Grade 5

Fifth grade language arts consists of the introduction of basic grammar, usage, and mechanics. Fundamental knowledge of the eight parts of speech, sentence analysis, capitalization, and punctuation is the major focus.

The course emphasizes the writing process of pre-writing, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. The applications of writing skills are demonstrated through narrative, persuasive and creative writing. The students analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of their written work assessing strengths and need for improvement based on the six traits of effective writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency and conventions. Poetry and figurative language are also explored.

Topics covered in the course are principles of geography, map skills, graph and chart reading and interpretation, and the areas:  United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and a world overview.  Projects include a long-term project about the United States in which students choose a state and, following guidelines, present a project including posters, reports, maps and artifacts.  Other projects will be assigned concerning the history, culture and geography of Latin America.

We devote ten minutes of class each day to researching and producing maps.  By finding locations, coloring and outlining maps, students will familiarize themselves with geographic regions, both local and worldwide.  We will use on-line map skill programs as well.  We are especially happy to have both new textbooks and Smart Room technology to use this year.