Curriculum

Religion

Fifth Grade

 Blest Are We (Silver Burdett Ginn)
Fully Alive      (Silver Burdett Ginn)

The focus of 5th grade religion is the sacraments.  The student’s begin by studying the creation story and learning about the sacraments of creation.  They discover that through the sacraments, Gods love is endless.  The students are taught the gospel values of love, forgiveness, honesty, compassion and service.  Each chapter involves scripture readings, student activities, discussion topics and prayers.

During the second trimester the students will begin Fully Alive.  This program reinforces the importance and sacredness of the family.  God’s gift of family, self, life and love will be discussed in class. 

Sixth Grade

The focus of 6th grade religion is to nurture an understanding of and reverence of Scripture.  Gospel stories help our students develop a relationship with Jesus and connect to his life and mission.
 The emphasis during class is on the Old Testament and our linkage as Catholics to those that first believed in God.  We are using the Blest Are We text for the third year.  Each chapter has scripture readings, student activities, discussion topics and prayers.  There is also a Family Time section that you are welcome to explore with your child.
Shortly after the first of the calendar year, we will begin family life using the Fully Alive textbook published by Silver Burdett Ginn, which reinforces the fundamental importance and sacredness of the family.  Gifts of family, self, life, love, sexuality, and community will be discussed during class.  Our overriding message is that these gifts need to be treated with the utmost respect.
Service is a significant theme during the year.  Students will be expected to play a role in a year-long service project that will be planned and driven by the 6th grade class.
Throughout the year, we also expect students to participate in a number of spiritual activities including:

Liturgies and Prayer Services
Buddy program and kindergarten science
Daily prayers

Science

In both 5th and 6th grade science, the emphasis is on developing critical thinking.  Students will learn how to use scientific thinking in their daily lives through classroom discussion, hands-on activities, and projects.  They will be encouraged to:
·     think creatively and offer new ways of doing things
·     ask a lot of questions
·     explain their reasoning behind their own answers
·     defend their views on environmental issues and other topics
·     master fundamental science concepts for the units covered
·     explore the interrelationships between different branches of science 
Science projects and activities will be completed either on an individual basis or as part of a group.  Students will be expected to contribute to group activities and work cooperatively.  The specific topics to be covered during the school year are:

  5th Grade

•  Structure, characteristics and states of matter
• Life processes, including plant systems and traits of living things
• Earth structures, surface, and resource usage
• Space exploration including the Earth, its moon, and our solar system

6th Grade

• Scientific method and principles
• Animals and their characteristics, adaptations, structures and functions
• Human biology with emphasis on these major systems:  skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, immune, and nervous
• Environmental science using ecosystems, biomes, living resources, and current issues
• Magnetism, electricity, and computing technology

Social Studies

Fifth Grade

Build Our Nation:  American History and Geography
                                (Houghton Miflin)
The fifth grade students prepare for their role as informed citizens throughout their study of American history.  Their journey begins with learning about the landforms across the United States and how each region uses the lands natural resources to build a better America.  They will discover how the Native Americans used the land and how the early explorers and Native Americans met.  They will learn how the Europeans claimed land for their home country and how the land become the American Colonies.
To be knowledgeable about the country in which we live the fifth graders will learn the location of each of the fifty states and be able to name the capitals.  

Sixth Grade

Sixth grade students prepare for their role as informed citizens in a democratic society.
Students study how ancient civilizations
impact today’s cultures.
The focus will be:

1. World regions
2. Geography/map skills
3. Ancient Civilizations
4. Middle Ages
5. Renaissance
6. Citizenship
7. Economic development

Reading/Literature

Fifth Grade

Elements of Literature ( Holt, Rinehart, Winston)

The fifth grade reading program includes a variety of authors and genres.  The students become active readers as they learn through vocabulary, literary elements, grammar links and creative writing exercises.  The student’s orally read and read silently for comprehension.  The focus includes: understanding cause and effect, sequencing story events, analyzing details, using context clues and understanding literary devices. 

The students will also read Young Adult Novels throughout the year.

English

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade English program consists of the study of grammar and writing skills.  The grammar focus includes:

• Sentence structure
• Parts of speech in particular, nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns
• Capitalization and punctuation
• Diagramming

Focus in writing includes:

• Personal narrative
• Descriptive writing
• Framing correct responses to comprehension questions
• ABC book

Sixth Grade

The sixth grade English program consists of the study of grammar and writing skills.
Focus in grammar includes:

1. sentence structure
2. parts of speech in particular, nouns, verbs, modifiers, prepositions, and pronouns.
3. capitalization and punctuation
4. diagramming

Focus in writing includes:

1. personal narrative
2. framing correct responses to comprehension questions
3. comparison/contrasting
4. fairy tale book

 

Vocabulary

Fifth Grade/Sixth Grade

The goals of the Vocabulary Workshop program are threefold:

• Developing and enhancing student vocabulary resources
  Promoting more effective communication, both oral and written
• Improving vocabulary related skills as assessed on standardized testing

Mathematics

Fifth Grade

The fifth grade students acquire knowledge of math and the ability to apply math skills to solve problems through the use of the McGraw-Hill math program, extended activities and hands-on experiences.  This integrated math program includes incremental development of the following:

• Whole number concepts and computation
  Patterns and functions
  Fractions and Decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division)
  Integers
  Measurement:  Customary and Metric
  Basic geometry (polygons and circles)
  Perimeter, Area and Volume
  Beginner Algebra:  Expressions and Equations
  Data Analysis and Statistics
  

Sixth Grade

The six grade students acquire knowledge of mathematics and the ability to apply math skills to solve problems through the Saxon, Prentice Hall, and the University of Chicago math programs. These integrated math programs include the incremental development of:

• Whole number concepts and computation
• Decimal
• Fractions
• Ratio, proportions & percents
• The tools of Geometry
• |Geometry/Measurement
• Algebra: Integers/Graphing
• Probability

Fine Arts

Fifth/Sixth Grade

The students will have an opportunity to express themselves in various art forms.

• Elements and principles of art
• Interpret artistic products
• Explore new experiences artistically

In music the students will participate in activities to develop music appreciation.

• Singing in groups
• Recognizing cultural music
• Reading music and playing the recorder

Physical Education/Swim

Fifth/Sixth Grade

Students learn and explore factors that affect a healthy lifestyle.
Students will:

• Develop muscle strength, cardio-respiratory endurance and flexibility
• Use rules, safety and strategies of sports and games in and out of the pool
• Demonstrate sportsmanship and participation in sports and games