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Fifth Grade

Mrs. McNamara : Mrs. Barber : Mrs. Hersch : Mrs Brewer

Fifth graders at Wolftrap continue to build on concepts learned in previous grades.

Reading

In reading, students are practicing and refining their reading strategies.  They will have many opportunities to read short non-fiction pieces, original source documents, classic literature, and contemporary novels.  There are several projects throughout the year that focus on all of the reading genres.  Students also celebrate reading by participating in quarterly Book Cafés, Book Talks, Battle of the Books, and Virginia Readers’ Choice Award book lists.

Writing and Communication

In 5th grade, students write for a variety of purposes.  They will improve upon their understanding and skill in four basic writing styles: expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive.  Students also learn to write well-organized multiple paragraph essays.  Grammar, punctuation, and spelling are practiced in context through these different pieces of writing, as well as through Daily Language Review.

Oral communication skills are developed through presentations and group discussions.

Math

The fifth grade mathematics program includes: place value, addition and subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry, measurement, multiplication and division of decimals and fractions, statistics and probability, and percents and ratios. 

Social Studies

The fifth grade social studies curriculum focuses on ancient civilizations.  The objective of this curriculum is to familiarize the students with different cultures and their backgrounds.  Some ancient civilizations studied are:  Fertile Crescent and Mesopotamia, Mesoamerican cultures, India, China, Greece, Middle Ages, and The Renaissance.  The whole fifth grade participates in a Renaissance Faire at the end of the year. Geography is practiced throughout each of the units.

Science

The fifth grade science program is kit-based and encompasses the following units: light and sound, micro to macro (small living things and classification - the five kingdoms), landforms, and oceans.  Students approach these units through hands-on activities and experiments. Fifth graders also review science concepts presented in fourth grade as a review for the science SOL test.

Virginia Standards of Learning Tests

SOL’s that students take in 5th grade are writing, reading, math, and science.  The tests are given 

Advanced Academic Programs (formerly Gifted and Talented)

Wolftrap is designated as a school-based center for Gifted programs – which are now referred to as Advanced Academic Programs.  As such, one fifth grade class consists of students who have been identified as qualified for Advanced Academic Studies.  These students pursue the normal course of studies outlined in the FCPS POS as well as participate in additional challenges and enrichment activities.  Also, most Advanced Academic Program fifth graders are taking a 6th grade compacted math course.  Information about this program is available on the FCPS website as well as from the Wolftrap GT coordinator.

Curator: Lois Sady : ljsady@fcps.edu

Last Update: November 2, 2009