Wyndcroft School

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What’s New in Fifth Grade?

Fifth graders at Wyndcroft have a rich and fulfilling schedule of subjects, specials, and other activities. Students take both French and Latin as core academic courses. In addition to learning geometric figures and steps in the writing process, fifth graders explore ancient Egypt, sign up for chorus, conjugate irregular verbs, compose a short story in Latin, and even dissect a sheep’s eye!

We call fifth grade the “transition year” at Wyndcroft, as it marks the beginning of students’ entrance to the Upper School (grades 5-8). In many ways fifth graders take full part in traditional Upper School activities. Fifth graders follow schedules, put their binders in lockers, fill out lunch slips in homeroom, and work on homework during study halls, just as students in grades 6 through 8 do. They meet with advisors both in groups and one-on-one. They also receive letter grades for all their academic courses. Yet, as we want the transition to be a smooth one, we have intentionally set aside some Upper School activities for fifth graders. For example, fifth graders do not take part in Team Sports as their physical education class. They also do not take midterms or final exams as part of their coursework. In addition, fifth graders have more study halls in order to help students learn to balance their coursework and their schedules and keep their lockers organized.

The following is a typical fifth grade weekly schedule at Wyndcroft:

7 periods of Language Arts (two double periods each week)
6 periods of Mathematics (one double period each week)
5 periods each of Science and Social Studies
4 periods each of French and Latin
4 periods of rotating specials (Art, Computer, Health, Music, Study Skills)
3 periods of Physical Education and supervised Study Hall
1 period each of Chapel, Library, and Group Advisory

Language Arts

Our Language Arts course includes both reading and language arts instruction. Prior to the beginning of the school year, students will read The Green Dog: A Mostly True Story, Roman Myths, and Greek Myths as their required summer reading. Students explore the literature topics of fiction, narrative, fantasy, drama, poetry, biography, science fiction, and nonfiction. The study of literature genre reinforces and strengthens students’ use of literary devises and comprehension skills. Students will read Where the Red Fern Grows, Tuck Everlasting, Number the Stars, and Love That Dog. They develop their language skills as they learn technical grammar, composition, and the writing
Language Arts continued:
process (prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing). Fifth graders learn grammar by completing daily edits and assigned writing. Exercises from the text enhance fifth graders’ skills.

The following are our language arts objectives for fifth graders:

to improve reading skills
to increase comprehension abilities, both literal and inferred
to summarize short stories and novels
to understand characterization in literature
to gain awareness of story elements (setting, problem, turning point, and solution)
to improve written communication skills
to develop knowledge of sentence structure
to enhance capitalization and punctuation skills
to improve application of mechanics in daily writing
to improve proofreading techniques
to increase understanding of writing process (prewrite, draft, revise, proofread, and publish)

Textbooks: English Level 6 (Houghton Mifflin), Spelling and Vocabulary Level 6 (Houghton Mifflin), Daily Oral Language Plus Level 5 (Great Source), Daily Analogies Level 5 (Houghton Mifflin), The Green Dog: A Mostly True Story (Staples), Roman Myths (McCaughrean), Greek Myths (McCaughrean), Where the Red Fern Grows (Rawls), Tuck Everlasting (Babbitt), Number the Stars (Lowry), Love That Dog (Creech)

Mathematics

This course is divided into six major segments. Students begin the year with a basic skills review including whole number and decimal computation. In the second segment, students improve their problem solving skills by learning a four-step process which will be used throughout the course. Students learn exponents, order of operations, variables, and algebraic expressions. Scientific notation and the metric system are also introduced. Students explore fractions in the third segment, covering topics like greatest common factor, prime factorization, simplifying fractions, converting to decimals and percents, changing from improper fractions to mixed numbers, and customary units of measurement. Area, perimeter, and circumference are also introduced. In the fourth segment, students learn ratios and unit rates as they solve proportions and work with scale drawings. They further explore the relationship between fractions, percents, and decimals, and they learn how to solve the basic percent equations. Some applications of percents are covered. The fifth segment introduces students to geometric concepts. Students study points, lines, and planes. Classifying angles, triangles, and polygons are covered along with the study of similar and congruent figures. Students us protractors and compasses at this time. In the last segment, students learn graphing, square roots, and probability.

