5TH GRADE PROGRAM OF STUDY
2026-27 School Year
LANGUAGE ARTS
Continuing their literacy development, Fifth Graders learn to identify the eight parts of speech, sentences and sentence types, spelling patterns, and common conventions of writing. Students read a variety of texts, both guided and independent, at and above grade level with an emphasis on developing appreciation for literature from diverse sources. Students focus on developing empathy for groups of people represented in literature, both fictional and historical Fifth Graders master paragraph writing (introduction, body, and conclusion) and have frequent opportunities for written responses to literature. Students are introduced to the formal research process and MLA-style report format.
READING
Fifth Graders master comprehension skills including inference and other applications. There is an emphasis on the concrete as well as an introduction to application and higher-order questioning Students critically read a variety of fictional texts while examining cultural and historical themes.
Exit Outcomes
Determines the main idea of a passage
Determines the theme of short stories
Uses actions and dialogue to understand characters
Draws inferences from a text
Analyzes short stories
Summarizes a story
Identifies supporting details
Develops a vocabulary of literary terms
Identifies the narrative point of view
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Small-group instruction
Independent reading and writing
Shared reading
Interactive read-aloud
Apply reading for meaning skills
Project work
STAR reading assessment
Accelerated Reader (A/R) testing
LANGUAGE ARTS
WRITING
Exit Outcomes
Develops writing by planning, revising, putting sentences in order
Writes a quality topic sentence
Writes a quality concluding sentence
Organizes writing by main idea
Revises sentences using strong verbs
Adds imagery to stories
Creates varied sentences based on models
Summarizes a story
Orders items alphabetically
Locates information using guide words in a dictionary
Uses thesaurus entries
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small group instruction
Independent writing
Book reports
Note taking
LANGUAGE ARTS
GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY
Fifth Graders master parts of a sentence, the eight parts of speech, kinds of sentences, type of sentences, and basic grammatical conventions. In vocabulary, Fifth Graders attain intentional development of vocabulary through a variety of writing opportunities and master vocabulary contextually.
Exit Outcomes
Distinguishes between complete sentences and sentence fragments
Identifies four basic types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory
Identifies simple subjects and simple predicates
Distinguishes between simple and compound sentences
Combines simple sentences
Identifies noun types, pronoun types, and verb types
Identifies number and case of personal pronouns
Chooses between subject and object pronouns
Distinguishes between main verb and helping verb in the verb phrase
Uses correct subject and verb agreement
Identifies adjectives and adverbs
Identifies prepositions and their objects
Uses correct ending punctuation
Identifies errors in capitalization
Correctly uses commas in a series, with dates and places, with indirect address, with introductory elements, and with compound sentences
Uses correct capitalization and ending punctuation in all writing
Reviewing common prefixes and suffixes
Reviewing Greek and Latin root words
Studying synonyms and antonyms of new vocabulary words
Studying word analogies
Studying multiple meanings of words
Discovers the meaning of words using context clues
Experiences that Support Learning
Collaborative discussions
Flexible groupings
Small-group instruction
Independent writing
IXL
Interactive vocabulary practice using digital resources
MATH
Fifth Graders develop their understanding of math facts, number patterns, and measurement to solve real-world problems Students develop skills in problem-solving strategies using both hands-on and traditional approaches. Students begin to develop abstract mathematical thinking using one-step equations with variables to represent an unknown quantity. Students explore statistical data representations, such as histograms and box-and-whisker plots.
Exit Outcomes Numbers and Operations In Base Ten
Arithmetic
Multi-digit multiplication and long division algorithms
Number Sense
Divisibility patterns
Prime factors
Exponents
Order of operations
Decimals
Place value
Ordering and comparing
Modeling
Rounding
Convert to fractions and percents
Operations with decimals
Word problems using decimals
Fractions
Greatest Common Factor, Least Common Multiple
Ordering and comparing Modeling, simplifying
Mixed numbers and improper fractions
Writing as decimals and percents
Operations with fractions
Word problems using fractions
Experiences that Support Learning
IXL
Aleks
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
MATH
Exit Outcomes—Operations and Algebraic
Thinking
Expressions and Equations
Integers ordering and comparing and all operations
Solving one- and two-step equations
Word problems using unknowns
Write, read, and evaluate expressions with variables
Solve one-variable equations
Differentiate between dependent and independent variables
Ratios and Proportion
Solving ratios and proportions
Percent of a number
Exit Outcomes Measurement and Data
Statistics and Probability
Mean, median, mode
Develops an understanding of statistical variability
Analyzes and creates representations of data using line plots, histograms, boxand-whisker plots
Summarizes and describes distributions of data
Exit Outcomes Geometry
Perimeter and area of quadrilaterals and circles
Perimeter and area word problems
Coordinate grid
Solves real-world problems involving area and surface area
Solves problems involving radius and diameter of circles
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Small-group instruction
Flexible groupings
Math talks
Collaborative discussions
Manipulatives
SCIENCE
Exit Outcomes
Studies the Scientific Method and how to set up a controlled experiment
Completes units on waves, sound, light, electricity, and magnetism
Earth science, including the characteristics and layers of the earth, minerals, and rocks
Life science topics on plants and their characteristics
Experiences that Support Learning
Create group slide shows
Interactive, hands-on labs
Webquests
Group and partner projets
Play review games such as Kahoot, Nearpod, and Quizlet
Model different types of waves
