Serving Preschool Through 8th Grade in the San Francisco East Bay Since 1962
Two of our major focuses in fifth grade are respecting each other and developing personal responsibility.

Did you know?

Each Spring, Seven Hills 5th graders spend time in Yosemite National Park for a week of natural science and social growth. They stay in cabins on the valley floor as they participate in activities that include a challenge hike, nature lectures and environmental stewardship.

Fifth Grade

In fifth grade, students are academically and emotionally ready to think analytically and take on complex challenges. A growth mindset is encouraged as teachers support students in generating their own thinking by encouraging responsible risk-taking and completing problem-based learning tasks. Flexible-level groupings in math, reading, and writing allow teachers to differentiate instruction and meet the readiness levels of all students.

Teachers begin to prepare students for Middle School by encouraging flexibility, practicing transitions, and beginning to change classes for different subject areas. In fifth grade, each teacher provides instruction in language arts to their homeroom classes, and students switch teachers for math, science, and social studies. Organizational strategies and study habits are refined in preparation for Middle School.

As the highlight of the year, 5th graders travel to Yosemite for five days, confident as they leave the comfort of their homes and classrooms. On the valley floor and on the trail, they expand on our science curriculum and strengthen their cooperative social skills. 

CURRICULUM

Language Arts

READING Units of Study:
  • Interpretation Book Clubs: Analyzing Themes
  • Tackling Complexity: Moving Up Levels of Non-fiction
  • Argument and Advocacy: Researching Debatable Issues
  • Fantasy Book Clubs: The Magic of Themes and Symbols
WRITING Units of Study:
  • Narrative Craft
  • The Lens of History: Research Reports
  • Shaping Texts: From Essay and Narrative to Memoir
  • Research-based Argument Essay
 
Math
  • Multiplication With Multi-digit Numbers
  • Division With 4-digit Dividends and 2-digit Divisors
  • Order of Operations
  • 3-D Geometry and Measurement
  • Comparing, Ordering, Multiplying, and Dividing Fractions
  • Adding and Subtracting Fractions
  • Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers
  • Graphing Temperature and Height
  • Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, and Dividing Decimals
  • Polygons, Perimeter and Area
 
Social Studies
  • Geography and Mapping Skills
  • Identifying the US States and World Countries
  • Early Explorers
  • Colonization
  • The American Revolution
  • Development of the US Constitution
  • Immigration 1700s to mid-1800s
 
Science
  • Carrying Out Investigations
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Data
  • Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
  • Supporting Scientific Arguments With Evidence
  • Life Science: Ecosystems
  • Life Science: Human Body
  • Physical Science: Matter and Changing Forms of Energy
  • Earth Science: Water Cycle
  • Earth Science: Solar System

Information Literacy
  • Research and search skills
  • Digital citizenship
  • Media and news literacy
  • Programming and digital media
  • Literature awareness and appreciation
  • Advertising and media
  • Book research
  • Assessing source

Genius Hour
Genius Hour provides students with time every week to develop a project based on their own interests. During this time, students think critically and flexibly, practice research skills, collaborate with peers, build a product, synthesize information, and revise products to increase efficiency or complexity.

Socratic Seminar
Early philosopher, Socrates, modeled learning strategies through questioning, inquiry, and critical thinking. During seminar circles, students engage in meaningful conversations about literature to build upon each other’s ideas, better comprehend the literature, and synthesize the information to understand the world around them. Socratic discussion guides students to a deeper understanding of what they read through peer conversations and extended writing responses.