What We Will Be Learning This Year

The Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools describe the commonwealth's expectations for student learning and achievement in grades K-12 in English, mathematics, science, history/social science, technology, the fine arts, foreign language, health and physical education, and driver education.

These standards represent a broad consensus of what parents, classroom teachers, school administrators, academics, and business and community leaders believe schools should teach and students should learn.

In the four core areas of English, mathematics, science, and history/social science, a curriculum framework also is provided that details the specific knowledge and skills students must possess to meet the standards for these subjects.

The following is a synopsis of the curriculum for the fifth grade. Please visit the Virginia Department of Education Site (http://www.pen.k12.va.us/go/Sols/home.shtml) for a complete description of the Standards of Learning (SOL) currently in effect for Virginia Public Schools.

English (Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening)

• Communication Skills/Reference.
  Presentation, Conversation, Discussion, Speaking/Listening, Reference Materials, Notetaking
• Vocabulary Development.
  Word Study, Structural Analysis, Study Skills
• Literature.
  Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Literary Elements, Comprehension Strategies
• Composition.
  Writing Process, Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation, Editing/Proofreading, Writing for Different Purposes, Word Use, Sentence Structure, Using Technology

Math

• Computation.
  All Operations of Whole Numbers, Division (4 digits by 2 digits or less), Addition/Subtraction of Fractions/Mixed Numbers
• Decimals.
  Place Value/Comparison/Multiplication/Division through Ten Thousandths Place
• Perimeter and Area of Polygons.
  Measurement of Area/Perimeter, Differentiation of Area from Perimeter
• Circles.
  Measurement of a Circle, Circle Terms
• Metric and Customary Measurement.
  Length, Weight, Liquid Volume, Area, Temperature
• Time.
  Elapsed Time, Time to the Hour and Minute
• Geometry.
  Angles, Coordinate Graphing
• Probability/Statistics.
  Tree Diagram, Sample Space, Line/Bar Graphs, Stem-and-Leaf Plots, Statistical Analysis, Mean/Mode
• Patterns, Functions, and Algebra.
  Numeric/Geometric Patterns, Variables, Problem Solving

History and Social Sciences (U.S. History to 1877)

• Historical Analysis.
  Primary/Secondary Sources, Contemporary Media, Timelines, Geography
• Pre-Columbian Life in North America.
  Arrival of First Americans, Effects of Climate/Geography, Settlement/Life-styles, American Indian Arts/Culture
• Early Exploration and Settlement.
  Motivation for Exploration, Early European Settlements, Impact on American Indians, Causes of Competition Among European Powers, Contributions of West African Societies
• Colonial America.
  Reasons for Colonization, Contrasts Among Colonial Regions, Life in the Colonies, Slavery, Economic/Political Issues, Seeds of the American Revolution, Key Individuals/Events
• American Revolution.
  Causes and Results, Key Events, Roles of Individuals
• U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  British/American Heritage, Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Powers
• Expansion and Reform from 1801-1861.
  Territorial Expansion/Settlement, Movement of People/Goods/Services, Relationships Between the U.S./It's Neighbors, Inventions, Economics
• Civil War and Reconstruction.
  Differences Between North/South, Events Leading to Secession/War, Key Leaders, Progress of the War, Life on the Battlefield/Homefront, 13th/14th/15th Amendments, Impact of Reconstruction

Science

• Scientific Investigation.
  Measurement, Classification, Prediction
• Sound.
  Transmission of Sound, Sound as a Communication Tool
• Light.
  Spectrum, Optical Tools
• States of Matter.
  Atoms, Molecules, Elements, Compounds, Mixtures, Solutions, Effects of Temperature
• Living Systems.
  Cell Parts, Kingdoms of Living Things, Vascular/Nonvascular Plants, Vertebrates/Invertebrates
• Oceans.
  Geological/Physical/Biological Characteristics, Public Policy and Ocean Environments
• The Changing Earth.
  Rock Cycle, Fossils, Plate Tectonics, Weathering, Erosion, Human Impact

Special Area Classes

• Music
• Physical Education
• Art
• Technology