St. Thomas
Aquinas
School Curriculum
reflects the requirements outlined by
the Diocese of Manchester,
NH
…dedicated to the spiritual,
moral,
physical, and intellectual development of students
English/Language Arts
The students will focus on communications through oral presentation and the written language.
Language
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Express orally an interpretation of texts read or listened to (offering opinions and drawing conclusions).
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Use an extended vocabulary identifying meanings of words using a variety of strategies; antonyms, synonyms, homographs, homophones, contractions, and compound words; using a dictionary; identifying and using common prefixes, suffixes and root words
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Use standard mechanics and usage involving punctuation, parts of speech, paragraph format, spelling, subject-verb agreement, and complete simple and compound sentences.
Literature
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Identify and analyze main ideas, supporting ideas, details and organizational structures.
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Identify and analyze characteristics of fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
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Write a story using elements of plot, character, setting, conflict, and main idea.
Composition
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Write with clear focus, logical, organizational, and sufficient detail: stories, poems, research projects and basic letters.
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Show development in organization, content paragraph development, level of detail, mechanics, word usage and sentence structure.
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Use graphic organizers and additional strategies (note taking, summarizing, technological sources, such as the internet), to plan and write the paragraph.
Reading
Good readers develop and advance by reading both inside and outside of the classroom. Students participate in a series of classroom reading/discussion groups throughout the school year. Participation in these groups combines out-of-class reading assignments within class group discussion
Math
Problem Solving
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Introduce and develop strategies for problem solving.
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Use plans that involve graphs, tables, lists, formulas, models and classification to problem solve.
Estimation
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Introduce and develop strategies for estimation of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
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Strategies include using properties, patterns, compatible numbers, and compensation.
Number Sense and Operations
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Introduce rounding of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
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Introduce and develop comparing and ordering of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.
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Introduce order of operations, prime factorization, prime and composites, greatest common factors and least common multiples.
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Review four basic operations of whole numbers and decimals.
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Develop division with two and three digit divisors.
Fractions
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Identify equivalent fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.
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Simplify fractions using GCF.
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Introduce and develop adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators including renaming.
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Introduce multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers.
Geometry and Measurement
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Introduce lineal and square unit measurement.
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Introduce perimeter of polygons.
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Introduce area of rectangles.
Algebra
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Read, write, and graph integers on a number line.
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Evaluate algebraic expressions.
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Use inverse operation to solve one-step equations
Religion
The Religion Curriculum focuses on the theme of Growing in our relationship with God through the sacraments.
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To develop an awareness that we must work together to develop and care for the whole of God’s creation
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To present the sacrament of Baptism enabling the student to understand that through family we become members of God’s Family
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To present the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation enabling the students to understand the full initiation into the church along with baptism
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To present the sacraments of penance/reconciliation and anointing of the sick enabling the students to understand the sacrament of healing
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To present the sacrament of Matrimony and Holy Orders enabling the students to understand commitment
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To present the understanding of social justice as a part of our Christian Call with the values of truth, justice, freedom and love
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To assist the student in learning that each person is a lovable, unique gift from God with individual talents and abilities
Science
Grade 5 will work to support a more global understanding of scientific knowledge through collaborative learning.
Students will be able to use critical thinking skills to assess a scientific situation bringing prior knowledge into a situation to generate alternatives and make logical and reasonable judgment.
Life Science
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Respect for ones own body and for others as Gods creation
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Identify the functions of the skeletal, respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems.
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Develop and apply scientific knowledge and skills to a variety of relevant life situations.
Earth Science
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Through a series of activities in cooperative groups the students discover the different kinds of compounds and mixtures.
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Describe and discover the planets, constellations, asteroids etc. within the solar system
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Identify that the universe is a vast, complex and ever changing system.
Physics
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The study of electricity, and electrical safety
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Identify the process and focus on the proper steps of fire safety
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Studying the interactions between forces and masses and their relationships to motion
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Identify that matter is made up of basic unit
Social Studies
The students of Grade 5 will develop a better understanding of American History.
Geography
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Use globes and maps to identify latitude, longitude, poles, and hemispheres, read scales and legends, and specialized maps, such as population and historical maps
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Distinguish political from topographical maps, and identify other types of specialized maps. Compare modern and historical maps.
History
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Identify different ways of dating historical events and interpret timelines, cartoons, photographs, charts and graphs.
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Identify several groups within the general population ( Asian, Native Americans, African Americans, etc.) by their distinct cultural beliefs, location etc.) and their influence throughout history showing the diversity of culture within the United States of America.
Civics and Government
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Identify and become aware of local, state, national, and international events and issues.
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Define and correctly use words such as citizen, suffrage, federal, state, and town.
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Understand the responsibilities and powers of major state and federal officials such as senators.
Economics
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Explore saving money, starting businesses for profit and understanding the profit incentive, supply and demand.
Spanish
One-half hour 2 days per week
Review and reinforce material covered in Grade 4
Introduce
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Subject pronouns
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Concept of you (familiar) and you (polite)
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Verb conjugation using “ser”
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Adjective use with “ser” to enforce understanding of agreement (gender/number)
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Tag words to ask questions
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Detailed letter writing to “pen pal” in Uruguay
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Verb conjugation using “ir”
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Ir + a + infinitive and the contraction “al”
Special Projects
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¿Quién soy yo? (Who am I?)
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Los Verbos (verb booklet) to house conjugation sheets of all verbs students study from Grades 5-8
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“Correct These Sentences”
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“Win, Lose or Draw” in Spanish
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Vamos a …(We’re going to…) map project
Enhance
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Conversation
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Vocabulary retention
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Culture/Hispanic Catholic Traditions/Saints
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Prayers in Spanish (Gloria/Ave María)
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How to describe themselves and classmates (verbal/written)
Enhance
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Detailed conversation segments
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Understanding of masculine/feminine noun concept
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Vocabulary through special projects/culture
Art
Visual art is centered around self-expression. Students solve many artistic problems through creative, critical thinking and the use of a variety of drawing and sculptural materials. Students are taught to:
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Understand how to translate their thoughts and feelings into the visual language through the use of symbols, theme, and attention to craftsmanship.
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Study the artwork of many cultures of the world, with focus on ancient societies.
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Hone drafting skills with a concentration on design, resulting in familiarity with geometric shape, rhythm in pattern, delineation of space, and visual depth.
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Take ownership of their personal expression.
Music
The Music Curriculum focuses on the following standards:
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Students will sing a varied repertoire of music alone and with others
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Students will improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.
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Students will listen to, analyze, and describe music.
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Students will understand music in relation to history and culture.
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Students will read and notate music.
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Students will compose and arrange music within specific guidelines.
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Use of recorders
Computer
The Technology Curriculum is designed to ensure that the student has mastered the appropriate beginning and intermediate computer knowledge and skills to accomplish tasks assigned in and outside the classroom. Learning/usage of skills is integrated into the classroom curriculum and instruction is taught in the lab.
Physical Education
The Physical Education Curriculum is designed to focus on the growth of each individual to reach his/her fullest potential. Through a variety of activities in the gymnasium and outdoors, the children will grow physically, cognitively, and socially. The objectives of our curriculum include the following:
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Sport skills, team concepts, rules, and safety.
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Decision making.
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Principles of training and conditioning.
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Demonstration of responsible conduct.
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Beginning game strategies.