Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Fifth grade students concentrate their study on the transition from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance period. The study of geography, economics, religion, philosophy, education, arts, political systems, sociology and history establish a framework for the understanding of this time period.
Central Theme literature includes short stories, epics, plays, mythology, poetry, short novels, biographies and histories.
The Renaissance Faire is the concluding activity for the year. A simulated Renaissance Faire is held as students dress in perid costume and follow the ceremony with a full feast complete with period music, food and decorations. The customs and manners of the day are followed.
Students concentrate on the development of basic research skills, using the MLA format. A variety of research topics are explored. Students are encouraged to harvest information from wide range of sources including school and public libraries, the Internet, and various resources in the classroom.
The reading program goals are to instill a love for reading, to broaden student experiences, to nurture written and oral communication skills. This is accomplished through daily oral and silent reading of primary source material, related material, historical fiction and class novels. In addition to independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period during class. Use of the Accelerated Reader program offers students an incentive for expanded reading activity and a tool for measuring their effort and achievement in reading skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in fourth grade continues with the learning of new root families, additional words from previously learned roots and new suffixes and prefixes.
The grammar skills of sentence structure, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and mechanics skills are discussed and practiced.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed according to their developmental readiness and previous math achievements.
The Fifth Grade Math Class covers basic fifth grade curriculum in a concrete and hands-on format. The content includes continued practice of basic math facts and problem solving, place value and rounding, whole number computation, fractions, and mixed numbers, decimals, measurement, time, geometry and graphing.
The Honors Fifth Grade Math Class has a more rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and ratio/proportion. This group of students demonstrates above average quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention skills.
Science
The fifth grade science curriculum includes further use of the scientific theories of investigation presented in the lower elementary grades. Skills of observing, classifying, measuring, inferring, predicting, graphing, organizing and recording data, problem solving and research are utilized in selected investigations covering topics in the chemical, life and physical science topics. A series of experiments strengthens the students’ use of the scientific method as they prepare for the St. James science fair.
Spanish
The elementary Spanish I curriculum begun in Grade 4 continues. The foreign language objectives are to develop, reinforce and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Physical Education
Students learn sports skills related to basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, track and field and tennis. Tumbling, jump roping and other aerobic activities are also part of our program. Team work and good sportsmanship plays a vital part in our class. The ability for all students to participate and “feel good” about themselves is a primary goal.
Sports
After school sports competition (basketball, volleyball, and track) is available for 5th graders. Girls and boys teams compete against other schools from Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.
Outdoor Education
The 5th grade trip is to Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. This trip is designed to cover science, team building, writing and leadership skills.
Spiritual Formation & Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. The fifth graders are invited to participate as leaders in the weekly chapel service during the second semester. Spiritual Formation is taught once a week. The first semester is focused on symbolism in the Church, liturgies, prayers and teachings that are part of every season. In the second semester, students take field trips to various churches in the area to compare and contrast the different denominations.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others, and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
During Music, students are introduced to classic choral instrumental works from historical styles and composers. Music activities and programs related to Central Theme are included.
In Art Enrichment students familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and in the Art Studio.
The Computer Enrichment class provides time to strengthen skills taught previously in word processing, multi-media presentations, and data manipulation.
Study Skills
Students are taught organization and study skills one period daily for one week and these skills are reinforced throughout the year. A simplified notebook system, assignment keeping, calendar, daily study schedule, home study organization, desk and locker organization are introduced.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conference is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.
Central Theme
For its Central Theme, each grade studies a particular period of history from a full cultural perspective. The goal is to get to know the ordinary life of the times as well as the key historical events. Central Theme integrates history, literature, geography, art, English composition, science and religion. Each theme has its own central projects, re-enactments, role playing, research topics, field trips, written reports and oral presentations.
Fifth grade students concentrate their study on the transition from the Roman Empire to the Renaissance period. The study of geography, economics, religion, philosophy, education, arts, political systems, sociology and history establish a framework for the understanding of this time period.
Central Theme literature includes short stories, epics, plays, mythology, poetry, short novels, biographies and histories.
The Renaissance Faire is the concluding activity for the year. A simulated Renaissance Faire is held as students dress in perid costume and follow the ceremony with a full feast complete with period music, food and decorations. The customs and manners of the day are followed.
