5th Grade

 

In mathematics students will concentrate on a more focused set of major math concepts and skills.  This will allow students time to master important ideas and skills in a more organized way throughout the year and from one grade to the next.  It will also allow for students to engage in rich and challenging math content and in solving real-world problems in order to inspire a greater interest in mathematics.

Students will build their understanding of the place value system by working with decimals up to the hundredths place.  Students will also add, subtract, and multiply fractions, including fractions with unlike denominators.  They will continue to expand their geometry and measurement skills, learning the concept of volume and measuring the volume of a solid figure. Activities in these areas will include:

• Quickly and accurately multiplying multi-digit whole numbers

• Dividing numbers with up to four digits by two digit numbers

• Using exponents to express powers of 10 (in 10², 2 is the exponent)

• Reading, writing, and comparing decimals to the thousandths place

• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals to the hundredths place

• Writing and interpreting mathematical expressions using symbols such as parentheses. For example, “add 8 and 7, then multiply by 2” can be written as 2×(8+7).

• Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators (bottom numbers) by converting them to fractions with matching denominators

• Multiplying fractions by whole numbers and other fractions

• Dividing fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by fractions

• Analyzing and determining relationships between numerical patterns

• Measuring volume using multiplication and addition

 

  There are three major changes in English language arts and literacy. Students will continue reading and writing. In addition to stories and literature, they will read more texts that provide facts and background knowledge in areas including science and social studies. They will read more challenging texts and be asked more questions that will require them to refer back to what they have read. There will also be an increased emphasis on building a strong vocabulary so that students can read and understand challenging material.

    In 5th grade, students will continue to build important reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They will read more challenging literature, articles, and other sources of information and continue to grow their vocabulary. Students will also be expected to understand and clearly summarize what they have learned from readings and classroom discussions, referring to specific evidence and details from the text.  Activities in these areas will include:
• Determining the theme of a story, play, or poem, including how characters respond to challenges
• Comparing and contrasting stories that deal with similar themes or topics
• Explaining how authors use reasons and evidence to support their points or ideas
• Drawing on information from multiple books, articles, or online sources to locate an answer or to solve a problem quickly
• Learning and using new words, including words related to specific subjects 
• Understanding figurative language
• Participating in class discussions by listening, asking questions, sharing ideas, and building on the ideas of others

Strand 1: Inquiry Process

Inquiry Process establishes the basis for students’ learning in science. Students use scientific processes: questioning, planning and conducting investigations, using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data, thinking critically and logically about relationships between evidence and explanations, and communicating results.

Strand 2: History and Nature of Science

Scientific investigation grows from the contributions of many people.  History and Nature of Science emphasizes the importance of the inclusion of historical perspectives and the advances that each new development brings to technology and human knowledge.  This strand focuses on the human aspects of science and the role that scientists play in the development of various cultures.

Strand 3: Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

Science in Personal and Social Perspectives emphasizes developing the ability to design a solution to a problem, to understand the relationship between science and technology, and the ways people are involved in both.  Students understand the impact of science and technology on human activity and the environment.  This strand affords students the opportunity to understand their place in the world – as living creatures, consumers, decision makers, problem solvers, managers, and planners.

Strand 4: Life Science

Life Science expands students’ biological understanding of life by focusing on the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how organisms and populations change over time in terms of biological adaptation and genetics.  This understanding includes the relationship of structures to their functions and life cycles, interrelationships of matter and energy in living organisms, and the interactions of living organisms with their environment.

Strand 5: Physical Science

Physical Science affords students the opportunity to increase their understanding of the characteristics of objects and materials they encounter daily. Students gain an understanding of the nature of matter and energy, including their forms, the changes they undergo, and their interactions. By studying objects and the forces that act upon them, students develop an understanding of the fundamental laws of motion, knowledge of the various ways energy is stored in a system, and the processes by which energy is transferred between systems and surroundings.

Strand 6: Earth and Space Science

Earth and Space Science provides the foundation for students to develop an understanding of the Earth, its history, composition, and formative processes, and an understanding of the solar system and the universe. Students study the regularities of the interrelated systems of the natural world. In doing so, they develop understandings of the basic laws, theories, and models that explain the world (NSES, 1995). By studying the Earth from both a historical and current time frame, students can make informed decisions about issues affecting the planet on which they live.

The Arizona State Standards were created to help ensure that all students are college and career ready by the end of high school.  The standards are designed to reflect the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. A common set of learning goals helps teachers and parents ensure students are challenged and making appropriate progress. 

In Social Studies, students will focus on important reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.  Specifically, students will learn about:

•       Varying levels of text complexity

•       Primary and secondary sources

•       Depth, as opposed to breadth of content

•       Reading from multiple perspectives to write arguments, not opinions

•       Writing arguments, not persuasion

•       Writing informative/explanatory text

•       Publishing student work to an audience

•       Computer literacy skills

•       Utilizing multiple sources

•       Self-generated research questions

•       The research process

•       Paraphrasing/restating information

•       Deep, critical thinking about Social Studies

•       All literacy domains: reading, writing, listening, speaking