Introduction: 5th Grade Curriculum

Learn what your child will be taught in 5th Grade and how to best help your young student.

By Shira Ackerman, MA
Jan 28, 2013

Age

10

Introduction: 5th Grade Curriculum

Jan 28, 2013

Often the last year of elementary school, 5th grade is an important time for students to cement the skills they have gained throughout the upper grades and develop them even further in preparation for middle school. Fifth grade is about helping students practice, refine, and grow their skills, taking all that they have learned to the next step. Fifth graders build on what they learn in 4th grade by thinking and analyzing in deeper ways about what they learn and read. They also write structured, clear, and detailed pieces. Additionally, fifth graders are encouraged and expected to be more independent in their learning, requiring less guidance and support from adults and teachers. For example, when a student is asked to research a topic, he should be able to know what to do and how to accomplish this goal. He certainly may need the assistance of a teacher throughout the research, but he also has the basic tools to do so by himself.

A 5th grade classroom is structured like most elementary school classrooms, with desks or tables for the students and usually an area for lessons, class meetings, and discussions. There are also often areas or centers dedicated to different subjects of learning. For instance, there may be an area with all of the math tools and supplies, as well as a class library dedicated to reading. Technology is used extensively for writing and research in 5th grade, and it's often an integral part of the curriculum across many subjects. 

Don’t forget to check out our extensive resources on homework help for 5th Grade here.

Age 10