Grade Five English Curriculum

The curriculum of St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary School is comprised of literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education and the fine arts. The Learning Goals under each core area represent the schools end of the year expectations for students in grade four. The fourth grade curriculum will include but not be limited to these topics. The developmental level of students as well as their varying abilities and interest will be taken into account when designing and implementing instruction.

Literacy

Reading:

Identify setting, plot character, problem, main event and resolution
Use the following comprehension strategies:
- previewing text
- making predictions and checking them
- re-reading difficult passages
- generating questions
- summarizing
- identifying cause and effect; fact and opinion; author's purpose; point of view; mood
Identify main idea of a selection and provide examples of implied or directly stated evidence
Identify theme and topic of a selection
Identify significant traits of major characters from reading and cite examples from text to support
Identify major conflict in a story and discuss the resolution
Analyze and respond to poems
Identify a stanza in poetry
Identify a theme in a poem and provide evidence form the text
Identify examples of alliteration, onomatopoeia, assonance and consonance in a selection

Writing:

Demonstrate use of dictionaries, thesauri and other reference aids
Use correct spelling of standard English
Use graphic organizers to organize information
Write in first and third person
Write stories with a beginning, middle and end
Use transitional words or phrases
Proofread and edit for spelling, mechanics, word usage and sentence structure
Edit to add detail to writing
Identify and use simile, metaphor and personification in writing
Write an informational report using topic sentences, supporting facts, introduction and conclusions
Demonstrate competency in note-taking, summarizing, outlining
Write research paper
Write and use bibliographies
Write a biography

Grammar

Demonstrate understanding of synonyms, antonyms and homonyms in reading and writing
Demonstrate understanding of and identify nouns, pronouns, adjectives, adverb, prepositions, conjunctions action verbs, linking verbs and articles
Use and identify declarative, interrogative, exclamatory and imperative sentences
Identify subject and predicate
Develop working knowledge of most common Greek and Latin roots/affixes
Identify and use appropriately past, present and future and perfect tense

Communication:

Participate in self-run small group or whole class discussion
Demonstrate effective active listening
Listen to the opinions of others from a range of perspectives in a non-judgment way
Demonstrate good questioning techniques and good answering proficiency in discussion
Contribute actively to group discussions
Conduct interviews using appropriate questions and technique
Orally report to class

Mathematics:

Number System:

Demonstrate understanding of whole number place value to billions
Estimate and choose appropriate forms of numbers for various purposes
Use properties of while numbers (associative, commutative, properties of 1 to 0)

Fractions and Decimals

Find equivalent fractions for common fractions
Demonstrate and understanding of the relationship between fractions from halves to twelfths
Demonstrate need form fractions and decimals to represent quantities smaller then one
Express relationships of quantities in ration form
Compare and order decimals to 10,000

Computation:

Choose appropriate numbers and algorithms to apply to a problem situation
Divide whole numbers with single and double digit divisors
Perform long division
Add and subtract decimals
Add and subtract fractions with like and unlike denominators
Add and subtract mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators
Convert simple percents to common fractions or decimals
Break difficult problems into smaller steps
Use estimation to check the reasonableness
Use a strategy developed from a pattern to solve a similar problem
Recognize and use letters as representations of unknown quantities
Solve simple linear equations with unknown variables

Measurements:

Measure length using centimeters and meters
Measure weight using standard and metric units
Measure time in minutes and seconds
Measure temperature in degrees F and degrees C
Measure capacity in gal, 1/2 gal, qt.,cup, liter
Identify area as measured in square units
Develop rules for perimeter of basic shapes
Demonstrate understanding of volume as space occupied or capacity if a container

Data:

Represent data in one or two dimensional graphs (number line, bar-graphs, pictographs)
Recognize, extend and analyze patterns in data
Create tables of data or patterns and represent relationships with verbal rules
Locate points on a coordinate grid
Collect, organize and represent data on charts or graphs
Demonstrate understanding of a probability experiment
Use data to predict outcome in probability experiment
Understand that probability means how likely something is to happen

