Fifth Grade Standards of Learning

English | Math | Science | Social Studies

English

Oral Language

The student will listen, draw conclusions, and share responses in subject-related group learning activities.

Participate in and contribute to discussions across content areas.
Organize information to present reports of group activities.
Summarize information gathered in group activities.

The student will use effective nonverbal communication skills.

Maintain eye contact with listeners.
Use gestures to support, accentuate, and dramatize verbal message.
Use facial expressions to support and dramatize verbal message.
Use posture appropriate for communication setting.

The student will make planned oral presentations.

Determine appropriate content for audience.
Organize content sequentially or around major ideas.
Summarize main points before or after presentation.
Incorporate visual aids to support the presentation.
Use grammatically correct language and specific vocabulary.

Reading

The student will read fiction and nonfiction with fluency and accuracy.

Use context to clarify meaning of unfamiliar words.
Use knowledge of root words, prefixes, and suffixes.
Use dictionary, glossary, thesaurus, and other word-reference materials.

The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of fiction.

Describe the relationship between text and previously read materials.
Describe character development in fiction and poetry selections.
Describe the development of plot and explain how conflicts are resolved.
Describe the characteristics of free verse, rhymed, and patterned poetry.
Describe how an author’s choice of vocabulary and style contributes to the quality and enjoyment of selections.

The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction.

Use text organizers, such as type, headings, and graphics, to predict and categorize information.
Identify structural patterns found in nonfiction.
Locate information to support opinions, predictions, and conclusions.
Identify cause-and-effect relationships.
Identify compare-and-contrast relationships.
Skim materials to develop a general overview of content and to locate specific information.
Identify new information gained from reading.

The student will demonstrate comprehension of information from a variety of print resources.

Develop notes that include important concepts, summaries, and identification of information sources.
Organize information on charts, maps, and graphs.

Writing

The student will write for a variety of purposes: to describe, to inform, to entertain, and to explain.

Choose planning strategies for various writing purposes.
Organize information.
Demonstrate awareness of intended audience.
Use precise and descriptive vocabulary to create tone and voice.
Vary sentence structure.
Revise writing for clarity.
Use available technology to access information.

The student will edit writing for correct grammar, capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Use plural possessives.
Use adjective and adverb comparisons.
Identify and use interjections.
Use apostrophes in contractions and possessives.
Use quotation marks with dialogue.
Use commas to indicate interrupters and in the salutation and closing of a letter.
Use a hyphen to divide words at the end of a line.
Edit for clausal fragments, run-on sentences, and excessive coordination.

Math

Number and Number Sense

The student will

read, write, and identify the place values of decimals through thousandths;
round decimal numbers to the nearest tenth or hundredth; and
compare the values of two decimals through thousandths, using the symbols >, <, or =.

The student will

recognize and name commonly used fractions (halves, fourths, fifths, eighths, and tenths) in their equivalent decimal form and vice versa; and
order a given set of fractions and decimals from least to greatest. Fractions will include like and unlike denominators limited to 12 or less, and mixed numbers.

Computation and Estimation

The student will create and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, using paper and pencil, estimation, mental computation, and calculators.
The student will find the sum, difference, and product of two numbers expressed as decimals through thousandths, using an appropriate method of calculation, including paper and pencil, estimation, mental computation, and calculators.
The student, given a dividend of four digits or fewer and a divisor of two digits or fewer, will find the quotient and remainder.
The student, given a dividend expressed as a decimal through thousandths and a single- digit divisor, will find the quotient.
The student will add and subtract with fractions and mixed numbers, with and without regrouping, and express answers in simplest form. Problems will include like and unlike denominators limited to 12 or less.

Measurement

The student will describe and determine the perimeter of a polygon and the area of a square, rectangle, and right triangle, given the appropriate measures.
The student will identify and describe the diameter, radius, chord, and circumference of a circle.
The student will differentiate between perimeter, area, and volume and identify whether the application of the concept of perimeter, area, or volume is appropriate for a given situation.
The student will choose an appropriate measuring device and unit of measure to solve problems involving measurement of

length–part of an inch (1/2, 1/4, and 1/8), inches, feet, yards, miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, and kilometers;
weight/mass–ounces, pounds, tons, grams, and kilograms;
liquid volume–cups, pints, quarts, gallons, milliliters, and liters;
area–square units; and
temperature–Celsius and Fahrenheit units. Problems also will include estimating the conversion of Celsius and Fahrenheit units relative to familiar situations (water freezes at 0°C and 32°F, water boils at 100°C and 212°F, normal body temperature is about 37°C and 98.6 ° F).

