5th Grade – August Curriculum Overview
Welcome to Fifth Grade! August is a time for deeper learning, independent thinking, and connecting ideas across subjects. This month, our learning is inspired by Ancient India and Botany, with a focus on gratitude and the harvest season. Activities are hands-on, open-and-go, and designed for both independent and family learning. Choose what fits your child and celebrate growth together!
Weekly Subjects
- Language Arts (Mon–Thu)
- Week 1: Read a folktale or traditional story from India or another culture. Write a summary, and identify the main idea and key details.
- Week 2: Explore stories of planting and growth. Write a sequence of steps for planting a seed and summarize the story.
- Week 3: Practice friendly letter writing to a community helper and write about what community means to you.
- Week 4: Reflect on what you’ve learned this month and write about your favorite lesson or discovery.
- Spelling:
- Week 1: ancient, India, river, lotus, tradition, culture, festival, temple, sacred, wisdom
- Week 2: summary, detail, paragraph, retell, sequence, narrative, describe, event, organized, structure
- Week 3: botany, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, root, stem, leaf, flower, seed, germinate
- Week 4: pollinate, stamen, pistil, pollen, fertilize, fruit, blossom, harvest, orchard, agriculture
- Reflection Prompt: What did you enjoy most in language arts this week? How would you like to share your work—with family, friends, or your community?
- Math (Mon & Wed)
- Week 1: Place value review—read, write, and compare numbers up to the millions.
- Week 2: Introduction to fractions—color and divide shapes, find fractions in real life.
- Week 3: Addition review—practice multi-digit addition and create your own word problems.
- Week 4: Mixed review of place value, fractions, and addition.
- Science (Mon & Wed)
- Week 1: Draw and label the parts of a plant. Observe a real plant and journal your findings.
- Week 2: Explore the plant life cycle. Draw each stage and sprout a seed in a jar or cup.
- Week 3: Study local plant communities. Go outside, observe, and record three different plants.
- Week 4: Investigate surprising plant facts or conduct a simple plant experiment; share your findings.
- History (Tue & Thu)
- Week 1: Introduction to Ancient India—find India on a map and learn two interesting facts about its geography or culture.
- Week 2: Daily life in Ancient India—compare routines then and now with a Venn diagram.
- Week 3: Community helpers—identify important jobs in Ancient India and in your own community.
- Week 4: Research a harvest festival from any culture and present your findings.
- Music (Tue)
- Week 1: Listen to traditional Indian music or folk songs.
- Week 2: Try simple rhythms or clapping games.
- Week 3: Explore instruments or create your own homemade percussion.
- Week 4: Review favorite music from the month or create your own song.
- Art (Thu)
- Week 1: Draw a mandala inspired by Indian art.
- Week 2: Decorate a seed jar or plant sprout container.
- Week 3: Make a friendship bracelet from yarn or thread.
- Week 4: Create a gratitude collage—draw or cut out images of things you’re thankful for.
- Physical Education (Mon–Thu)
- Each Week: Move every day! This could be stretching, yoga, calisthenics, outdoor games, or nature walks.
- Reading (Mon–Thu)
- Each Week: Read independently for at least 30 minutes each day. Keep a simple reading log with book title, author, and minutes read.
Recommended Free Resources
- Ancient India:
- Botany:
- Math & Science:
- Reading & Literacy:
- Science & Nature:
- Technology & Coding:
- Classroom:
August in 5th grade is about deepening knowledge, building independence, and connecting learning to the real world. Choose what fits your family, and celebrate each step of growth!