Curriculum
READING
Reading is a subject that covers
the entire curriculum. Every child is encouraged to read for enjoyment and to
read for information. Trade books, library books, and a literature-based
textbook are included in the curriculum. A variety of skills are taught
including building vocabulary, analyzing characters in stories, comparing and
contrasting, sequencing events, distinguishing facts and non-facts and
summarizing. The school's Accelerated Reading Program encourages each child to
read many books by allowing them to earn points through the year.
MATH
Fifth grade focal points are: comparing and contrasting lengths, area,
and volume of geometric shapes and solids; representing and interpreting data in
graphs, charts, and tables; and applying whole number operations in a variety of
contexts. The North East Standards are: patterns, number, measurement,
statistics, geometry, addition and subtraction. These objectives will be taught
using the NEISD adopted textbook, TERC investigations, Marilyn Burns activities,
and manipulatives.
LANGUAGE ARTS
The fifth grade English curriculum utilizes an integrated approach.
Students develop their writing abilities by writing stories, books, reports,
etc. based on the curriculum being studied in other subject areas. Writing
skills are strengthened by reviewing parts of speech, grammar rules, and basic
writing mechanics. The spelling curriculum is based on the district adopted text
and words chosen from other subject areas.
SOCIAL STUDIES
In social studies the history of the United States is studied from its
beginning to the present. The focus is on colonial times through the
twentieth century. Students learn about the regions of the United States that
result from physical features and human activity. They lean to identify how
people adapt to and modify the environment. Historical content includes the
colonial and revolutionary periods, the establishment of the United States and
issues that led to the Civil War. Students identify the roots of representative
government in the nation and the important ideas in the Declaration of
Independence and the U. S. Constitution. Students examine fundamental rights
guaranteed in the Bill of Rights, and study the importance of effective
leadership in a democratic society. An overview of major events and significant
individuals of the late nineteenth century and the twentieth century is
provided.
SCIENCE
Fifth grade science activities are presented that reinforce the
scientific process. The students use hands-on discovery methods to learn the
objectives specified in the TEKS. The objectives are integrated into thematic
units to include social studies, literature and math. Units taught are life
science, physical science, earth science, and body systems.
TECHNOLOGY
Students are being prepared for the twenty-first century by becoming
computer literate. Computers are used throughout the curriculum. Each classroom
has computer pods for the students' use and there are two computer labs for
classes each week.