Science

The primary goal of fifth grade science is to spur the curiosity and excitement of the students across a wide range of scientific topics. Lab activities and building projects supplement reading and lecture material. The curriculum structure is very well suited to the abilities and interests of fifth graders. At this age, when abstract reasoning capabilities are limited, it is necessary to use hands-on activities to illustrate concepts in a concrete fashion. Fifth graders are asked to express themselves using a variety of learning styles, incorporating mathematics, art, language skills, writing, debate and the creation of models. Fifth graders explore how scientific models are used, and learn about the spectrum of scientific scales of view, from the atomic to the cosmic. The fifth grade curriculum is divided into three main components: marine science (including biological, chemical and physical aspects of the ocean); astronomy; and human physiology. . In addition we begin labs that use metric measurement and incorporate as well as their skills in decimals and division. The focus on hands-on, cooperative learning activities allows students to utilize their individual strengths as they complete different projects. Additionally, the combination of written, oral and hands-on assignments allows students with different learning styles to demonstrate mastery of the topics covered in class.

Through a laboratory approach, using the processes and behavior of a scientist, students learn to explain the material universe. They work on their own or in small groups and with each experiment obtain practice in a variety of laboratory skills, such as observing, recording, tabulating, interpreting and drawing conclusions. Students create models of phenomena and develop a basic understanding of more complex and abstract ideas of quantities. A notebook is required, in which each child keeps a record of the day's activities, discussions and labs. The texts are Introduction to Chemical Science through Problem Solving.The in-classroom course of study covers the following: introduction to the scientific method and metric system; Chemical Science- matter and its changes, introduction to inorganic chemistry, the periodic table of the elements, ionic compounds, acids, bases, and salts; Physical Science- electricity (charges, electric currents, parallel and series circuits, Ohm's Law) and magnetism (magnetic poles, fields, electromagnetism).A fall trip to the Greenkill Outdoor Environmental Education Center, located on 1000 acres in the southern Catskills, enables students to see and experience many of the important interrelationships among plants and animals within Greenkill's natural communities.

Students begin an in-depth study of life science, including the scientific method, cell biology, genetics and heredity, human body systems and ecology. The curriculum relies heavily on the use of the scientific method and experimentation to teach students about the natural world. Students engage in group and individual projects, as well as laboratory activities. They study the fundamentals of DNA and cell replication while learning about genetics and evolutionary theory. In March, students design and conduct an independent research project of their choice. These projects are presented at the school's annual Science Fair in May.

In this course, students develop an ability to draw comparisons and to advance both concrete and abstract critical thinking skills. They engage in observation; speculation; investigation, including the art of designing experiments and their controls; and interpretation. In March, each student selects a topic for the Science Fair and completes a project.The science course covers the following: chemical science properties of matter, the structure of matter, models of the atom, the periodic table, isotopes, Avogadro's number, ionic and covalent compounds, mixtures, chemical changes of matter, reactions, acids and bases, concentration, balancing equations of reactions; organic chemistry; physical science measurements using different metric units of length, area, volume, etc., motion, forces, energy and work, speed, velocity, acceleration, scalar and vector quantities, Newton's laws, force of gravity, kinetic and potential energy, work; waves and sound wavelength, period, frequency, pitch of sound, speed of wave; optics mirrors, lenses and magnification.