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    5th Grade Curriculum

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Art

    Course Title: Art - Grade 5   Department: Art
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 45 minutes  Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: PDE Art Standards
     
     
    Units of Study:
    Unit 1: Objects Deconstruct into Shape
    Unit 2: Positive and Negative Space
    Unit 3: Alternative Media-Physical Texture
    Unit 4: Clay-Coil Pot or Plate
    Unit 5: Printmaking-Repetitive Print
    Unit 6: Color
    Unit 7: Value-Shades and Tints
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Formative Sketches and Discussions & Unit Project Assessments
     
    Description of Course:
    Grade 5 art is aligned to the PDE art standards. The art program offers a planned curriculum in design, drawing, painting, printmaking, clay, crafts, and sculpture. Grade 5 furthers the identification and usage of shape by deconstructing complex designs into basic geometric and organic shapes. They will advance their clay-making skills from grade 4 to hand-build a sculpture in the round. Grade 5 will emphasize the visual and physical design element of texture in printmaking and color creations. They will develop vocabulary and craftsmanship through project-based learning. Students have opportunities for visual self-expression using a wide variety of tools, materials, and techniques. Students rotate between multiple unique art classrooms through the school year to provide diverse opportunities. The goal of the Art program is to enable students to explore different types of Art media and spark a lifelong interest in Art.
    Business Education & Technology  
    Course Title: Keyboarding II - Grade 5  Department: Business/Technical Education
     
    Grade Level: 5    
     
    Time Per Day/Week: Meeting once per 5 days rotation for 45 minutes each for a total of only 36 class meetings per year 
     
    Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: Microtype Software; curriculum provided by guidance department; Teacher created handouts and lessons organized in curriculum binder; Microsoft Word 2013
     
    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Keyboarding 1
    Unit 2: Internet Safety
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Build skill assessments & Project-based assignments
     
    Standardized Assessments: NA
     
    Description of Course:
    This course builds upon skills learned in grade 4 where touch-typing helps to develop fluency and increase accuracy and speed, GWAM (Gross Words A Minute). Students show growth in the ability to key effectively without looking at the keyboard and develop this lifelong skill. The students revisit drill and practice for refreshing alpha reaches to authenticate accurate use. Numeric reaches are introduced to students meeting alpha GWAM goals. Additionally, this course focuses on mastering basic word processing skills. The students learn that word processing skills offer versatility and flexibility to support any kind of instruction or activity in school and that word processing saves time, enhances document appearance, and allows sharing and collaboration of documents. Digital Citizenship in grade 5 expresses that interactions and activities online are not anonymous.

     
    English Language Art Course Title: English Language Arts - Grade 5    Department: English Language Arts
     
    Grade Level:  5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 75 minutes/day    Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: Reading Wonders, McGraw-Hill

     
    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Word Study
    Unit 2: Reading
    Unit 3: Writing
    Unit 4: Grammar
    Unit 5: Speaking/Listening
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Unit/Weekly assessments, skills-based quizzes, process writing, response writing (text-dependent analysis)
     
    Standardized Assessments: STAR 360, Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
     
    Description of Course: 
    In this course, students learn through a variety of differentiated methods to apply the skills and strategies necessary for reading comprehension, such as close reading for deeper understanding. When analyzing fiction and nonfiction text, students will be able to identify key literary elements, text features, and structure in order to comprehend grade-level materials. Throughout the course of this class, students will engage in responding to texts through a variety of learning activities such as evidence-based written responses, classroom discussions, and small group activities. Students will write an opinion, informative, and narrative essays with a focus on purpose, content development, style, and organization, as well as conventions. Students will be engaged in word study to expand their vocabulary. Grammar instruction includes sentence structure and parts of speech. Both grammar and vocabulary will be embedded in the writing instruction. Speaking and listening skills are practiced through collaboration, discussion, class participation, and oral presentations. Grade 5 English Language Arts is aligned with PA Academic Standards. Included is a link to the Online Textbook Resources 4-6.

