Religion
In the 5th grade Sadlier We Believe Religion series, the students meet Jesus in the Sacraments . They develop an understanding of each sacrament and the symbolism of the actions connected with it. Faith statements, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture and Rites of the Church and a study of the Saints are at the core of the program. The students also study the Liturgical year, Holy Days and feast days, and learn how to live as prayerful people through an understanding of the different types of prayer. Another course component is the Family Life program which addresses human reproduction. Good God Choices is a diocesan program which provides opportunities for the students to discuss life skills, and encourages them to make good choices with their daily actions. Living Christian Love and Compassion is at the heart of our study of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. We encourage the students to sow seeds for lifelong habits through our study of the 16 Habits of Mind
Language Arts
The 5th grade Language Arts Curriculum includes the use of the McGraw-Hill Wonders reading program. The curriculum has been adapted to include the NJ Common Core State Standards. The Reading program introduces the students to a variety of genres through the use of Reading/Writing workshop, Literature Anthology, and interactive texts. Comprehension and vocabulary strategies and skills, critical thinking questions, identification of text evidence, as well as foundational skills are further developed through the use of interdisciplinary, enrichment, and differentiated activities. Students' writing skills are expanded as they are exposed to expository, narrative, persuasive, and descriptive modes of writing. Grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and figurative language lessons are taught to further enhance writing techniques. During the year, cursive writing skills are refined.
Mathematics
The Fifth Grade Mathematics Curriculum incorporates the NJ Common Core Standards. Students use the Progress in Math series from Sadlier. The program incorporates manipulatives, books and the use of technology, such as calculators and the Smartboard. Students practice basic skills and extend their understanding to solve real-world and mathematical problems. New concepts covered in Fifth Grade include changing decimals to fractions and fraction to decimals, understanding decimals to the thousandths place, and adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals. Students use a variety of strategies to practice, review, and retain basic information.
Science
Science, by Scott Foresman is the text used in 5th grade. This series supports the National Science Education Standards. The students begin the year with a study comparing living and non-living things. The curriculum includes: parts of a cell, classification of animals and plants, environmental adaptations of plants and animals, ecosystems and the relationship to populations and communities. Students create biomes following in depth research of animal and plant life, location, and climate. Throughout the year, interactive science experiments and observations are conducted to further enhance the curriculum. Critical thinking skills are applied to essential questions. Internet-based sites are used for projects, research, and in class activities.
Social Studies
Savvas Realize- Building Our Country, is the textbook series used for 5th grade Social Studies. The students begin with the study of Our Nation's Geography and the interaction of people with their environment. As the students progress through the text, each unit of study addresses essential questions related to a major Social Studies concept. Students learn about how civilization developed in the Americas and study about how groups of Native Americans adapted to and interacted with their environment. The Age of Exploration examines the competition for land by the European Explorers. The course continues with the establishment of the 13 Original Colonies. Throughout the year, internet-based resources and sites are used. A variety of assessment tools are employed in order to reach all learners. Students work in collaborative learning groups on theme based activities to present information and supporting evidence orally.