Create projects such as ‘Create your own Musical Instrument’
SPANISH
Exit Outcomes
Learns vocabulary related to greetings, introductions, weather, clothing, body parts
Learns the difference between formal and informal language
Learns and practices the sounds of the Spanish alphabet
Creates “tu nombre” posters showcasing sounds in their names
Learns numbers from 1-1,000 and solves math problems with them
Learns to tell time in Spanish
Creates sentences to describe weather
Culture focus: Learns about the significance of the Day of the Dead holiday, the floating gardens of Mexico and how they compare to Memphis attractions, Diego Rivera and Frieda Kahlo, Three Kings Day
Experiences that Support Learning
Memorize and present short dialogue
View and discuss Spanish movies, Dora and Lost City of Gold and Three Kings Day
Webquests
Group and partner projets
Play review games such as Kahoot, Nearpod, and Quizlet
LATIN
Exit Outcomes
Recalls Roman contributions to modern life
Recognizes noun declensions 1-3
Recognizes and translates the present tense and imperative mood
Understands basic Latin sentence structure using subject, verb, direct object, and prepositional phrase
Infers definitions of English derivatives based on knowledge of Latin (and some Greek) vocabulary
Discusses aspects of Roman life in the 1st century AD, especially in Roman Britain
Recognizes and understands the use and translation of Latin cases (Nominative, Accusative, and Vocative)
Recognizes and translates Latin adjectives in the superlative degree (regular only)
Recalls basic Greek mythology
Experiences that Support Learning
Differentiated instruction to support concept development
Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts
Flexible groupings
Collaborative discussions
Consistent practice in both new and learned concepts to reinforce a cumulative understanding of the language
Projects relating to cultural topics
Celebratory Latin feasts
HISTORY
This course introduces students to concepts related to the study of history and explores the history of humanity around the world, starting with hunter-gatherers and ending with the Greek and Roman period
Exit Outcomes
Students will be able to:
Take guided notes to develop note-taking skills and support study strategies
Effectively summarize information
Read information and critically analyze it in a variety of contexts
Think critically through discussion
Navigate digital resources through webquests
Cooperate and learn from others in an academic setting
Experiences that Support Learning
Introduce basic history concepts including map reading, reading timelines, and how to approach historical evidence
Study early humans in prehistoric era
Learn how humans survived, moved around globe, and began settling during Agricultural Revolution
Learn about civilizations of Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Babylon, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and early Roman Empire
Learn about political changes, military leaders, and early forms of democracy
Hands-on projects to bring history alive such as the “Cuneiform Tablet” project
ART
Experiences that Support Learning
Sketchbook prompts that focus on creative thinking
Digital presentation assignment about an endangered species with accompanying cut paper collage
Study of form and value through analyzing artworks and drawing with oil pastels
Introduction to digital artwork with Google Drawings
Exposure to the Pop Art Movement
Grade-wide collaborative artwork installation
Exit Outcomes
PERFORMING ARTS
Completes a long poem project
Completes a song-writing project
Choreographs and performs a Formative Five Rap
Scripts a Native American short story then stages and performs it
Experiences that Support Learning
Help students develop ageappropriate projection and enunciation skills
Allow students the opportunity to interpret and experience the literary arts through performance using mulit-ethnic, muli-cultural literature
MUSIC
In Fifth Grade music, students experience music through learning to play a variety of percussion instruments in a diverse range of styles and genres. The goal is for students to develop confidence playing instruments alone and together while building an appreciation for music. Instruction is primarily based in the Orff approach to music education.
Exit Outcomes
Plays percussion instruments with correct technique
Performs pieces in a variety of genres and styles
Improvises both rhythmically and melodically
Discusses music using proper terminology
Experiences that Support Learning
Performing in front of an audience
Playing a variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments
Listening critically for elements of music
Composing pieces as a class
Discussing different styles of percussion music from around the world
STUDY SKILLS/ORGANIZATION
Exit Outcomes
Learns about different learning styles and determines how they learn best
Learns various strategies for organization, time management, goal-setting, memorization, and note-taking
Reflects and writes about personal strengths/weaknesses/ areas for improvement
Experiences that Support Learning
Locker and binder checks
Weekly time to organize binders, lockers, and papers
PE
The focus of the Middle School Physical Education Program is to foster an interest in and enjoyment of physical activity while promoting positive group interaction, good sportsmanship, and fitness. These concepts are developed through a wide variety of activities with a progression of instruction based on age and skill complexity. The Middle School Physical Education Program incorporates skills and strategies for team and individual participation. The students are introduced to lifetime sports and fitness with skills being taught and developed through participation, practice, and game and fitness scenarios. Fifth Grade students build fitness and skills through group games, individual practice, and fitness sequences and videos. There is a focus on basic skill development and cooperative work for participation in lead-up games and sports.
LIFE SKILLS
Exit Outcome
Fifth Graders focus on various social emotional topics such as building empathy, how to resolve conflict, and verbal/nonverbal communication
Experiences that Support Learning
Group and partner projects
Special speakers
Small-group discussion
Poster and bulletin board projects
Skits and Google slide presentations
SPECIAL 5TH GRADE EXPERIENCES AND PERFORMANCES
Organize and lead school-wide Canned Food Drive
Class trip to Nature’s Classroom
Move to single-gender advisories
Puberty presentation