Fifth Grade
Overview
Fifth grade marks the culmination of the elementary experience at Oasis Christian Academy and serves as an important bridge to middle school. During this year, students are challenged to strengthen the academic foundations developed throughout elementary school while becoming increasingly independent, responsible, and confident learners.
At OCA, fifth-grade students encounter increasingly complex concepts that require them to analyze information, think critically, solve problems, communicate effectively, manage responsibilities, and take greater ownership of their learning.
OCA utilizes BJU Press curriculum throughout the core fifth-grade academic program, providing challenging, age-appropriate instruction taught through a Biblical worldview. Biblical truth is intentionally integrated throughout academics and classroom life as students are encouraged to evaluate ideas through Scripture, recognize God's truth in every area of learning, and develop the knowledge, character, and skills necessary for a successful transition into middle school.
Bible
Using BJU Press Bible curriculum, fifth-grade students deepen their understanding of God's Word and strengthen the Biblical foundation they will carry into middle and high school.
Students engage in an in-depth study of the Old Testament while examining God's character, His relationship with His people, His faithfulness throughout Scripture, and His unfolding plan of redemption.
Students are challenged to move beyond simply knowing Biblical facts toward understanding and applying Biblical truth. Scripture memory, prayer, worship, discussion, and practical application encourage students to develop a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a Biblical worldview that influences their choices, relationships, attitudes, and understanding of the world.
Literature
Using BJU Press Literature, fifth-grade students develop increasingly sophisticated reading comprehension, literary analysis, vocabulary, and critical-thinking skills.
Students examine a variety of literary genres while analyzing elements such as characterization, setting, plot, conflict, theme, point of view, author's purpose, figurative language, and literary structure.
Students are challenged to support their conclusions with evidence from what they read, communicate their understanding through oral and written responses, and evaluate themes, ideas, and values through a Biblical worldview.
Students also engage with selected novels and extended works of literature, including continued exploration of The Chronicles of Narnia, providing opportunities for deeper discussion, analysis, and appreciation of literature.
Mathematics
Using BJU Press Mathematics, fifth-grade students build upon previously learned concepts while preparing for the increased mathematical expectations of middle school.
Instruction emphasizes place value, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, measurement, geometry, data, patterns, algebraic thinking, and problem-solving.
Students strengthen computational fluency while developing a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts and their real-world applications. Direct instruction, guided practice, independent application, and problem-solving activities challenge students to select appropriate strategies, explain their reasoning, and persevere through increasingly complex problems.
Language Arts & Writing
Using BJU Press English Language Arts curriculum, fifth-grade students strengthen their command of grammar, usage, mechanics, vocabulary, spelling, and written communication.
Students apply their knowledge of sentence structure and parts of speech while developing increasingly complex written compositions. Emphasis is placed on planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing writing that is clear, organized, purposeful, and appropriate for the intended audience.
Students continue developing oral communication skills through classroom discussions and presentations while also building foundational research skills and learning to locate, evaluate, organize, and appropriately use information.
Students are expected to demonstrate increasingly fluent and legible handwriting, including cursive, as they prepare for middle school.
Science
Using BJU Press Science, fifth-grade students investigate God's creation through the study of life, physical, Earth, and environmental science.
Students explore topics including rocks, minerals and fossils, matter, light and sound, weather, ecosystems, Earth systems, and the human body, including the respiratory and circulatory systems.
Students participate in age-appropriate scientific investigations that require them to observe, question, gather and analyze information, solve problems, and communicate conclusions.
Throughout their studies, students are challenged to recognize the complexity, order, and design evident throughout God's creation and to approach scientific inquiry through a Biblical worldview.
United States History & Geography
Using BJU Press Social Studies, fifth-grade students explore the history, geography, government, and development of the United States through a Biblical worldview.
Students study the geographic regions of the United States, Native American cultures, European exploration, colonization, the relationship between the American colonies and Great Britain, the American Revolution, and the establishment and development of the United States.
Particular attention is given to foundational American documents, including the Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, and Bill of Rights, as students develop a greater understanding of American government, citizenship, rights, and responsibilities.
Students also examine the experiences and contributions of people from different cultural backgrounds throughout American history while developing geography, historical analysis, and critical-thinking skills.
By the End of Fifth Grade, Students Will:
Bible
- Recognize the Bible as the authoritative Word of God and truth for life.
- Demonstrate an age-appropriate understanding of the overarching story and organization of Scripture.
- Describe important characteristics and attributes of God revealed through His Word.
- Identify significant people, events, themes, and teachings from the Old Testament.
- Explain God's relationship with His people and recognize His faithfulness throughout Scripture.
- Demonstrate an understanding of mankind's need for redemption and God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- Explain what it means to know Jesus Christ and live as His follower.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and purpose of God's Church.
- Explain foundational elements of a Biblical worldview and apply that worldview to age-appropriate questions and situations.
- Identify ways to grow spiritually through Scripture, prayer, worship, obedience, fellowship, and service.
- Memorize selected passages of Scripture and explain their meaning and application.
- Apply Biblical principles to choices, relationships, attitudes, and actions.
