Intermediate Grades 4 - 5 

The Intermediate Unit, grades four and five, develops students in many areas: personality, character, faith, responsibility, conflict resolution , and friendship. Family life begins to share the spotlight with outside interests and friends. Keeping up with this growth and finding a balance are a challenge shared by both parents and teachers. The intermediate grades attempt to help the students find that balance.

Grades four and five are departmentalized. Teachers switch for Math and Science, and Literacy (Reading and Creative Writing). Education in the Catholic faith is a priority. Religion is taught daily. Spiritual growth and the continuing development of Christian values are also an integral part of every school day. The curriculum includes the academic subjects of reading, math, English, science, social studies, and spelling. Computer technology is integrated into areas of the curriculum where it enhances the educational program.  Students in grade four have classes in physical education, computers, Spanish, art and music. Students in grade five have classes in physical education, art, computer and Spanish. There is an emphasis on developing and using good writing skills in all subjects.

The students are offered a variety of opportunities for growth. Training as an altar server begins in fifth grade. Students in grades four and five may participate in the band program. Participation on school sports teams begins in the fifth grade with instructional emphasis and progresses to inter-league competition. These are exciting years filled with many opportunities.

Grade Four Learning Focuses:  

• Science:  (HMH ‘GoMath’) Engineering and Technology, Energy, Plant Structure and Function, Animal Structure and Function, Earth’s Surface, Rocks and Fossils, Natural Resources
• Math:  (HMH ‘Science Dimensions’)  Place Value, Multiplication, Division, Patterns, Fractions, Geometry, Measurement
• Religion:  (RCL Benzinger ‘Blest Are We’) The Ten Commandments, God’s Goodness, Jesus, the Son of God, The Holy Spirit, Sacraments, Social Justice, Advent and Lent Units
• SEL: Our Unique Selves, Identifying Feelings, Problem-solving, Friendship, Making Good Choices
• Social Studies:  (Houghton Mifflin) The Land of the United States, Earth’s Geography, Understanding Regions, The East, West, South, and Midwest, Connections to Our World. Cross Curricular Research Units on Heroes and States are also included.
• Literacy: (Savvas Realize ‘MyVIew’) Reading, Language Arts, and Creative Writing are included in our comprehensive Literacy program. There is a concentration on close reading & annotating a text and making connections between reading and writing.  Cross Curricular Project based inquiry units round out the program allowing students to demonstrate their learning.

A variety of genres are read and studied including biography, autobiography, informational text, poetry, historical and realistic fiction, traditional literature, and argumentative texts. A well rounded variety of mentor texts are used, as well to provide high quality examples of children’s literature.
A variety of writing activities are developed including personal narratives, persuasive writing, argumentative paragraphs, letters, and research projects.

Grade Five Learning Focuses:  

• Science:  (HMH ‘Science Dimensions’) Engineering and Technology, Matter, Space, Systems in Space, Earth’s Systems
• Math:   (HMH ‘GoMath’) Place Value, Division, Decimals, Fractions, Patterns, Graphing, Units of Measure, Geometry
• Religion:  (RCL Benzinger ‘Blest Are We’)  Sacraments, Commandments, Beatitudes, Prayer
• SEL:  (Sanford Harmony)  Who We Are, Identifying Feelings, Effective Communication Strategies, Being a Friend
• Social Studies:  (Houghton Mifflin)  First Americans, Colonies, Revolutionary War, Civil War, America Today
• Literacy: (Savvas Realize ‘MyView’) Reading, Language Arts, and Creative Writing are included in our comprehensive Literacy program. There is a concentration on close reading & annotating a text and making connections between reading and writing.  Cross Curricular Project based inquiry units round out the program allowing students to demonstrate their learning.

A variety of genres are read and studied including biography, autobiography, magazine articles, informational text, poetry, historical and realistic fiction, traditional literature, and argumentative texts. A well rounded variety of mentor texts are used, as well to provide high quality examples of children’s literature.
A variety of writing activities are developed including personal narratives, persuasive writing, argumentative paragraphs, letters, and research projects.