English and Social Studies
The English curriculum is fully integrated with Social Studies in Fifth Grade. The students read and discuss novels such as The Egypt Game, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, and Island of the Blue Dolphin, as well as other trade books connecting to the ancient civilizations that are studied in Social Studies. The elements of plot, characterization, and setting are analyzed. Correct use of grammar and punctuation is applied during the writing process; vocabulary is derived from the entire curriculum. Emphasis is placed on writing, note taking, research, and critical thinking skills.
Ancient civilizations from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, India, China, and MesoAmerica are compared by looking at the people; their use of technology, family groups, religion, government, arts, and achievements. There is a focus on critical thinking skills, organization, and interpretation skills with written and oral presentations. Students are involved through discussion, reporting, games, and hands-on activities. The students develop a sense of history, a working knowledge of geography and an understanding of the concepts and values underlying these ancient civilizations.
Mathematics
Students expand their knowledge of mathematics to new levels in multiple areas.These include numeration and estimation, all basic operations, decimals and fractions, probability, ratios and rates, percent, statistics, data analysis and graphing, algebraic notation and equations, exponents, and geometry (plane and 3-D coordinates). Number theory is formally introduced, along with scientific notation, negative numbers, and algebraic expressions.Various projects and applications, such as scale drawings and tesselations, are built into the program. These offer real life situations in which students apply concepts, skills, and problem solving strategies. Manipulative materials, mathematical tools and games are utilized throughout the year. Grade V is registered for Math Olympiads, a voluntary program that encourages interested students to join grade level teams that participate in a series of math contests throughout the year against other teams nation-wide.
Science
In fifth grade, science is used to build on the students’ prior experience with the scientific method of inquiry, encouraging them to turn their questions and predictions into the scientific hypotheses that they will see continuously in the middle and upper school science programs. They are further encouraged to make inferences and draw conclusions based on the observations that they make in class. Grade V curriculum is focused on the differences between matter and energy. The students are introduced to the concept of matter in various forms and learning about changes in matter. The concepts of flight, rocketry, and sound are also discussed. This idea that science encompasses so many aspects of the world around us is further reinforced when the girls present experiments and projects of their own at Lower School Science Expo in the spring.
Art
In Fifth Grade, the students expand their knowledge of materials, techniques and forms of expression to create works of art that require a more sophisticated level of sensitivity, craftsmanship and invention.They explore and respond to the arts of ancient civilizations to produce both two-dimensional and three-dimensional work, continuing to observe and appreciate the arts of historic, cultural and contemporary significance.Each student contributes to a unique, large-scale work of art that is developed and executed collectively.In the tradition of working together to imagine and to invent, they also create elaborate scenery for their class play.
Foreign Languages
Fifth Grade students study French for an entire year. They develop their aural and oral skills as they learn and use basic vocabulary and expressions in the target language, follow commands, and repeat and pronounce words with good intonation. The material is introduced in the target language with the help of visual props and gestures through total physical response activities, songs and games. The students are able to recognize written words and use them in small written projects, dialogues or skits at the end of every unit. These classes continue to focus on French culture and aim to foster appreciation for countries that use that language. A highlight of the year is Café Francais, held in May. Using conversational French the students prepare and serve special international treats for their parents and other guests.
Physical Education
Girls will continue to work on skills commensurate with units covered in Fourth Grade.The Fifth Grades cover units in a block schedule to provide more time for practice.Scrimmages and games are played in each unit to enable the girls to feel competent to compete in each sport.Physical fitness testing is administered two times a year.The results are used to help the girls evaluate their fitness levels and improve/maintain all areas. Swimming is taught each trimester.More emphasis in swimming is put on speed and competitive techniques including starts and turns.Throughout the year the girls compete in Blue and Gray games, and in the spring, compete in a swimming meet and Field Day.
Music
In Fifth Grade the girls continue to develop their vocal and instrumental skills.During music and chorus periods they sing music representative of all styles and genres as they extend their vocal range and develop greater independence during two and three part work.They enhance their instrumental skills using mallet instruments and choir chimes.Extensive use of the chimes during part of the year strengthens their rhythmic reading skills.They continue to expand their understanding of musical concepts such as form, harmony, dynamics, and timbre through analysis of vocal, instrumental, and listening examples.They participate both vocally and instrumentally in several performances each year.