| Language Arts
Fifth grade students continue to develop and refine their
language arts skills in reading, writing, thinking, speaking,
listening, and viewing. Students demonstrate learning through
a variety of methods. They work individually, in small and
in large groups to produce oral/written reports, dramatizations,
debates, and demonstrations. Students learn new vocabulary
and apply it in reading, speaking, listening, and writing
activities.
At this grade level, students understand new words through
their study of context clues; root words, prefixes and suffixes;
and synonyms and antonyms. Children develop comprehension
by listening and reading for specific information. Identification
of main ideas, sequencing of events, recalling details, making
predictions, drawing inferences, comparing and contrasting,
and understanding cause-and-effect relationships are emphasized.
 Fifth
graders also examine the story structure of different genres,
analyze the author's viewpoint, and identify topic sentences,
main ideas and supporting details. Activities are also used
to stimulate ideas for focusing and organizing student writing
across all curriculum areas. Emphasis is placed on using a
variety of sentence patterns, developing clarity, individual
style, and refining paragraph skills. Children experience
a variety of writing activities such as reports, journals,
learning logs, persuasive writing, and poetry. They also refine
their proofreading skills to produce a quality document.
Mathematics
In fifth grade, students continue to investigate naming numbers
in a variety of ways, including factors, exponents, fractions,
decimals. They continue to practice with the division algorithm
and apply their strategies for whole-number computation to
decimals.
Fractions are used in measurement, equivalent forms, ratios,
and addition and subtraction situations. Decimal and percent
concepts are extended to equivalent forms, number lines, grids,
probability, and circle graphs. Fifth graders use manipulatives
to explore negative numbers and simple algebraic expressions
and problems. They link their measurement and algebra skills
by using formulas to find perimeters, areas, and volumes of
shapes and solids. They continue their study of geometry,
working with angles, 2-D and 3-D figures, and corresponding
math tools.
 Fifth
graders participate in a yearlong American Tour. They examine
changes in population, societal trends, demographics, and
geography of the United States from its beginnings to the
present. This integrated project allows students to use mathematics
as a tool in a variety of applications. As with the other
grade levels, parent involvement with Math Links is an important
part of the program.
Media Center
By fifth grade, students can identify different literary
genre such as historical fiction, science fiction, sports
stories and mysteries. They are encouraged to read to enhance
skills, such as vocabulary, context clues, sequence of events
and prediction, which they are learning in language arts classes.
Fifth graders use both print and electronic resources as they
develop their research skills in conjunction with language
arts, social studies and science projects. Treasure hunts
and Internet activities teach them to apply skills they will
use on their MEAP tests. They learn to evaluate web sites
and print resources in order to prepare for independent use
of the media center in middle school and beyond.
Science
Students learn important science concepts and develop the
ability to think critically by actively constructing ideas
through their own inquiries, investigations, and analyses.
Students are actively engaged in the process of science as
they explore the natural world.
Some of the most important scientific concepts students learn
are the result of their ability to see relationships between
objects and events. Relationships always involve interactions,
dependencies, and cause and effect. The Variables Module has
four investigations that help students discover relationships
through controlled experimentation. Students will fling, float,
fly, and flip objects as they discover relationships in each
investigation.
In the You and Your Body Module, students will examine the
skeletal system and replicate the arm’s muscle coordination
and measure reaction time. They model the pumping of the heart,
calculate lung capacity, and investigate respiration. They
find out why we have different types of teeth and how to keep
them healthy. Students discover how the five senses work to
perceive and evaluate incoming information. Finally, because
the body runs on fuel, students test foods for nutrient content
and practice reading nutrition labels.
The Earth Processes Module provides an opportunity for students
to explore the ongoing forces inside Earth and on Earth’s
surface that have been shaping our planet for hundreds of
millions of years. Continental drift and plate tectonics are
the central themes for this unit as students investigate the
rock cycle, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions.
In the Newton’s Toy Box Module, students experiment
freely with familiar toys and objects. As they explain their
observations, they prove Newton’s three laws of motion.
The path of a tossed ball, the flip of a grasshopper toy,
and the endless swing of clackers reinforce the concepts of
inertia, gravity, acceleration, mass, force, and momentum.
