Fifth Grade Strands

Mathematics

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Fifth Grade builds on a student’s understanding of the four mathematical operations.  To enable a student’s progress in mathematics, our program focuses on three major areas: (a) developing an understanding of multi-digit multiplication and division; (b) fractional equivalencies, addition and subtraction of fractions and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers; (c) understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties. Our students grow mathematically in three ways: they increase their procedural understanding of particular skill sets, they build their conceptual meanings of mathematical thinking, and they are able to apply their mathematical knowledge to real world math problems. At this time, we emphasize the language and terms of mathematics, i.e. perpendicular, parallel and symmetry.

 

Language Arts

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We focus on engaged and active reading and shared inquiry discussions. Active reading means engaging in a dialogue with the text: not only noting major plot points, but asking interpretive questions about the story and understanding how different elements of a story fit together.   We engage students through individual reading as well as group reads that expose students to different genres of books including: Epistolary writing, mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, biography, non-fiction and poetry.  We ensure that students are exposed to a diverse range of authors, cultures, and time periods. This exposure helps students cultivate a deeper appreciation for detail, as they learn to evaluate differences in writing styles, authorial voice, and the content of each story.

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Students are introduced to the grammar and structure of different writing styles, allowing them to experiment with and explore different ways to express ideas. This helps them discover how to communicate using different styles while also strengthening their ability to choose words that fully express meaning, both in literal expression or in the use of metaphor, simile and analogy.

 

Social Studies

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In fifth grade, there is an exploration of world religions.  The cornerstone of  this year’s social studies units will be engaging in small and large group discussions. The format of our small and large group discussion requires active listening to peers, building on and responding to each other’s ideas, generating open ended interpretive questions, gathering evidence to support one’s thinking, articulating abstract thought, and practicing conversation etiquette. Much of the content that we discuss are stories from different traditions. Through these stories, students are encouraged to infer beliefs and connections to traditions. We also use field trips to locations throughout the city to do field research.

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The Arts
 

We believe that The Arts is more than a once a week experience but instead must be integrated into each child’s day.  With this in mind, students are given the chance to explore visual art, music, theater and movement on an on-going basis. 

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In visual arts, we continue our work of relating the materials and exploration of techniques to both periods of history in art and particular artists.  We also grow our field trip opportunities to take in different kind of art and discuss the differences observed.

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In theater arts, students continue their exploration of theater and public speaking through performances and presentations and work with scenes and improvisation with professional teaching artists.

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In music, students continue their work in choir and grow their knowledge of music theory and reading music while singing.  Students are also part of at least two performances each year, growing their comfort with presenting in front of others.
 

In movement, students participate in a dance class in collaboration with Dance Matters - a dance school in Sunnyside Queens.  Each week students go to the studio and learn from professional teaching artists. 

Language
 

Students select to study Spanish or Mandarin.  Our emphasis is on oral fluency.  Students will be conversant in the language through song, discussion and real world activities such as shopping, eating and asking for directions.

Science
 

The aim of this year’s curriculum is to introduce the students to principles and concepts underlying living systems starting with atomic and molecular structure . From the periodic table of the elements, the students will learn about atoms essential to the function of living systems. Particular emphasis will be on the structure of water and how its bonds give rise to its unique properties contributing to living systems.

The students will explore the “invisible world” of microbes from simple unicellular bacteria and some more complex microbial organisms like fungi. Later in the year, the class will explore the human microbiome and the essential role of microbes in the human body. The structure and function of selected systems in the human body will be examined building on the principles of chemistry, physics and biology.​​​​

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