During 5th grade, students will analytically read, interpret and write about a wide variety of texts from diverse cultures and time periods. Your child will:

• Explore topics through research projects;

• Write products to explain, express opinions and narrate real or imagined events;

• Support ideas with relevant details and logical reasons; and

• Use correct word choice, spelling, grammar, usage and punctuation.

During 5th grade, students will develop the ability to add and subtract whole numbers greater than nine using an algorithm (a set of rules). Your child will:

• Spend a lot of time on operations with fractions, specifically multiplication and division;

• Understand concepts of volume by relating volume to multiplication and addition; and

• Understand and apply the statistics process.

During 5th grade, your child will be an active learner who will be doing science to learn science. They will learn skills that promote analysis and interpretation of data, critical thinking and problem solving similar to professionals in the field while making connections across the different areas of science to develop a deeper understanding of the science concepts. Your child will:

• Develop an understanding of the role of gravity in space and on Earth.

• Determine how photosynthesis plays a role in the cycling of matter and energy.

• Describe what matter is made of and explain how it changes with temperature changes.

• Explain how resource availability and energy flow influence patterns of organism interactions.

• Apply their understanding of changes in Earth’s materials including plate movement, water and air.

In 5th grade, students will explore the people, places and ideas that make up the story of the United States. Your child will:

• Analyze the development and establishment of the U.S. federal government;

• Describe why the government collects taxes and what goods and services it provides society;

• Analyze how cultural, economic and environmental factors encouraged and restricted the movement of people, ideas and goods to and within the United States; and

• Describe the impact of foundational documents on the development of the United States to analyze how a founding principle is applicable today.