5th Grade

Curriculum

Bloom with Books

This interdisciplinary unit includes lessons for each grade level 1-5 connected to different children’s books, selected for their rich use of language and high interest for advanced readers. The activities are based upon a variety of content areas, including language arts, math, science, and social studies.  

Students will be able to independently use their learning to…

• Develop an appreciation of reading by selecting and reviewing texts.

• Comprehend and explain a variety of texts.

• Make connections to real-life experiences.

Students will show that they really understand by evidence of…

• Rating and recommending books through book talks. 

• Reviewing books organized by grade and genre.

Law 

Fifth grade PACE curriculum lays the foundation for skills associated with middle school PACE expectations in both divergent/creative thinking and convergent/analytical thinking.  Students participate in complex, focused analysis through an introduction to law. Students review cases related to aspects of the First and Fourth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. A consideration of intellectual property law and skills related to civil discourse furthers the depth and complexity of this unit.  Students are compelled to justify opposing points of view, identify facts, interpret documents, and support arguments culminating in a formal debate.

Students will be able to independently use their learning to… 

• Support arguments for both sides of an issue using civil discourse

• Understand and explain the need for governing law.

•  Understand and explain the importance of becoming an engaged and responsible citizen

Students will show their learning by evidence…

• Crafting and participating in a debate that is grounded in knowledge of law; the students work will also demonstrate an understanding of the judicial branch of the government.

Stock Market Game

In the Stock Market Game, students will be able to independently use their learning to develop an economic way of thinking and problem solving useful to manage one's financial resources effectively for a lifetime of financial security.  Students will understand that economic trends affect everyone, investing in stocks is worth the risk, and successful investors rely on research, diversification and trends.  Given a fictional $100,000 to invest in the stock market, students will put their knowledge into action.

Students will be able to independently use their learning to 

• Develop an economic way of thinking and problem solving useful to manage one's financial resources effectively for lifetime financial security.

     Students will show that they really understand by evidence of …

• Group Project – Participation in The Stock Market Game. This process includes research, evaluation, selection and trading of investments.  

• Reflective Essay – After the group activity, each student individually reflects on the experience and evaluates the process, the product and the learning goals. 

Microworlds  Pro

Students are taught basic logical programming skills using Logo programming. Students learn the language of the program and put together smaller programs to complete a larger, more complicated program.

Students will be able to independently use their learning to…

• Understand and explain the importance of computer coding.

• Diagnose and solve problems using logical reasoning

• Create innovative products from newly acquired coding skills.

Students will show that they really understand by evidence of…

• Completing required criteria in final project.