Georgia Performance Standards for 5th graders

5^th grade Learning Expectations

Language Arts

Fifth grade students will receive instruction in reading, writing, and listening, speaking, and viewing. By the end of the 5^th grade, students will be able to:

Read and comprehend texts form a variety of genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama) and from a variety of subject areas (math, science, social studies, and English language arts)
Construct new knowledge by making connections between new and previously held ideas
study subjects in more formal ways
Write for a variety of purposes
Use reading and writing skills to learn and understand more about their world and about different cultures
Articulate how authors use a variety of techniques and craft in their writing, and show evidence of the author's craft in their own writing
Understand a problem or conflict as stated in oral, visual, or written texts and determine an appropriate solution
Utilize previous knowledge and experience, draw conclusions and make valid generalizations, apply logic, and incorporate evidence and reasoning to develop and support possible solutions to problems

Mathematics

All students will be actively engaged in developing mathematical understandings in real and relevant contexts. By the end of the 5^th grade, students will be able to:

Classify counting numbers by distinguishing characteristics (prime or composite, odd or even), find multiples and factors, and use divisibility rules
Find equivalent fractions and add and subtract common fractions and mixed numbers
Use <, >, or = to compare fractions
Understand decimals as part of the base-ten number system and multiply and divide decimals
Understand the meaning of percent and use percentages and circle graphs to represent and interpret statistical data
Compute area and volume of simple geometric figures and measure capacity
Understand congruence of geometric figures, and the relationship of circumference to diameter of a circle
Represent and investigate mathematical expressions algebraically by using variables
Compare and contras multiple graphic representations of statistical data
Use different strategies to soave problems, including the strategy of solving a simpler problem

Science

Fifth grade students will investigate evidence related o scientific concepts. They will conduct experiments and do research that focuses on earth science, physical science, and life science. By the end of the 5^th grade, students will be able to:

Differentiate between observations and ideas
Use records, tables, or graphs to identify patterns of change
Identify and find examples of constructive and destructive forces while relating the role of technology to monitoring and controlling these forces
Explain the difference between physical and chemical change
Investigate the relationship between electricity and magnetism
Classify organisms into groups
Compare and contrast characteristics of learned behaviors and of inherited traits
Identify plants, animals, single-celled organisms, and multi-celled organisms
Relate how microorganisms are harmful or beneficial

Social Studies

Fifth grade students will continue the formal study of United States history, beginning with the Civil War and culminating with the present. Concepts in geography, government, and economics will interface with the study of history. By the end of the 5^th grade, students will be able to:

Explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War, and analyze the effects of Reconstruction
Describe and/or explain life in America from the late 19^th century to the present, including the U. S. involvement in various wars and conflicts, the Great Depression and the New Deal, the Cold War, and significant people and events between 1950 and the present
Locate important places in the United States, both natural and man-made
Explain the reasons for the impact of geography on the growth of the U. S.
Explain the protection of citizens' right under the constitution, including the process for and history of amending the U. S. Constitution
Use economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events

Assessment

Throughout the year, classroom teachers will assess each student's growth and progress toward achievement of the learning goals specified in the state curriculum (GPS or QCC if GPS has not been implemented).
These classroom assessments will be used to guide instruction in order to provide every child with the opportunity to learn and to succeed.
Students will be made aware of the performance expectations for 5^th grade and will acquire self-monitoring and self-assessing skills to help them maximize their achievement.
In the spring, Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT) in Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies will be administered to 5^th graders in order to provide a standardized measure of student learning.
Beginning in the year the Georgia Performance Standards are implemented for a content area, the CRCT will directly align with those GPS.
In January, the Grade 5 Writing Assessment will be administered.
Georgia law also mandates the administration of a norm-referenced test to all 5^th grade students sometime during the school year. The state provides the Iowa Test of Basic Skills; a school may choose to administer an alternate norm-referenced test at the system's own expense.