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Curriculum Overview
Language Arts
5th Grade students from the MVPS participate in the required components of the English Language Arts Curriculum set forth in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Utilizing skills based on previous learning, students will strive to meet objectives in the areas of reading, writing, language and communication.
I. Language and Communication - Students will:
a. Learn the skills necessary to participate effectively in class and small group discussion.
b. Make oral presentations that will demonstrate their understanding of audience, purpose, and information that needs to be conveyed.
c. Understand and acquire new vocabulary using a dictionary and thesaurus independently, using it correctly in reading and writing.
d. Understand and use parts of speech, grammar, and syntax correctly.
II. Reading - Students will:
a. Study a variety of literary genres.
b. Use the following comprehension strategies: Predict/Infer, Question, Clarify, Summarize, and Evaluate themes and main ideas.
c. Respond to and analyze the effects of sound, figurative language, and graphics in order to uncover meaning.
d. Read and understand elements of literature such as plot, setting, characters and conflict.
e. Read aloud with understanding and enthusiasm.
III. Writing - Students will:
a. Participate in the writing process: generate ideas, write, revise, edit, publish.
b. Write for different audiences and for a variety of purposes.
c. Use correct paragraph structure which will include a topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.
d. Practice strategies to increase ability to spell correctly.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
English language learning students (ELLs) learn the same curriculum as all other students. Teachers in the Martha’s Vineyard Public Schools are trained or in the process of being trained in Sheltered English Instruction (SEI), which enables them to make the mainstream curriculum comprehensible to English language learners as they learn English. All content in the core subjects of language arts, math, history/social studies, and science is taught in English, using SEI strategies to make the material accessible and the learning environment welcoming, stimulating and inclusive for learners from different cultures and languages. The language arts curriculum is supplemented by English language development (ELD) classes taught by ESL teachers and is aligned with the Massachusetts DOE’s “English Language Proficiency Benchmarks and Outcomes for English Language Learners” and “English Language Arts Frameworks”.
Mathematics
5th Grade students in the MVPS participate in the required components of the Math Curriculum set forth in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Utilizing skills based on previous learning, students will strive to meet objectives in the areas of Number Sense and Operations; Patterns, Relations and Algebra; Geometry; Measurement: and Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability.
I. Number Sense and operations - Students will:
a. Understand place value to millions and thousandths.
b. Rename numbers in various forms such as expanded notation and exponential notation.
c. Accurately and efficiently add, subtract, multiply and divide, using whole numbers, decimals and fractions.
d. Estimate results of computation with whole numbers, positive fractions, and positive decimals. Use a variety of strategies to judge the reasonableness of an answer.
II. Patterns, Relations, and Algebra - Students will:
a. Analyze and determine the rules for extending symbolic, arithmetic and geometric patterns and progressions.
b. Replace variables with given values, and evaluate/simplify.
c. Represent real situations and mathematical relationships with concrete models, tables, graphs, and rules with symbols (input-output tables).
III. Geometry - Students will:
a. Identify polygons based on their properties, including types of interior angles, perpendicular or parallel sides, congruence of sides (squares, rectangles, rhombuses, parallelograms, trapezoids, isosceles, equilateral and right triangles)
b. Identify 3 -dimensional shapes (cubes, prisms, spheres, cones, and pyramids) based on their properties (edges, faces, etc.)
c. Identify relationships among points. lines, and planes (intersecting, parallel and perpendicular).
d. Graph points and identify coordinates on the Cartesian coordinate plane (first quadrant).
IV. Measurement - Students will:
a. Apply the concept of area and perimeter to triangles and parallelograms.
b. Identify, measure, describe, classify, and construct various angles, triangles, and quadrilaterals.
c. Identify, measure and describe circles and the relationships of the radius, diameter, and circumference and the area.
V. Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability - Students will:
a. Describe and compare data sets using mean, median, mode, range, maximum, and minimum.
b. Construct and interpret stem and leaf plots, line plots, and circle graphs.
c. Use tree diagrams and other models (list, tables) to represent possible and actual outcomes.
d. Predict the probability of outcomes of simple experiments (tossing a coin, rolling a die) and test the predictions. Use appropriate ratios between 0 and 1 to represent the outcome.
History/Social Science
5th Grade students in the MVPS participate in the required components of the Social Studies Curriculum as stated in the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Utilizing skills/knowledge based on previous learning, students will strive to meet the objectives in the areas of History and Geography; Civics and Government; and Economics.
