If you were a fifth grader at Meadowbrook School, you would be involved in a year-
- which offers a fulfilling academic experience, with ample opportunities for individual creative expression and enrichment
- which has discovery through exciting activities and special events
- which has guest speakers and field trips that bring the curriculum alive
Through an integrated curriculum, our fifth graders see that subjects are
connected. Stories, poems, essays, skits, and diaries are written on various
themes from our social studies subjects which cover the Vikings and the Age
of Exploration through the Civil War. Historical novels complement these as
well. Special math activities involve consumer skills such as checking accounts
and shopping at our own fifth grade mall.
Favorite highlights of our year are our field trips to Valley Forge, Peter Wentz Farmstead, Historic Philadelphia, and Gettysburg.
Guest speakers bring to life our studies of colonial times, and
the Civil War. Fifth graders especially enjoy Colonial Action Week in February.
During this week, students turn into colonial kids and become immersed in colonial
life. Activities include stenciling, tin punching, weaving, colonial games,
and cooking. A special event is our colonial banquet where fifth graders dressed
in colonial attire dine on authentic colonial dishes.
While our fifth graders' academic growth is extensive, they also grow in responsibility
by their contributions both inside and outside of our school community. They
are waiters everyday at lunch, they put up and take down the school's American
Flag everyday, and they read to the kindergarten and first grade once a week.
Additionally, they participate in several community service projects, and most
are on the editorial board of the Literary Lantern, Meadowbrook's literary
magazine.
Fifth grade at Meadowbrook School is a memorable year, rich in learning and
fun as we nurture the academic, social, and emotional growth of our students.
Language Arts Philosophy
There are three main focuses in the language arts curriculum in the fifth
grade. The first is to continue the students reading skill development while
instilling an interest in and a joy for good literature, including fiction,
nonfiction, poetry, and plays. The second is to develop each student's ability
to communicate confidently, effectively, creatively, and accurately, both verbally
and in writing. The third focus is to integrate language arts skills into all
other content areas.
Reading
Novel Projects
Through the use of vocabulary words chosen from each novel, children increase
their awareness of new words. They learn to identify each word's part of speech,
definition, and use in a sentence. They then incorporate the word into their
own personal vocabulary bank for future use. Student also learn to identify
figures of speech used throughout each novel.
Students answer questions about the novel designed to increase their comprehension,
inference, character development, and other critical comprehension reading
skills. These questions also encourage the students to become more thoughtful
readers and to utilize higher level thinking.
Creative activities allow each student to have choices in their mode of expression
to show their comprehension of the story. Short activities provide skill work
in sequencing, maps, and historical events connected with the story.
Book Reports
Periodic book reports foster students' independent reading skills. They learn
to identify and explain the elements of a story and point of view. Students
are encouraged to be creative by being offered various methods of presentation.
Readers' Circle
During interactive reading within small groups, students practice reading
strategies and build reading independence. In this cooperative reading activity,
students increase their reading enjoyment
and proficiency.
Writing
Students learn the components of a complete sentence. They learn to put these
into unified paragraphs. Students then develop their unified paragraphs into
reports and essays. With the addition of direct quotations and their knowledge
of story elements, students are able to write creative stories on a variety
of topics. These reports, essays, and stories often connect to novels or social
studies topics. Students learn to write letters, poems, and skits that are
also connected to classroom novels and our study of history.
Students learn the eight parts of speech, so that they can identify correct
usage in speaking and writing. In their writing, they practice correct punctuation,
spelling and grammar. Students develop their ability to write for an audience
by using sophisticated vocabulary, descriptive language, and figures of speech.
All steps of the writing process are learned and practiced with an emphasis
on revising and proofreading.
Math
Fifth grade math builds on the students' skills learned in previous years,
even moving onto higher level concepts and computational proficiency. We strive
to develop a strong understanding of mathematics and its uses in everyday
life. This, along with considerable emphasis on various methods of problem-solving,
prepares our students to meet the mathematical challenges of the future.
Social Studies
The fifth grade social studies curriculum explores our country's history form
its first being discovered to its survival as an indivisible nation after the
civil war period. It is important through this study for the children to develop
an understanding of and appreciation for the uniqueness of our country and
their participation in it, along with respect for different ideas and cultures.
By connecting our knowledge of historical events and people to events and people
of the present, we hope to give our students the ability to make informed decisions
regarding their responsibilities as citizens of the United States.
Special Events:
Field Trips
Colonial Action Week
Beowulf Ugly Cookie Contest
Pioneer Skits
Guest Speakers