Fifth Grade
English
In fifth grade, students will expand their reading comprehension and work on a variety of skills to take more from the material they read in class. Making inferences, using context clues, identifying cause-and-effect, and forming generalizations, are just some of the skills covered. In addition, we strengthen spelling skills, expand vocabulary, improve grammar and work on writing mechanics. We stress the basics of writing; note taking, writing a first draft, proof-reading, editing and rewriting. Throughout fifth grade we read from short stories, poetry, and novels. Our novel subjects come from the Ancient civilization time periods the students are studying in History. With this approach, we endeavor to help students combine their knowledge and come out with a greater understanding of the material covered.
Students begin the year by reading Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green. This collection of short myths begins what will be a fundamental theme for our course. The stories of deities in this novel will be related to the Greek myths read later, and then compared and contrasted with origin myths of other cultures.
Later in the year, students read Heroes, Gods, and Monsters of the Greek Myths by Bernard Evslin. This is the novel we will read while studying the myths of Ancient Greece. The students will cover the myths about the gods themselves and will move on to some nature myths later on. The book has been part of the Greek mythology program for the past seven years and is a favorite of the students. In conjunction with this book, students perform some Greek drama, and a debate between the Greek gods and goddesses.
Our third and final novel for the year, students will read Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld. This mystery is read when students study Ancient Rome in History. It will give students a good look at what life and culture were like in this time period.
Math
At Browne Academy, the math program is integrated with all other subject areas to the greatest extent possible. The objectives of the fifth grade math program include: understanding specific customary and metric units of measurement; enabling students to explain mathematical thinking and procedures orally and in writing; solving and/or designing problems; and understanding the connections between mathematical operations and whole numbers, decimals and fractions. Specific areas of math studied in fifth grade include place value, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, geometry, fractions, decimals, measurement, consumer math, mixed-number operations, ratio, percent and integers. Frequently, students work individually or in pairs to explore math concepts through the use of manipulatives designed to reinforce operations and solve real-life problems.
Science
The environment is our most valuable resource; by learning how the natural world works students gain the tools they need to become responsible members of a global community. During fifth grade science students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills. By participating in engaging hands-on lab activities, class discussions, and interdisciplinary projects, students are able to observe scientific processes firsthand and apply their critical thinking skills to real world problems. Comparing living things, reproduction and change, adaptations, ecology, classifying matter, chemical reactions, motion, energy, forensic science, and astronomy are covered in the course. Field trips include the Natural History Museum, Mason Neck State Park, Potomac Gorge and the Air and Space Museum.
Ancient Civilizations
The study of Ancient Civilizations in fifth grade at Browne Academy introduces students to the social and cultural ideas and events that have influenced the growth of our world. Through the concepts of Time and Place, they travel through the birth of civilization in ancient Mesopotamia (Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria), uncover the mysteries of ancient Egypt, its temples and pyramids, witness the rise of Western Civilization (philosophy, drama, architecture, science) in classical Greece, push eastward with Alexander the Great to discover the civilizations of ancient India and China, and follow the arc of ancient Rome's fortunes as it develops from kingdom to republic to world empire, only to fall at last. In the process, students examine the four basic types of historical evidence - oral, written, image, and object - by carrying out research projects on such subjects as The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World or Greek Contributions to Science, and through hands-on learning activities such as writing in Phoenician characters on clay tablets or building an aqueduct. The verbal experience of history extends from selected textbooks, through readings in primary materials (including The Iliad), to the study of classical mythology and interdisciplinary connections with the English class. The visual experiences of history are rounded out with in-class movies, interactions with the art class, and field trips to sites, structures, and museums in the greater Washington area.
Technology
Fifth grade Technology classes specifically address how a computer works. Fifth graders focus on hardware. This program culminates in the dissection of donated PCs in order to really see what's inside! Students attend class twice a week in the Computer Lab. The objectives of the fifth grade Technology program are to:
- Develop a technical vocabulary about PC hardware and software
- Understand computer history, as well as where technology is heading
- Enhance keyboarding skills by mastering the ‘reaches' with Type to Learn 3 for Networks while concentrating on proper hand placement and accuracy
- Process, store, and retrieve documents from the Browne network and the Internet
- Create one to two-page documents in Microsoft Word using data organization tools, like tables and bulleted lists
- Create various presentations in Excel, PowerPoint and HyperStudio
French
Browne Academy's French program reinforces and solidifies listening, speaking, reading and writing in French, and explores the cultural and historical dimensions of the Francophone world. The fifth grade French program encompasses the review of basic French vocabulary, grammar and culture. Fifth graders continue to work on their comprehension, speaking and writing skills with the help of a French native speaker. A variety of activities are used to supplement the text such as class lectures, class discussions, oral exercises, reading and writing tasks, field trips, and educational songs and videos. Students have French four times on a six-day rotating schedule and each lesson lasts fifty minutes. French is spoken frequently, but English is used to explain difficult concepts. Major issues in the Francophone world are addressed by sharing newspaper and magazine articles. The objectives of the French program at this level are to have a basic understanding of French through listening, speaking, reading and writing; to learn the French language within the context of the French-speaking world; and to explore the historical significance of French history in a changing French society.
Spanish
The overall objective of the Browne Academy's fifth grade Spanish program is for students to master basic vocabulary in their personal and school life using the four language areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing, combined with culture. In their first Middle School year classes meet four times in a six-day rotating schedule. The topics are greeting and responses, introducing others, expressing origin, likes and dislikes, descriptions, clothing, family, ages, birthdates, class objects and time. The featured field trip is to the Organization of the American States and the Art Museum of the Americas to identify Hispanic landmarks in the Metropolitan area.
Art
Art is a language of visual images - we make visual images, and we study images. Through the study of the art of many lands and peoples, we learn how art can express the highest aspirations of the human spirit. Through art, we learn the meaning of joy of work - to work to the best of one's ability, for its own sake, for the satisfaction of a job well done.
The visual art curriculum of the Middle School is thematically linked to the course content of each grade's social studies course. Special events are also used to demonstrate the connection between the visual arts and other subject areas. The arts of other cultures or times are used to explore themes, materials and techniques. The artwork students create will not imitate, but will integrate what they have learned about these cultures with who they are today. Hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and reproductions introduce the lessons. Assessment and evaluation of student work is based on effort, application of new skills, creative solutions to assignments and class participation. Fifth grade students will learn about the arts of ancient civilizations, such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia, and Africa.
Physical Education
The fifth grade P.E. program refines motor skills and game strategies while working to improve student cooperation and teamwork. Drills are designed to develop beginning skills, strength, fitness and general comprehension of game concepts. Students will work independently and in small groups to improve their conceptual understanding. Core sport units include soccer, street hockey, flag football, basketball, softball, volleyball, lacrosse and swimming, and all are introduced to the students in fifth grade. Cooperative games, fitness activities and team building exercises will supplement the core sports units to create a balanced curriculum. A strong emphasis will be placed on sportsmanship, teamwork and effort.