Fifth GradeWelcome to fifth grade at The College School. Throughout the year, we provide a challenging and engaging curriculum filled with exploration, curiosity, experience, and discovery.
We begin the year with an in-depth thematic study of Monarch butterflies. As part of the University of Kansas' Monarch Watch program, the students make nets for catching and tagging Monarchs in the wild, raise Monarchs from larva in the classroom, observing and recording their growth, and organize fund raisers to help preserve the Monarchs' winter habitat in Mexico. Science, math, journaling, reading, writing and art are all integrated into this fascinating thematic study.
In partnership with the fourth grade, the fifth grade students act, sing and dance in a play each winter trimester. Each student works on a committee, helping to design and create sets, props, costumes, the program and lighting. Literature group books and discussions help provide background knowledge and understanding of the play's theme and subject matter.
Learning about and exploring "Caves and Crystallography" is another highlight of fifth grade. The students learn about the formation of primary and secondary caves, and explore Missouri and Illinois caves. Inspired by their cave experiences, the students write a variety of fiction and nonfiction pieces and experiment with haiku. As part of this study, the students create a book in which they include their written work, as well as illustrations of their understanding of some of the concepts covered, mental maps of a cave they explored and a variety of different artistic expressions of their experiences. In the classroom, the students also learn about the structure of crystals and grow amazing alum crystals. Developments in 2010 with the White Nose Bat Syndrome prevented the group from exploring their usual MO / IL caves, in order to protect bat populations.
Throughout the year, the students read from a variety of genres and participate in literature discussion groups. As a culminating activity, they research a favorite author and compare and contrast three of the author's books with regard to the literary elements. The students are actively involved in the writing process. Over the course of the year, they regularly write about their interests and experiences in their journals. Students investigate parts of speech, incorporate new vocabulary into their repertoire, and progress in their use of standard spelling in all subject areas.
Students explore a variety of science topics throughout the year, in addition to the study of Monarch butterflies and Caves and Crystallography. Students study the characteristics and attributes of insects in first trimester science, and learn about electricity through a hands-on exploratory study of bulbs and batteries in the second trimester. In third trimester science class, students learn about the human body, specifically the different systems that make up the human body and the changes associated with puberty.
Fifth graders have the opportunity to work both independently and cooperatively. At times they work with partners, at other times in small groups, or as a whole class. Socially, fifth grade is a year for deepening existing friendships, making new friends and learning to work more effectively in a group. The students are challenged, encouraged and supported as they learn and grow.
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