Geometry:

Distinguish between polygons and non-polygons
Identify and name polygons by number of sides
Create geometric figures with certain properties
Demonstrate understanding of parallel lines
Estimate and measure size of angles
Identify right angles
Identify congruent shapes

Communication:

Use appropriate language to describe and compare amounts
Use pictures, numbers or words to record strategies for solving problems
Work cooperatively in groups to solve problems

Science

Oceans:

Understand that oceans occupy 71% of earth's surface
Demonstrate understanding of molecules, protons and electrons
Compare properties of solids, liquids, gases
Understand ways water moves (tides, waves, currents)
Identify and locate on world map Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Indian oceans
Using words, pictures or models, describe continental shelf
Demonstrate understanding of geographic features of ocean (mountains, ridges, volcanoes, trenches)
Describe layers of the ocean
Explore life in ecosystems of ocean life (coral reefs, kelp forest, tidal pools, beaches, estuaries)
Identify threats to ocean life (pollution, erosion, overuse)
Research animals found in ocean

Electricity:

Understand relationship between electrons and protons
Demonstrate understanding of electric charges
Understand properties of lightning
Demonstrate understanding of electric currents
Understand function of simple circuits
Contrast conductors and insulators
Demonstrate understanding of electromagnetism
Understand functioning of motors
Identify ways to conserve energy

Human Body:

Identify structures within cells and their functions
Identify types of cells
Recognize major systems in the body (skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive) and the major organs in each system
Identify the senses
Understand the importance of proper nutrition and exercise for healthful living
Show familiarity with the food pyramid

Motion:

Understand concepts of force, friction and effort
Identify types of simple, machines (wedge, inclined plane, screw, pulley)
Demonstrate how simple machines reduce work
Identify simple machines within the school

Social Studies

Explorers

Identify reasons for exploration
Show familiarity with early explorers: Phoenicians, Asians, Muslims, Vikings
Compare and contrast motivation of early explorers
Place Age of Exploration on time line
Identify navigational tools
Compare New World explorers to early explorers
Demonstrate understanding of motivation of conquistadors
Understand motivation behind and effects of explorations in South America
Understand importance of seeking a Northwest Passage
Demonstrate understanding of positive and negative consequences of exploration

Colonies

Identify reasons for colonization
Identify different groups of colonists
Explore similarities and differences between French, Dutch and Spanish colonies
Use primary sources to understand lives of colonists
Demonstrate understanding of the settlements at Jamestown and Roanoke
Identify conditions facing Pilgrims and Plymouth
Understand family structure and roles of women, men and children in Plymouth
Compare and contrast life in the Southern, Middle and New England Colonies
Demonstrate understanding of slavery in the colonies
Demonstrate understanding of effects of colonization on Native Americans
Understand reactions of Native Americans to European settlers
Think about colonization from point of view of Europeans and Native Americans

American Revolution:

Understand time frame of, causes and effects of French Indian War
Demonstrate understanding of taxes on the colonies and reactions of the colonists
Understand the basic premises of the stamp act, the quartering acts and the intolerable acts
Understand basic ideals of Samuel Adams and John Hancock
Identify main occurrences surrounding and resulting from the Boston Massacre
Demonstrate understanding of principle of Whigs and Tories (Patriots and Loyalists)
Understand purpose of the Continental Congress
Understand causes for and effects of the Boston Tea Party
Identify contributions of: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, William Dawes
Understand the effects of the Battle of Bunker Hill
Show familiarity with the Declaration of Independence
Understand the role of slaves in the war
Understand the role of German mercenaries in the war
Show familiarity with major treaties of the war
Understand the importance of the Articles of Confederation
Identify the three branches of government and their responsibilities
Understand the relationship between the Constitution and the Magna Carta
Understand the importance of the Bill of Rights