Curriculum Overview
| Reading -
– Short stories, poetry, elements of drama, fantasy and science fiction, myths of Greece and Rome, non-fiction, folktales and fables, elements of a novel, “Newspaper in Education” program; selected reading includes: Anne of Green Gables, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Johnny Tremain. |
| Grammar -
Grammar, usage, mechanics: origin of the English language, the sentence, subject, predicate, parts of speech, sentence structure, punctuation, spelling. |
| Spelling/Vocabulary -
Wordly Wise, Book 3 |
| Writing Process -
The writing process, expressive writing, informative writing, persuasive writing, descriptive writing, compare and contrast, classification, argument, definition. |
| Mathematics -
– Display and interpret data using line plots and graphs, median/mode/mean/range, kitchen units of capacity, operations with whole numbers and decimals, exponential notation, scientific notation, variables, general patterns, special cases, algebraic expressions, formulas, operations with fractions and mixed numbers, fraction/decimal/percent conversions, measuring and drawing angles, compass and straightedge constructions, coordinate geometry and transformations, parallelograms and parallel lines, congruent figures, properties of number systems, order of operations, solving simple equations, pan-balance equations, inequalities, probability, Venn diagrams, rates and ratios, proportions, Distributive Property, spreadsheets, area and volume formulas, Pythagorean Theorem, tesselations, topological transformations, Möbius strips, scientific calculator applications. |
| Science -
Life Science: organisms, cell theory, classification of organisms, six kingdoms (bacteria, protists, fungi, plants, animals), viruses, ecosystems and biomes, populations and communities, and natural selection. Science fair projects: scientific process, controlled experiments, communicating in science. |
| Social Studies -
Ancient civilizations’ peoples, cultures, religions, and governments; geographical importance of successful early civilizations; geography and mapskills. |
| Weekly Enrichment Classes |
| Computer -
Creating spreadsheets with Microsoft Excel. Spreadsheet terminology (columns, rows, cells, cell address, grid), formats and toolbar options, functions, equations, charts, graphs, financial spreadsheets, data spreadsheets. |
| Spanish -
Nouns, articles, adjectives, verbs, sentence structure and translation, pronunciation, listening and speaking skills |
| Art -
Elements of art (color, form, line, shape, space, texture, value), principles of art and design (balance, contrast, emphasis, proportion, pattern, rhythm, unity, and variety), famous artists, emphasis on 2-dimensional media (pencil, charcoal, pastel, paint). |
| Physical Education -
Preparation for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test; weekly physical fitness logs; long-distance running; increased competency in sports skills and strategies; tennis, volleyball, soccer, baseball, kickball, basketball, flag-football, Ultimate Frisbee, floor hockey, badminton, dodgeball; maintaining physical fitness through flexibility, strength training, and aerobic exercise; sportsmanship, fair play, and effort. |
| Sacred Studies -
Students study the Old Testament from Genesis through the Major Prophets, learning key facts about each book, main characters, and central messages. |
| Organization of the human body, organ systems (structure and function), healthy living (drug abuse prevention, wise choices, safety, healthy relationships) |
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