The following are our mathematics objectives for fifth graders:

to increase understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and integers
to develop understanding of known concepts of fractions
to understand geometry
to gain an introduction to statistics and probability
to improve mathematical writing skills

Textbook: Mathematics: Applications and Concepts Course 2 (Glencoe)

Science

Fifth graders explore a variety of topics: scientific method, oceans, sound, sensing and moving, electricity and magnetism, and human body systems. They begin with an introduction to the scientific method with laboratory work. During the unit on ocean frontiers, students learn the basic structure of the ocean, ocean movements, and ocean exploration. The sound unit includes musical instruments, acoustics, wave shapes, and the concepts of intensity, frequency, volume, and pitch. The sensing and moving unit focuses on the five senses. The highlight of this unit for the students is the dissection of a sheep eye. Fifth graders then complete a hands-on unit covering electricity and magnetism in which they discover circuit configuration changes and experiment with magnets. The human body system unit focuses on the vocabulary and location of bones in the body and the organ systems in the body. The function of the system and component organs are discussed. Fifth graders complete lab activities throughout the year to reinforce and aid in the discovery of new concepts. Independent projects are also assigned.

The following are our science objectives for fifth graders:

to understand the part that science plays in everyday life
to successfully undertake and complete an independent science project
to improve the communication skills, both oral and written, in order to explain scientific ideas
to improve reading skills especially in the pronunciation of new vocabulary and the comprehension of new concepts
to organize notes, homework, and lab work in a science notebook
to use notes, lab work, and reading material to study effectively for a test
to develop problem-solving skills focusing on the scientific method as a guide
to develop an awareness of proper use of the Internet as a scientific resource

Textbooks: Holt Science and Technology-Water on Earth (Holt, Rinehart and Winston), Holt Science and Technology-Sound and Light (Holt, Rinehart and Winston), Holt Science and Technology-Human Body Systems and Health (Holt, Rinehart and Winston), Holt Science and Technology-Electricity and Magnetism (Holt, Rinehart and Winston)

Social Studies

Fifth graders delve into ancient history and prehistory. They begin by exploring how past events affect the present and how the present affects the future. Students then learn map skills, methods of studying history, types of historical sources, and archaeological methods of dating. During the year, fifth graders will explore the following topics: early people (Paleolithic Age), earliest societies (Neolithic Age), early Middle Eastern civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt, early Asian civilizations, ancient Israel, ancient Greece, the rise of the Roman republic, and the rise of the Roman Empire. Fifth graders will complete various projects in addition to turning in written paragraphs, essays, and reports. In the study of each civilization, students learn main historical events, mythology, architecture, and literature. As summer reading, students examine Greek and Roman myths.

The following are our social studies objectives for fifth graders:

to increase understanding of major ancient civilizations and their achievements
to increase awareness of major themes and geographic/political/cultural trends in ancient history
to understand the influence of ancient cultures on each other and on modern culture
to read for historical content
to observe historical artifacts and discern what can be learned from them
to evaluate different purposes of maps and cartograms
to take notes as an organizational tool for historical study

Textbooks: History of Our World: The Early Ages (Prentice Hall), Roman Myths (McCaughrean), Greek Myths (McCaughrean)

Foreign Languages

Fifth graders now learn two foreign languages: French and Latin. In French class, fifth graders focus on writing, speaking, and understanding written and spoken French at the basic level. The year begins with an extensive review (for evaluation purposes) of where the students are individually, as well as where the students are as a group. Vocabulary is thematically approached and vocabulary continues to grow on prior vocabulary knowledge. Fifth graders work on the three irregular verbs — aller, avoir, être—as well as developing a mastery of conjugating regular “er” verbs. Students learn imperatives, writing, speaking, how to ask questions, present tense, and immediate future tense. A unit of Phonetics and Sounds is presented for the purpose of speaking. Writing assignments are evaluated. A unit on dictionary skills is presented. Supplementary authentic material is also provided. Additional French word games, crossword puzzles, and word searches are used to reinforce vocabulary. Seasonal vocabulary is explored where appropriate.

