Fifth Grade Curriculum

In Amplify CKLA, our science-based reading program, lessons combine skills and knowledge with increasingly complex texts, close reading, and a greater emphasis on writing. Students begin to use their skills to pursue their own independent reading adventures, further opening up their worlds. Students read both fiction and nonfiction texts. Many of these books are related to concepts we are learning about in social studies and science. Our teachers focus on providing tools and reading strategies for both fiction and non-fiction materials to help students take on increasingly complex texts. Students read a variety of genres including mysteries, historical fiction, poetry, and fantasy. Independent and small group guided reading lessons are provided at each student’s reading level. Our reading specialist is available to work with students who may benefit from added support. In writing, we focus on narratives, persuasive essays, poetry, and research writing. An emphasis is placed on students attaining strong research skills. 

Our math program in fifth grade emphasizes conceptual understanding in order to deepen students’ abilities to think mathematically and focuses on personalized and adaptive learning, making math learner-centered and relevant. The curricular focus is on increasingly challenging multiplication, division, fractions, and geometry. We are able to provide small-group learning and an excellent student-teacher ratio which ensure that students are always maximixing their potential. 

Our science program is inquiry-based and invites students to design experiments to test their understanding of science content and concepts. Our curriculum comes from FOSS (Full Option Science System) and Delta Science Modules. These programs bridge research and practice by providing tools and strategies to engage students in enduring experiences and hands-on-experiments that lead to a deeper understanding of the natural and designed worlds. In fifth grade, our units of study are earth and sun, solar system, forces, movement and motion, photosynthesis, and food chains/webs. Typically, fifth grade will have the opportunity to visit the Armstrong Air and Space Museum. 

Fifth grade focuses on the geographic features of the western hemisphere, its early history, cultural development, and economic change. Students study the impact of European exploration and colonization on the early inhabitants of the Americas. Students also study contemporary regional characteristics, the movement of people, and cultural diversity. 

Art and gym meet twice weekly, and music and Spanish meet once weekly. Fifth and sixth grade students have STEAM in our STEAM lab and makerspace, The Curiosity Center, once a week, and a weekly visit to the library. Cybersecurity and digital citizenship are important lessons for our students. We help them create a digital toolkit that includes keyboarding skills, familiarity with productivity tools including Google Suite, knowledge of coding and robotics, and how to behave in a tech-savvy manner. Once a week, our school counselor leads a class session using the Sources of Strength curriculum. This curriculum is designed to increase well-being, help-seeking, resiliency, healthy coping, and belonging.

The fifth graders take on strong leadership roles. Each student has the chance to lead and teach their peers in daily morning prayers, Friday Shabbat Shirah (Sing), and special projects throughout the year. Students deepen and expand their abilities in conversational Hebrew utilizing Ulpan Or (an online self-paced program that focuses on fun ways to speak Hebrew). As we focus on critical thinking and reading skills, rabbinic texts are introduced to enrich Jewish studies. Students are asked to consider Jewish wisdom historically and in their daily lives by reading and debating various Jewish texts. They explore ethical mitzvot (commandments) and participate in a variety of service-learning projects. The service learning components begin with studying rabbinic concepts related to tzedakah (charity). Building on that learning, they create a school-wide food and necessities drive that educates the Rockwern community while gathering essential items. In coordination with the Barbash Vital Support Center, the students deliver these essentials to the center and spend a morning volunteering there, transforming their learning into action. In fifth grade, the students explore concepts of holiness - from the ancient architecture of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem to day-to-day choices they make in modern life. Their study culminates in the fifth grade Kedushah (Holiness) Program. The students synthesize their learning in a special presentation to which families are invited. Fifth graders also learn Torah trope (how to chant from the biblical texts). It is not unusual to find Rockwern students applying those skills at Shabbat services around town! Fifth graders become leaders in the upper grade electives. Some past offerings have included Dreidels & Dragons, Jewish STEAM, and Top Chef Israel. They can also opt into an additional STEAM or Judaics class, where they can focus even more deeply on STEAM or Jewish texts.