Grades 4 - 8

Grade 5

In fifth grade, we support students as they build upon their love of learning and begin to take on more responsibility for their learning and their roles at Nashoba Brooks. We nurture their skills in academics, athletics, and the arts as we guide them toward becoming organized and independent learners. We coach and encourage our students to engage fully, to have the confidence to take risks, to express themselves creatively throughout our rich and diverse curriculum, and to be leaders and good citizens. 

Grade 5 units of study include Foundations of America, The American Revolution, Ecology and Environmental Science, and Creative Writing.

In Grade 5 we focus on the following skills:
  • Collaborating with peers
  • Developing character and citizenship
  • Critical thinking
  • Making inferences
  • Formulating questions
  • Conducting research
  • Organizing, developing, analyzing, synthesizing, and supporting ideas effectively in speaking and writing
  • Solving problems
  • Interpreting data
  • Organizing work and long-term projects
  • Presenting and sharing information

Click on an item below to see a summary of Grade 5 work in that subject area. Please note: Each subject includes a guiding question or questions, some of the topics we address in that area, and an overview of some of the skills we work to build through this subject.

About Grade 5

List of 12 items.

  • A Sample Day in Grade 5

    Students can arrive as early as 7:30 AM and spend time with friends in the Dining Commons. There is no charge for early arrival. 

    The school day starts promptly at 8:25 AM. In Grade 5, the day begins with Homeroom and a typical day might include:

    • Visual Arts
    • Spanish
    • Snack & Recess - students bring their own snacks
    • Reading
    • Mathematics
    • Lunch & Recess - the School provides lunch
    • Humanities
    • Science
    • Chorus
    • Physical Education

    Fifth graders are dismissed at 3:35 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and at 12:30 PM on Tuesdays.

    We offer a number of fee-based External Programs that allow students to stay as late as 5:45 PM.
  • Humanities in Grade 5

    What skills and strategies can we use to better understand the literature that we read? How can we understand history from more than one perspective?

    Topics of Study:
    Active Citizenship • Foundations of America • The American Revolution


    Skills We Teach:
    Using active reading strategies for fiction and non-fiction texts • Drawing inferences • Building vocabulary • Exploring theme • Developing critical thinking skills • Analyzing text • Expressing ideas in writing, speech, and through the use of technology • Refining grammar skills and writing mechanics • Conducting research using nonfiction texts and internet resources • Differentiating main and subordinate ideas • Taking notes • Incorporating research into writing • Managing long-term projects
  • Mathematics in Grade 5

    How can we use our math skills and concepts to understand our world?

    Topics of Study:
    Algebra concepts • Factors and multiples • Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers, fractions, and decimals • 2-D Geometry • Probability and graphing • Fractions • Decimals • Ratio and percents

    Skills We Teach:
    Using models • Place value • Rounding and estimation • Comparing and ordering decimals and fractions • Solving multi-step problems using multiple operations • Recognizing the omnipresence of math • Proportional reasoning • Calculating the area and perimeter of various shapes and structures • Using technology to explain geometry • Problem solving • Logical reasoning
  • Science in Grade 5

    How do we, as scientists, collaborate to learn about the communities and interactions in the world?

    Topics of Study:
    Scientific inquiry • Ecosystem interactions • Animal behaviors and adaptations • Earth's biomes • Environmental issues and solutions • Computer Science

    Skills We Teach:
    Developing a strong science vocabulary • Group collaboration on projects • Incorporating technology to present ideas • Recording and analyzing scientific data • Communicating findings • Measuring accurately • Designing and creating through the engineering process
  • Spanish in Grade 5

    How can we know how, when, and why to say what to whom in Spanish? How do communities, languages, and cultures relate to each other?

    Topics of Study:
    informal vs. formal greetings and introductions • Spanish immersion communication strategies • Maya and Mexico • Basic geography of Spanish-speaking world • Describing oneself and others • Question words • Action words in context • Weather, months, and seasons 

    Skills We Teach:
    Derive deeper understanding through listening, reading, writing and speaking in Spanish • Negotiating meaning to communicate in unscripted oral communication • Explore similarities and differences between the concepts of country, community, culture, and language • Self-monitor pronunciation • Use of technology and introduction to typing accents and symbols • Formulate and express more complex ideas • Collaborate in communication, presentations, activities, and games • Develop stronger sense of self in Spanish speaking community by increasing communication skills and understanding
  • Drama in Grade 5

    How does puppetry affect our communication and enhance fine motor skills?

