New Hope Academy Elementary School

Fifth Grade Curriculum Outlines

(Compiled from all faculty who teach 5th grade subjects)
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Language Arts

English

Grades 1-6 use the Houghton Mifflin textbook and curriculum. Grade 5 units and topics covered are The Sentence, Nouns, Verbs, Pronouns, Adverbs and Prepositions. In addition four writing units will be taught. They are as follows: The Personal Narrative, Writing a Story, Writing a Persuasive Letter, and Writing a Research Report.

Basal Readers

Grades 1-6 use the Open Court reading curriculum. The foundation of this curriculum is made up of skills and strategies that lead to early independence in decoding, comprehension, writing, and thinking. Areas covered are: Listening and speaking skills; Visual and Auditory Recognition; Decoding vocabulary; Word meaning; Various literary genres such as poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and plays; Literary devices; Author’s devices and purposes; Comprehension and critical thinking skills such as analyzing character, identifying main ideas, cause and effect, time, sequence, drawing conclusions, predictions of outcomes, fact and opinion, and reading strategies; and Study and Research Skills.

Novels

The Fifth Grade reads several novels each year. They may include The Witches, Little House on the Prairie, The Indian in the Cupboard, James and the Giant Peace, Danny the Champion of the World, and The Egypt Game, Bud, not Buddy. In addition, the students are encouraged to read several novels of their choosing during the school year.

Accelerated Reader

A computer-based reading practice program, which allows students to read books that are at their individual level, and take tests on the books from the classroom computer.

Spelling

The McDougal, Littell Spelling program is organized to allow students to purposely and systematically discover and apply the patterns and principles that underlie the English system of spelling.

Handwriting

Cursive Italic as a modern handwriting system based on enduring classic letterforms that were first developed in Italy and later used in Europe is used in grades 1 - 6. These letterforms assist the natural, rhythmic movement of the hand during writing and fulfill the need for both legibility and speed. In fifth grade the basic italic letter formations and numerals are reviewed.

Vocabulary

See Spelling. In addition, the students maintain a vocabulary journal for Science, Reading, and Social Studies. Challenge words are also taken from the students reading book.

Mathematics

Saxon Math is a comprehensive system from Kindergarten through pre-calculus, which emphasizes learning in small increments and review of all previously, learned concepts throughout the year. Grades K-4 is primarily a hands-on approach working with manipulatives. Grade 5 is a review of materials learned at previous levels. Each night’s homework consists of many different types of problems from all previous lessons. For a detailed look at covered topics, see the Scope and Sequence, available in the school office.

Social Studies

Grades 1-6 use Harcourt Brace textbooks, which emphasizes critical thinking skills. Units are also related to literature. Grade 5 Units and topics covered are: Ancient Americas, The Exploration Era, Colonial Heritage, The American Revolution, The Building of A Nation, Westward Expansion, The Civil War, Immigration, Becoming A World Power, and America Today.

Science

Grades 1-6 use Silver Burdett Discovery Work’s system – in which concepts are taught through hands-on experiments for every unit as well as textbooks. Grade 5 Units and topics are: The Solar System, Movement and Control (overview of the body), Energy, Work, and Machines, Plants, Ecosystem, and the Annual Science Fair Project.

Additional Subjects

Foreign Language (Korean or Spanish), Physical Education, Music, Art, Technology, Character Education through a morning message every morning.

Art

Textbooks/Materials used: Art Fun: A survival kit for art teacher (3 books), The glass painting book, Painting animals on rocks, Quilling, Video for perspective

Units and Topics: How to draw in general: drawing the human face and body and nature. Learn the law of perspective and how to show depth with color and size, overlapping and shadow. Learn how to copy from many different sources, and learn how different media can help to express different moods and feelings. Learn how to express themselves through art and not to worry making mistakes. Learn to paint with acrylic paint and to recognize how to use different shapes with rock projects and door steps. Creating masks from paper maché and learn the beauty of different cultures.

