Fifth Grade Curriculum

Religion

Fifth grade focuses on the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the center of Christian life. The program also takes an in-depth look at the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The children are introduced to everyone’s call to holiness through our vocations. Students use the Bible to reference scripture, and they have an opportunity to prepare for prayer services and a class liturgy. Fifth graders review the fifth through the tenth commandments and learn about the works of mercy. Throughout the program, the children are encouraged to make their lives joyful and loving responses to God. At the end of the year, Family Life is taught through the Church teachings, the religion text, and the Benziger Family Life Series.

Text:  Loyola Press; Christ, Our Life, We Worship, 2002
          Benziger Publishing Co., Benziger Family Life, 1995

Social Studies

The fifth grade social studies curriculum focuses on the geographic regions of the United States, Canada, Mexico and selected countries of Central America, from new world exploration and colonization through the American Revolution. The new Diocesan social studies curriculum incorporates the goals and objectives of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, the National Standards for Social Studies, as well as the six Diocesan strands including Catholic ideals of citizenship; civics and government; history; geography; economics; cultures; customs and diversity.

Text: Macmillan/McGraw-Hill, Our Nation- Beginnings through 1877,
        2005

Language Arts

The fifth grade language arts program focuses on studying the eight parts of speech, diagramming sentences, and writing: letter writing, descriptive, character development, story elements, and mechanics. Speaking and listening skills are also part of the program, as well as working on library and dictionary skills with an emphasis on using resource books.

The vocabulary program consists of the study of 192 key words presented in sixteen units. The work of each unit is divided into a five-part structure: definitions, match the meaning, synonyms and antonyms, completing the sentence, and word association.

Text:  Loyola University Press, Voyages in English, 1995
          Sadlier-Oxford, Vocabulary Workshop, 1999

Reading
 

The fifth grade reading curriculum is designed to expose students to a variety of genre through the basal reader while developing and reinforcing skill that include cause and effect, fact and opinion, and making judgments.  This new series places emphasis on strategic and interactive comprehension instruction.  The curriculum also includes a literature circle component in the spring semester.

Text: Harcourt, Distant Voyages, 2007

Science

The fifth grade science curriculum includes the following strands: life science; earth science; and physical science; as well as nature of science strand that develops the concept of the scientific process.

Students participate in a variety of small group hands-on activities that are designed to reinforce the concepts presented in the units of study.

Text: Harcourt, Science Level 5, 2002

Math

The fifth grade math program is a cognitive structure that builds on prior learning. Students in the fifth grade continue to build on skills from previous years. Mental math and facts practices are part of the daily routine. Lessons will focus on understanding and applying concepts through addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, fractions, improper fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. Fifth graders use mathematical reasoning to solve problems. Also included through the year is the use of relationships in geometry, measurement, graphing, number lines, averages, percents, and algebraic concepts. Math Superstars is incorporated into the program . This program offers multi-level word problems and encourages independent learning.

Text: Sadlier-Oxford, Progress in Mathematics, 2006