Fifth Grade

Beginning in the spring of fourth grade, students are introduced to the Middle School through tours and meetings with the fifth grade CORE teachers. During this time, students have the opportunity to ask questions about fifth grade, the curriculum and opportunities they will have throughout their Middle School experience. In the beginning weeks of their fifth grade year, students travel with their class and teacher to gradually learn how to navigate their new building, as well as the procedures and routines in their schedule. After a month, students transition to traveling independently to their classes. The CORE program creates a central place for students to return to throughout their day. To begin their day, students attend homeroom in their CORE classroom. CORE teachers are instructors for language arts and social studies, which are taught over three forty-five minute periods. Language arts instruction includes the analysis of fiction, the discussion of literary elements, the development of vocabulary and frequent writing about literature. While written instruction focuses mostly on expository and formal essay instruction, poetry, personal narratives and creative pieces are also practiced. Our goal in fifth grade is for every student to become a proficient and thoughtful reader of multiple genres which will allow them to express and support an opinion or argument for their ideas.

In social studies, CORE students understand that history is a series of cause and effect events that proceed chronologically. Students develop a sense of inquiry through sustained investigations which culminate with an informed action plan. The goal is for students to draw distinct connections between history and our world today. This course of study includes early American history that begins with the colonial settlements and continues to the fight for independence, the establishment of the American government. In addition, each unit of study addresses such big ideas as the contradictions of the Founding Fathers’ documents, the history of slavery and its repercussions, and the role of compromises in the early development of America.

Language Arts instruction focuses on the analysis of fiction, the discussion of literary elements, the development of a sophisticated vocabulary and the structure of literary essays. While written instruction mostly centers on expository and formal essay instruction, poetry, personal narratives and creative pieces are also included during writing instruction.

The Middle School mathematics program develops mathematical thinkers who value collaboration and communication when investigating big ideas, identifying patterns and explaining relationships. We make use of the Illustrative Mathematics problem-based curriculum in which students work collaboratively through a carefully crafted sequence of problems  to construct their understanding. Teachers facilitate student learning and push thinking through questioning and discussions to ensure the mathematical takeaways are clear. Students gain a rich and lasting understanding of concepts and procedures, and experience applying this knowledge to new situations.

In 5th grade, students continue to develop number sense and foundational concepts that move them from multiplicative to proportional, and eventually algebraic reasoning. They work to build computational fluency for adding and subtracting fractions, as well as construct their understanding of multiplication and division with fractions. They extend their flexible use of strategies and models for whole number operations to  decimals as well. Through various contexts, such as volume and estimation, students will apply learned skills and deepen their understanding of proportional relationships.

Fifth grade is focused on physical science. By engaging our students in a series of project-based learning units, students gain a strong foundational understanding of scientific concepts as they work to answer various driving questions. At the outset of the year, students explore measurement (mass, area and volume) as well as forces and motion as they engage in an egg drop unit. Here, egg drop devices simulate humanitarian airlifts as students create structures to protect an egg during a five story drop. Following this experience, students create roller coasters as they explore energy transformations coupled with forces and motion. They move into a study of simple machines and deepen their knowledge of physics by testing a variety of ramps, catapults, and other team-built structures. Students then turn to the periodic table and begin to develop an understanding of the basic particles of matter. Finally, the year culminates with a bridge engineering unit. Students are tasked with creating a bridge that can hold as much weight as possible as they explore the engineering design process, types of bridges and forces that affect bridges. Lessons throughout all of these units center around inquiry and exploration, which are the most effective ways for our young scientists to learn!

At CGPS, the social studies curriculum invites students to inquire about the world around them which leads them to take informed action. The first unit in fifth grade is The Colonial Era which asks students to consider “How can facing the complexities of America’s past help us meet the challenges of the present?” Their second unit, The American Revolution, is driven by the question “How can we promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all?” The year ends with the final unit Rights and Responsibilities in which “How can we contribute to a healthy democracy?” guides student learning. 

