5th Grade

I LOOK INTO THE WORLD

Balance is the goal, as the attainment of a degree of ease and grace of physical movement is intrinsic to this age. Cognitively the students have evolved to a stage of approaching their studies, and life, in a more realistic and reasoning manner. Thus the very significant transition from mythology to recorded history seeks to meet this emerging consciousness.

GRADE FIVE

The fifth grade student progresses from myth to history learning about a broad and diverse range of human civilization including India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece. Through these ancient stories a diverse experience of human existence is told showing the strivings of many cultures. The fifth grade child experiences the roots of modern day culture as they work with freehand geometry, architecture and early forms of writing. Botany provides an opportunity to highlight the beauty of the natural world from both a scientific and artistic approach. From the ancient Greeks the students learn about balance and harmony and they begin to practice the five events of the Greek Pentathlon: wrestling, javelin, discus, running and long jump. In the spring our fifth grade class joins with other fifth grade classes of regional schools using Waldorf methodology to compete in a Pentathlon. The self-determination the students experience in participating in the Pentathlon mirrors the steadfastness of Alexander the Great, an epic biography that is studied at the end of the 5th grade year. Multiple learning modalities are engaged giving all different kinds of learners routes to successful comprehension and daily the children have the opportunity to work both independently and in groups.

Artwork by Tanya Lax, Hartsbrook School

5TH GRADE CURRICULUM COMPONENTS

HISTORY AND LITERATURE

Ancient India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece; Heroic myths and epics; Rise of democracy; Sanskrit, hieroglyphics, Greek alphabet and American folklore.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Grammar, compositions, emphasizing description, editing and self-correction, oral and written book reports, words with Greek roots, plays.

MATHEMATICS

Four processes with fractions and decimals, geometrical figures, acute, obtuse and reflex angles, Pythagorean theorem, mental math.

GEOGRAPHY AND SCIENCE

North American geography, botany, simple to complex plants, plant species.

FINE ARTS

Freehand geometrical drawings, wet-on-wet watercolor, creating mood through color.

HANDWORK

Knitting in round using four needles, sewing, stitching skills, reading and following a pattern.

MOVEMENT

Rhythmic exercises, Pentathlon and classical Greek sports: javelin, discus, long jump, wrestling and running.

MUSIC

Diatonic flute or recorder, stringed instrument, music theory and composition, rounds and two and three part harmony, American folk songs and songs from ancient cultures.

WORLD LANGUAGE

Studies of Mexico and Latin America, increased complexity of oral and written work through songs, poetry, plays and stories.

AGRICULTURE ARTS

Botany and the characteristics, structures and cultural requirements of plants, plant observation, uses of plants.

COOKING ARTS/NUTRITION

Greek influences in food; Carnivore, Omnivore, Herbivore: specializations in animals, Body types.

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