    Topics of Study:
    Study of the six major puppet types • Hand puppets with Aesop’s Fables • Shadow puppets with nursery rhymes • Marionettes with familiar children’s stories.

    Skills We Teach:
    Note taking from dictation • Constructing, manipulating, and performing four different puppet types • Voice production • Using the voice to create characters • Transforming nursery rhymes into puppet plays • Rehearsing • Memorizing • Performing • Working cooperatively in groups of three or more
  • Technology in Grade 5

    At Nashoba Brooks School, educational technology is meaningfully integrated into all content areas to enhance student learning.

    Skills We Teach:
    Managing a personal device with greater independence • Expanding on problem-solving skills • Using technology-related vocabulary • Using G Suite for Education across content areas • Increasing use of spreadsheets, word processing, and presentation software • Using programs for animation • Designing a website • Creating and editing movies • Developing programming skills with robotics • Producing music with digital software
  • Health & Wellness in Grade 5

    How can we make responsible choices for our health and well-being? 
    How can we connect with members of our community in a positive and constructive way?
    How do gender stereotypes portrayed in the media affect young people in their personal growth and identity development?


    Topics of Study:
    Character • Empathy • Team-building • Friendship • Conflict Resolution and Bullying • Gender Stereotypes in Media • Digital Citizenship • Nutrition • Puberty and Human Sexuality
  • Library in Grade 5

    Use of the library in Grade 5 is incorporated into subject area classes.

    Skills We Teach:
    Navigating books and other resources for information • Evaluating websites • Asking questions • Citing sources •  Sharing books orally • Reading for pleasure • Using digital resources for research
     
  • Music in Grade 5

    Themes in Music

    Topics of Study:
    Composing and improvising • Playing recorders, xylophones, and percussion instruments • Music notation • Classical music • Classical orchestra • Soundtrap • Flat.io

    Skills We Teach:
    Form in classical music • Recognizing patterns in music • Composition and improvisation • Developing appropriate vocal techniques • Active listening • Developing confidence in musical expression
  • PE in Grade 5

    Topics of Study:
    Field Hockey • Pickleball • Basketball • Track and Field • Softball • Cooperative activities • Fitness • Kin-ball • Futsal • Heart health • Invasion games • Football • Jump rope • Cardiovascular fitness

    Skills We Teach:
    Continued practice of gross motor skills (throwing, catching, kicking, traveling), Development of sport specific skills, Offensive and defensive strategies, Cooperative skills (communication, integrity, empathy), sportsmanship (fairplay, honesty, teamwork), Fitness concepts (muscular endurance, muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, warming up prior to exercise), Striking with short and long handled manipulatives, Leadership
  • Visual Arts in Grade 5

    How are the arts used as a tool and a means to communicate?

    Topics of Study:
    Landscapes • How artists show hands in their work • Shadow puppets • Spirit animal sculptures, observational drawing

    Skills We Teach:
    Observational and imaginative drawing •  Sculpting with cardboard, and found objects • Sculpting with clay • Color mixing with tempera, watercolor, and acrylic paint • Exploring and investigating art materials

At this age, students are eager to try new things and exert their independence.

Grade 5 Homeroom Teachers

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Jacob  Schrader

    Jacob  Schrader 

    Humanities Teacher
  • Photo of Kristen Sheehan

    Kristen Sheehan 

    Humanities, Grade 5 homeroom, Grades 4/5 Team Leader
  • Photo of Patrick  Sedney

    Patrick  Sedney 

    Middle School Science, Grade 5 Homeroom
Situated on a beautiful 30-acre campus in historic Concord, Massachusetts, Nashoba Brooks School enrolls all genders in Preschool through Grade 3, and students identifying as girls in Grades 4 through 8. Nashoba Brooks is an independent school designed to build community, character, and confidence in its students.
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