The integrated curriculum of fifth grade involves subtle distinctions between social science, English, and reading. Students work cooperatively in small groups, as well as individually as guided by whole group instruction. Problem solving is a key component of all subjects as students continue to develop critical thinking skills.
News Report Project
Reading for insight and understanding is approached through experiences with both fiction and non-fiction texts. The News Report Project specifically targets the development of highlighting, note taking and summarization skills, which are vital to successful research.
Students begin by creating a character based on a television or radio field reporter. Research is done by watching the nightly news with parents or listening to public radio at school. Students then spend time perusing newspapers and magazines for articles on current event topics. Time is also spent reviewing online news resources designed for children.
Once an article or series of articles has been selected, a lesson is given on asking essential questions and reading a text with those questions in mind – highlighting relevant information. The highlighted information is written in a shorthand note format, which is also taught in a mini-lesson. Finally, students synthesize their notes to create a summary in the voice of their news reporter character.
After their drafts have been edited by both their peers and teacher, students come to school dressed as their characters. The video camera is turned on and the fifth graders give their news reports "from the field."
A Sample Fifth Grade Daily Schedule
