Page 14 - GRADE 5 Curriculum Guide

Science
Next Generation Science Standards: https://www.nextgenscience.org/
The science program emphasizes original thinking, inquiry and scientific investigation. Across the age groups,
the study of science is hands-on, interdisciplinary and incorporates math and language acquisition while
teaching scientific principles applicable to the whole curriculum.

At the completion of the academic year, students in GRADE 5 should:
Inquiry
• Demonstrate some understanding of the principles of scientific inquiry
• Demonstrate understanding of how tools and technology advance scientific investigation
• Forms explanations and communicates scientific information in a variety of ways

Physical Science
• Investigate the properties and motion of objects
• Explore basic concepts of energy

Life Science
• Demonstrate understanding of the characteristics and life cycles of living things
• Understand the relationships between the basic needs of organisms and their environment

Earth Science
• Show understanding of the earth’s properties and the processes that change the earth
• Show beginning understanding of the composition and structure of the universe

Social Studies

The philosophy and practice at Clarion School begins with the idea that children are makers of meaning
through their interactions in the human world. As such, social studies serves as the core interdisciplinary
curriculum. Teachers integrate concepts and skills from the other academic areas within children's daily
experiential work. The program addresses two major themes: (1) the study of human life as it presents itself
from moment to moment, e.g., sharing, working together cooperatively, resolving conflicts; and (2) the study
of the connections and relationships necessary for physical and psychological survival in the world around
us.

The social studies curricula in Elementary gradually moves from the "here and now" in Grade 1 to "long
ago" in the Grade 3 and to long ago and far away in Grade 3. Students continue to learn primarily from
direct experience; however, as they get older, they also employ other sources of knowledge such as books,
museums, pictures, documents, and information from the internet.

Through this kind of work, children begin to make powerful connections between historical and distant
occurrences and the situations they experience in their everyday lives. All of the social studies curricula
draw upon and extend children's developing skills as readers and writers. In each study, children have
opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary activities that enrich their learning in a variety of ways.

At the completion of the academic year, students in GRADE 5 should through their unit of study on
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS should:
People, Past and Present
• Show understanding of how people conduct their lives now and in the past
• Identify historical factors that shaped the local community state and nation

Human Interdependence
• Show some understanding of how people rely on each other for economic needs
• Show understanding of how technology has influenced people’s lives throughout history

Citizenship and Government
• Recognize how individuals participate in society
• Show understanding of the purposes and structures of governments
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