Fifth Grade

Building Skills for Success

Welcome to fifth grade at Westside School! As students transition into middle school, they embark on a journey of personal growth, developing the skills and mindset that will support their success both now and in the years to come.

Our fifth grade curriculum is designed to help students build personal responsibility, organizational skills, and a strong foundation in critical thinking, all in a developmentally appropriate way that honors where they are in their growth.

Using the principles of Responsive Classroom, we foster a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where students are encouraged to engage actively, take ownership of their learning, and build meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers. Through a combination of structured lessons and hands-on, integrated projects, students are guided in developing their academic skills while also learning the social and emotional tools needed for success.

Whether diving into scientific inquiry, exploring the human body, or analyzing literature, students develop a growth mindset that prepares them for the increased academic challenges and opportunities ahead. In fifth grade, we focus on fostering independent thinkers who are ready to thrive in middle school and beyond, always prioritizing their development as both learners and individuals.

ETHICS & EQUITY

Fifth grade Ethics & Equity centers on understanding identity and building a strong, inclusive classroom community. Students start with play-based activities, identity mapping, and discussions on various identity categories like gender, race, ethnicity, and culture. Through identity dioramas, students creatively express ten aspects of who they are, sharing their work to find common ground and celebrate diversity.

In the spring, the curriculum focuses on health education, aligned with Washington State standards, covering self-care, puberty, healthy relationships, and challenging gender stereotypes. This project-based, interactive approach equips students with self-awareness and empathy, fostering a respectful and connected classroom community.

HUMANITIES

The fifth grade Humanities curriculum offers a dynamic exploration of history, storytelling, persuasive writing, and global cultures.

Students begin by learning the tools for success in middle school and exploring mythology and culture in the In the Beginning... unit. Through Notice and Note Signposts, they analyze literature and compare narratives. The Eras unit encourages self-reflection and explores how history shapes the present.

In the Restart Book Club, students examine how perspective shapes stories and behavior, while the Traits of Civilization unit explores what defines a civilization. The Hero's Journey unit highlights common traits of heroes, and Major Global Religions introduces the basics of the world’s five major religions.

Throughout the year, students strengthen their critical thinking, analysis, and communication skills, preparing them to be engaged global citizens.

MATH

The fifth grade math program builds a strong foundation through six key units focused on critical thinking and problem-solving.

Students start with Place Value Concepts for Multiplication and Division, enhancing their fluency with multi-digit operations. In Addition and Subtraction with Fractions, they master fraction operations and simplifying results. The Multiplication and Division with Fractions unit focuses on solving real-world fraction problems.

In Place Value Concepts for Decimal Operations, students refine their skills in decimal operations. The Addition and Multiplication with Area and Volume unit introduces geometric measurement, and Foundations to Geometry in the Coordinate Plane explores graphing and spatial problem-solving.

Throughout the year, students develop mathematical reasoning and precision, setting the stage for future success.

SCIENCE

The fifth grade science curriculum offers an engaging exploration of scientific inquiry, physical science, human biology, and Earth systems, fostering critical thinking and hands-on experimentation.

In the Variables and Design unit, students learn the fundamental concepts of scientific inquiry, such as differentiating between scientists and engineers, isolating variables in experiments, and accurately measuring and analyzing data. Mixtures and Solutions introduces students to chemical reactions, properties of mixtures and solutions, and the concepts of saturation and concentration, emphasizing how scientific models help explain these processes.

The Human Body Systems unit explores how the human body functions, focusing on energy acquisition, environmental processing, and the organization of body systems to support life. The Earth and Sun unit teaches students about the relationship between Earth and the Sun, weather patterns, heat transfer, and the water cycle, while also exploring the effects of climate change on weather systems.

Throughout the year, students apply their knowledge through questioning, experimentation, data analysis, and communication, honing their skills in scientific reasoning and collaborative problem-solving.

WORLD LANGUAGE

In fifth grade World Language courses at Westside, students take time to have conversations about language acquisition and setting healthy learning expectations. Students do this by learning how to have a growth mindset through better understanding, language proficiency, progress, and performance. In 5th grade, students learn both Spanish and Mandarin and at the end of the year they decide which they’d like to focus on in 6th-8th grade.

Learn more about our World Language program.

"Academics is a major part of our daughter’s learning experience. However, just as important to our family was the social development towards becoming a well rounded citizen and community member. Our kids are socialized into a culture of kindness, safety, and the opportunity to appreciate service." -Westside Parent

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