Fifth Grade
At the Threshold Between Childhood and Adolescence
Fifth grade marks a midpoint between childhood and adolescence—a year of relative harmony, balance, and growing confidence. Students feel more comfortable in themselves and in their relationships, creating an ideal moment for deep and meaningful learning.
Our curriculum introduces more formal academic studies, including history, geometry, botany, and geography. Students also journey across time and culture as they encounter the ancient civilizations of Persia, India, Egypt, and Greece. A highlight of the year is the Pentathlon, where fifth graders from Waldorf schools across the region come together to demonstrate skill, grace, and athleticism in an event inspired by the Ancient Greeks.
Fifth Grade Curriculum
Core Academic Subjects
Your fifth grader will learn:
- Language Arts: Composition, outlines, study of plots and characters, grammar, speech and drama
- Literature: Mythology of ancient cultures
- Mathematics: Calculations with fractions and decimals, geometric drawing
- Science: Botany
- History: India, Persia, Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece
- Geography: North American geography
Specialty Subjects
Subject classes are an important aspect of Waldorf education in grades 1-8, providing unique opportunities for holistic learning and the cultivation of various skills. Fifth Grade Subject classes include:
- Art: Drawing, painting and clay modeling
- Handwork: Knitting with four needles
- Physical Education: Pentathlon training includes long jump, javelin throwing, discus, running and wrestling
- Spanish: Formal grammar, regular verbs and possessive adjectives, individualized dialogue and expanded vocabulary, pronouns, reading and spelling practice, poems and songs
- String Ensemble: Continued emphasis and expansion upon fundamentals of ensemble playing, exploration of composition in connection with class work (Key Signatures and Circle of Fifths integrated), increased opportunities for students to step into leadership roles within sections
- Woodwork: Wooden spoon carving
Outdoor Experiences
Starting in 5th grade, students typically take two class trips per year; one in the fall and one in the spring. The purpose of class trips and outdoor education is to deepen the curriculum and broaden the students’ educational experiences.
Overnight trips provide students with a unique opportunity to bond as a group, and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Our trips are designed to promote teamwork and self-reliance, and to cultivate environmental stewardship and community through time together and hands-on experiences.
Festivals and Events
Our students enjoy a lively calendar of festivals and events throughout the school year that celebrate the rhythm of the seasons, honor one another’s cultures and traditions, and strengthen our community.
Learn More
The Pentathlon
“The Pentathlon is not an expression of our human individuality. It is an expression of a humanity we all share. It is not a competition to see who is the strongest, or the fastest, or the cleverest. It is a celebration of the wonder and beauty of childhood in its fullest expression.”
–Peter Lawton, CLWS Grades Teacher
Year-by-Year Curriculum
Every aspect of our curriculum is carefully designed to match your child’s stages of development. Browse through our year-by-year curriculum to see how we evolve to meet the needs of your child over time.
Sample Daily Schedule
- Main Lesson
- Snack & Recess
- Spanish
- Choir
- Lunch & Recess
- Math
- Ensemble
- Closing
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Meet Our Staff
Jeremy Anderson
Woodworking Teacher
Neela Bettaglio
Educational Support Teacher
Maya Dunn
Movement and Games Teacher
Johanna Garcia
Pedagogical Chair and Cyber Civics Teacher
Liz Kelley
Handwork Teacher
Alicia Kuri Alamillo
Spanish Teacher (Grades 5-8)
Rebecca Merblum
Ensemble Teacher
Coua Vang
Fifth Grade Teacher
Cyntia Wolburg
Spanish Teacher (Grades 1-5)
