discussed on an age appropriate level. Besides themselves, they learn about plants and animals and cell life in these living things. Looking beyond themselves, students continue to learn more about the solar system and how weather is predicted based on things such as maps, instruments, and cloud types. Matter and all of its forms, the relationship between energy and work, and the understanding of chemicals making simple compounds form the basis of physical science for these students. Hands-on investigations help the students see the connection between learning and doing.

Computer Science

Computer literacy begins at this level. Students become familiar with computer related terminology and understand more about the parts of the computer which they can identify. Their familiarity with the keyboard and word processing skills allows them to produce several different documents. Desktop publishing skills and knowledge about file sharing continue. Work on educational software that reinforces classroom objectives continues. Students are introduced to the usefulness of databases. They create and print their own database.

Art

Ideas for drawings and sketches have roots in concepts learned in other areas such as the use of perpendicular lines, volume, mass, creation, and repetition. Mixing new colors and using them are fun for the students. More crafts and mediums provide more opportunities for creativity on the part of the student. Further study of great works of art continues.

Music

Recognizing, playing, and singing melodies and parts of musical pieces are accomplished at this level. Having fun with rhythms, these students identify percussion sounds and echoes. They are able to recognize harmony and melody. Classical music forms are studied and an appreciation for various forms of musical techniques is encouraged. Using different modes, students are encouraged to use music as a method of expressing feelings and understand how music can influence their lives.

Spanish

Sequentially taught, students expand their understanding of the Spanish language, including the use of daily-use vocabulary. They begin learning the use of conjugated verbs, articles, and adjectives. They are able to describe and discuss their immediate environment. This well-rounded approach to acquiring another language includes singing Spanish traditional, popular, and Christian songs; learning about traditions and holidays of Spanish speaking countries; hearing Hispanic folk tales; learning about the Mayan civilization, and playing Hispanic games.

Physical Education

Improved coordination in this age student is also present with increased flexibility, endurance, and agility. Multiple team sports hold their attention and give the students ample opportunities to exercise the social and emotional changes that they are also beginning to experience. Courage and Christian sportsmanship are encouraged and emphasized in all activities. Leisure time sports are also becoming more popular with this age student.