5th Grade Educational Milestone (Ages 10 to 11)

Source: Core/ The School Run/ Scholastic

5th Grade Math

Math Main Topics: Place Value, Decimals, Operations with Fractions, Geometry 

As your child becomes a 5th Grader, they will learn how to add and subtract fractions with different denominators (Reminder: Denominators mean the Bottom numbers in a fraction). For example, they will be able to add and solve ⅓ + ⅙.  They can do this by learning how to use common denominators. Not only this, but they will also know how fractions are multiplied and divided. For whole numbers, they will be multiplying larger numbers. To move on to the next grade level, they must learn how to multiply multi-digit numbers. For example, as a 5th grader, they should know the answer to 34x20 and have different strategies on how to solve it. They’ll also become more familiar with decimals and will be doing operations like adding and subtracting with them. They will learn some simple geometry, such as how to calculate the volume of different objects with different shapes. Advanced classes may start teaching 5th graders how to graph coordinate points. They may also begin simple algebra by writing and interpreting numerical expressions. 

Math Goals: 

• Understand the place value system

• Perform operations with whole numbers and decimals that are up to the hundredths place. 

• Add and subtract with fractions

• Multiply and divide with fractions

• Geometry: Volume

• Additional: Expressions, Graphing

5th Grade Reading

 Reading Main Topics:  Theme, Comparisons, Metaphors, Similes, and Viewpoints

Your 5th graders will face more complicated sentences and words, but they should still be able to read smoothly at a natural pace and self-correct as they go. They should have strategies to learn new words, such as looking it up in dictionaries or using context clues within what they read. For vocabulary, they will learn at least 2,000 new words. When reading, they should be able to determine the theme of a story from even just words within the text. They can look at differences in characters based on specific examples from what they read and determine how characters will respond to challenges. They will learn about Metaphors and Similes. Metaphors are comparisons that are not true but work because they share similar characteristics. For example, “My brother is a pig.” Note that a child really can’t be a pig, but they might share similarities. For example, maybe the brother eats a lot or likes to live in a messy bedroom, just like pigs. Similes, on the other hand, compare similar characteristics in two objects and often use the word ‘like’ or ‘as’. For example, “The sky was dark as ink.” Your kids will also learn how different points of view can influence how a scene is described. They will see that different characters might describe the same scene in a story, but with different viewpoints. 

Reading Goals: 

• Be able to read Grade level materials with fluency

• Determine Themes within stories

• Compare and Contrast

• Understand the differences between Metaphors and Similes and be able to use them properly

• Understand Different Viewpoints

5th Grade Action Items For Parents:  

• To practice seeing the differences in perspective, try doing this activity: Spend time outside and have fun with your child for the day, but make it a rule to record your day on paper, separately. Each one of you should write what happened during the day and how you felt about it. In the end, compare what you both wrote. This exercise should help show the differences in perspectives and points of view. 

• Encourage the use of metaphors and similes in your daily conversations and try to ask your kid which type it is. It might sound a little like this, “Wow! It’s super cold here. I’m like an icicle. What is this? A simile or metaphor?” 

• Help build their vocabulary and spelling skills by playing word games. Games like scrabble and hangman can help build a child’s word list. It is also fun. 

• Also, make sure that reading is a choice for your kids. If they don’t find reading fun, don’t force them. Try to find topics that interest your child so that they can find reading enjoyable. Audiobooks are also another way to help build their vocabulary and language skills.

• Reading comes in many forms. Letting your child help make simple dishes from recipe books is a great way to build their reading skills and practice their measurement skills. 

• Try to limit TV and video games to only 10 to 14 hours a week so that they have room to do other fun activities like spending time outside or working on hobbies.