Fifth Grade At a Glance Below are a few of the exciting experiences that await your fifth-grader in Langley’s Lower School: • Advisory groups rather than homerooms that create opportunities for bonding and begin to simulate the Middle School structure • Leadership opportunities, including developing service learning projects, leading weekly assemblies, and being a big buddy to a first-grader The Langley School’s Arc of Development recognizes that the steepest part of a child’s development comes early, and that while every child’s path is unique, there are predictable cognitive, emotional, and social milestones. With this model, our students receive age-appropriate, inquiry-based instruction.
• Fifth-grade musical theater performance that prepares students for Middle School drama • Interscholastic team sports that build leadership and athletic skills • Overnight team-building trip to Camp Highroad
Learning in Action “Students delve into the creation of a society, questioning the structures that need to be in place for a society to withstand the test of time. As they create their own societies, they also analyze the impact of geography, written language, and technology. This project gives fifth-graders a broader historical lens with which to examine the civilizations of the past.” -Grade 5 Teacher “A long-time fifth-grade tradition, the spring cricket match is an allday affair in which the students play cricket on the athletic field. In addition to learning the finer points of the game and developing their athletic abilities, this experience also teaches students about sportsmanship and respect for other cultures.” -Grade 5 Teacher “As part of the children’s story unit, fifth-graders learn to use a variety of literary devices such as simile, metaphor, and allegory to draft their own unique children’s story for their first-grade buddy. Students refine their editing and revision techniques throughout the writing process as they perfect their stories. At the end of the unit, we present the Children’s Story Award to one winning entry.” -Grade 5 Teacher
Units of Study: These units of study are examples of how we build age-appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons. The goal is to challenge, expand thinking, and inspire students to act on their curiosity, ask good questions, and solve problems. Social Studies: Pre-History Essential Question: How do civilizations withstand the test of time? Skill/Activity: Examine the characteristics of long-standing civilizations to determine what impacts their longevity Science: Cells Essential Question: What are the differences between animal and plant cells? Skill/Activity: Prepare microscope slides to discover how plant and animal cells differ Math: Ratio and Proportion Essential Question: How do I know where to begin when solving a problem with a ratio, proportion, or percent in it? Skill/Activity: Apply proportions to work with scale drawings Language Arts: Interpretation Essential Question: How can I interpret a character’s journey throughout a book? Skill/Activity: Explore how linking ideas together can build larger theories or interpretations which help uncover a broader truth or lesson within a book
Sample Schedule 8:00-8:25 a.m…..........................Advisory 8:25-9:25 a.m……..............................Math 9:25-10:05 a.m….................Snack/Recess 10:05-10:45 a.m…..............Language Arts 10:45-11:30 a.m…..........................Reading 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m….......Lunch/Recess 12:30-1:10 p.m…...............................Music 1:10-2:10 p.m…...................Social Studies 2:10-2:50 p.m............................….Spanish 2:50-3:10 p.m….............................Closing 3:15 p.m…...................................Dismissal
What “Specials” Classes Will My Child Have? P.E. (3x/7-day cycle): personal fitness; leadership and skill building; good sportsmanship Spanish (3x/7-day cycle): oral communication; reading and writing; cultural connections related to Spain Art (2x/7-day cycle): elements and principles of design; critical thinking and problem solving; effective use of tools and techniques Band/Strings (2x/7-day cycle): basic instrumentation; ensemble playing; music theory; chromatic fingering; reading musical notations Music/Drama (2x/7-day cycle): singing/acting techniques; choreography; performance etiquette; music composition Library (1x/7-day cycle): reading for personal enjoyment/academic research; information literacy; selection and use of reliable resources
Since we believe educational programs should continually evolve to meet the needs of our students, all curricular lessons and schedules referenced here are examples and may change.