Grade 5
Fifth grade is the first year of Junior High at MSW and the students are working towards greater independence and responsibility. We emphasize self-respect for those around us.
Language Arts
- Focuses on the mechanics of language and on improving writing skills.
- Studies literature by working on projects, in and out of class, that correlate with novels being read.
Math
- Require a new level of responsibility for the accelerated and regular math students to keep track of homework, quizzes, and tests.
- Requires students to keep a math notebook, containing all class notes and homework.
- Teaches study skill such as outlining, context clues, maps, charts, and graphs.
Science
- Integrates the Five “Es” of science inquiry; engage, explore, explain, extend, and evaluate.
- Includes life process, interaction among living things, the atmosphere and solar system, kinds of matter, and forms of energy.
- Utilizes hands-on activities such as making working flashlights, dissecting an owl pellet, and getting a class pet.
Social Studies
- Incorporates the eight strands of Social Studies: economics, citizenship, geography, social studies skills, government, history, culture and science, technology, and society.
- Explores topics such as the first Americans, Age of Exploration, the colonial era, War of Independence, slavery and emancipation, national changes, and the modern era.
- Utilizes enrichment activities using the National Geographic Atlas/Map series
- Focuses on two major projects during the year: creation of a Native American Museum in October and the Famous American Wax Museum held during Catholic Schools Week in Jan
Religion
- Focuses on the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church: what Catholics believe, how Catholics worship, how Catholic live, and how Catholics pray.
- Enjoy meeting with their third grade Faith Partners.
- Covers related topics: the goodness of God, Jesus as the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, social justice, the sacraments, and Catholic feasts and celebrations.
- Encourages students to deepen their prayer life by creating Personal Prayer Journal in which they compose weekly prayers
- Engages students in Catholic service through activities of care for the elderly.