Grade 5

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Language Arts & Literature Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Writers Express; three required novels; independent choice – four genres.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop their facility to read challenging texts in various literary genres.
• Add depth to their understanding and analysis of literature.
• Develop ease in discussion and writing with clear, logical expression.
• Discern concepts and themes presented in texts with supporting evidence.
• Undertake regular creative writing and publish it in a handmade book.
• Pursue individual progress in vocabulary and mechanics of Standard English.
• Develop library skills and use of reference resources.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Integrated with the Social Studies curriculum.
• Assigned reading extends reading skills and appreciation of literature.
• Writing assignments are varied, and skills and different genres are taught.
• Close attention is paid to individual writing styles and needs.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will slowly be introduced in the first semester. Grades are based on content, writing skills, and effort. Late or missed work will affect grades.

HOMEWORK POLICY

This is assigned three times a week for Language Arts and Social Studies combined. Books are read as homework, but studied in class. Absent students must ask for missed work and complete it. Students should read 30 minutes or more per day in addition to set homework.

Mathematics Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Everyday Math Program

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Master multi-digit multiplication and long division with 1 and 2 digit divisors.
• Further develop and apply mental math and estimation skills.
• Solve addition, subtraction, and multiplication equations with fractions.
• Solve equations with decimals and fractions.
• Classify and identify points, lines, rays angles, and polygons.
• Use standard and metric measurement.
• Create and interpret data.
• Further develop and demonstrate number sense.
• Solve problems as part of a team.
• Articulate and write about problem solving strategies.
• Use mathematical vocabulary.
• Develop algebra concepts and skills.
• Use probability, ratios, and rates.
• Solve problems with experiments and negative numbers.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Numeration.
• Operations and computation.
• Patterns, functions, and algebra.
• Geometry.
• Problem solving, estimation, and mental math.
• Measurement and reference frames.
• Data and chance.

GRADING POLICY

Quarterly progress reports are based on unit assessment, class work and homework, class participation, and effort.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Mathematics homework is assigned daily. Assignments are designed to review material that has already been introduced. Students who are absent are expected to make up missed classwork and homework.

Social Studies Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Nystrom World Atlas (1999), The Ancient World: Incas. Message of Ancient Days, The African-American Family Album.
Field trips: Angel Island, Asian Art Museum, de Young Museum.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop chronological and spatial awareness.
• Frame questions and determine relevant information.
• Learn to research both primary and secondary sources.
• Interpret historical, geographical, and cultural data.
• Gain insight into the relationships among people, ideas, events and environment.
• Prepare notes and informational writing in their own words.
• Understand the significance of plagiarism, and cite all sources.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Location, landforms, climates, land use, and vegetation of three continents.
• Relationship between communities and their environment.
• Vocabulary and skills of historical analysis.
• History, social structure and economy of the Inca Empire, Ancient China, and
• medieval Sahara-West African Kingdoms.
• History of slavery.
• Foundation of government and civil rights in USA, 1500-1965

GRADING POLICY

Grades will slowly be introduced in the first semester. Grades are based on content, writing skills, and effort. Late or missed work will affect grades.

HOMEWORK POLICY

This is assigned three times a week for Language Arts and Social Studies combined. Books are read as homework, but studied in class. Absent students must ask for missed work and complete it. Students should read 30 minutes or more per day in addition to set homework. Science

TEXT BOOKS

Destinations in Science.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Learn science content through inquiry.
• Observe and conduct experiments.
• Collect data and record findings.
• Use classification, inference, prediction, and hypothesis.
• Further develop knowledge of Physics, Life, and Environmental Science.
• Improve and apply research skills.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Ecosystems: systems, interactions, and energy.
• Biomes: patterns of change and stability.
• Classification and Evolution.
• Energy, sound and light.
• Current Environmental Issues.

GRADING POLICY

Quarterly progress reports will be based on each student’s research and investigations, science logs, projects, reports, quizzes, tests, and class participation, and effort.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is assigned one to three times a week. Assignments will prepare students for upcoming lessons. A project or report will be assigned for each unit of study.

