Fifth Grade
Language Arts
In fifth grade, students read a variety of genres, including historical fiction, science fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, tall tales, and nonfiction. Fifth-graders spend time analyzing literature by looking at characters, structure, and style.
Additionally, students participate in reading groups in which they take turns leading discussions, summarizing, making connections, illuminating, illustrating, and culling new words to develop their vocabulary.
Students also complete a research paper related to a unit of study in social studies and write memoirs, short stories, fiction, poetry, etc. in Writer’s Workshop. Throughout the year, fifth-graders work both formally and informally on vocabulary, grammar skills, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and other writing mechanics.
Social Studies
The fifth-grade social studies curriculum focuses on U.S. History, Past and Present and emphasizes:
- Immigration
- Exploring and Settling in America - Native Americans, Europeans, and Slavery
- Struggle for Independence
- Compare and Contrast the 1960s
- States and Capitals
- Map and Globe Skills
The goal of the curriculum is to help students construct a pluralist perspective based on diversity. This perspective involves respect for differences of opinion and preference, of race, religion, gender, class, ethnicity, and of culture in general. Students construct a global perspective that includes the knowledge, skills, and commitments needed to live wisely in a world that possesses limited resources.
Mathematics
Fifth grade begins with an exploration of number theory. Students learn about the use of rectangular arrays and their connection with "basic" multiplication and division facts. Students begin working with factors and discover the meaning of prime and composite numbers and prime factorization. Next, we build on their prior knowledge as we explore a variety of divisibility tests. The unit concludes with a study of square numbers and square roots followed with a review of whole number and decimal place value.
Students review the algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication (including multiplication of multi-digit whole numbers), and "long" division. Fifth-graders also complete a variety of experiments to expand their understanding of place value to the millions and billions, probability, and data analysis.
After revisiting problem-solving techniques, students begin an extensive unit in geometry, which includes the purpose and use of the compass and protractor. We complete the year with studies in fractions, decimals, percents, and measurement and a unit on pre-algebra concepts and skills. Our yearlong focus is on acquiring and using math vocabulary, clearly communicating about math reasoning, and becoming risk-takers in math.
Science
The fifth-grade science curriculum continues to focus on content, reinforcing and developing scientific skills, and applying knowledge. Content areas and materials derived from the California Science Standards and the National Science Education Standards are presented using a variety of hands-on formats.
Fifth-grade students study compasses/magnetism, chemistry/atoms/molecules, electricity, cell structure/microscopes, and round out the year with a five-week-long Intensive on Newtonian Physics, simple machines, and car-building. Examples of activities in fifth grade include using a compass to find a series of clues in a scavenger hunt around campus, using the scientific method to identify the mystery chemical in a project called Mystery Spill, and applying knowledge of circuits to build a flashlight, telegraph, or motor.
Spanish
The Spanish curriculum focuses on the children’s interests, their world, and their communication needs. We use a wide variety of activities to help the children practice material learned in class, to encourage them to communicate confidently in Spanish, and to motivate them to apply their newly acquired language skills to their everyday lives.
In the fifth grade, more complex grammar and syntax concepts are introduced. >The children explore plural forms of nouns, subject pronouns, feminine and masculine forms of nouns, regular verbs and adjectives. We have also discussed the fundamental differences and contrasting uses of "ser" and "estar," negation, contractions, and stem-changing verbs.
Through the continuation of interactive activities, children develop a comfort level with a language other than English. By listening and interacting, the children comprehend basic vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic expressions essential for everyday communication.
Visual Arts
The fifth grade’s monthlong Intensive focuses on "right-brain drawing"—learning to realistically draw what they see. Assignments include facial self-portraits, negative space and value studies, upside-down, perspective, and contour drawings using a variety of materials. This work promotes students’ self-confidence and enthusiastic expressiveness. Fifth-graders are challenged to experiment, become decision-makers, and find personal meaning in their art.
Performing Arts
Students in fifth grade participate in a rich performing arts curriculum in which they expand their abilities to express themselves through drama, instrumental and vocal music, and dance.
Fifth-graders progress through the complete process of staging a full theatrical production beginning with auditions. They participate in technical workshops on lighting and sound, and learn set design and construction. This six-week performing arts experience culminates in the presentation of a polished evening performance onstage in front of their peers and invited guests.
Fifth-grade students participate in a grade-level choir that meets weekly and performs throughout the year at All-School Meetings and in the Spring Concert.
Physical Education and Health
In P.E., fifth-grade students continue to refine their physical skills through a variety of activities, including strength and fitness training and team sports. Health-related fitness activities such as jump rope, jogging, aerobic games, and dance promote the development of muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and locomotor and non-locomotor skills. Skill-related fitness activities include soccer, basketball softball, and volleyball.
The fifth-grade health curriculum addresses issues and concerns of preadolescents, including human development, peer pressure, self-esteem, self-concept, and body image. Students learn about nutrition and exercise as well as goal-setting and conflict resolution. Through the health curriculum, fifth-graders learn how to communicate their feelings and gain decision-making skills.
Life Skills
The Life Skills are integrated into the fifth-grade curriculum with emphasis on responsibility, flexibility, and perseverance. Students might examine how a character in one of the novels they are reading effectively uses a Life Skill or how Life Skills are used in our daily life at Wildwood.
Fifth-graders participate in ECHIDNA, which is named for an Australian mammal that can only thrive in a healthy forest. Each week, three fifth-graders lead the entire grade through one or more activities that they have designed together. The three leaders decide on a theme on Monday, and they design activities based on that theme. The themes are either directly or indirectly based on the Life Skills. These activities may include, but are not limited to, problem-solving tasks, art projects, discussions, skits, games of skill, logic problems, improvisations, community-building activities, icebreakers, and whatever can be dreamed up by three great minds working together towards a common goal.
Service Learning
The fifth-grade service learning project is visiting with young patients at the Los Angeles Children's Hospital. They plan to participate in a number of collaborative projects, such as designing a mural together, doing crafts, playing games, and becoming e-mail pen pals. Another project is to make a video to learn about illnesses. The goal of this experience is for fifth-graders to receive as much from their service learning as they are giving.