The following are our French objectives for fifth graders:

to enhance understanding of the French language
to engage in speaking activities
to work toward greater oral proficiency and fluency
to strengthen understanding of English in relation to French
to enhance vocabulary and application of vocabulary
to think critically
to analyze and apply grammatical rules to written communication
to learn about the culture/history/peoples of France
to understand sentence/question construction in the affirmative and negative
to learn imperative construction in the affirmative and negative
to correctly apply foreign language dictionary skills

Textbooks: Dis-Moi (Scott Foresman), Amsco First Year (Blume), Pauvre Anne

In Latin, fifth graders gain an introduction to Roman culture. Using Minimus and Minimus Secundus, students learn basic grammar and vocabulary as they read about a real Roman family. The main language focus is placed on understanding the dynamics of the language, including noun/adjective agreement, subject/verb agreement, and parts of speech. The second part of the course starts with the Cambridge series. The students learn grammar inductively from illustrations and model sentences as they read stories about the life of another Roman family. Throughout the year, students attend to Latin vocabulary and Roman culture. In addition, fifth graders select a cultural topic to research for presentation in an annual Latin festival (Latin Day).

The following are our Latin objectives for fifth graders:

to master basic Latin vocabulary
to learn new English vocabulary derived from Latin
to understand inflection using the nominative and accusative cases
to conjugate verbs in present and imperfect tenses
to explore Greco-Roman geography, history, mythology, and culture (such as slavery, house parts, clothing, food and dining, baths, and education)
to choose and examine in detail a cultural topic connected to Rome or Latin
to understand how to study a foreign language
to develop a fascination for language learning

Textbooks: Minimus: Starting Out in Latin (Cambridge), Minimus Secundus (Cambridge), Cambridge Latin Course: Unit I (Cambridge), Omnibus workbook (Cambridge)

Special Subjects:

Art

Following the themes of space, light, and texture, fifth graders examine the world of art in these areas:
Space: variety, emphasis
Light: shadow
Texture: contrast

The following are our art objectives for fifth graders:

to use more detail with water colors, tempera, and still life
to appreciate historical artists and their major works
to create cardboard sculptures
to use two point perspective
to paint plastic
to reproduce works of artists’ studies (based on student choice)
to learn “lineilism” (pointillism using lines)
to create art using charcoal and pastels

Computer

Fifth graders begin by reviewing previously introduced skills and general purpose productivity tools and peripherals. They use technology tools for individual and collaborative writing and publication activities. Fifth graders use technology resources for problem solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. Additionally, fifth graders discuss the social, ethical, and human issues of technology.

The following are our computer objectives for fifth graders:

to use keyboards and other common input and output devices efficiently and effectively
to discuss common uses of technology in daily life and the advantages and disadvantages those uses provide
to maneuver within a network for the storage and retrieval of data
to discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use
to use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum
to use technology tools (e.g. multimedia authoring, presentation, and scanners) for individual or collaborative writing, publishing activities that create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom
to use Web-based technologies and multimedia software to efficiently access remote information
to use online resources to participate in collaborative problem-solving activities for the purpose of developing products for audiences inside and outside the classroom
to use technology resources for problem solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities
to determine which technology is most useful for a given task and to select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems
to integrate several levels of media

Health

Fifth graders continue using the Totally Awesome Health series. The first focus is on basic safety: fire, seatbelt, bus, pedestrian, sports, bike. There is also a unit on disabilities in which students will learn about individuals with disabilities and the obstacles they face in the activities of daily living. Individuals from the Think First program (a group of individuals living in wheelchairs because of accidents) visit the students to discuss disabilities and safety. The last unit of fifth grade health deals with puberty and basic human reproduction.

