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 SJCS Curriculum by Grade
FIFTH GRADE
Fifth grade students begin to move from concrete to more abstract thinking skills. Math skills such as multiplication and division are applied to the next level of concepts. Writing skills are highlighted through creative writing assignments such as short stories and poetry. Social studies expand within the curriculum to broaden students’ scope of the world. Band is offered for those who are interested in developing musical skills at school. Fifth grade students are characterized by a burgeoning awareness of themselves and their relationship to God. They desire to learn right from wrong, and are encouraged to do this by developing discernment skills based on the Bible.
Highlights in Fifth Grade
Outdoor education at Mission Springs in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Beginning Band
3rd-5th Grade Musical (every other year)
State report, project, and brochure
Colonial Day
States and Capitals
Fine Arts Festival
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
Bible- Witnesses to the Gospel. (Christian Schools International)
Fifth grade students expand their knowledge of God and his plan while growing in their relationship with him. Topics of study include the prophets and poetic writings of the Old Testament as well as Jesus’ life, his ministry, and the early church. Students discuss scripture and apply it to daily life. Memory work is used as a tool to make God’s word relevant and personal to each child.
Math- Math 65. (Saxon)
Fifth grade students experience God’s order in creation as they develop important math skills. Daily lessons emphasize basic computation, fractions, decimals, and practical daily situations. Students focus on gaining easily assessable use of their multiplication and division skills as they apply these skills to the next level of concepts.
Reading- Reading California: Expeditions. (Houghton Mifflin)
A natural affinity for stories helps fifth grade students develop a growing understanding of people, conflict, resolution, and comprehension skills through short story and novel studies. Students focus on developing vocabulary, relating cause and effect, and using referencing and summarizing skills.
Writing/Grammar- Reading California: Expeditions. (Houghton Mifflin)
Fifth grade students discover God’s gifts of words and language by studying the parts of speech, sentences, and the rules of language. Students express themselves by writing short stories and poems.
Word Knowledge- Reading California: Expeditions.: Rebecca Sitton Spelling (Houghton Mifflin/Sitton)
Fifth grade students will make connections between fifth grade material, previously learned phonetic skills, and other spelling patterns. They will be encouraged to apply these skills to their daily writing.
Social Studies- United States History. (Houghton Mifflin) Exploring God’s world through geographical and cultural studies, students examine the United States and how it became a nation including: settlement, the Revolutionary War, the, Constitution, the War of 1812, the Industrial Revolution, and the Civil War. A major focus of the year is each student learning the states, capitals, and abbreviations for each state, along with projects about the regions of the country.
Science- Science. (Christian Schools International)
God’s power, creativity, and design and revealed to fifth grade students in the areas of space, the human body, cells, motion and forces, and agriculture. Students engage in many hands on experiments and activities to increase their knowledge and understanding of these concepts.
Health- Healthy Living: Staying Healthy. (Christian Schools International)
Through a comprehensive study of the human body in Science class, students are introduced to the physiological changes they will be going through during puberty. Students are also shown patterns for healthy food choices and discuss how these relate to their bodies.
Computers- Type To Learn. (Sunburst)
Fifth graders practice their keyboard skills and learn to navigate the internet. They learn word processing skills such as copy, paste, and move. Science is often enhanced by working on activities using the computer. Language Arts stories and other reports help students work on editing skills.
Music- The Music Connection. (Silver Burdett Ginn)
Fifth grade music prepares students to develop and share musical gifts and talents throughout life. Special topics include vocal skills major and minor scales, composition, the lives and music of Rossini and Handel, and musical forms (theme and variations, fugue). Topics that supplement Grade 5 Band are given special attention.
Beginning Band- Yamaha Advantage. (Carl Fischer)
Fifth grade is the first opportunity for students to participate in the SJCS Band Program. Band is optional. Students who wish to take band in later grades must take Beginning Band in fifth grade. Instruments offered at this level include flute, clarinet, bassoon (private lessons required), alto sax, trumpet, trombone, baritone, French horn (private lessons required), snare drum (private lessons required), and orchestra bells. Students are given instruction during school hours, but private lessons are encouraged for initial success. Instruction includes instrument care, tone production, practice habits, music reading, and performance skills. Music is prepared for a winter and spring performance.
Art- Emphasis Art. (Harper & Row)
Fifth grade art expands on the development of naturalistic spatial organization. Students spend time with indoor and outdoor sketching, expressive drawing, composition, painting, collage, printmaking, and ceramics. Mediums used include charcoal, pencil, chalk, wire, plaster, wood, clay, watercolor, and acrylic paint. Art history focus is on American Art. Students continue to develop awareness that God is the ultimate artist.
Physical Education- Physical Education 3-5. (Christian Schools International)
Physical Education in the fifth grade primarily stresses the development of skills and using these skills in team sports. Students also start to learn the rules and simple strategies of various team sports. The themes of teamwork, participation, and positive attitude are continually stressed throughout the activities. Fifth graders also work on building their health fitness with the Physical Fitness Test. These tests are passed through muscular development and cardiovascular training. |