READING
    Students use an anthology called Signatures to read selections and develop various skills to help them better comprehend and analyze words. Themes 2, 5, and 6 are used. Trade books are read in between each theme.
    The year begins with the reading of a fantasy called The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  by C.S. Lewis. Theme 2, "American Portraits," follows. Students read selections about Native Americans, Columbus, Patrick Henry, and Benjamin Banneker. At the conclusion of that theme they read The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth Speare. This is about the friendship that develops between a young white boy, Matt, and a Penobscot Indian boy named Attean. This takes place in Maine in 1768. Next they go on to learn about farming, the Amish, a conservation folktale, and Sally Ride in theme 5 called "The Planet of Life." Harriet Tubman and her life as conductor of the Underground Railroad is the focus of the book Freedom Train. "Road to the West" is introduced with theme 6. Students read short stories about what happened as the American settlers traveled west.

SCIENCE
    Three different topics are covered with science kits.  They are Mixtures and Solutions; Earth, Moon, Sun & Stars; and Animal Habitats.
    African dwarf frogs, millipedes, and fiddler crabs and their habitats provide interesting study for our fifth graders.  Students develop responsibility skills as they care for these animals. Animals are taken home at the end of our study.

WRITING
   We work on different poetry genres throughout the year.  They include haiku, cinquain, acrostic, bio-poems, and other forms.  Topics include seasons, holidays, and even characters from trade books they read.
    The expository model is further developed in fifth grade. Students use details, enriched vocabulary, figurative language, and the "Golden Bricks" to expand their compositions.

MATH
  The fifth graders work on interesting activities related to their  Everyday Math program.  They enjoy making graphs and using pattern blocks.   They also study geometry, multiplication, and the division process as well as many varied math concepts.

SOCIAL STUDIES
    The fifth graders study the first Americans, Columbus, explorers, the first colonies, American Revolution, our new government, and westward expansion. They use the text Our Country.
    Geography skills are incorporated through weekly geography and Map Essentials workbook pages. Current events are studied using Time for Kids.

DARE
    Officer Kevin Creamer is our DARE instructor.  He meets every week for an hour with each fifth grade. He teaches the students to resist drugs and alcohol.  Students also particpate in a district DARE rally in the fall.  A poster and essay are both requirements for the DARE program before the students' graduation in the spring.

COMMUNITY PROJECT
   Fifth graders also take part in an intergenerational project with the residents at the Norwichtown Convalescent Center. They play games together, paint pumpkins, do art projects, sing holiday songs, color Easter eggs, and interview the residents.  Both groups enjoy the time that they spend together.

   Fifth grade is a lot of fun. The students work hard all year and are involved in many challenging activities. At the end of the year they are ready for the move to the middle school.