Course Descriptions
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English Language Arts (ELA)
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Scholars in fifth-grade language arts extend their critical reading and writing skills to proficiently read grade-appropriate complex literature, informational text, and mixed media. Instruction focuses on using text evidence, summarizing, paraphrasing, and engaging in collaborative conversation. Scholars analyze texts for literary elements focusing on figurative language, the author's purpose, and structure. Scholars continue to practice writing by writing narratives, informative (grade level focus mode), and opinion pieces incorporating grade-level grammar concepts such as sentence structure. Scholars expand the personal and academic vocabulary they can use in their writing and speaking by studying Greek and Latin roots and distinguishing among multiple-meaning words in complex text. Scholars develop stamina for longer periods of independent reading and writing. In fifth grade, scholars will read increasingly difficult materials, including newspapers, magazines, books, plays, biographies, poetry, myths, legends, and other informational and technology-based content. They will read for different purposes, such as finding information or for fun. At this age, scholars focus on elements of writing, including style, structure, and the author's purpose for writing. They can explore words with multiple meanings, make educated guesses about what words mean, and learn the places and countries they came from.
("English Language Arts." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).
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SOCIAL STUDIES
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In fifth-grade social studies, scholars will examine the inheritance of the British system of government and the practices of
constitutionalism, self-government, individual rights, representative government, and separation of powers established by our Founding Fathers. Studies begin with the British settlement of Virginia at Jamestown and conclude with an in-depth analysis of the principles of the Constitution of the United States.
("Social Studies." Oklahoma State Department of Education, 2020, sde.ok.gov/).