     
    Health & Physical Education Course Title: Physical Education - Grade 5    Department: Health & Physical Education
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 1 time per week for 45 minutes   Length of Course: Year- a total of 36 class meetings
     
    Primary Resources: Comprehensive Health Skills for Middle School, Sanderson, Zelman, McCarley
     
     
    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Health and Wellness
    Unit 2: Fitness
    Unit 2: Team Sports
    Unit 3: Cooperative Games & Activities
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments:  Fitness Assessments, Skill Development, Participation, & Sportsmanship

    Standardized Assessments: N/A

    Description of Course:

    The focus of this course will be to cultivate knowledge, passion, and skill to empower students to pursue healthy habits and a physically active lifestyle. Students will engage in various physical activities that support health and wellness, physical fitness, motor skill development and improvement, group interactions, and enjoyment. This course is in alignment with the PA Academic Health and Physical Education Standards, SHAPE America's National Standards for Health and Physical Education, and Grade-Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education. The focuses are on Health and Wellness, Fitness, Team Sports, and Cooperative Games/Activities. Health and wellness topics include focussing on the balance of physical, mental, and social health. Our units align with the PRSD Health and Wellness Commitment: sleep, exercise, hydration, nutrition, limiting screen time, stress management and mindfulness, being outdoors, fun and play. Fitness concepts include experimenting with a variety of activities to improve and promote personal fitness. (eg. Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Endurance, Muscular Strength, Body Composition, and Flexibility). Students will discover concepts of exercise and nutrition for establishing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Team sports will also help with the understanding and demonstration of proper teamwork and sportsmanship. Team sports allow students to apply and improve movement skills (eg. dribbling, passing, trapping, catching, juggling, running, shooting, ball control, kicking, throwing, setting). Gameplay will be used to demonstrate the benefits of practice through drills, stations, partner work, and the importance of fair play. (eg. positions, rules, leadership, and safety) Cooperative games are used to apply a variety of motor skills, creative movement patterns, strategy, and fitness to participate in large and small group activities. Group activities help to identify the benefits of communication and positive social interaction for success in a variety of physical activity environments.

    Library Course Title: Library- Grade 05  Department: Library
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: Book Selection- One class (30 min) every two weeks  Library Instruction- Approximately two project-based units/ year
     
    Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: N/A

    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Book Selection
    Unit 2: Copyright/Creative Commons & Introduction to Databases
    Unit 3: Research Process: Planning, Choosing Sources, Investigating, & Sharing
    Unit 4: Literary Genre: Historical Fiction,

    Description of Course: 
    As part of the library curriculum, fifth-grade students continue to develop their ability to independently select reading materials for enjoyment and growth. There is a strong focus on research, and the selection and use of electronic sources, including databases. Learning activities are project-based and developed to support the content area curriculum. Students learn to evaluate resources for readability, reliability, and relevance. Students also learn to use resources ethically by citing sources and developing an understanding of copyright, Creative Commons licensing, and the public domain.

     
    Math Course Title: Math - Grade 5  Department: Math
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week:70 Minutes/5 Days per week  Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: My Math, McGraw-Hill
     
     
    Units of Study:
    Unit 1: Numbers and Operations - Base Ten
    Unit 2: Numbers and Operations-Fractions
    Unit 3: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
    Unit 4: Measurement, Data, and Probability
    Unit 5: Geometry
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments:  Common Topic Assessments and Performance Tasks
     
    Standardized Assessments: Star 360 and Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA)
     
    Description of Course: 
    Math 5 prepares students for the requirements of the PA Academic and Core Standards in Mathematics, through their ability to understand, retain, and apply eligible content over the course of the year. Cumulative skills attained through this course will include but are not be limited to problem-solving, “real world” application, and critical thinking skills. There are five units of study.

    1) Numbers and Operations - Base 10 focuses on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and decimals using groups of ten and place value.

    2) Numbers and Operations-Fractions focus on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions, improper fractions, and mixed numbers.
     
    3) Operations and Algebraic Thinking focuses on interpreting and evaluating expressions, equations, and inequalities using the order of operations.

    4) Measurement, Data, and Probability focus on converting measurements within a given measurement system represent and interpret data and solve problems involving volume.

    5) Geometry focuses on categorizing two-dimensional shapes based on their properties and plotting points on a coordinate grid.

     
    Music Course Title: General Music Grade 5  Department: Music
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 45 minutes/5-day rotation  Length of Course: Year (part of the 5-day rotation)
     
    Primary Resources: Resources developed by teachers and aligned to PA Academic Standards/Standards/National Music Standards
     
    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Music Literacy: Rhythm/Eighth-sixteenth notes
    Unit 2: Music Literacy: Time Signature/Duple & Triple
    Unit 3: Music Literacy: Pitch/Piano (Middle C position),
    Unit 4: Music Literacy: Pitch/Guitar
    Unit 5: Listening and Analysis: Form/Vocab/Evaluation
    Unit 6: Performance Skills
    Unit 7: Musical Contexts: Styles of Music/History/Composers
    unit 8: Creativity/Improvisation
    Unit 9: Technology
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Topic/Chapter Tests, Performance-based assessments
     
    Standardized Assessments: N/A
     
    Description of Course: 
    5th Grade students will further develop a basic understanding of music through the concepts of Pitch (with an introduction to accidentals), Rhythm (eighth-sixteenth note combinations), and Meter (duple/triple groupings). Students will use this knowledge to read songs and rhythms and actively listen to a variety of musical styles. They will also move, sing, and perform repertoire utilizing these concepts. Students will continue to build upon their knowledge of music vocabulary in order to describe music and participate in intellectual dialogue using appropriate phrasing. Students will begin to develop self-assessment rubrics where they are able to self-monitor their individual progress and constructively critique the performance of other classmates.

