Calais Elementary School Curriculum Outline:Fifth/Sixth Grade
I. Literacy Goals and Expected Outcomes
In reading, students are immersed in a text-rich environment. Students experience text in a variety of ways:
Literature Circles: Groups of students gather to discuss elements of fiction, each assuming a role to guide the literary experience.
Read aloud is used to prompt literature discussions and to model fluent reading.
Independent reading is expected, with the WCSU goal of 25 books per year.
Fluency checks are administered three times a year, or as needed, to help assess and track growth of students’ fluency skills.
Author studies are used to compare/contrast, understand and/or connect topics and characters, and express opinions about text.
Students read non fiction text, learning skimming, scanning, note-taking, non-fiction components (i.e. Table of contents, glossary), page layout as a way to gather information. Reading is integrated in this way into other areas of the curriculum such as science and social studies.
Vocabulary is taught and reinforces through the use of the Wordly-Wise program. It provides opportunities for students to define, use, and apply new vocabulary in isolated and non-fiction contexts.
Spelling has students grouped homogenously, through the Developmental Spelling Assessment, as well as classroom assessment. The Scholastic spelling program guides this instruction, with groups for fifth and sixth graders. Individualized spelling programs are provided to meet the needs of students exceeding or struggling to meet the standard.
Writing is addressed through a variety of pieces throughout the year. Students are expected to explore and express themselves through narratives, reports, procedural writing, personal essays, responses to literature, poetry, as well as free writing. Writing conventions are practiced and taught using Daily Oral Language exercises, where students use editing skills and symbols to correct sentences using incorrect conventions. These skills are then applied to the students’ own writing as they follow the writing process of pre-writing, drafting, self-editing, peer editing, and conferencing with the teacher to produce a completed writing piece.
II. Math Goals and Expected Outcomes
The 5/6 math program is based on the Investigations (fifth grade) and Connected Mathematics (sixth grade), as well as, district problem solving supplementation. In addition, both grades supplement fluency in basic fact recall.
Grade 5/6 math units:
Number theory
Estimation and Computation
Geometry
Division
Fractions, Decimals and Percents
Data
Exponents and Negative Numbers
Fractions and Ratios
Geometry
Algebra, Variables, Formulas and Graphs
Measurement
Probability, Ratios, and Rates
Assessment is through Investigations and Connected Math tests. Students are given both pre- and post-tests to help drive and differentiate instruction. Problem solving is connected to topics of study, working to expand student understanding and ability to apply and express critical thinking skills.
II. Science Goals and Expected Outcomes
Science and Social Studies are taught throughout a two-year cycle, addressing both the fifth and sixth grade expectations.
Year one
Colonial America and the Revolutionary War
Ancient Egypt
Astronomy and the Solar System
Ecosystems
Year Two
The Middle Ages
Ancient Greece
Electricity and MagnetismEarth Science and Geology
In science, students learn components of physical science, life science, and environmental science in grade-appropriate depth through research, readings, field trips, and many differentiated activities. Students apply inquiry of the scientific method as they question, hypothesize, and make predictions about experiments, collecting, representing, analyzing, and explaining results.
III. Social Studies Goals and Expected Outcomes
Science and Social Studies are taught throughout a two-year cycle, addressing both the fifth and sixth grade expectations.
Year one
Colonial America and the Revolutionary War
Ancient Egypt
Astronomy and the Solar System
Ecosystems
Year Two
The Middle Ages
Ancient Greece
Electricity and MagnetismEarth Science and Geology
In social studies, students examine history, cultures, economics and geography through simulations, readings, research, inquiry, reports, and many differentiated activities.
IV. Health & Guidance Goals and Expected Outcomes
Students have guidance class, for 40 minutes, for ½ the year and health class, for 40 minutes, for the other ½ of the year. Please see the Health & Guidance curriculum for specific goals.
V. Technology Goals and Expected Outcomes
Instruction in technology skills is embedded within instruction in other content areas. Skills taught, and assessed, include:
|
Basic Skills: _____ Uses right and left mouse click functions _____Uses keys such as delete/backspace, control, command, tab and escape _____ Inserts, removes & accesses removable media (cd, disc, dvd) _____Practices effective keyboarding techniques _____ Uses digital tools (scanner, digital camera, etc) to capture images and other information (temp., light) and import them into a computer. _____Navigates between open windows and applications _____ Logs in and out of computer & network _____ Creates, opens, saves and prints a document. Selects printers or destination to save to. _____ Cuts, copies and pastes within and across documents _____ Creates folders and uses them to organize |
Social Ethical: _____Documents sources of info obtained through electronic resources Demonstrates understanding of copyright
_____Describes and follows responsible and safe use of technology (respecting electronic property, safe use of internet and email)
_____Articulates understanding of relevant, reliable and unreliable Internet resources. |
Productivity Tools: Word Processing: _____Combine text with pictures _____Enters, selects and deletes text. _____Manipulates styles of text. _____Uses spell check and thesaurus. _____Creates a table
Database: _____Enters data and can browse am existing database _____Identify components of a database
Spreadsheet: _____Creates a spreadsheet using simple formulas _____Creates a graphical representation of data
Paint/Draw: _____Creates illustrations using paint and draw applications. |
Communication:
Multi-Media _____Creates a presentation including graphics, text, sound, animation, etc.
World Wide Web _____Describes the components of a web address Create a web page
_____ Send and receive an email attachment _____Use email functions like forwarding and cc in email communications |
Research and Problem solving: _____Uses multiple resources including library catalog, electronic encyclopedia and internet resources.
_____ Navigate to various websites, using forward, back, home and refresh.
_____ Completes internet search using search strategies (Boolean logic, key words)
|
VI. Art Goals and Expected Outcomes
Students participate in art class for 50 minutes a week one time a week. Please see the Art curriculum for specific goals
VII. Music Goals and Expected Outcomes
Students participate in music class for 30 minutes 2x per week. In addition, there are opportunities to participate in chorus, strings, and band. Please see the Music curriculum for specific goals.
VIII. Physical Education Goals and Expected Outcomes
Students participate in physical education class 4x/week for 40 minutes per class. Please see the Physical Education curriculum for specific goals.
IX. Spanish Goals and Expected Outcomes
Students participate in Spanish class 2x/week for 40 minutes classes. Please see the Spanish curriculum for specific goals.
