Fifth Grade

St. Paul’s fifth grade curriculum continues to challenge the students to develop as scholars, scientists, researchers, writers, mathematicians, public speakers, and collaborators. The program includes several long-term projects and interactive simulations. Each day begins with Morning Meeting. The students study mathematics, reading and literature, science, social studies and writing and language arts with their homeroom teacher and an intern. They take separate classes with specialists in Spanish, art, computers, music, and physical education.

The fifth grade curriculum includes day and overnight field trips related specifically to classroom study, service learning, cross-grade activities, and the three-year Parent Educator Program (PEP) in which St. Paul’s parents with training work with the students to help them learn responsible decision-making and resistance skills and develop self-esteem, particularly with regard to age-appropriate information about alcohol, tobacco, and drugs. They also work on positive peer interaction including specific conflict resolution skills. Through St. Paul’s Buddy Program, fifth graders both provide educational and service learning leadership to younger peers. They perform at concerts and events in the Intermediate Choir. Like all other grades, fifth graders lead Chapel twice each year. They take the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) test as an independent evaluation of student progress. They receive written evaluations on their progress quarterly.

Following is a brief list of content items in the fifth grade curriculum:

• Read media for literal text and evaluate it for subtext

• Grammar rules and increasing knowledge of spelling patterns and rules

• 6+1 Trait Writing, emphasizing organization, voice, word choice, and fluency

• Themes in history: religion, hunger and poverty as impetuses

• Understand relationships among fractions, decimals, and percents

• Examine causes of environmental degradation and practical solutions

• Different parts of the brain and their functions

• Increased emphasis on Spanish speaking, writing, and oral comprehension

• Web research: using and crediting websites

• Papermaking and faux stained glass

• Basic music terminology and hearing major and minor modes

• Participate daily in a health-enhancing physical activity