5th Grade

Fifth grade begins the year with an overview of the whole Bible.  We then go on to study the books of Psalms and Proverbs. Following the study of some of the prophets, fifth graders learn about the birth and life of Christ on earth, the early Christian church, and Paul’s missionary journeys.

• Spiritual Portfolio – The fifth grade spiritual portfolio will answer the question, “How do I see God at work in my life?”
• Capstone Project – The Capstone project for fifth grade is a springtime interctive Easter event called “Grace Walk”.  Students go individually through a series of four rooms where they are confronted with the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.  Many fifth graders indicate that this is a very significant experience in their faith development and a highlight of their fifth grade year.

Language Arts

Language arts includes reading, spelling, speaking, listening,  and writing. One of the major goals of 5th grade is to create life-long readers and writers. We teach mini-lessons and follow a workshop model  throughout the year in order to continue to grow as readers and writers.  Many of the lessons we teach come from the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators Curriculum (MAISA).  We are able to assess and assist students with their reading skills through the use of conferences, small group work, and reading responses.  Fifth grade uses Sitton Spelling and Word Skills to grow as spellers. Writing activities are frequently integrated into other content areas such as Bible, science, and social studies.

Math

Fifth grade use Math Expressions as their curriculum.  Multiplication, division and fractions are a main focus in our learning. We are looking forward to the new strategies and techniques in using math in a practical way, and we feel the students will find multiple ways in developing mathematical answers.

Science

In fifth grade we work to create scientific models, write out claims using evidence we discovered form investigations we planned and carried out.  We start the year learning about God’s intricate design in His creation through the study of ecosystems.  Then we study the properties and structures of matter.  Lastly we study the different spheres of the earth and our human impact on them.

Social Studies

We begin studying U.S. History. Beginning with Native Americans, we learn how the United States developed and became a country.  Our study ends with the establishment of a Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Art

A  fifth grader is able to build on what has been taught in earlier years of art and is able to learn techniques and specifics to become quite skillful in art.  A fifth grader is able to treat materials with respect and to use materials knowledgeably.  Coordinating art projects with class studies helps students understand how art can be an interesting aspect of communication and learning.

Library

Appreciation of literature is learned through listening to books from the various genres read aloud by the librarian.  The students learn to decipher information given on card catalog cards in order to locate specific books.  Fifth graders learn to use the thesaurus, atlases, and indexes to find information in encyclopedias and almanacs.  They are aided in the choosing of books to be read for enjoyment. Students have their own numbers for checking out books.

Music

In fifth grade music children learn that music is fun and is a gift from God. This gift will continue to be developed and discovered through tuneful, beatful, and artful activities. Tuneful activities focus on being able to think a tune and coordinate his/her voice to sing that tune. Beatful activities focus on feeling the pulse of the music and how it can be grouped into twos or threes. Artful activities give the student the opportunity to feel and be moved by the music. Students will continue to read pitch in duple/triple meter but will also begin to learn how to read songs/patterns consisting of the quarter note followed by the eighth note (skipping and galloping patterns).

Physical Education

In fifth grade physical education we develop the sports skills and learn the rules of soccer, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, tumbling, and softball.  We learn skills, rules, positions, and strategies in each of these sports.  It is also important for us to use these sports to develop good sportsmanship.  We have fitness testing in the spring.  We learn that our Christianity makes a difference in how we participate in sports.

Spanish

One of the goal for fifth grade Spanish is for students to use their Spanish language skills to glorify God.  Students will pray and sing several praise and worship songs. Skits and role playing along with vocabulary words, projects, and books will be used to continue to their practice of the Spanish language.  For more information, please refer to the HCS Spanish webpage.

Band

Following an instrument introduction at the beginning of fifth grade, students have the opportunity to try any and all of the instruments that they might be interested in playing. The focus of band in fifth grade is to introduce the students to the basics of playing an instrument – how to hold, assemble, and play their chosen instrument. Students develop individual performing skills on woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students typically perform a winter and spring concert. Fifth grade Band meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the school day.

Orchestra

The focus of orchestra in fifth grade is to introduce the students to the basics of playing an instrument – how to hold, assemble, and play their chosen instrument.  In fifth grade all students experience a field trip which provides an opportunity to hear a live orchestra concert performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra.  The fifth grade orchestra has several opportunities to perform for parents and groups of students throughout the year.  Fifth grade Orchestra meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the school day.