Students concentrate on the development of basic research skills, using the MLA format. A variety of research topics are explored. Students are encouraged to harvest information from wide range of sources including school and public libraries, the Internet, and various resources in the classroom.
The reading program goals are to instill a love for reading, to broaden student experiences, to nurture written and oral communication skills. This is accomplished through daily oral and silent reading of primary source material, related material, historical fiction and class novels. In addition to independent reading at home, there is a silent reading period during class. Use of the Accelerated Reader program offers students an incentive for expanded reading activity and a tool for measuring their effort and achievement in reading skills.
Linguistics
The Classical Vocabulary Study begun in fourth grade continues with the learning of new root families, additional words from previously learned roots and new suffixes and prefixes.
The grammar skills of sentence structure, nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and mechanics skills are discussed and practiced.
Mathematics
The Middle School math program is developmentally based and seeks to challenge students at every level of ability and development. Students are placed according to their developmental readiness and previous math achievements.
The Fifth Grade Math Class covers basic fifth grade curriculum in a concrete and hands-on format. The content includes continued practice of basic math facts and problem solving, place value and rounding, whole number computation, fractions, and mixed numbers, decimals, measurement, time, geometry and graphing.
The Honors Fifth Grade Math Class has a more rigorous pace and includes extensive enrichment particularly with problem solving and ratio/proportion. This group of students demonstrates above average quantitative and spatial ability, logical thought, and mathematical retention skills.
Science
The fifth grade science curriculum includes further use of the scientific theories of investigation presented in the lower elementary grades. Skills of observing, classifying, measuring, inferring, predicting, graphing, organizing and recording data, problem solving and research are utilized in selected investigations covering topics in the chemical, life and physical science topics. A series of experiments strengthens the students’ use of the scientific method as they prepare for the St. James science fair.
Spanish
The elementary Spanish I curriculum begun in Grade 4 continues. The foreign language objectives are to develop, reinforce and refine proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Spanish. Students gain an understanding of how the language is structured and how they can use this knowledge to express needs and talk about the world around them. They also acquire a basic understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures in the Spanish speaking world.
Physical Education
Students learn sports skills related to basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, track and field and tennis. Tumbling, jump roping and other aerobic activities are also part of our program. Team work and good sportsmanship plays a vital part in our class. The ability for all students to participate and “feel good” about themselves is a primary goal.
Sports
After school sports competition (basketball, volleyball, and track) is available for 5th graders. Girls and boys teams compete against other schools from Corpus Christi and surrounding areas.
Outdoor Education
The 5th grade trip is to Mo Ranch in Hunt, Texas. This trip is designed to cover science, team building, writing and leadership skills.
Spiritual Formation & Growth
The beginning of the school day is set aside for a daily devotional and prayer time. Students attend a thirty-minute chapel service once a week with special services held to recognize holidays and graduation. The fifth graders are invited to participate as leaders in the weekly chapel service during the second semester. Spiritual Formation is taught once a week. The first semester is focused on symbolism in the Church, liturgies, prayers and teachings that are part of every season. In the second semester, students take field trips to various churches in the area to compare and contrast the different denominations.
Life Skills
Life skills is intended to help students deal with issues that are pertinent to their normal growth and development. Through the class students are encouraged to develop healthy self-esteem, confidence, group interaction skills and decision making skills, school responsibility, fairness, kindness, respect for others, and peer pressure reversal techniques. The study focuses on peer relationships, drug education, leadership development and grade appropriate human sexuality.
Enrichment
During Music, students are introduced to classic choral instrumental works from historical styles and composers. Music activities and programs related to Central Theme are included.
In Art Enrichment students familiarize themselves with various media to paint, make prints, sculpt, and draw through activities in the classroom and in the Art Studio.
The Computer Enrichment class provides time to strengthen skills taught previously in word processing, multi-media presentations, and data manipulation.
Study Skills
Students are taught organization and study skills one period daily for one week and these skills are reinforced throughout the year. A simplified notebook system, assignment keeping, calendar, daily study schedule, home study organization, desk and locker organization are introduced.
Parent Communication
A Middle School Orientation for parents and students at the beginning of school previews special programs and activities as well as the discipline system. One regular parent/child conference is scheduled each year.
Report cards are sent home four times during the year.