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: