Grade 5

There are five essential components to our Language Arts program: reading, writing, spelling, word study and self-selected reading. All of these components are intertwined in a variety of ways throughout the year. Using the workshop model and one-to-one conferencing, students become independent readers and writers with a strong understanding of their strengths and areas for growth. Throughout the year, students develop a deeper understanding of the elements of literature. Genre studies allow students to explore and apply their understanding in a variety of formats. Self-selected reading gives students an opportunity to apply the skills they have learned and exposes students to a broad range of books. Our writing program includes instruction in narrative, argument, and information writing. This instruction enables students to work in each of these fundamental modes with increasing skill.

The math program is based on children exploring and applying problem-solving skills through investigative units from the Math in Focus curriculum. Through the use of real-life problems, students learn mathematical operations with decimals and fractions, metric measurement, geometry, percent, probability and data analysis. Students spend time each day working on problem-solving activities where they are challenged to work through problems using a variety of strategies, moving toward the most efficient ones. Class projects, math explorations, and manipulatives are integral parts of the curriculum. Among the topics covered this year will be multiplying and dividing with 2-digit divisors; understanding fractions, mixed numbers and decimals; solving equations and evaluating inequalities; finding the probability of an event, and applying properties of angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.

Hands-on and minds-on exploration is at the core of fifth grade science. We begin the year with our robotics unit, which focuses on exploration, collaboration, investigation and problem-solving. Students apply the engineering design process through the use of Lego’s EV3 robotics materials. They work collaboratively and learn about basic physics as they design, construct, program and modify robots to meet specific challenges. As a final project, students select a real-world problem and try to solve it with a robot of their own design and creation. Our forensics unit continues to develop students’ understanding of scientific thinking. Using a variety of materials, students learn how scientists use observations to make inferences and tell a story. Students conduct numerous experiments to help them solve the mystery. A visit by a detective from the Andover Police Department provides a real-life connection to their learning. In the spring, students research, design and build a scale model during our interdisciplinary unit on sustainable cities.  In science class, we apply the experimental design process to learn more about variables that affect the efficiency of various alternative energy sources. Students are then asked to use their newfound knowledge to design the most efficient renewable energy source to power their city.

The Fifth Grade social studies curriculum focuses on three main units of study: United States Elections, The Civil Rights Movement, and Community Advocacy. Students begin the year by studying the foundations of government, branches of power, and the electoral process. Students use an inquiry-based approach to learn about the key changemakers and important events in The Civil Rights Movement through analysis of primary source documents. Building on skills practiced in Language Arts, students engage in research, including collecting and organizing information, taking notes, and citing relevant sources. In the spring, students embark upon an interdisciplinary unit on Sustainable Cities. Students learn about the UN Global Goals, study the history and structure of how cities developed, and develop map and geography skills. Students incorporate these new concepts and skills into the development of their Sustainable Cities model.

Emphasis is placed on developing basic speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the student's chosen language (French or Spanish). Frequent review of key vocabulary and gradual introduction to new grammar concepts assure a supportive pace. Use of small and large group communicative activities is an integral part of the program. Key grammar concepts such as word order, present tense of regular and selected irregular verbs, and plurals of nouns and adjectives are studied in depth.

As students progress through their Arts learning at Pike, they continue to build their visual communication skills, with an emphasis on creative problem solving through student-centered and open-ended investigations. While working with a wide variety of two- and three-dimensional materials, they also learn the intellectual, physical, and technical skills of art making. Students will learn about significant contemporary and historical artists from all over the world while exploring increasingly complex processes and projects. 

Students have the opportunity to learn songs and play instruments in a contemporary music program that centers the music they know and love as vital pillars of their learning experience. In Fifth Grade, students are introduced to the bucket drums and develop the executive skills required to transition to the drum kit in Sixth Grade music. They continue to develop their ensemble skills on the ukulele and other classroom instruments by learning other songs throughout the year. The year culminates in the performance of a “class song” - selected by the students - and performed by the entire Fifth Grade class with each student on an instrument of their choice at their final concert of the year.

The physical education program for 5th Grade students uses a wide variety of large- and small-group games, cooperative activities, and games using sport-specific skills in preparation for team sports. The goals of the program are to encourage children to be versatile movers, to provide them with an improved movement vocabulary, and to help them understand the importance of developing a healthy, active lifestyle. Some of the activities include soccer in the fall, jump rope in the winter, and track and field in the spring. In any activity, we expect all students to strive for personal improvement, to cooperate with their classmates, and to respect the spirit and rules of fair play. 

Study Skills 5 is a year-long survey course for all fifth graders as they begin to adjust to Upper School. Students explore routines, assessment prep, time management, and what it means to be a more independent student over time. Writing practice is also prioritized. This is achieved through modeling, reflection, discussion, and small group projects.