Grade 5

Fifth graders continue to develop their identity as scholars and leaders. Through culturally responsive texts and hands-on inquiry activities, students explore science, social issues, and current events. They take on leadership roles and participate in the Invention Convention. Interdisciplinary projects and critical thinking routines prepare them for deeper academic challenges. Teachers partner with families through workshops and outreach, creating a shared commitment to student success.

Science

Click here for full syllabus

• Unit 1: How to Think Like a Scientist - The Scientific Process and The Structure & Properties of Matter
  • I can develop and complete an experiment and then communicate the results with other young scientists (classmates).
• Unit 2: Disappearing Dead Things - Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
  • I can analyze and interpret data from video and pictures to reveal patterns
  • I can develop and use models to predict phenomena
  • I can develop and use models to describe food chains/webs, photosynthesis and life cycles
• Unit 3: Expedition Antarctica - Earth's Major Systems and Human's Impact on Those Systems
  • I can represent data (water distribution) in graphical form
  • I can identify human impacts on Earth's systems
  • I can develop and use models to explain why there is day and night and why we have seasons
• Unit 4: Invention Convention - The Engineering Process
  • I can identify a problem and develop a reasonable solution that includes a model/prototype
  • I can plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved
  • I can present with a trioard and the model/prototype
• Unit 5: Spectacular Sights in the Sky - Moon Cycles, Gravity, and Eclipses
  • I can support an argument that the apparent brightness of the sun and stars is due to their relative distances from the Earth
  • I can represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows
  • I can develop and use models to explain the causes of lunar/solar eclipses

Mathematics

Click here for full syllabus

• Unit 1: Finding Volume
  • I can describe volume as the space taken up by a solid object
  • I can measure the volume of a rectangular prism by:
    • Finding the number of unit cubes needed to fill it
    • Using the formula: length x width x height or area of the base x height
  • I can find the volume of a figure composed of rectangular prisms
• Unit 2: Fractions as Quotients & Fraction Multiplication
  • I can represent and explain the relationship between division and fractions.
  • I can connect division to multiplication of a whole number by a non-unit fraction and a unit fraction. 
  • I can find the area of a rectangle when one side length is a whole number and the other side length is a fraction or mixed number. I can represent, interpret, and evaluate numerical expressions that represent multiplication of a whole number by a fraction or mixed number
• Unit 3: Multiplying & Dividing Fractions
  • I can represent and describe multiplication of a fraction by a fraction using area concepts; I can multiply fractions by numerator times numerator / denominator times denominator. 
  • I can divide a unit fraction by a whole number; I can divide a whole number by a unit fraction. 
  • I can solve word-problems with fraction multiplication & division. 
• Unit 4: Wrapping Up Multiplication & Division With Multi-Digit Numbers
  • I can multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
  • I can divide multi-digit whole numbers using place value, properties of operations, and the relationship between multiplication and division.
  • I can multiply and divide to solve real-world problems involving area & volume. 
• Unit 5: Place Value Patterns & Decimal Operations
  • I can compare, round, and order decimals through the thousandths place; I can read, write, and represent decimals, in expanded form. 
  • I can add and subtract decimals to the hundredths. 
  • I can multiply decimals using place value properties.
  • I can divide decimals using place value reasoning. 
• Unit 6: More Decimal & Fraction Operations
  • I can explain how to multiply and divide by powers of 10; I can solve multi-step problems involving measurement conversions.
  • I can add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators; I can create line plots to display fractional data.
  • I can interpret multiplication as scaling (resizing). 
• Unit 7: Shapes on the Coordinate Plane
  • I can locate, plot, and represent real-world problems on a coordinate grid.
  • I can classify triangles and quadrilaterals in a hierarchy based on angle measurements and side lengths.
  • I can generate, identify, and graph patterns given a rule. 
• Unit 8: Putting it All Together
  • I can fluently multiply and divide multi-digit whole numbers using the algorithms. 
  • I can solve multi-step problems involving perimeter, area, and volume.
• Projects: 
  • Mosaics - Students apply their understanding of multiplying fractions by whole numbers to design and analyze mosaic art made of rectangles, exploring area and cost in a real-world context
  • Geometry Maps - The "Create a Geometry Town" project is a hands-on math activity where students design a detailed town map using geometric figures, measurements, and map skills. It encourages creativity while reinforcing understanding of shapes, lines, and angles through real-world application

English Language Arts

Click here for full syllabus

• Unit 1: Reading Strategies
  • I can analyze the author's word choice.
  • I can identify character traits using context clues.
  • I can make personal connections to the story.
  • I can ask meaningful questions before/during/after reading to help better comprehend.
  • I can make inferences about a character's actions and decisions
• Unit 2: Mythology - Interdisciplinary with social studies
  • I can build my background knowledge of mythology.
  • I can infer a theme that applies to my life.
  • I can use evidence to support my ideas. 
  • I can summarize using the important ideas.
  • I can use grammar and language correctly
• Unit 3: Realistic Fiction 
  • I can identify meaningful quotes from the text.
  • I can explain the importance of a quote in the text.
  • I can infer a theme of a text that applies to my life.
  • I can prove my ideas using evidence from the text.
  • I can identify figurative language and discuss how the elements create an engaging story.
  • I can use grammar and language correctly
• Unit 4: Historical Fiction
  • I can discuss the literal and figurative meaning of words and phrases. 
  • I can explain my ideas using evidence from the text.
  • I can infer and discuss what the title means using evidence from the text.
  • I can discuss character development using evidence from the text.
• Unit 5: Biography - Interdisciplinary with Science
  • I can infer traits that make an  inventor successful.
  • I can use context clues to comprehend what I read.
  • I can synthesize information from two texts to examine the traits of a successful inventor
• Projects:
  • We will analyze different poems and write our own throughout the year
  • We will complete Idioms of the Week to reinforce figurative meaning
     

Social Studies

• Unit 1: How and Why Do We Study the Past?
  • Make observations to generate questions.
  • Hypothesize and analyze using observations and artifacts.
  • Review and create timelines to show their understanding of events in history
• Unit 2: Early Civilizations and Mesopotamia
  • Explain to others the impact of geography and environment on the migration and development of civilization.
  • Explain the impact of the development of agriculture on human development.
  • Analyze and explain why people need rules.
  • Convey ideas through a variety of visual modes.
• Unit 3: Ancient Greece
  • Conduct inquiry and explain the impact of characters in mythology. (ELA/SS)
  • Write knowledgeably using evidence from the text.
  • Form an opinion from multiple perspectives in order to debate with peers.
  • Listen actively to others and respond reflectively. 
  • Convey ideas through a variety of visual modes.
• Unit 4: Ancient Rome
  • Write knowledgeably using evidence from the text.
  • Utilize primary sources to compose an opinion paragraph about an event in history.
  • Convey ideas through a variety of visual modes.
• Unit 5: Medieval Era and the Renaissance
  • Form a historical opinion from multiple perspectives about a historical figure.
  • Utilize evidence from multiple sources to write knowledgeably. 
  • Conveys ideas through a variety of visual modes.