Fifth-grade history explores the roots of culture through a study of ancient civilizations. Lab work provides practical application of the scientific method. Situations range from observing cells with microscopes to studying body systems with computer simulations.
Students learn more about themselves as they study the changes that occur in puberty.
There is also a drug education unit. In conjunction with lab work, students develop academic skills in research, notetaking, report writing, reading from scientific texts, and test taking. The math program concentrates on building skills in the use of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Fifth graders are also introduced to metrics and graphing, with continued work in geometry and word problems. Instruction and work in math follow guidelines set by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, with emphasis on real-world problem solving and cooperative learning.