Together, the units give students the opportunity to explore geography, chronology and history, culture, multiple perspectives, civics and economics. Students identify an authentic problem they feel compelled to solve and design a solution with the support of various disciplines. Additionally, students take field trips to the New York Historical Society and a full day visit to Revolutionary sites in Philadelphia. 

Fifth grade students are introduced to the programming language Python as they go through a gamified curricular experience that provides them with important real world skills.

The Middle School world languages program develops confident communicators with a critical understanding of language, and a deep appreciation for culture. In the fifth grade, all students are enrolled in Spanish class three days a week. Students build upon the foundation they began in the Grammar School. Students are introduced to basic greetings and language structures, thematic vocabulary and the cultures of a wide variety of Spanish-speaking countries. Students further develop their strong foundation of listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.

Middle School students participate in an art integrated curriculum with other core content subject areas. This is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. Students engage in a creative process which connects an art form to another subject area and achieve evolving objectives in both.

In the fall, students plan and execute the Moroccan ceramic tile design project in which they are introduced to the geometric pattern and symmetrical design in Moroccan tiles. Math concepts are reinforced in art as math teachers participate in art classes and co-teach the lesson on math in art class. Students develop skills in ceramic tile design and clay techniques including hand-building, sculpting and glazing. The unit culminates with a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art to visit the Art of the Islamic World exhibit where students experience first-hand the works of this period.

The next project, called literary & personal narrative, dovetails with Black History Month in February. Students are introduced to the artwork and personal childhood stories of Faith Ringgold, which serve as inspiration for their own work. Students identify a passage from a book they’ve read in class or as part of their independent reading or a personal story. Working with various media, students translate their ideas to creating a work of art. Carrying over the theme of quilting that is part of Ringgold’s artwork, students use fabric to create a border for their final project.

The fifth grade curriculum provides opportunities for students to continue to develop their drawing skills. Students create work from observation and use their imagination for various assignments while learning new techniques in art. In addition, students participate in several interdisciplinary projects including visual art pieces to accompany the Changemakers' presentation to the CGPS community.

In library, students learn research skills and how to be critical users of information. The curriculum focuses on online information literacy, intellectual curiosity and responsible information use. Library is integrated into English, history, science, math, art and language classes to support a deeper understanding of how all subjects are connected as well as a love of reading across all genres and topics. The library collection is regularly updated based on the needs and interests of students to reflect current issues and information, and to best support learning in and out of the classroom.

During library class, fifth graders will explore a variety of topics and learn very basic research skills and concepts to foster a love of learning. Together students learn about different cultures, important but forgotten people and build connection to people with different backgrounds and abilities from their own. Class meets every other cycle, and the last ten minutes are dedicated to finding new and exciting books to read.

All Middle School students at every skill level take general music, focusing on active music making and creation. Students begin the program by using their personal instruments: their voices. Through singing games, folk dance, recorder, percussion instruments and interactive technology, students learn to sing in tune both individually and as an ensemble. The curriculum develops an understanding of ensemble and musicianship through experiential learning with drums, xylophones, recorders, ukuleles and technology. Music teachers work collaboratively with classroom teachers to create interdisciplinary and cross-curricular lessons, integrating text and concepts from English, history and STEAM classes. Students who elect to participate in Band, Chorus or Orchestra, receive additional, specialized instruction.

The Middle School physical education curriculum focuses on a variety of team sports activities with a strong emphasis on fitness concepts to improve students’ individual health and athletic skills. In addition to various fitness challenges, some of the sports units and games covered throughout the year are soccer, volleyball, football, basketball, diamond games and badminton. The program is designed to expose students to a level of functional fitness training and gameplay that encourages them to collaborate, increase sports knowledge, develop leadership skills and lead healthy lifestyles.

Our Middle Schoolers use their Meeting class time to discuss issues related to their social, emotional and physical development, as well as to share thoughts about various academic challenges and triumphs they experience day to day. Discussion activities are designed to build self-awareness and a sense of community and help students work on their listening, planning, communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. In an open circle forum, our students are provided with consistent opportunities to contribute, reflect and take responsibility for how their group feels and operates.