Curriculum Sample

 The 5th Grade – ‘The Golden Year’  Grade 5 Sample Curriculum     
                             (Adapted by Peter Chin)

                              An Overview

 

Developmental Picture of the Student

Fifth grade is referred to as the “golden year” because students at this age are enthusiastic about learning, eager for new challenges and capable of hard work and creativity. A sense of self-consciousness emerges, yet they remain confident and harmonious with their surroundings. They develop an ordered sense of space and time, and hold a deeper understanding of personal responsibility and the ethics of right and wrong.

How the Curriculum Meets the 5th Grader

The students learn the history of ancient civilizations including India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. These histories of human deeds and strivings present the child with a broad picture of the diverse experience of humanity. They study the mythologies and religions of these cultures and discuss their philosophies of creation, life and death. Working with early forms of writing, geometry and architecture, the fifth graders experience, in part, the roots of modern culture. Through these classical stories, students develop inner imagination and empathy with an ancient world that is different from their own.

Fifth grade also marks an important learning transition out of mythology into history. Through study of the ancient Greeks, students develop an appreciation for the balance between skill and beauty, art and science, earthly life and spirituality. Studying the biography of Alexander the Great marks a substantial shift from mythology to documented history. The students enter the world of human leaders, historical campaigns and real world events.

In mathematics, decimal notation used in the four operations is introduced while students continue with fractions, multi-digit problem solving and word problems. They also learn freehand geometry to gain a sense of the structure of space and delineated form. Studying botany nurtures the fifth grader’s dawning acceptance of the beauty of the world as they balance scientific observation with aesthetic appreciation.

The year ends with a study of the expedition of Lewis and Clark—a compelling story of a human leadership engaged in an epic quest of self-determination and discovery.

In studying North American geography, students examine how and why people live and work in specific regions. Students select one of the 50 states to profile in a research paper and verbal presentation on the state’s history. They discuss how soil, landscape and location influences cultures. Their exploration of Native American history includes the people’s practical, cultural and spiritual relationship to the land.

In weekly gym or movement classes, students practice the five events of a Greek Pentathlon: discus, javelin, wrestling, long jump and running. In the spring the class will participate in a 3- day Pentathlon festival and competition with other regional Waldorf schools in Nashville, Tennessee. This is the culmination of the student’s physical individualism before they enter the middle school years and experience the new dynamics of team-based sports.  

5th GRADE CURRICULUM COMPONENTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCIENCE & MATHEMATICS
- Botany
- Fractions and Decimals
- Geometry 

LANGUAGE ARTS
- Ancient Cultural Mythology
- Independent Writing
- Reading Vocabulary and Grammar

GEOGRAPHY & HISTORY
- Ancient Civilizations, including India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece
- North American and U.S. Geography and 
- Native American Cultures

ART
- Painting and Drawing
- Geometric Drawing 
- Sculptural Modeling and selective fine arts projects (e.g. introduction to veil painting)

HANDWORK
- Four Needle Knitting and selected projects

 

 

MUSIC
- String instrument lessons continue for previously enrolled students
- Recorder and singing
- Music literacy
- Students participate in combined chorus

- Choral singing at Assemblies and Festivals    Students singing traditional and seasonal songs in annual festival and community events.

 

 


PENTATHLON  AND  EURYTHMY
- Individual physical development in Pentathlon: discus, javelin, long jump, wrestling, running

EURYTHMY                                                                               Two  6-Week Blocks: These blocks of intensive study will include exercises for balance, poise, alertness and synchronous movement

WORLD LANGUAGES
- German and  Spanish lessons will provide cultural exposure, develop memory, language and vocabulary skills.

FIELD TRIPS & COMMUNITY EVENTS
- Pentathlon: Our final class trip will include about three days in Nashville, Tennessee with 5th grade students from other Waldorf schools; all presenting their physical accomplishments in a classic Greek sporting event with rituals focused on the ancient Greek principles of Beauty, Grace and Truth.

 

 

DRAMA

- 5th grade play: typically based on one of the myths presented in the study of ancient
  cultures. My previous 5th grade plays have included: Theseus and the Minotaur, Scenes from the Odyssey, Stories from Ancient India.
  

LIFE SKILLS AND HOMEWORK EXPERIENCED IN 5th GRADE

·         Author Topic Statements and write rough drafts; present and incorporate revisions to book reports, class compositions for main lesson book entries and a selection of research topics.

·         Organize and Study Regular math practice in the Saxon Incremental math program, selected homework assignments and preparation for weekly grammar and spelling tests

·         Complex Memorization of their lines and actions for parts in the 5th grade play and selected ‘Readers Theater scripts.

·         Develop Mastery in practice of music for string instruments (Violin), soprano recorder and in physical events for Pentathlon

·         Model Academic Responsibility including good work habits in class and punctuality with deadlines for assignments.

 

"In teaching others we teach ourselves"  - Proverb