Programs - Grades

Fifth Grade

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Often referred to as the “golden year” or the heart of childhood,  students in 5th grade are typically creative, enthusiastic about learning, eager for new challenges and more capable of sustained effort and independent work than ever before. They appear physically strong and balanced. Adolescence is approaching but has not yet arrived, allowing a window of harmony in the social arena.

 Ancient Greece is a central theme for the 5th grade. 5th graders study the wonderful stories from Greek mythology as well as the art and architecture and big ideas that arose from this important ancient civilization. Adding excitement to the school year, the students train for and participate in a multi-school regional Greek Olympiad. The cultures of ancient India, Persia, Mesopotamia and Egypt are also explored during fifth grade, cultivating an appreciation for the varied influences resulting in our present-day western civilization. In math, fractions are reinforced, and decimals and the metric system are introduced and practiced. The skills gained in form drawing in earlier grades are utilized during freehand geometric drawing; this provides an introduction to working with compasses and protractors in sixth grade. The science curriculum’s focus is botany. The students take a journey through the world of plants, from the “lowly” fungus and lichen to the great deciduous trees and refined flowering plants. Insect pollinators are also a part of the botany block. Geography expands to encompass all of North America - its mountains, rivers, neighboring oceans, natural resources & some folklore of the regions.  

To peruse some of the major themes of River Valley’s grade school curriculum at each grade level, please see below: