Fourth through Sixth Grade
Students in the Intermediate grades are engaged in greater rigor, as they get ready for the challenges of junior high school. They are prepared to do research, write reports, demonstrate comprehension skills, use technology, utilize math skills that are necessary for a solid base in algebra, engage in the scientific method, understand the importance of history and current events, and have exposure to the arts.
All children in fourth through sixth grade utilize IXL Learning.
Scroll down to view our curriculum in these areas:
- Fourth Grade Curriculum
- Fifth Grade Curriculum
- Sixth Grade Curriculum
- Fourth through Sixth Religion, Music & Art
- Physical Education
Fourth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Handwriting – Utilization of legible cursive handwriting |
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Demonstration of effective oral communication skills during presentations, including class discussions, book reports and project presentations |
| Reading – Demonstration of successful word study skills – Effective application of phonics skills – Demonstration of high rates of fluency and accuracy – Effective application of a variety of comprehension strategies – Demonstration of strategic vocabulary development, decoding base words, compound words, prefixes and clues found in context – Introduction to critical thinking skills – Demonstration of effective dictionary and thesaurus skills – Focus on a variety of reading genres – Demonstration of strong comprehension skills with both fiction and nonfiction texts |
| Writing – Continuation of focus on the further development of the Five Step Writing Process – Demonstration of editing techniques and strategies – Application of spelling strategies – Recognition of word forms, sentence types and parts of speech – Demonstration of paragraph and story writing – Demonstration of competence with the narrative and descriptive writing – Continuation of expository, persuasive and poetry writing – Demonstration of effective utilization of dictionary and thesaurus skills – Evaluation of written work using the six criteria: Overall development of ideas and content, Organization, Support, Sentence structure and sentence fluency, Word choice, Mechanics |
Math
| Geometry and Measurement – Solve problems involving plane figures and various units of measurement – Perimeter, area and volume |
| Number Sense and Operations – Solve problems using estimation and rounding strategies |
| Other Focus Areas – Patterns, relationships and algebra – Computations with fractions, whole numbers, decimals – Multi-digit multiplication and division |
Science
| Chemistry – Introduces periodic table of elements |
| Earth Science – Studying water, weather, climate, Earth and beyond |
| Life Science – Studying vertebrates and invertebrates – Studies on plant soil and the water cycle |
| Physical Science – Friction, energy, light and matter |
Social Studies
| Economics – Identify supply and demand – Graph skills |
| Pennsylvania History – Settlement patterns and timelines – Geography and map skills |
| Political Science – Branches of federal and local government |
| Other Focus Areas – Local history |
Fifth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Handwriting – Utilization of legible cursive handwriting |
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Demonstration of effective oral communication skills during presentations, including class discussions, book reports and project presentations |
| Reading – Demonstration of successful word study skills – Demonstration of high rates of fluency and accuracy – Effective application of a variety of comprehension strategies – Demonstration of strategic vocabulary development, decoding base words, compound words, prefixes and clues found in context – Demonstration of application of critical thinking skills – Demonstration of effective dictionary and thesaurus skills – Introduction to a variety of literary genres – Demonstration of strong comprehension skills with both fiction and nonfiction texts |
| Writing – Continuation of focus on the further development of the Five Step Writing Process – Demonstration of editing techniques and strategies – Application of spelling strategies – Recognition of word forms, sentence types and parts of speech – Demonstration of the five paragraph essay – Demonstration of effective editing strategies – Demonstration of effective utilization of dictionary and thesaurus skills – Evaluation of written work using the six criteria: Overall development of ideas and content, Organization, Support, Sentence structure and sentence fluency, Word choice, Mechanics |
Math
| Mathematics – Understand prime and composite numbers – Factors – Multiples – Multiply/divide multi-digit whole numbers stating remainders as fractions/decimals – Apply divisibility rules – Decimal place value – Compare – Add – Subtract – Multiply decimals – Divide decimals by whole numbers – Divide fractions by whole numbers – Number theory – Measure length, mass, volume, area in metric and customary units, which integrates with science – Compare and convert units of measurement – Classification of polygons – Determine perimeter of polygons – Find area of squares/triangles – Explore circles, radius, diameter, circumference, pi, congruency – Graphing, data analysis including comparison of mean, median, mode, range, ratio, proportion – Probability and statistics – Solve simple algebraic equations – Problem solving/estimation used throughout – Consistent review of previous concepts and practice of computation |
Science
| General Topics – Animal and plant life – Ecological aspects with water quality – Plant study looks at plant structure and functions |
| Earth Science – Integrates rocks, minerals, air, water, and energy – Weather and climate patterns – The solar system |
| Life Science – Structure of plants and animals – Looks at characteristics and roles of organisms – Life cycle habitats, adaptations and interactions of living things |
| Physical Science – Covers properties of matter, motion and energy |
| Method of Study – Includes questioning, data collection and experimentation |
Social Studies
| Early European – Settlements including colonial America, the Revolutionary War and westward expansion |
| Geography – Map skills – Freedom and responsibility |
| Political Science – The role of government, analysis of political documents, a study of the judicial system |
| U.S. Constitution – Immigration and reforms |
| Other Focus Areas – Local History |
Sixth Grade Curriculum
Language Arts
| Oral Language (Speaking, Listening, Discussion) – Demonstration of effective oral communication skills during presentations, including class discussions, book reports and project presentations |
| Reading – Demonstration of successful word study skills – Demonstration of high rates of fluency and accuracy – Application of effective comprehension strategies – Demonstration of strategic vocabulary development, decoding of base words, compound words, prefixes and clues found in context – Demonstration of application of critical thinking skills – Demonstration of effective dictionary and thesaurus skills – Introduction to a variety of literary genres – Demonstration of strong comprehension skills with both fiction and non-fiction texts – Implementation of reading strategies appropriate for various thematic units and genres, including: Short stories, Longer narratives, Biographies, Poetry, Reference and informational texts – Demonstration of the ability to: Differentiate face from opinion, Understand context clues, Identify main ideas and supporting details, Identify story and character elements, Understand and recognize point of view |
| Writing – Continuation of focus on the further development of the Five Step Writing Process – Demonstration of editing techniques and strategies – Application of spelling strategies – Recognition of word forms, sentence types and parts of speech – Demonstration of the five paragraph essay – Introduction of expository, persuasive and critical thinking essays – Demonstration of proficiency with the informational essay – Demonstration of effective utilization of dictionary and thesaurus skills – Evaluation of written work using the six criteria: Overall development of ideas and content, Organization, Support, Sentence structure and sentence fluency, Word choice, Mechanics – Demonstration of composing essays when provided with a standard prompt |
Math
| Mathematics – Place value and expanded form – Add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals and fractions/mixed numbers and integers – Recognize patterns, relationships – Evaluate algebraic expressions using order of operations – Scientific notation – Identify and classify lines, angles and polygons – Measure length (integrated with science) – Perimeter and area of circles and polygons vocabulary – Surface area of simple figures – Construct graphs to represent data – Collect, organize, interpret data – Expected, theoretical probability including simulations, ration, proportion, percent |
Science
| Astronomy – Earth and sun – Phases, eclipse and tides – Earth’s moon – The inner planets – The outer planets – Stars – Galaxies |
| Inside Earth – Plate tectonics – Making mountains and soil – Erosion and deposition – Geological time – Rock cycle – Volcanoes – Earthquakes |
| Life Science – Classification of plants and animals – Reproduction and growth of plants and animals – Cells: Parts, Movements, Division and Growth, Genetics |
| Physical Science – Interactions of matter and energy – Motion, work and machines |
Social Studies
| Atlases – Maps and globe skills – Geography terms |
| Early Centers of Civilization – Tigris and Euphrates Valley – Nile Valley – Asia and Americas |
| The World and Early People – The world’s geography: Landforms, Bodies of water, Climate, Population – Early people: Hunters and gatherers, Early herders and farmers, Early settlements and cities |
| Western Civilization – Ancient Greece – Ancient Romans |
Religion
At Conn-Area Catholic School our main focus is teaching our children to be “Centered in Christ.” From preschool through sixth grade, our goal is to have each child build a greater relationship with Jesus. We want them to make his teachings the focus of every decision they make so that when they become the leaders of the future, he will be the guidance they turn to for direction.
For more information, we encourage you to the view the Diocesan Religion Curriculum.
Art
Art is a wonderful way to express your thoughts and feelings. It is an opportunity to think in a different way, as the children consider color, texture, shape, contrast, content, and style. It taps into a different part of the brain. We look forward to developing the program even further for our students.
Music
Music is a must in the elementary school. We believe music has such a wonderful impact on student learning that we provide our students with music classes twice a week. Children learn basic music skills, as well as singing, playing the bells, and acting as cantors at the Masses. The children are involved in two musical productions – an Advent/Christmas Program and a Spring Musical Program. All grade levels from preschool through sixth grade are involved.
Physical Education
Physical Education for students in third through sixth grades expounds upon and refines the skills learned and practiced in kindergarten through second grade physical education classes, and adds new activities like team sports and cooperative games.
| Christ-like Behavior |
| Cooperative Games – Cooperation – Team building – Trust |
| Fine Motor – Throwing, catching and striking (Hand-eye coordination skills): Over/underhand, Balls, Bean bags – Ball handling: Dribbling, Shooting, Passing – Kicking: Stationary and moving ball, Trapping and receiving |
| Gross Motor – Jumping and landing – Skipping – Balance – Fitness games – Jump roping |
| Presidential Fitness Training and Testing – Individual fitness evaluation. Fitness components: Strength, Flexibility, Cardiovascular endurance, Exercise/Fitness games |
| Specific and Creative Movement – Locomotor and non-locomotor skills – Spatial awareness – Balancing – Games |
| Team Sports -Basketball – Volleyball – Two/Four Square – Kickball – Whiffle ball |
