2025-2026 5th Grade Course Descriptions
- English Essentials
- English
- Math Essentials
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Library
- Health Enhancement
- Study Hall (Opposite of PE)
- Beginning Drama - (Elective)
- Drums, Keyboards, & Ukuleles (Elective)
- Exploring Visual Arts (Elective)
- Intro to Family Consumer Science (FCS) (Elective)
- STEM (Elective)
- Spanish (Elective)
- Beginning Band (Elective)
- 5th Grade Music & More (Elective)
- Beginning Orchestra (Elective)
- Intermediate Orchestra (Elective)
- Advanced Orchestra (Elective)
English Essentials
English Essentials
This course was designed with student interest in mind. We will be reading novels that challenge the student to use comprehension skills through direct instruction. We will be identifying literary elements throughout the year in hopes of progressing reading skills. This class will also require various types of written assignments: summarizing, persuasive, comparative, explanatory, and more.
What is Title One/ English Essentials?
Title One is a federally-funded, general education support program. The goal of Title One Reading is to provide extra reading help and instruction for struggling readers. Title One instruction is specialized reading instruction that is provided through the cooperation of the classroom teacher and the Title One Reading teacher. This supplements classroom instruction. Supplemental reading instruction with the Title One Reading teacher occurs in small groups, daily for approximately 45 minutes, a supplemental program. This can be illustrated as some students needing an “extra snack of reading” during their day. We identify students in need of assistance and offer them extra instruction. The “main course” of reading is not enough instruction for these students.
Title One Goals
- To diagnose and identify specific reading problems in each eligible student.
- To supplement and support (not replace) the classroom reading instruction.
- To foster an enjoyment of books and to encourage reading as a leisure activity.
- To develop a positive attitude and self-confidence by providing reading success.
- To formulate and implement plans that will improve students’ reading skills.
- To help each student acquire the skills needed to function in the classroom.
- To obtain parental support and involvement in our program.
Student Identification Process
The opportunity to be a part of a Title One program is determined for each child and based on several pieces of information used by the Title One teacher including teacher recommendation, Fastbridge and iReady testing, and analysis of independent reading behaviors. Students are then monitored throughout the school year to measure progress.
A parent or guardian must sign the permission letter and contact and send it back to the Title One teacher to receive Title One services.
Exit Title One Program
Students may exit the program at any time during the year. Students will be dismissed from the program by showing grade level performance in the classroom, grade level performance on assessments, and/or parent and teacher referral. The student will only be dismissed from the program after consultation with the classroom teacher, parent, student, and Title One teacher. If you elect to receive these services for your child, English Essentials will take the place of an elective class.
Other Considerations:
Students with an IEP for reading are typically not served in the Title One program. Students whose parents object to their placement will not be served.
English
Math Essentials
Students will receive extra math support through Math Essentials. The focus is to fill gaps that students have which keep them from achieving grade-level standards in math. We will focus on foundational skills in the four math domains: Numbers & Operations, Algebra & Algebraic Thinking, Measurement & Data, and Geometry.
What is Title One/ Math Essentials?
Title One is a federally-funded, general education support program. The goal of Title One Math is to provide extra math help and instruction for students who are struggling. Title One instruction is specialized math instruction that is provided through the cooperation of the classroom teacher and the Title One Math teacher. This supplements classroom instruction. Supplemental math instruction with the Title One Math teacher occurs in small groups, daily for approximately 45 minutes. This can be illustrated as some students needing an “extra snack of math” during their day. We identify students in need of assistance and offer them extra instruction. The “main course” of math is not enough instruction for these students.
Title One Goals
- To diagnose and identify specific math problems in each eligible student
- To supplement and support (not replace) the classroom math instruction
- To foster an enjoyment of math and to encourage problem-solving as a leisure activity
- To develop a positive attitude and self-confidence by providing math success
- To formulate and implement plans that will improve students’ math skills
- To help each student acquire the skills needed to function in the classroom
- To obtain parental support and involvement in our program.
Student Identification Process
The opportunity to be a part of a Title One program is determined for each child and based on several pieces of information used by the Title One teacher including teacher recommendation, Fastbridge and iReady testing, and analysis of independent math behaviors. Students are then monitored throughout the school year to measure progress.
Enter Title One Program
A parent or guardian must sign the permission letter and send it back to the Title One teacher in order for their student to receive Title One services. If you elect to receive these services for your child, Math Essentials will take the place of an elective class.
Exit Title One Program
Students may exit the program at any time during the year. Students will be dismissed from the program by showing grade level performance in the classroom, grade level performance on assessments, and/or parent and teacher referral. The student will only be dismissed from the program after consultation with the classroom teacher, parent, student, and Title One teacher. A parent or guardian must sign the exit letter and send it back to the Title One teacher in order for their student to decline further Title One services.
Other Considerations:
Students with an IEP for reading are typically not served in the Title One program. Students whose parents object to their placement will not be served.
Math
Students will participate in a Mathematics curriculum designed to meet state and national standards. Using Common Core Standards, our school will use a primary source with supplemental materials added when needed. Curriculum will be designed using differentiation within the classroom to assure every child has the opportunity to excel in Mathematics as we learn about place value, operations with decimals and fractions, geometry, measurement, and data.
Science
Students will participate in a general science curriculum. They examine chemistry, physical, life, and earth science concepts. Within the curriculum, students develop and use models, plan and carry out investigations, analyze data as well as other science practices to demonstrate understanding of core ideas.
Social Studies
Social Studies focuses on the North American continent. Explorers from many countries and their claims, the division of lands, and governing bodies are explored. The history of the United States of America is studied from conception through the Revolutionary War via cultures, geography, mapping, historical peoples, economics, technology, citizenship, government and society.
Library
Keyboarding skills are strengthened using Typing Quest as well as other keyboarding lessons and programs. Students also receive an introduction to basic Google Suite programs such as Documents, Slides and Sheets. Library Technology class is interdisciplinary and supports other curriculum areas. It assists with the integration of technology into course work through research assignments and projects. This course also focuses on locating and using library resources, both print and digital. Independent pleasure reading is monitored using the Accelerated Reading program.
Health Enhancement
Health Enhancement is designed to offer students the opportunity to learn basic skills in lifetime sport activities. Our main objective is to teach students the basic rules, strategies and importance of sports that they can participate in throughout their lifetime. While participating in these activities an emphasis will be placed on participation, effort, physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship. Students will also participate in a district wide maturation class taught by the District Health Nurse.
Study Hall (Opposite of PE)
Study Hall is a supported academic period for students to finish teacher assigned work, while working towards mastery of core subject standards. If students have finished their classwork and are complete in all subjects, a variety of other academic options may include, but not limited to, Typing Quest, Accelerated Reader, Novel study, and various other programs to support core curriculum skills. Independent pleasure reading will be highly encouraged, as well.
Beginning Drama - (Elective)
Learn the ABC’s of drama in this fun interactive course that explores foundational aspects of theater. Students will be on stage acting, designing costumes, studying set design, and learning all the working pieces involved in creating a theatrical performance. This class will include a live performance.
Drums, Keyboards, & Ukuleles (Elective)
Students will be able to get hands on experience making music while playing drums, keyboards and ukuleles. During the drumming unit, students will prepare African and Latin drum ensembles using hand drums and other percussion instruments. The keyboard unit will introduce students to the basics of playing piano and reading notation. The last unit, students will learn to play ukulele including playing melodies and chords. The semester will end with a performance to share the new skills they have gained with their parents.
Exploring Visual Arts (Elective)
This course is designed for students to explore and experience a variety of art techniques. This visual art class will explore the Elements of Art through a wide range of mediums, such as pencil, paint, marker, clay, and more! As this is an introduction to the elements, students will try out new techniques that may apply in later visual arts classes, both at the middle school and high school levels. Students will understand the process artists go through when creating art, including: planning, producing, and reflecting on art. Glimpses of art history and the investigation of other cultures will also be found throughout this semester-long class. This hands-on class will help students gain an outlet where they can express themselves and allow others to celebrate their wonderful creativity.
