Rainbow Montessori Child Development Center

5th Grade Curriculum

The students completing fifth grade level will have a clear understanding of all the basic four processes as applied to decimals, fractions and positive and negative numbers. Students refine their analytical and recording skills.

Mathematics and Geometry

Math is approached from both of the following methods; the Montessori instructional technique and the traditional classroom technique.

Number Sense

• Students compute with very large numbers, positive integers, decimals, fractions and understand the relationships between decimals, fraction and percentages
• Interpret percents as a part of a hundred
• Compute power of nonnegative integers as repeated multiplication
• Determine the prime factors
• Identify and represent on a number line decimals, fractions, mixed numbers and positive and negative integers
• Compute and perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions and apply these procedures to problem solving
• Comparison of ratios
• Problem solving using formula for ratios

Calculation and Processes

• Higher level of multiplication and division

Algebra and Function

• Use a letter to represent an unknown number
• Write and evaluate simple algebraic expression in one variable by substitution. (e.g., 3x + 2=14. What is x?)
• Know and use the distributive property in equations and expressions with variables
• Identify and graph ordered pairs in the four quadrants of the coordinate plane

Measurement and Geometry

• Students understand and compute the volumes and areas of simple objects
• Understand the concept of volume
• Students identify, describe, and classify the properties of, and the relationships between, plane and solid geometric figures
• Know the sum of triangles and quadrilaterals

Statistics Data and Analysis and Probability

• Students display, analyze, compare, and interpret different data sets, including data sets of different sizes
• LKnow how to write ordered pairs correctly; for example, (x,y).

Mathematical Reasoning

• Students make decisions about how to approach problems: for example distinguishing relevant from irrelevant information, sequencing and prioritizing information, and observing patterns
• Students use strategies, skills, and concepts in finding solutions: use of estimation, checking precise calculations
• Use a variety of methods, such as words, numbers, symbols, charts, graphs, tables, diagrams, and models to explain mathematical reasoning
• Make precise calculations
• Students move beyond a particular problem by generalizing to the other situations: evaluate the reasonableness of the solution

Concepts are presented with concrete materials like checker board, decimal board, fraction material, division board, division tubes, bead chains, constructive triangles, binomial cube, trinomial cube, power of two, area triangles etc. for deeper understanding of concepts. Once the concepts are understood students move to abstract work and use traditional books to practice skills. Application skills are emphasized in all areas of study.

Language

Reading

Word analysis, fluency, and systemic vocabulary development

• Read with fluency, expression, and confidence

Vocabulary and concept development

• Use word origins to determine the meaning
• Know abstract, derived roots and affixes from Greek and Latin and use this knowledge to analyze the meaning of complex words
• Understand and explain the figurative and metaphorical use of words in context

Reading comprehension

• Understand how text features like: format, diagrams, sequence, illustrations, graphics, charts and maps make information accessible and useable
• Draw inferences, conclusions and generalizations from text
• Expository critique: Distinguish facts, supported inferences, and opinions in text

Literary response and Analysis

• Identify and analyze the characteristics of poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction
• Identify main problem
• Describe the function and effect of common, literary devices like: imagery, metaphor, and symbolism
• Evaluate the meaning of patterns and symbols that are found in myth and tradition by using literature from different cultures and eras
• Evaluate the author’s use of various techniques

Writing

Writing Strategies

• Use all stages of writing to write multi-paragraph pieces in each domain, which establishes a topic, provide supporting details, and summarizes in a concluding paragraph

Research and Technology

• Use technology to write documents

Evaluation and revision

Edit and revise drafts to improve coherence and progression by adding, deleting, consolidating, clarifying and rearranging text

Writing applications

• Students will write narratives that show rather tell the events of the story
• Write responses to literature that shows deeper understanding
• Write research reports with bibliography
• Write persuasive letters

Written and Oral English Language Conventions

Sentence structure

• Identify and use of prepositional phrases, appositives, independent/dependent clauses, transitions, and conjunctions

Grammar

• Identify and use troublesome verbs, modifiers and pronouns

Punctuation

• Use colons and quotation marks correctly

Capitalization

• Use correct capitalization

Spelling

• Spell roots, suffixes, prefixes, contractions and syllable constructions correctly
• Listening and Speaking

Comprehension

• Student will deliver coherent presentations and evaluate the content of oral communication

Organization and delivery of oral communications

• Students will organize and deliver oral communication

Analysis and evaluation of oral communication

• Identify and analyze persuasive techniques and identify logical fallacies

Speaking Applications

• Deliver narrative presentations and oral responses

Creative Writing

• The students express their thoughts with various writing styles.

The language arts program consists of an extensive study of grammar, creative and expository writing, mechanics, word etymology and paper (research) writing skills. At this point in the child’s education, he/she is ready to synthesize everything previously learned and apply it in everyday use.

Sentence analysis, diagramming, grammar boxes grammar symbols are used as supporting Montessori materials to clarify the concepts.

Science

Physical Sciences:

• Properties of Matter: physical properties including boiling point and melting point, change of state, atomic structure, formulas, groups of the periodic table, atomic structure
• Making and separating mixtures/solutions, chemical changes, energy transformations
• Understanding of pure elements
• Students will know common properties of salt
• Sound: vibrations and sound waves, hearing, pith and loudness, reflections and echo
• Light sources

Botany and Zoology:

• Plants and animals have special structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. As a basis for understanding this concept: Students will learn internal body part
• Blood and Air circulation of blood and lymph, breathing and gas exchange
• Using Food and Staying Fit digestion, excretion, exercise and fitness

Earth Science:

• Earth, Your Home: Earth within the solar system, forces that shape Earth, properties and uses of minerals and rocks, the rock cycle and soil).
• Earth’s Air, Water, and Energy use
• Sun energy and the impact
• Living Things Interact limiting factors, adaptations; biomes and aquatic ecosystems, rapid and gradual change

Investigation and experimentation:

• Classify objects in accordance with criteria
• Follow a set of written instructions for a scientific investigation
• Learn to use appropriate tools like thermometers, meter sticks, balances and graduated cylinders
• Record data by appropriate graphic representations
• Write a report on investigation
• Draw conclusions from scientific evidence

History and Social Science

Students focus on the study of United States. Students will understand that the nation has a constitution that drives its power from the people.

• Students describe major pre-Columbian settlements, including the cliff dwellers and pueblo people of the Southwest, the American Indians of the Pacific Northwest, the nomadic nations of the Great Plains, and the woodland peoples east of the Mississippi River
• Students trace the routes of explorers and describe the early explorations of the Americas
• Students describe the cooperation and the conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers
• Students understand the political, religious, social and economic institutions that evolved in the colonial era
• Students explain the causes, course and consequences of the American revolution
• Development of the constitution of U.S.

Geography

Students learn geography in connection with the history of the U.S.

• Physical and political map
• Location and capital of the fifty states

Physical Education

• Students will manipulate objects with accuracy and speed and will combine movement skills in applied settings
• Students will learn fundamental strategies in modified sports related games
• Students will define critical dimensions of safety
• Work cooperatively with partners

Art

• Fine arts appreciation
• Projects

Words

Chuckle, grateful, beseech, sensible, exhibit, generous, parcel, perplexing, lair (an animals lair is his den), Intelligent, flee, aviator, Nervous, aviator, blend, garments, admiration, illuminated, sanitary, anticipate, domain, tolerate, adhesive