Lower School
Elementary: 5th Grade
As the oldest class in the Elementary School, the Fifth Graders feel the responsibility of leading the younger students with their actions and presence. They hold class elections and assist the Elementary teachers as Prefects. Fifth Grade is always a very memorable year! The Fifth Grade teacher challenges the students academically and helps prepare them emotionally for the transition into Middle School.
The emphasis is on academic as well as personal growth. Our Fifth Grade students are allowed to be "prefects" during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. They are responsible for helping smaller children to their designated areas, under the supervision of adult advisors. Fifth Grade students are also responsible for picking up lunch counts and delivering them to Café Ribét on a daily basis. We find that our Fifth Graders enjoy the extra autonomy and enter Sixth Grade fully prepared for the changes of Middle School, both the academic rigor and the social climate.
History
Fifth Grade students study United States history from its first inhabitants through the Civil War. They discuss diversity and the basic foundation of the country. An emphasis is placed on the colonial period, the Revolutionary War period, and the formation of our government. The vocabulary, maps and readings are supplemented by visuals and field trips.
Science
Fifth Grade Science is designed to provide a general foundation in life science, physical science, earth science and a glimpse into the human body. This is the first year that students will participate in the annual Ribét Academy Science Fair. Students work on their project for an extended time in order to learn how to conduct an experiment and present their discoveries.
Mathematics
Fifth Grade Math is the foundation for success in Middle School Mathematics. Emphasis is placed on the students gaining competency and confidence with the many different concepts they will be learning. From the use of decimals through fractions and graphs, our Fifth graders are well prepared to further their knowledge in Middle School.
Language Arts
Language Arts in the Fifth Grade builds upon the reading skills presented in the lower grades. Along with comprehension skills, we discuss the elements of a story and analyze reading strategies through the different genre in our anthology. We also read novels that re-enforce the strategies and provide discussion for critical thinking skills. Our curriculum also includes a continuing study of grammar as we learn the basic components and how they can be applied to writing. A major emphasis is the writing process. We reinforce the steps of the process and provide opportunity for daily writing. The structure of the 5 paragraph essay with basic thesis is introduced in the second semester. We hope to instill in our Fifth graders a love for reading and the ability to organize their thoughts and ideas in different types of writing.
Adjuncts
Students look forward to the annual Fifth Grade trips to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. This is an exciting trip where the students, teachers and parents actually sleep in one of the Sea World exhibits and get a first-hand view of what it is like to work with the ocean environment. They attend a Behind the Scene Tour at the zoo which is always unique and involves many new encounters. Fifth graders continue with their study of the guitar or violin in instrumental music as well as their vocal music classes. The crowning moment in Fifth grade’s performing arts study is their Shakespeare production in late May. Using Shakespearian English, they present two shows during the day, so the entire school has the opportunity to enjoy their hard work, and follow that with a special evening performance for their parents, family and friends.