Fifth Grade Curriculum

Fifth Grade is the heart of childhood.

In Fifth Grade, students are developmentally balanced: they tend to be expressive and eager, enthusiastic for school and learning.  They develop notable competence in many areas.  

Fifth Graders study ancient civilizations including India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece; Greek myths and Greek History; Geography of North America; Cartography; Botany; fractions and decimals; free-hand Geometric Drawing; Spelling, Reading, Writing, and Math.

Fifth Graders write two- and three-paragraph essays and enhance their writing by learning how to use the semicolon, colon, and quotation marks. They practice identifying all parts of speech and study English perfect tenses. Fifth Graders continue to apply their research skills to write US state reports and other reports for their Geography block.

In Math, the students begin work involving ratio and proportion, decimal and proper fractions, mixed numbers, and the conversion of values from one system to the other. The students continue to build fundamental skills and study ancient number systems in History lessons.

Fifth Graders study biomes with a focus on the diversity of the plant kingdom. Developmentally, the students experience an expanding view of the world, and they study North American Geography. In addition to learning about the history and culture of different regions of North America, students create two- and three-dimensional maps using various materials.

Fifth-grade students from other Waldorf schools in the region join our Fifth Graders for a one-day pentathlon, where everyone participates in Greek games, including wrestling, javelin, discus, and running and jumping events. 

In Fifth Grade, students choose to continue playing their stringed instrument or switch to studying a wind or brass instrument in Music class.

Fifth-grade students also receive instruction in Spanish, German, Handwork, Eurythmy, Games and Movement, Farming and Gardening, and Music.