Grades 5 is an exciting and busy time for the students of ASK. They are actively engaged in activities and projects that help them to further develop the skills learned in Grade 4.

It is our belief that our students need to be active participants in their own learning. Our teachers’ role is to assist their students by observing their interests and strengths and providing the materials and time for them to explore and develop further in a positive and supportive learning environment.

Social integration and the development of positive social skills is an integral part of our academic program. Our students learn to share and be supportive of each other while working together collaboratively on projects and classroom activities. Strong friendships are further developed as are the skills required to be confident independent learners.

At ASK we strive to ensure that our students’ years in middle school education further promote a positive basis for the remainder of their academic lives.

Language Arts

The Language Arts program provides students with instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, spelling, phonics, communication, vocabulary, handwriting and the structure of language. Instruction occurs in a whole class setting, in small groups and on an individual basis as appropriate. A variety of methods and materials are used to teach basic skills, extend thinking and promote and refine the language development of our students.

Students learn and refine their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. A literature based approach exposes students to recognize works of children’s literature, promoting critical reading, thinking and discussion skills as a love of reading is fostered.

In grade 5 students will demonstrate a growing proficiency in a number of reading applications. Students will employ independent reading skills to all areas of learning. They will view reading as a critical personal resource for gaining knowledge and understanding.

Reading

By the end of Grade 5 students are expected to:

• employ a variety of reading strategies including prediction, summarizing and word analysis;
• read a variety of “end of fifth grade” reading selections with fluency and comprehension;
• read for enjoyment and the gathering of information;
• listen to, read and discuss various forms of literature;
• apply independent reading skills to all curriculum areas; and
• identify and locate literary devices such as similes, metaphors, personification, and alliteration.

Writing

Our goal at ASK is to produce students who can write clearly and communicate effectively through the written word. Out students will practice oral language exercises daily, learn effective sentence and paragraph formation alongside correct punctuation and the mechanics of the writing process.

Our students will be able to effectively plan, write a first draft, revise, edit and publish a written piece in the form of a research paper, a creative writing essay, a letter or a poem.

By the end of Grade 5 students are expected to:

• write clearly and effectively;
• edit theirown work as well as peer editing;
• demonstrate a clear understanding and ability to use the writing process to develop a written piece;
• write legibly;
• use various resources including a dictionary and thesaurus;
• demonstrate spelling proficiency of commonly used words; and
• recognize spelling errors.

Handwriting

By the end of Grade 5 students are expected to:

• use legible cursive writing in all written work;
• attentively listen to direction, discussions, instructions and presentations and write a summary;
• understand and evaluate spoken messages from listening, following a sequence of ideas and making informed, reasoned inferences, judgments and interpretations; and
• using and understanding written language to support and defend ideas and viewpoints.

Math

The learning of the principles of math aims at our students exploring, justifying, representing, solving, constructing, discussing, using, investigating, describing, developing and predicting. Students are actively involved in problem solving, thinking and reasoning.

Manipulative are used to connect conceptual to procedural understanding. Emphasis is placed on application as well as on the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

By the end of Grade 5 students are expected to:

• recognize the inter-relationship between whole numbers, fractions and decimals;
• use the basic operations of decimals ;
• add and subtract fractions;
• use appropriate standard units of measure;
• begin to represent and solve problems using geometric models; and
• understand and use the concept of probability and statistics.

Social Studies

Social Studies concepts and skills are developed throughout the elementary school years in an ever broadening perspective.

By the end of Grade 5 students are expected to:

• recognize major geographic terms including isthmus, continents, island, peninsulas and bays;
• recognize the major political divisions of the United States;
• identify and use the major geographic elements of maps and globes and locate foreign countries that have a historical relevance to the United States in the context of the curriculum;
• develop an understanding of current events as they relate to the past and present;
• gain an understanding of the history of the United States from1650 to 1865 or by recognizing key figures, events and documents and their contribution and relationship to life today; and
• understand the fundamentals of citizenship.

Science

The science program is activity oriented and covers biology, life science, earth science, space science and physical science. Scientific knowledge will be built on our students’ natural childlike inquisitiveness. They will recognize systems and cycles and develop a growing awareness of humanity’s ability to impact on these systems.

By the end of Grade 5 students will be expected to:

• use problem solving strategies to investigate and understand the natural world;
• demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts and principles central to biological, physical, earth and space sciences;
• use oral and written communication and mathematical representation to describe and explain scientific concepts; and
• understand and employ safe practices in the laboratory, in field work and during other scientific investigations.

Art

The intent of the Art Education program in ASK is to develop visual thinkers and to encourage creative problem solving on all levels of instruction. This program promotes visual literacy through studies in art history, aesthetics, art appreciation and criticism as well as through the process of creating original art. Art encourages inquiry and discovery and wonder.

While art enhances learning in all subject areas by providing visual, auditory, and sensory experiences, it has intrinsic value and is worth learning for its own sake.

By the end of Grade 5, students will be expected to:

• learn about the elements and principles of art, line, color, shape, texture, value, pattern, balance and emphasis;
• develop the personal qualities required for successful artistry such as persistence, patience and self-criticism;
• learn to express ideas and feelings in visual form;
• become familiar with a wide range of art materials, tools, equipment, and techniques; and
• investigate artist motivations and learn about their lives and their contributions to society.

Theatre

Theater arts are an important part of the lives of all students and the community. Our program is designed to promote the development of the individual’s need for dramatic self-expression. The program strives to develop the ability to appreciate the role theater arts plays in the improvement of the quality of our lives. Exposure to and appreciation of theater traditions from western and non-western regions and cultures is fundamental to our philosophy. Our department recognizes and benefits from the great variety of cultures represented at ASK.

Physical Education

Physical Education is an integral part of a student’s total education experience. Every middle school student will have PE daily. The PE program emphasizes fitness, the ability to work with others in small and large groups, sportsmanship, respect for people, property and rules.

The PE program for Grade 5 aims to enable students to:

• develop an awareness of methods to improve individual fitness levels;
• develop skills through lead up games, drills and practice;
• learn the rules and strategies unique to many activities;
• develop the social skills necessary to work in a group setting;
• gain self confidence in performing many different physical activities; and
• develop an appreciation of individual differences.