International Languages Hide

FRENCH

TEXTBOOKS

French is Fun.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Study very simple grammar for application to both oral and written expression.
• Expand basic French vocabulary through thematic units.
• Enhance oral expression through conversation, dialogues, skits and games.
• Introduction of Francophone countries.
• Enhance written expression through an e-mail exchange with a class in France.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Sound and letter combination recognition.
• Using subject pronouns.
• Objects found at school definite and indefinite articles, plurals, identifying
• masculine and feminine.
• Description noun/adjective agreement.
• Regular erverb conjugations.
• Numbers and telling time.
• Professions irregular verb tre.
• Clothes & Colors (position of adjectives).
• The Family (possessive adjectives).
• The House (vocabulary).
• Pastimes asking and answering questions.
• Prepositions of Place
• Body Parts
• Making Questions & Negatives
• Irregular verb: avoir
• Review alphabet, greetings
• Religions, nationalities, countries, different places, Halloween, Toussaint, Noëls.

GRADING POLICY

5th Graders do not receive formal letter grades, instead they receive written narrative evaluations each quarter. They receive number grades only on written assignments. Class participation, self-motivation and attention are all taken into consideration for assessment.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Fifteen minutes a night (weeknights only) to review/drill vocabulary or complete a specific written assignment. When no written assignment is assigned, students are expected to spend time reviewing and memorizing vocabulary.

SPANISH

TEXTBOOKS

Spanish is Fun.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Master new grammatical structures presented in this course.
• Build upon previously learned material through review and repetition.
• Increase vocabulary through thematic units.
• Gain confidence in speaking through dialogues and skits.
• Actively participate in daily oral/aural drills.
• Learn to compose grammatically correct sentences.
• Take ownership of learning and individual progress.
• Actively participate in class in the target language.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Greetings, Basic Conversations
• Subject Pronouns.
• Regular AR, ER, and IR verb conjugations.
• Time, Numbers, and Classroom Objects.
• Professions and Family.
• The uses of Ser, Estar, Ir, and Tener.
• Prepositions of Place.
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Interrogatives.
• Geography.

GRADING POLICY

5th Graders do not receive formal letter grades, instead they receive written narrative evaluations each quarter. Students are evaluated based on class participation, effort, quality of completed assignments as well as on test and quiz performance.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is given to reinforce new concepts and to practice previously learned information. Students are expected to "study" Spanish for at least 15 minutes every night. This may include reviewing flashcards and vocabulary and practicing ew grammar concepts.

Religion Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Celebrating Sacraments

OBJECTIVE

The student will:

• Identify various expressions of God’s presence in the world
• Articulate the role of symbols and rituals in experiencing God
• Explore the lives of people responding to God’s personal invitation
• Engage sacramental imagination to see a “world charged with the grandeur of God”

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• The sacramental nature of life
• The liturgical celebrations
• The communion of saints
• The subject will be engaged through PowerPoint presentations; film clips; dramatic and humorous enactments; various expressions of art and music, written reflections and interactive dialogue.

GRADING POLICY

40% Homework
25% Quizzes/Tests
20% Portfolio
15% Participation

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is assigned weekly and students will have approximately one week to complete an assignment. Students can anticipate spending one hour per week on assignments.

Studio Art & Drama Hide

ART

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Enhance their self-confidence, self-expression and divergent thinking.
• Develop the senses in discerning aesthetics.
• Learn the language of art and understanding artists and their work.
• Use art tools and materials competently and safely.
• Experience the personal satisfaction of creating art.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Organize and compose elements in pictures, sculptures and crafts.
• Relate materials to form.
• Recognize both the possibilities and limitations of the media used in expression.
• Use and control simulated and actual textures in personal artwork.
• Use perspective effectively in drawings and paintings.
• Firmly establish skills in painting, drawing, 3-D design and crafts.
• Introduction to communication media.
• Explore art as a universal form of communication.
• Discover how art communicates social and political causes.
• Explore personal feelings, historic records and religious meaning in art.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will reflect personal effort and creative energy demonstrated in class and the student's ability to be self-directed in a less structured environment. Active participation and the completion of class projects will determine the final grade.