Outline:
Elements of art:
- Line
- Color
- Value
- Texture
- Space
- Shape
- Form
Art History:
- Recognizing (works of art, artists)
Art Criticism:
- Analyzing/Interpreting
- Explaining Ideas
Based on our Standards Based Instruction, Students will able to:
- Design project steps and criteria to reach an identified goal and investigate personally relevant content for art-making
- Demonstrate awareness of issues and ethics of appropriation as they create artworks and design
- Apply criteria to plan revisions for artwork or design
- Compare similarities and differences associated with preserving and presenting two dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital artwork
- Evaluate methods for preparing and presenting artwork based on criteria
- Explain and cite evidence about how exhibits reflect history and values of a community
- Explain how a person's aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment
- Collaborate to interpret artworks
- Develop criteria to evaluate artwork
- Use art to express ideas and current interests
- Distinguish different ways that artworks represent, establish, reinforce, and reflect group identity.
Intro to Family Consumer Science (FCS) (Elective)
Family Consumer Science is a class where students learn about many different topics that will influence their lives. Students will learn about kitchen safety, kitchen science, light cooking (with no ovens), hand sewing, interior design etc. Students will learn about travel in relation to culture and food around the world. Students will plan and complete labs on the following topics:
- Consumer Education
- Fashion, Textiles, and Apparel
- Food and Nutrition
- Housing and Furnishings
- Individual and Family Health
- Leadership Development
$20.00 suggested donation to offset materials cost in the class.
STEM (Elective)
Get ready to explore, design, and invent! In this hands-on STEM class, you’ll build like an engineer, code and control robots, and bring your ideas to life through sketching, computer modeling, and building. You'll also explore electricity and light with circuits and computer programming. Think, create, and solve problems like an engineer.
Spanish (Elective)
Join us in creating a community of Spanish speakers! Come and enjoy Spanish acquisition while we play games, dance, hear stories and get to know each other. You will be exploring the culture of the world’s 3rd most popular language through video, stories, and crafts. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully interactive class! It is also a great prep class for High School Spanish!
Beginning Band (Elective)
This is an elective course offering beginning instruction for the wind instruments and percussion. You will learn to perform a repertoire of instrumental literature representing various genres, styles, and cultures with expression, technical accuracy, tone quality, and articulation, by oneself and in ensembles. The course also includes music fundamentals, theory, songs, performance, listening, composing, improvising, analyzing, and learning how to read music notation.
Goals
- To learn to play your chosen instrument accurately and produce a pleasing sound.
- To learn how to read music notation.
- To develop an understanding of music fundamentals and theory.
- To learn how to perform, write, and create music.
- To develop the ability to analyze, describe, and listen to music.
- To develop the ability to match pitch and sing on pitch.
- To develop an understanding of music as it relates to history and culture.
Instruments you may choose from are:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Baritone
- Percussion (screening appt. w/ Mr. Binder required before selecting percussion due to high demand.)
5th Grade Music & More (Elective)
This class is a great place for any 5th grader who loves music! Students will participate in various music activities, including singing, ukulele and more, that will encourage them to develop their musical abilities and enrich their lives with music. Students will prepare music for 3 evening concerts throughout the year.
Beginning Orchestra (Elective)
Join the Orchestra and ROCK!!! This class is designed specifically to meet the needs of 5th grade beginning orchestra students. No experience is required for this class, we will learn everything that is needed to begin playing a string instrument. Students will select violin, viola, cello, or bass to learn to play this year. Learning to play an instrument is both fun and challenging, therefore this is a year long class. We will learn Fiddle, Rock, Jazz, Classical, and other fun styles of music. At the end of every year, 5th Grade students learn to play a REAL rock tune that all orchestra students perform together for our end of year concert.
Intermediate Orchestra (Elective)
This course is designed for students with one or more years playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass), mostly 6th graders. 6th-8th grade students who have never played a string instrument are encouraged to join this class as well. We will begin with a quick review of beginning orchestra skills, then move on to more advanced techniques. Students in this class will study Rock, Fiddle, Jazz, Classical, Mariachi, and other musical styles. Students enrolled in this course are invited to participate in Belgrade’s Rock Orchestra Club.
Advanced Orchestra (Elective)
This course is designed for students with two or more years of experience playing their instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). We will be exploring advancing techniques, and more challenging (and FUN) pieces as we prepare for the transition to Belgrade High School Orchestra. We will continue our study of Rock, Fiddle, Jazz, Classical, and Mariachi styles while adding Baroque, Renaissance, Country, Pop, and more! Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in Belgrade’s Rock Orchestra Club in order to continue to grow their skills.