- Demonstrate an age-appropriate understanding of sharing the Gospel and communicating Biblical truth to others.
Literature
- Read grade-appropriate literary and informational texts accurately, fluently, and with comprehension.
- Apply grade-appropriate word-analysis and vocabulary strategies when encountering unfamiliar words.
- Analyze how setting, events, conflict, and characterization contribute to the development of a literary text.
- Determine stated and implied themes and central ideas and support conclusions with textual evidence.
- Identify an author's purpose and point of view.
- Analyze how figurative language and other literary or poetic elements contribute to meaning.
- Compare and contrast characters, themes, events, perspectives, and texts.
- Make inferences and draw conclusions supported by evidence from a text.
- Summarize literary and informational texts accurately and effectively.
- Recognize and appropriately use grade-level academic vocabulary in speaking and writing.
- Communicate understanding of literature through thoughtful oral and written responses.
- Evaluate age-appropriate themes, ideas, choices, and values presented in literature through a Biblical worldview.
- Demonstrate increasing independence, critical thinking, and enjoyment as a reader.
Math
- Read, write, compare, and apply place value concepts to multi-digit whole numbers and decimals.
- Multiply and divide multi-digit whole numbers using appropriate strategies and algorithms.
- Demonstrate increasing computational fluency with grade-appropriate operations.
- Perform grade-appropriate operations involving decimals.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fraction concepts and relationships.
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions as appropriate to the fifth-grade curriculum.
- Explain relationships among fractions, decimals, and whole numbers.
- Recognize, describe, and extend numerical patterns.
- Apply foundational algebraic thinking to grade-appropriate mathematical situations.
- Solve problems involving measurement, geometry, data, money, and other grade-appropriate concepts.
- Apply mathematical knowledge to real-world situations.
- Select appropriate strategies, solve multi-step problems, and explain mathematical reasoning.
- Demonstrate the perseverance and accuracy necessary to approach increasingly complex mathematics.
Language Arts
- Demonstrate command of grade-appropriate Standard English grammar and usage in speaking and writing.
- Identify and appropriately use grade-level parts of speech.
- Explain and correctly use conjunctions, prepositions, interjections, and other grade-appropriate grammatical structures.
- Form and appropriately use grade-level verb tenses.
- Maintain consistent verb tense and recognize and correct inappropriate shifts.
- Demonstrate command of grade-appropriate capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
- Use commas and other punctuation appropriately in written work.
- Correctly use quotation marks, italics, and other conventions when identifying titles and incorporating information from sources.
- Spell grade-appropriate words correctly and use appropriate reference resources when necessary.
- Write organized narratives, informational pieces, opinion or persuasive compositions, and other grade-appropriate forms of writing.
- Develop writing with relevant facts, details, examples, descriptions, and transitions.
- Participate in the writing process through planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
- Conduct age-appropriate research by locating, organizing, and communicating information from appropriate sources.
- Communicate ideas clearly and effectively through written and oral presentations.
- Demonstrate fluent and legible manuscript and cursive handwriting.
Science
- Recognize science as a means of exploring and understanding God's creation.
- Ask questions, make observations, conduct age-appropriate investigations, analyze information, and communicate conclusions.
- Explain the basic processes involved in the rock cycle.
- Identify and describe selected minerals, rocks, and fossils.
- Identify matter by its properties and distinguish among its primary states.
- Explain the basic properties and behaviors of light.
- Explain the basic properties of sound and how sound is produced and travels.
- Identify significant weather conditions and events and describe their effects.
- Describe relationships among organisms and their environments within different ecosystems.
- Identify the major structures and functions of the human respiratory system.
- Identify the major structures and functions of the human circulatory system.
- Explain age-appropriate relationships among major Earth systems.
- Apply scientific reasoning and evidence when answering questions or solving problems.
- Recognize evidence of God's design, order, creativity, and power throughout the natural world.
History
- Examine United States history, geography, government, economics, and culture through a Biblical worldview.
- Recognize God's sovereignty throughout human history.
- Identify the 50 states and their capitals.
- Identify and describe major geographic regions of the United States.
- Locate significant physical and political features on maps of the United States.
- Examine Native American cultures and their roles and experiences throughout American history.
- Identify significant European explorers and describe major routes and motivations for exploration in the Americas.
- Describe the establishment and development of the American colonies.
- Explain major causes of tension between the American colonies and Great Britain.
- Describe significant people and events associated with the American Revolution and the founding of the United States.
- Explain the historical significance of the Declaration of Independence.
- Explain the basic purpose and significance of the United States Constitution.
- Explain the purpose and significance of the Bill of Rights.
- Demonstrate an age-appropriate understanding of the structure and purpose of the United States government.
- Explain foundational rights and responsibilities of United States citizens.
- Compare and analyze information from age-appropriate primary and secondary historical sources.
- Examine the experiences and contributions of people from diverse cultural backgrounds throughout United States history.
- Demonstrate respect for the culturally diverse people and communities that have contributed to the development of the United States.
- Apply historical and geographic knowledge to better understand the United States and its place in the world.