I. History and Geography - Students will :
a. Read and interpret maps, globes, charts, graphs, and timelines.
b. Study exploration, colonization, and the Revolutionary period in U.S history.
c. Identify and distinguish between primary and secondary sources of history.
d. Read and write across the curriculum
II. Civics and Government - Students will:
a. Understand that the formation of our country’s government was based on the principles stated in the U.S. Constitution.
b. Understand the structure of local, state and federal government.
c. Define and use vocabulary related to government.
d. Be aware of current events.
III. Economics - Students will:
a. Give examples of ways people can earn and save their money and explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.
b. Define and understand vocabulary related to economics.
c. Understand the concept of supply and demand.
Science
5th Grade students in the MVPS will participate in the required components of the Science Curriculum as stated in the Massachusetts Curriculum frameworks. Utilizing skills based on previous learning students will strive to meet the objectives in the areas of Earth and Space Science; Life Science; Physical Science; Technology/Engineering
Students will understand the following units through research and inquiry.
I. Earth and Space Science -
a. Weather/ Climate
b. Rocks and Minerals
c. The Water Cycle
d. The Earth’s History
1. Earth in the Solar System
II. Life Science
a. Characteristics of plants and animals
b. Plant structure and function
c. Adaptations of living things
d. Energy in living things
III. Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics)
a. Properties of objects and materials
b. States of matter
c. Forms of energy
d. Sound and light
World Languages
In fifth grade, students review school and class schedule vocabulary. They learn the vocabulary for food and start to learn about typical foods of Spanish-speaking countries. While the elementary students have been exposed to subject pronouns and verbs informally in the previous years, they start to understand the Spanish subject pronouns and verb infinitives in fifth grade.. Elementary Spanish teachers may start to conjugate verbs with the students in preparation for their continued language study in the middle school.
Computer Technology/ Media
Today’s school library media program plays an integral role in educating children for the future. It is where students learn to find, analyze, evaluate, interpret and communicate information and ides—skill they will need as adults to live and work in an information-based society.
a. Identify materials, tools and machines that can be used to invent and solve problems.
b. Identify and explain the difference between simple and complex machines.
c. Compare natural systems with mechanical systems that are designed to serve similar purposes.
Art
Students will:
a. Integrate techniques previously learned in design and production of art objects.
b. Continue to develop concepts related to texture, color, line, shape, space, balance, contrast, rhythm, movement and repetition.
c. Develop skills in measurement, pen and ink drawings, print making, bas relief sculpture and slab techniques.
d. Examine appropriate representative works of art from various periods and cultures.
e. Refine critiquing
Music
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.Students will:
Recognize music as a performing art.
a. Have the opportunity to play instruments of the band and orchestra through participation in the instrumental program.
b. Develop an understanding of rhythm, multiple part singing and playing, listening techniques, and discrimination skills.
c. Recognize the connection between music appreciation and production with other subjects.
d. Have the opportunity to perform in musicals and concerts.
Physical Education
Students will:
a. Participate in activities of cardiovascular build - up, muscular strength, endurance and flexibility.
b. Participate in games of higher organization - team sport skills and terminology.
c. Improve manipulative skills (catching and throwing)
d. Learn new games and group problem solving and trust activities.
e. Practice coordinated rhythmic movement such using ropes and hoops.
Health/Social-Emotional Learning
Students will:
a. Categorize health behaviors according to the health triangle (physical, social, mental).
b. Discuss the importance of friendships in developing self esteem.
c. Describe the different types of friendships.
d. Evaluate the importance of communication in the family.
e. Study and discuss growth and development in adolescence
f. Distinguish and practice the differences between environmental, authoritarian, and self control.
g. Participate in units on bullying, tobacco/substance use, and diversity.
Responsive Classroom
Most of the Vineyard schools are committed to the Responsive Classroom Approach to teaching and learning which fosters a safe, challenging, and joyful classroom in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Responsive Classroom consists of practical strategies for bringing together social and academic learning throughout the school day. Children’s developmental needs remain at the center of decisions about everyday practices for a developmentally grounded curriculum.
Home/School Connection
Keep informed of your child’s progress by: taking rime each day to talk with your child about school; attending parent conferences, Open House, and other school activities.
Help your child develop good study habits by: establishing a regular routine for completion of homework; offering encouragement and help in completing assignments as needed;
Develop attitudes that encourage learning by: providing books, newspapers, and magazines; using television and computers in educationally appropriate ways; |
