Language Arts

Fifth grade students continue to use the skills they have acquired in the earlier grades to comprehend more challenging texts. They read a variety of literature as well as informational texts, responding in different ways in Readers’ Notebooks.

Fifth graders learn how the structure of an informational text supports meaning and how the graphic features included in a text aid the reader’s understanding. Students practice established strategies: inferring, visualizing, questioning, predicting, deciding important information, synthesizing, rereading, and making connections among personal experiences, the texts they read, and the world.

They examine how an author uses words to convey meaning, and balance a study of grammar with development of writers’ craft in writing a variety of genres: expository, narrative, descriptive, persuasive, and poetry. Students plan, draft, revise, and edit their writing and publish for various audiences paying attention to content and development, the organization, the quality of voice, and the correct use of standard American English.

Fifth graders develop vocabulary strategies and word analysis skills. Students construct meaning in context through a knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and various affixes, literal and figurative language, and synonyms and antonyms.

Students choose books of assigned genres for monthly book reports.

A review and application of spelling is complemented by individualized lists for weekly tests.

Students are assessed using quizzes, tests, composition, and oral presentations.

Mathematics

Everyday Math           
Math 4 Today

After a review of whole number algorithms, students add to their mathematical skills as they further study number theory, measurement, multiplication and division of fractions and decimals, addition and subtraction of integers, geometry concepts, a variety of graphs, ratios, algebraic concepts, and data landmarks.

Students are assessed using quizzes, tests, classwork, and homework.

Science

The fifth grade science program builds on the students’ prior knowledge and background.  Students are encouraged to apply this awareness to further develop key concepts through an in depth exploration of earth, life, and physical sciences.  Fifth graders are able to attain these goals through research, experimentation, critical thinking, demonstrations, and "hands-on” activities. The challenges of this curriculum motivate students to remain engaged in an active process of learning and help them to develop a true understanding of science phenomena.

Students are assessed on the recalling of scientific facts, demonstration of understanding of key concepts, and completion of experimental projects and activities.

Social Studies

United States: Adventures in Time and Place

Students continue their study of an overview of the history of the United States beginning with the War Between the States and continuing to the present day. They learn about the renewal of the country after the Civil War, the continued westward expansion, the rise of the United States as a world power, the nation’s involvement in world affairs in the twentieth century, and nation’s leadership role after World War II. They also learn about how the country dealt with industrialization, the issues of women’s suffrage and civil rights for all Americans, the Jim Crow laws, economic depression and recovery, and challenges in foreign diplomacy. Students focus on particular topics for a greater in-depth study. Historical fiction, current events, map skills, and date-appropriate topics such as Presidential Elections, Olympic Games, and special holidays are also included. Field trips and use of the media center for research supplement the classwork.

Students are assessed using classwork, quizzes, and projects.

Fine Arts

Music

Fifth grade students develop their talents and self-esteem with an emphasis on singing, playing instruments, rhythm, movement, performance and musical drama. Students sing in the Lower School Chorus and are invited to join the Minstrels, a choir of third, fourth, and fifth grade students who participate in the SCISA Music Festival. Students continue to play recorders, xylophones, boomwackers, and hand bells. Studies continue in music theory and selected composers. Additionally, fifth grade students perform for Grandparents’ Day and have the main speaking parts and solos in the Christmas musical and their end-of-year musical.

Art

Students use basic art elements and the principle of design to create artwork and communicate personal ideas. Students are introduced to the styles of different artists and use these techniques in their work.

Foreign Language

Spanish

Oral experience is the basis of each class. Students are exposed to high frequency vocabulary from their lives and new vocabulary through flash cards, games, rhymes, puzzles, and story telling. CD’s and videos reinforce correct language. The activities are presented in fun and exciting ways as students increase skills: word recognition, comprehension, and conversation.  Through repetition students practice pronunciation and intonation. Fluency improves through story telling as students move beyond simple comprehension of pictures to thinking in Spanish as they retell a story.

Physical Education

At Aiken Prep our fifth grade Physical Education curriculum incorporates State of South Carolina Department of Education Physical Education Standards enhanced with an adventure based curriculum developed from Project Adventure. Incorporated into our daily activities are opportunities for enhancing development of community, cooperation, communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution. To further develop well rounded student-athletes we incorporate South Carolina Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (SCAHPERD) programs and activities as well as integrating math, science, and language into the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on playing together, creating win-win scenarios, problem solving in small groups, and the ideal of “Play Hard, Play Safe, Play Fair” as part of our character education and developing social responsibility.

To help expose these students to possible life long pursuits and since fifth grade students are eligible to play on middle-school interscholastic teams, we introduce students to a vast array of sports. These include soccer, volleyball, basketball, various racquet sports, roller hockey, geocaching, bike polo, lacrosse, baseball, track and field, and golf. The main goal is to identify activities one will enjoy with others for a lifetime.

Computer

Fifth grade students continue to improve keyboarding skills through practical assignments intended to give them a broad range in usable computing skills. Students work heavily with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint and obtain an introductory yet hands on experience with Excel.

Library Skills

The fifth grade curriculum is designed to reinforce the students’ use of the Dewey Decimal System, the card catalog, and the library’s resources. Their ability to use maps, atlases, and almanacs is expanded.  Students are introduced to the wide variety of magazines and other periodical sources available in the library.  Using their knowledge of the library’s resources, the students solve mysteries.  Reading time and book check-out occur weekly.