The following are our health objectives for fifth graders:

to compare behaviors that are safe with those that are risky or dangerous
to demonstrate knowledge of common disabilities, both visible and invisible
to understand the difference between disabilities occurring at birth, from illness, and from accidents
to develop an awareness of the obstacles faced by individuals living with disabilities and for the people who care for them
to identify male and female reproductive anatomy
to understand basic knowledge of human reproduction
to verbalize questions and concerns about growth and development
to understand media influences on body image
to develop an awareness of gender differences and respect for those differences
to feel comfortable with his/her own body
to discuss hygiene practices necessary for good personal health

Library

During this course, fifth graders use the library collection to research for reports in subject areas and to find pleasure reading. They analyze the Dewey Decimal System as a prototype, or model, of a way to organize information so it can be retrieved. Fifth graders learn techniques to gather and combine information in a presentable form. They increase their abilities to evaluate materials and to make satisfying selections.

The following are our library objectives for fifth graders:

to interpret information in card and computer catalogs
to use information in catalogs to develop a sample bibliography
to use the nonfiction collection as a source of information
to understand that the purpose of the Dewey Decimal System is to pull together materials on the same subject and literary form
to understand that the ten main classes of the Dewey Decimal System can be divided and subdivided into more specific subjects
to distinguish the unique characteristics of various reference sources
to determine the reference sources most appropriate for a specific purpose
to know different types of biographical materials and locate information in each
to locate information about a person in the collective biography collection
to use the various parts of a book to determine scope, format, and timeliness and to locate and document information
to use ideas gained through different materials
to carry research through to a conclusion
to present information in a written report and/or an oral presentation
to make a bibliography of author, title, publisher, and date for research assignments
to recall, summarize, and paraphrase what is listened to and viewed

Music

This course will continue to review and reinforce previously learned materials and to learn new material in a sequential manner. Preparation for chorus is continued throughout the year with the opportunity to join chorus as an extra-curricular activity.

The following are our music objectives for fifth graders:

to be able to read music in the treble clef
to expand the knowledge of melodic and rhythmic notation
to have the opportunity to participate in chorus and select chorus
to sing two-part harmony
to continue to learn about composers and their music through monthly fact sheets and audio samples
to continue to use rhythm instruments in an ostinato pattern
to reinforce learned musical skills through computer work and theory worksheets

Physical Education

As in fourth grade, fifth graders learn the importance of physical education and fitness to succeed in any activity. They are introduced to higher level cognitive thinking to enhance the level of play.

The following are our physical education objectives for fifth graders:

to use proper safety techniques in a gymnasium setting
to develop throwing and catching skills while kicking with a mature form
to develop a longer stamina to increase game play time
to develop an understanding that performing skills correctly improves performance
to choose teammates without disrupting the classroom environment
to understand that physical activity creates a healthy lifestyle and an overall sense of well being
to control emotions during game play and not overreact
to encourage physical activity on a regular basis
to gain a sense of confidence and a positive attitude toward physical activity
to work productively with a partner and in groups

Study Skills

Fifth graders focus on location, organization, interpretation, retention, test-taking, studying, and listening.

The following are our study skills objectives for fifth graders:

to use both print and online card catalog
to use both print and multimedia encyclopedias
to identify topic sentences
to identify supporting sentences
to outline a paragraph
to know common prefixes and suffixes
to differentiate between fact and opinion
to interpret information from tables, diagrams, and charts
to learn memory techniques
to become acquainted with various types of tests
to scan accurately
to gain active listening skills
to use the library for researching information for the French Fete

Textbook: Learning to Study (Book F) (Perfection Learning Corporation), You Can Take Charge (Level C) (Zaner-Bloser)

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