The student will determine an amount of elapsed time in hours and minutes within a 24- hour period.
The student will measure and draw right, acute, and obtuse angles and triangles, using appropriate tools.

Geometry

The student will classify angles and triangles as right, acute, or obtuse.
The student, using two-dimensional (plane) figures (square, rectangle, triangle, parallelogram, rhombus, kite, and trapezoid) will

recognize, identify, describe, and analyze their properties in order to develop definitions of these figures;
identify and explore congruent, noncongruent, and similar figures;
investigate and describe the results of combining and subdividing shapes;
identify and describe a line of symmetry; and
recognize the images of figures resulting from geometric transformations such as translation (slide), reflection (flip), or rotation (turn).

The student will identify, compare, and analyze properties of three-dimensional (solid) geometric shapes (cylinder, cone, cube, square pyramid, and rectangular prism).

Probability and Statistics

The student will

solve problems involving the probability of a single event by using tree diagrams or by constructing a sample space representing all possible results;
predict the probability of outcomes of simple experiments, representing it with fractions or decimals from 0 to 1, and test the prediction; and
create a problem statement involving probability and based on information from a given problem situation. Students will not be required to solve the created problem statement.

The student will, given a problem situation, collect, organize, and display a set of numerical data in a variety of forms, using bar graphs, stem-and-leaf plots, and line graphs, to draw conclusions and make predictions.
The student will find the mean, median, mode, and range of a set of data.

Patterns, Functions, and Algebra

The student will analyze the structure of numerical and geometric patterns (how they change or grow) and express the relationship, using words, tables, graphs, or a mathematical sentence. Concrete materials and calculators will be used.
The student will

investigate and describe the concept of variable;
use a variable expression to represent a given verbal quantitative expression involving one operation ; and
write an open sentence to represent a given mathematical relationship, using a variable.

The student will create a problem situation based on a given open sentence using a single variable.

Science

Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic

The student will plan and conduct investigations in which

rocks, minerals, and organisms are identified using a classification key;
estimations of length, mass, and volume are made;
appropriate instruments are selected and used for making quantitative observations of length, mass, volume, and elapsed time;
accurate measurements are made using basic tools (thermometer, meter stick, balance, graduated cylinder);
data are collected, recorded, and reported using the appropriate graphical representation (graphs, charts, diagrams);
predictions are made using patterns, and simple graphical data are extrapolated;
manipulated and responding variables are identified; and
an understanding of the nature of science is developed and reinforced.

Force, Motion, and Energy

The student will investigate and understand how sound is transmitted and is used as a means of communication. Key concepts include

frequency, waves, wavelength, vibration;
the ability of different media (solids, liquids, and gases) to transmit sound; and
uses and applications (voice, sonar, animal sounds, and musical instruments).

The student will investigate and understand basic characteristics of visible light and how it behaves. Key concepts include

the visible spectrum and light waves;
refraction of light through water and prisms;
reflection of light from reflective surfaces (mirrors);
opaque, transparent, and translucent; and
historical contributions in understanding light.

Matter

The student will investigate and understand that matter is anything that has mass, takes up space, and occurs as a solid, liquid, or gas. Key concepts include

atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds;
mixtures including solutions; and
the effect of heat on the states of matter.

Living Systems

The student will investigate and understand that organisms are made of cells and have distinguishing characteristics. Key concepts include

basic cell structures and functions;
kingdoms of living things;
vascular and nonvascular plants; and
vertebrates and invertebrates.

Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems

The student will investigate and understand characteristics of the ocean environment. Key concepts include

geological characteristics (continental shelf, slope, rise);
physical characteristics (depth, salinity, major currents); and
biological characteristics (ecosystems).

Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change

The student will investigate and understand how the Earth’s surface is constantly changing. Key concepts include

the rock cycle including identification of rock types;
Earth history and fossil evidence;
the basic structure of the Earth’s interior;
plate tectonics (earthquakes and volcanoes);
weathering and erosion; and
human impact.

Social Studies

Skills

The student will develop skills for historical and geographical analysis, including the ability to

identify and interpret primary and secondary source documents to increase understanding of events and life in United States history to 1877;
make connections between the past and the present;
sequence events in United States history from pre-Columbian times to 1877;
interpret ideas and events from different historical perspectives;
evaluate and discuss issues orally and in writing;
analyze and interpret maps to explain relationships among landforms, water features, climatic characteristics, and historical events;
distinguish between parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude;
interpret patriotic slogans and excerpts from notable speeches and documents.

Geography

The student will use maps, globes, photographs, pictures, and tables to

locate the seven continents;
locate and describe the location of the geographic regions of North America: Coastal Plain, Appalachian Mountains, Canadian Shield, Interior Lowlands, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Basin and Range, and Coastal Range;
locate and identify the water features important to the early history of the United States: Great Lakes, Mississippi River, Missouri River, Ohio River, Columbia River, Colorado River, Rio Grande, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico.

Exploration to Revolution: Pre-Columbian Times to the 1770s

The student will demonstrate knowledge of how early cultures developed in North America by

locating where the American Indians (First Americans) settled, with emphasis on Arctic (Inuit), Northwest (Kwakiutl), Plains (Sioux), Southwest ( Pueblo), and Eastern Woodland (Iroquois);
describing how the American Indians (First Americans) used their environment to obtain food, clothing, and shelter.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of European exploration in North America and West Africa by

describing the motivations, obstacles, and accomplishments of the Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorations;
describing cultural interactions between Europeans and American Indians (First Americans) that led to cooperation and conflict;
identifying the location and describing the characteristics of West African societies ( Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) and their interactions with traders.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the factors that shaped colonial America by

describing the religious and economic events and conditions that led to the colonization of America;
comparing and contrasting life in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern colonies, with emphasis on how people interacted with their environment;
describing colonial life in America from the perspectives of large landowners, farmers, artisans, women, indentured servants, and slaves;
identifying the political and economic relationships between the colonies and England.

Revolution and the New Nation: 1770s to the Early 1800s

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the causes and results of the American Revolution by

identifying the issues of dissatisfaction that led to the American Revolution;
identifying how political ideas shaped the revolutionary movement in America and led to the Declaration of Independence, with emphasis on the ideas of John Locke;
describing key events and the roles of key individuals in the American Revolution, with emphasis on George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Paine;
explaining reasons why the colonies were able to defeat Britain.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the challenges faced by the new nation by

identifying the weaknesses of the government established by the Articles of Confederation;
identifying the basic principles of the new government established by the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights;
identifying the conflicts that resulted in the emergence of two political parties;
describing the major accomplishments of the first five presidents of the United States.

Expansion and Reform: 1801 to 1861

The student will demonstrate knowledge of westward expansion and reform in America from 1801 to 1861 by

describing territorial expansion and how it affected the political map of the United States, with emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the acquisitions of Florida, Texas, Oregon, and California;
identifying the geographic and economic factors that influenced the westward movement of settlers;
describing the impact of inventions, including the cotton gin, the reaper, the steamboat, and the steam locomotive, on life in America;
identifying the main ideas of the abolitionist and suffrage movements.

Civil War and Reconstruction: 1860s to 1877

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the causes, major events, and effects of the Civil War by

describing the cultural, economic, and constitutional issues that divided the nation;
explaining how the issues of states’ rights and slavery increased sectional tensions;
identifying on a map the states that seceded from the Union and those that remained in the Union;
describing the roles of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and Frederick Douglass in events leading to and during the war;
using maps to explain critical developments in the war, including major battles;
describing the effects of war from the perspectives of Union and Confederate soldiers (including black soldiers), women, and slaves.

The student will demonstrate knowledge of the effects of Reconstruction on American life by

identifying the provisions of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States and their impact on the expansion of freedom in America;
describing the impact of Reconstruction policies on the South.

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