Quilling project and learn to coil, cut and glue paper to create shapes of flowers, leaves etc. Learn about the beauty of light through glass projects and study about the history of this media: church windows, lamps etc.

Korean Language

The Korean language program is designed for students to develop and polish their skills in reading, writing, and speaking the Korean language. In addition, students will be able to identify Korean language and culture through a variety of special activities.

Elementary school students are generally organized into four levels: kindergarten, grades 1 & 2, grades 3 & 4 and grades 5 & 6. For younger students, we use various materials and techniques, which are helpful to understand Korean vocabulary and culture.

Grades 5 & 6: students will attend Korean class twice a week. They will learn simple conversation and Korean Reading I. Also, they will learn 50 actions verbs, together with vocabulary relating to family, color, numbers, clothing, animals, days, and months. They will learn how to speak, spell, read, and write Korean words.

Spanish - 5th and 6th Grade

5th grade: In this course the students will be introduced to Spanish cultures and the Spanish Language found in Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, USA, and other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. They will also review many words they have seen or heard come directly from the Spanish language. This is a refreshing course for the ones whom have prior knowledge of Spanish Language and an introductory course to the first time student. It offers a flexible experience to the students and will open their minds to the diversity and understanding of cultures that are different from theirs. Students are exposed to a number of basic Spanish phrases and expressions, through oral exercises, written drills and games.

6th grade: This course is designed to develop strong communication skills. It begins with a rapid review of the basic grammatical structure and vocabulary. This brief review is followed by a more advanced structures needed to acquire better proficiency. Students will identify concepts presented in the units and topics through classroom activities such as oral drills, sensorial experiences, and oral and written exercises of more communicative approach. Students will learn to understand for comprehension of the language through audio and reading exercises.

Throughout both years, students will be able to speak with understanding selected vocabulary and grammar structure, creating simple phrases for active use through topics. Copy Spanish words accurately, spelling correctly from memory. Show the awareness of a different culture and it’s contribution to this country.

Materials used: El Español: Sin Problemas by José M. Diaz; Country Topics, activities, facts and craft projects; by Anita Ganeri and R. Wright. Mexico activity book. Hands on heritage. School Zone Publishing Co.; Let’s play games in Spanish. Vol. Two, NTC. By Loretta B.

Units and Topics: The following topics are in addition to the ones outlined above for the previous grades. Vocabulary, grammar points, and phrases are expanded to befit these grade levels. September: Refreshment/review of the whole calendar and greetings, geography of Spanish–speaking countries October: The school, Spanish math problems, phonetical sound of the alphabet, Hispanic Heritage Month, Day of the Dead Celebration November, December and January: Linguistic and Cultural concepts. Posadas. Spanish borrowed words. Clock activities. February, March, April: Passport around the world. Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other South American countries. Culture, information and comparison. May and June: Spanish grammar exercises and vocabulary enrichment.

Music

Textbooks/Materials used: Silver Burdette World of Music, dance and movement tapes, different types of listening material, rhythm instruments, instrument workbooks, art material, composer worksheets, rhythm workbooks, recorders, bells.

Units and Topics: Reading and clapping rhythms, singing different cultural songs, discussing the history of songs, learning to play instruments, learning about instruments, listening to different types of music, directions of notes, movement and dancing, expression, geography of the songs origin, harmony, playing recorders, and playing bells.

Physical Education

Units and Topics:

* Understanding principles and practice and conditioning that improve performance

* Understands proper warm-up and cool-down techniques and reasons for using them

* Use basic offensive and defensive strategies in unstructured game environments

* Sports: soccer, basketball, hockey, volleyball, football, kickball, softball

Technology

* Programs used: Microsoft Word

* Microsoft Excel

* Power Point

* Print Shop Deluxe

* Hands-On Microsoft Office (textbook)

Units and Topics:

* Student will experience keyboard skills appropriate to grade level (10-20 words per minute)

* Designing and creating multimedia projects using a variety of sources

* Advanced word processing skills

* Electronic encyclopedia

* Basic spreadsheet function

* Advanced Internet 1

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