fifth grade

Scofield Christian School exists to "provide children with an academically excellent education that is well-balanced, comprehensive, and integrated with Biblical truths and principles within a nurturing, Christ-centered environment." In keeping with the school’s mission, the fifth grade curriculum includes a well-balanced and comprehensive program of both textbooks and hands-on learning activities integrated with Biblical truths and principles. Literature, writing, and special projects are incorporated into every subject area. Content in various subject areas is integrated and coordinated for optimal learning experiences. Highlights of the fifth grade program and curriculum follow:

BIBLE - In fifth grade Bible, students survey the Old Testament with Dr. Diggit, the archeologist; Dusty, his pet camel; and Austin and Katie, his fifth grade tag-a-longs. Fifth graders study Bible characters in-depth and in chronological order as they appear in the Scriptures. Students are challenged to examine their own decision making as they observe the choices (whether good or bad) these Old Testament heroes and heroines made. The addition of hymn studies, missionary stories, hands-on application assignments, and a coordinated Scripture memory program challenges fifth graders to put their faith in action. The ACSI Bible Curriculum is used.

LANGUAGE ARTS - Students are involved in six areas of language arts: reading, language, writing, speaking, listening, and spelling. In reading fifth graders focus on a variety of genres including tales, fables, myths, biography selections, and excerpts from other classical stories, like Wind in the Willows and Alice in Wonderland. Reading and critical thinking skills are developed through short stories and three novel studies that are integrated with the geographical, political, historical, and cultural aspects of what the students are studying in history. These novel studies include King of the Wind, The Door in the Wall, and The Secret Garden. The studies emphasize plot, setting, characterization, and literary devices, along with comprehension skills, such as inference, cause and effect, and main idea. Biblical principles are integrated throughout discussions and writing assignments that compare and contrast characters/ideas with Bible people and the Christian world-view. Other writing assignments include a variety of expository and creative writing. For example, students will write narrative, descriptive, explanatory, and persuasive paragraphs and a variety of poetry and stories. Students practice correct grammar and spelling through a strong language and phonetically-based spelling curriculum which includes daily oral language and weekly dictation activities. Open Court Reading Curriculum, Scott Foresman Spelling Curriculum, A Beka Language Curriculum, D'Nealian Handwriting Curriculum, and other quality literature are used.

MATH - Fifth grade math includes six areas of study: whole numbers, time and money, measurement, geometry, fractions, algebra, and problem solving. Students will work with place value to the billions, add and subtract five digit numbers, multiply three digit numbers, divide to find three digit quotients, and round off numbers to the nearest ten thousand. They will enjoy hands-on practice as they measure using the metric system, work individually and in groups to find answers through applying their knowledge of geometry, fractions, decimals, and analyze a variety of graphs to solve problems. Students will write and evaluate algebraic expressions with one variable and solve equations with integers, as well as learn other basic algebraic concepts such as: ratio, proportion, and percent. The Harcourt Math Curriculum and Mountain Math are used for curriculum.

SCIENCE - Students in the fifth grade will study life science, earth science, physical science, and health. Major science units include a study of invertebrate and vertebrate classification, plants, chemistry, magnetism, energy, electricity, changes in the earth's crust, weathering, climate, pollution, and the moon/sun/stars. Special hands-on activities, like star charts, atom models, use of microscopes and various experiments, promote critical thinking and lead students to appreciate God's Creation. The scientific method is taught through individual and group projects throughout the year, and students are challenged to carefully observe and come to logical conclusions when analyzing data. Fifth grade science culminates as students spend a day at The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary reviewing and extending what they have learned about God's world. The resources include both the Scott Foresman Science and Windows on Science Curriculum.

HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY - Fifth graders will focus on the study of ancient history. Students begin with a thorough study of the people, customs, artifacts, and geography of the ancient civilizations of the world, like the Sumerians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Students enjoy a field trip to the Wycliff Linguistic Center where they will observe how the Bible is translated into many of the ancient languages of the world. As students investigate the religious beliefs of these people, they sharpen their ability to critically think about the uniqueness of Christ and their Christian faith. Fifth graders enjoy combining two disciplines as they read King of the Wind while they are studying Middle Eastern history and geography. One of the highlights of the year is the fifth grade unit on The Middle Ages. Church history comes alive as students discuss the Crusades and how the early Christians became martyrs and died for their faith. When students are studying The Middle Ages in history, they are also reading a historical novel, The Door in the Wall. They enjoy participating in hands-on activities, like building models of castles and "Medieval Day," a day set aside to dress, eat, and live as people did in those days. The A Beka Curriculum (Ancient History) and other resources are used as curriculum.

ENRICHMENT "SPECIALS" - Every day fifth graders also enjoy participating in special classes that provide extra enrichment. Weekly "specials" include music, library, computer, art, and Spanish. Physical education classes are scheduled each day. Fifth grade will take a field trip to the Dallas Symphony. In P.E. students will delight in taking a field trip to a golf course to learn basic golf instruction, golf etiquette, how to hold a club, and other important tips from a professional golfer.