Fifth grade
Fifth grade (also 5th Grade or Grade 5) is the fifth year of formal or compulsory education. In the United States, the fifth grade is typically the fifth and final year of primary school, though it may be the first year of middle school. Students in fifth grade are usually 10-11 years old.
In England and Wales, the equivalent is Year 6.
In Ireland, the equivalent is 5th class.
In Scotland a 10-11 year old is usually in primary, not Year 6.
In the United States, 41 states have implemented Common Core standards for 5th grade curriculum in English Language Arts/Mathematics.
Key English Language Arts Common Core standards for 5th grade students include:[1]
- Ability to determine the theme of a book, story, or poem from details in the text
- Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story
- Describe how the narrator or speaker's point of view may influence how events are described
- Compare and contrast stories in the same genre.
Key Mathematics Common Core standards for 5th grade students include:[2]
- Write and interpret numerical expressions in operations and algebraic thinking
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions
- Convert like measurement units
- Understand volume as an attribute of 3-dimensional space
- Graph points on the coordinate plane
- Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties
In Math, Kids learn about operations with decimals, multiplying 3 digit numbers, long division, operations of fractions, order of operations, the metric system, x and y coordinates, volume of shapes, data and statistics.
In Social Studies, kids learn about Early American History from time periods 1491-1865. Historical events include Columbus landing in the United States, The Colombian Exchange, American Revolution, Westward Expansion, and Civil War.
In Science, the most common topics include moon phases, constellations, the solar system, ecosystems, the water cycle, weather, the states of matter, and chemical reactions.
In English, kids learn about reading, writing and vocabulary stragies, these include compare and contrast, finding the theme of a story, citing textual evidence, main idea, writing objective summaries, writing narratives, writing research reports, writing explanatory essays, writing persuasive and argumentative pieces, figurative language, Greek and Latin roots and context clues.
Australian equivalent
In Australia, this level of class is called Year 5. Children generally start this level between the ages of ten and eleven.