    Performance components of the course include: singing, playing a variety of instruments, and using classroom instruments to fluently demonstrate their mastery of various concepts discussed throughout the year. 5th Grade students will also be introduced to Guitar and Keyboard basics with an emphasis on performance. Students develop an appreciation of the music through a historical lens and listen to a variety of music styles, particularly focused on the post-1850s era. Works of famous composers are listened to, analyzed, and discussed in class.
     

    Music
     
    Course Title: Band - Grade 5     Department: Music

    Grade Level: 5th grade    
     
    Time Per Week: One small group lesson & two full band rehearsals      
     
    Length of Course: Year

    Primary Resources: Textbook: Sheldon, Boonshaft, Black, Phillips. "Sound Innovations for Concert Band" 2010, bk. 1/2; Concert performance music grade 0.5-1.5; EHUE 5th grade band website play-along tracks
     
    Units of Study:
    Unit 1: Quality of sound
    Unit 2: Ensemble movement
    Unit 3: Matching pitch
    Unit 4: Technique and Artistry
    Unit 5: Expression
    Unit 6: Phrasing
    Unit 7: Stylistic traits
    Unit 8: Feeling
    Unit 9: Cultural understanding
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Performances (annual winter & spring)

    Standardized Assessments: None

    Description of Course:
    5th Grade Band is a course that emphasizes continuing instruction on learning to play a band instrument. Group lessons give instrument-specific instruction. Full ensemble rehearsal emphasizes playing with other instrumental sections in preparation for concert performances. Attendance at concert performances is required.


    Music Course Title: Chorus - Grade 5     Department: Music

    Grade Level: 5th grade   
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 30 minutes / once a week   Length of Course: Year

    Primary Resources:   Unison/Two-part repertoire, Elementary Choral method resources and Resources designed by the teacher
     
     
    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Beginning Vocal Tone production
    Unit 2: Vocal Warm-ups, Rounds, and Songs
    Unit 3: Music Literacy and Sightreading
    Unit 4: Unison & Two-part Choral Literature
    Unit 5: Vocal Performance

    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Performances (annual winter & spring)

    Standardized Assessments: None

    Description of Course: 
    5th-grade Chorus is an explore ensemble that is offered to all students in 5th grade. This ensembles focus on continuing vocal & breathing techniques, utilizing various warm-ups, ear-training, and explore unison and two-part repertoire.
    5th-grade Chorus performs annual winter and spring concerts.
    5th-grade students have the opportunity to audition for the All-Star Chorus, which is a select group of 5th & 6th-grade Chorus students.
     
    Music
     
    Course Title: Orchestra - Grade 5  Department: Music 
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 30 minutes small group / Two 30 minutes full ensembles  
     
    Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: Resources developed by teachers and aligned to PA Academic Standards/Standards/National Music Standards, Essential Elements Book 1 and 2 Hal Leonard

    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Instrument Parts and Beginning Playing Positions
    Unit 2: Left-Hand Skills
    Unit 3: Music Reading
    Unit 4: Right Hand (Bow) Skills
    Unit 5: Music Understand
    Unit 6: Ensemble Skills & Ear Training

    Curriculum-Based Assessments:

    Standardized Assessments: N/A
     
    Description of Course: 
    Orchestra students in grade 5 receive one 30-minute small group pull-out lesson per 5-day rotation and two 30-minute full ensemble rehearsals per 5-day rotation. Lessons are scheduled on a rotating basis and are taught by one of the string teachers.
    both by ear and by reading music.

    Students also have the opportunity to audition for the Chamber Orchestra. This group meets on specific dates throughout the year and provides students with more challenging orchestral music as well as community performances.

