Under that umbrella, fifth graders study the Colonists who immigrated to America, the forced migration of Africans to America during slavery, the Industrial Revolution with an emphasis on Lowell, MA, immigration through Ellis Island, and the changes that these migrations made to the “face” of America. This thematic study provides a meaningful and rich experience through which students develop a wide variety of skills, and are able to draw individual conclusions about different time periods in American history.
Language Arts
As fifth graders have transitioned from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” we work with them to continue to develop their ability to read effectively and to establish a love of reading. Students read and analyze a range of literature from poetry to nonfiction to biography. Through writing, they explore a variety of genres including newspaper articles, journals, poetry, and letters. We emphasize different steps of the writing process, including brainstorming, drafting, revising, and editing, supporting each student in their growth as a writer.
Mathematics
In fifth grade mathematics, students are challenged to think about different strategies for approaching real-world situations and new mathematical situations. We also challenge students to become more flexible in their thinking. Students develop skills in numbers and operations, fractions, measurement, graphic and statistics, geometry/spatial relationships, and informal algebra/logic.
Click here to view the entire Grade 5 Curriculum, which includes a comprehensive overview of Science, Technology, World Language, the Arts, and Athletics, as well as information on Language Arts and Mathematics.