HOMEWORK POLICY

No homework is assigned. Class time is generally sufficient for the completion of projects. Occasionally students may finish a project at home or after school.

DRAMA

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop a greater understanding and knowledge of theater as an art form.
• Learn cooperation and collaboration skills through games and activities.
• Create and play improvisation games.
• Have the opportunity to lead class in various warm-up activities.
• Perform solo, with a partner, and in small groups.
• Explore fundamentals of body language and movement.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Improvisation.
• Introduction to pantomime, mime, synchronized movement.
• Working on “radio shows, commercials, skits, and "fairy tale theater”.

GRADING POLICY

Drama will not be graded, but students will be expected to participate, cooperate, and also prepare for the performance for their Little Sisters in the First Grade.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will only be given during one quarter, in preparation for the First Grade/Little-sisters performance. Assignments will include memorizing lines and organizing costumes.

Music Hide

TEACHER

Ms. Gemma Arguelles

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Gain a deeper awareness of using their voice as a musical instrument.
• Read and write music appropriate to the level.
• Use the computer for music writing purposes.
• Learn to play bar instruments such as xylophones and metallophones.
• Use instruments to accompany singing.
• Continue to play the recorder to reinforce music reading skills.
• Use knowledge of musical elements to improvise, compose or arrange music.
• Develop attentive listening skills and aural memory.
• Gain an appreciation for classical music and live performances.
• Gain confidence as a participant or performer in the classroom or in assemblies.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Use of the Kodály approach to music education.
• Expanded coverage of musical elements and notation.
• Use of diatonic major and minor scales including a review of Pentatony.
• Use rhythmic elements with simple and compound meters.
• Use of folk materials as basic repertoire
• Seasonal material.
• Songs that integrate with units in social studies or science.
• Music of great composers.

GRADING POLICY

Students are evaluated through their active participation and performance in all music activities: singing, movement, reading, writing, playing instruments, and attentive listening.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students will be expected to complete a music project per quarter. No weekly homework is assigned in this class.

Physical Education Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop an interest and proficiency in movement skills
• Participate in a variety of games with rules and activity skills.
• Define and maintain individual physical fitness and wellness.
• Develop effective motor skills through exploration and practice.
• Analyze purposeful movement with appropriate social behaviors during activity.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a positive self-image.
• Gain individual physical performance through setting realistic goals.
• Create satisfying and successful experiences for all students.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Units have been developed for a variety of team games.
• Volleyball, basketball, Catholic Youth Organization league sports.
• Cooperative exercises and games.
• Presidential Physical Fitness program.
• Jump Rope for Heart program.
• Gymnastics.
• Creative dance and square dance.
• Health, Nutrition (American Dairy Council), and Personal Hygiene.

GRADING POLICY

Evaluations are based on participation in class, sportsmanship and positive attitude, effort, and understanding of rules and activities. Physical fitness tests will be administered to test skill and fitness improvement. Participation, listening, and following directions will be important in the overall grade. If a student is not able to participate in P.E. she must bring a note from a parent. If she is going to miss more than one week of P.E. she must have a note from a doctor.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students are encouraged to exercise daily and to complete assignments in ADC program booklets.

Computer Studies Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop word processing and keyboarding skills.
• Learn to use application software for curriculum area projects.
• Evaluate Internet web sites for Social Studies informational content.
• Produce creative writing to publication standards.
• Type and edit their work.
• Have assignments typed and printed on time.
• Use spell check regularly.
• Follow instructions for typed work. (Fonts, size, layout etc.)
• Save all written work electronically, and as paper copy

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Powerpoint and Graphing Programs.
• Word processing and desktop publication.
• Web site research and evaluation.
• Keyboarding, skills and math practice programs.

GRADING POLICY

Grades are not given for computer work or projects. Students earn grades within core curriculum areas. Effort and attentiveness in the computer lab, attention to accuracy of word processing, and application use will be taken into account.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students are expected to continue keyboarding practice (Alphasmart keyboards are available) and complete assignments not finished during computer lab class. They will need to schedule independent computer lab time outside class hours. Some typing can be continued on a home computer.