Students engage in races, games, and challenges that emphasize
the laws of motion which govern everyday tasks.
Social Studies
Students in fifth grade study the historical development of
the United States, from the settlement by native peoples through
colonization and, later, the American Revolution. They focus
on the major events and people that have impacted our country's
development. Fifth graders are introduced to ways in which
business and industry have affected the economy over the years.
Through interactive lessons, geography, problem solving, and
study skills are expanded. Students also increase analytical
skills by taking a position on an issue, and writing persuasive
arguments on topics of social relevance. Fifth grade students
further their knowledge and understanding of core democratic
values upon which our government is based.
Visual Art
The visual art curriculum culminates at the fifth-grade
level as students demonstrate their prior knowledge of the
elements and principles of art; vocabulary; and cultural,
historic, and aesthetic awareness through a variety of meaningful,
artistic experiences. Fifth graders have the opportunity to
respond visually, verbally, analytically, and creatively through
the skillful handling of a wide variety of art media.
Throughout the year, student art may be displayed in individual
school buildings and the community.
Vocal/General Music
Fifth grade is the culmination of the Vocal/general music
program on the elementary level, and the curricular focus
is on reinforcing and cementing previously learned skills.
Students apply their knowledge of the elements of music as
they: demonstrate correct singing technique, musical interpretation,
independence, and the understanding of music in relationship
to history and culture; describe musical sounds in terms of
instrument identification, rhythm, timbre, texture, and form;
use proper technique while playing all classroom instruments;
read and write musical symbols; create original compositions
while developing respect and value for the creative process
and the endeavors of their classmates; and respond to music
through appropriate physical movement.
As students leave the elementary program, they should be able
to form aesthetic judgements based on their musical understanding.
A public performance is often a highlight of the fifth-grade
curriculum.
Instrumental Music
Elementary instrumental music is introduced at the fifth-grade
level during the regular school day. This specialized music
program focuses on the development of fundamental skills and
concepts of playing a wind, percussion, or string instrument.
Students learn instrument care, playing position, tone quality,
music literacy, and vocabulary as they address the challenges
of performing in a group ensemble. Stressed are concepts that
will encourage students to play with confidence, enthusiasm,
and enjoyment all the while fostering a sense of creativity,
self- discipline, and personal achievement.
All students, in consultation with an instrumental music specialist,
are given the opportunity to participate in either the elementary
orchestra or band program. Instruments offered in the orchestra
program include: Violin, viola, cello or string bass. Band
instruments offered include: Flute, trombone, clarinet, saxophone,
trumpet, french horn, baritone or percussion.
Health
Fifth-grade students identify the physical and personal characteristics
that make them unique, worthwhile, and valuable. Students
study the nervous and reproductive systems while focusing
attention on the physical and emotional changes that occur
during adolescence. They develop an awareness of the use and
effects of drugs. They study how alcohol and tobacco affect
the human body.
Physical Education
Fifth-grade students continue to work on gross-motor skills,
spatial awareness, body control, and many movement activities.
There is a marked increase in the areas of cardiopulmonary
fitness, muscular strength, and endurance and flexibility.
The President's Challenge Physical Fitness test is administered
to the students in the spring. A higher level of competency
in gymnastics with and without apparatus is expected. Students
participate in a variety of games, such as basketball, floor
hockey, soccer, volleyball, and softball. Skills requiring
eye-hand-foot coordination are pursued. They participate in
a variety of games that develop body coordination, strength,
endurance, a sense of fair play, and cooperation with others.
Spanish
Troy School District's elementary Spanish program is intended
to help children achieve a positive, successful experience
in their exposure to learning another language. Elementary
students in grades 1 through 5 receive 25 minutes of oral
instruction per week. In fifth grade, children will continue
to expand their listening, oral, and written communication
skills. They will begin to explore the grammatical structure
of the language. Some topics of instruction include greetings,
colors, numbers, family, community, animals, alphabet, calendar,
dinner foods, and adjectives.
|
Our Mission
©
2010 Troy School District / 4400 Livernois Road, Troy, Michigan 48098 / (248) 823-4000 /