     

    Science

    Course Title: Science - Grade 5    Department: Science
     
    Grade Level: 5   
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 55 minutes every other day     Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: Amplify Science; Inspire Science, McGraw-Hill
     

    Units of Study: 
    Unit 1: Scientific Method
    Unit 2: Sun
    Unit 3: Earth
    Unit 4: Planets
    Unit 5: Ecosystems
    Unit 6: Natural Resources
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Investigation Quizzes, End of Investigation Test, Response Sheets
     
    Standardized Assessments: N/A
     
    Description of Course: 
    Unit 1 gives students experience with the Scientific Method and how to use documentation and experimental results to verify or refute claims. The interactions of Earth, Sun, and Moon are key concepts of Unit 2. Students describe the patterns of the Earth’s movements in relation to the Sun, such as phases, eclipses, and seasons. Students study celestial bodies’ properties and how gravity affects them as the essential force that determines the motions of the Solar System. Unit 3 provides students with hands-on opportunities to understand how human interactions and other environmental factors affect an ecosystem and how all parts of an ecosystem are interconnected and interdependent. Unit 4 focuses on renewable and nonrenewable resources, their effects on the environment, and how they provide for human needs.
    Grade 5 science is aligned to PA Academic and Core Standards. PA Core Standards focus on reading and writing in the content areas and PA Academic Standards are comprised of the Nature of Science, Physical, Life, and Earth, and Space Science.



    Social Studies Course Title: Social Studies - Grade 5  Department: Social Studies
     
    Grade Level: 5
     
    Length of Course:  Throughout the year, shared with Science
     
     

    Units of Study:
    Unit 1: Ancient American Civilizations
    Unit 2: Exploration
    Unit 3: European Settlements in America
    Unit 4: 13 Colonies
    Unit 5: Events that led to the Revolution
    Unit 6: Revolution
     
    Curriculum-Based Assessments: Vocabulary Quizzes, Lesson Quizzes, Chapter Tests
     
    Standardized Assessments: NA
     
    Description of Course:
    The fifth-grade Social Studies course is aligned to the Pennsylvania State Standards.

    Unit One:  Introduces students to the formation, adaptation, and cultures of Ancient American Civilizations based on geography and resources.

    Unit Two: Students are exposed to growth in European technology which encouraged exploration and conquest of newly discovered lands.

    Unit Three:  The division of European land claims in North America and the formation and contrasts of the 3 regions within the 13 colonies that led to early disputes.

    Unit Four:  Unfair taxation and lack of representation sparked a desire for independence, leading to the American Revolution.  

     

    World Languages

    Course Title: World Languages - Grade 5  Department: World Language
     
    Grade Level: 5  
     
    Time Per Day/Week: 45 minutes/once every 5 days  Length of Course: Year
     
    Primary Resources: N/A
     

    Units of Study:
    Unit 1: Germanic Languages
    Unit 2: Swahili 
    Unit 3: Hindi
    Unit 4: Semitic Languages
     
    Curriculum Based Assessments: Projects, Quizzes, Dialogues
     
    Standardized Assessments: N/A
     
    Description of Course: 

    In Unit 1, students are introduced to the Germanic language family with a focus on Danish. Students study a Danish fairy tale and learn to use a set of strategies to translate a section of the story into English. Students will learn about cognates and false cognates, and they will practice using context clues to determine the difference. Students also explore the concept of using “untranslatable” words to learn about a culture.

    In Unit 2, Swahili, students will identify countries where Swahili is spoken. They will learn Swahili greeting phrases and numbers as they practice a strategy for memorizing vocabulary words in a different language. Students will learn Swahili names for animals, then use this vocabulary to connect and engage with a real African guide during a live-streamed safari. Finally, students will discuss the use of proverbs as a unique feature of the Swahili language and the challenges that attempting to translate these proverbs presents.

    In Unit 3, students are introduced to the Indo-Iranian language family with a focus on Hindi. Students explore the Hindi alphabet, comparing and contrasting it with the alphabet used in English. Students also learn about the cultural holiday of Diwali and take part in the Hindi tradition of creating rangoli patterns.

    In Unit 4, students are introduced to the Semitic language family with a focus on Hebrew and Arabic. Students compare and contrast the Hebrew alphabet with other alphabets they have studied. Students also learn Hebrew vocabulary for food items and examine the cultural importance between food and certain Jewish holidays. Students research Jewish holidays and plan a food menu in Hebrew for that holiday, including items that are culturally appropriate. Students also learn numbers and money expressions in Arabic and complete a project in which they use this vocabulary, along with the concepts of foreign currency exchange and bargaining for goods, to create and shop at a fictitious Middle Eastern souk market.

    With each new language that is introduced, students learn about the language family it belongs to, words that English has borrowed from it, countries that use the language, and benefits of learning the language. Each unit of this course integrates vocabulary with culture and transferable skills designed to give students an awareness, understanding, and appreciation for world languages and cultures.