ACADEMIC OVERVIEW

FIFTH GRADE

WELCOME TO FIFTH GRADE!

Welcome to Fifth Grade at TLS, a pivotal year of academic expansion and character building. In Fifth Grade, students dive into a realm of advanced literature, promoting profound comprehension and critical analysis. Mathematical concepts deepen with the introduction of pre-algebra, complex fractions, and geometry, fostering logic and problem-solving skills. Students investigate science and social studies in greater depth, from understanding life processes to exploring American history. This is the year when students integrate their learned knowledge and apply it to real-world scenarios through project-based learning. Guided by our devoted teachers and our faith, Fifth Grade is a remarkable journey of intellectual, moral, and personal growth, preparing students for the exciting transition in the years ahead.

Below, you can find an excerpt of the academics that your child will experience in their third grade year at TLS.

Mr. Dylan Sheehy

  • Dylan grew up in Waterville Minnesota where he graduated from WEM in 2010. In 2017, Dylan graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an emphasis on Physical Education, Health Education, Exercise Science and Developmental Adapted Physical Education (DAPE).

  • Live with all humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

  • Too many reasons to list! The teachers and staff, the Christmas music, the children singing in Church, and of course, the teaching of God’s Word!

RELIGION & MEMORY WORK

The Concordia Publishing House One-In-Christ curriculum is used for religion instruction. Within the context of each lesson, students are taught key concepts of faith such as Law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace and are encouraged to put these concepts into action in their daily lives. The course includes lessons on the Word of God, the life and work of Martin Luther, and sequential study of selected Bible stories that span biblical history from the Exodus through the life of Christ. Through a planned memory program, students learn Scripture verses, hymns, and portions of Luther’s Small Catechism.

READING

In the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt fifth-grade reading program, students read literature which includes realism, fantasy, poetry, biographies, historical fiction, folktales, and more. Selections are grouped according to themes. During the school year, students will work to improve vocabulary, comprehension, word study skills, and the appreciation of literature. Skills such as recalling, analyzing, summarizing, inferring, cause and effect, drawing conclusions, story elements, sequencing, and evaluating are taught and practiced. Effort is made to help students improve their reading skills and to develop a lifelong love of reading.

ENGLISH

The English curriculum includes grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, punctuation, mechanics, and vocabulary building. The Shurley English curriculum utilizes “jingles” to help students memorize and retain key concepts in grammar. Creative writing is explored, as well as the research, outline, and the writing process of a formal report.

SPELLING

Spelling is included in their reading series. Fifth-grade students are led to see spelling patterns as they build on basic word roots using affixes and word endings. They are taught syllabication, vowel relations, and consonant relationships. Students learn to spell in their regular daily work. Dictionary, thesaurus, and critical reading vocabulary are used to strengthen spelling skills. Students are given a pretest and posttest each week which also includes challenge words.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The basis of fifth-grade social studies is the study of American history. Skills are developed in reading and using maps, understanding charts and graphs, and in reading timelines. Emphasis is placed on the time of exploration and settlement of North American through the Civil War and as far as time allows.

MATH

The Bridges in Mathematics curriculum is used for fifth-grade math instruction. This curriculum focuses on developing the student’s deep understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve complex and novel problems. The Bridges program blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration. It features a combination of whole-group, small-group, and independent activities that are problem-centered. Fifth graders will be instructed in seven different units: volume expression and equations; adding and subtracting fractions; place value and decimals; multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals; multiplying and dividing fractions; graphing, geometry, and volume; and division with decimals. The students will use a variety of manipulatives and games to help them investigate, explore, and practice the concepts being covered.

TECHNOLOGY - nothing in brochure

Using chromebooks, students will gain skills in the general use of the computer, saving data, printing, manipulating clipart, and keyboarding. Other skills introduced are word processing and computer programming skills through code.org. Spanish (Duolingo) is also used.

SCIENCE

The fifth-grade science curriculum enables students to explore scientific facts and theories in a secular textbook while taught from a Christian perspective. Students will experience a wide variety of hands-on activities in and out of the classroom. The Holy Bible is used as a second textbook to help students gain a better understanding of God’s creation and their effect upon it. Areas of study include plant and animal processes, the solar system, populations and ecosystems; light and sound; energy, work and machines; and earth science. Students are guided through the process of choosing a topic for a science fair project every other year, forming a hypothesis, researching and organizing data, reaching a conclusion, drafting a bibliography, and presenting their project in written, display and oral fashion for a science fair.

ART

Artistic ability is either a natural gift or a learned ability. The students will have the opportunity to learn different techniques in a variety of mediums. They will be able to work with watercolors, acrylics, colored pencil, chalks, and charcoal.

CHOIR/MUSIC

The main purpose of the choir is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The choir sings at scheduled church services, the Christmas service, and at various other events.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical education focuses on developing and refining locomotor skills and object control. A variety of individual and team sports are taught. Emphasis is on learning and developing specific skills for specific sports. The concepts of team and team sports, sportsmanship, fair play, cooperation, respect dealing with winning and losing, as well as lifelong physical fitness are some of the areas that are stressed. A healthy self-image and attitude are discussed through the use of current health journals aimed at the preteen level. Students are given the opportunity to qualify for the Presidential and National fitness awards and are encouraged to view fitness in terms of lifelong activities and fun.