5th Grade
Theme: Systems
Generalizations
• Systems work to complete a task or a mission.
• Systems are composed of sub-systems and parts.
• Parts of systems are interdependent upon one another.
• A system may be influenced by other systems.
The fifth grade curriculum will explore the theme of systems focusing on economic and legal systems in the United States. Students will have the opportunity to improve their public speaking abilities.
We will begin the fall semester introducing the students to Edward deBono's CoRT thinking program. Activities using this approach to discussion will continue throughout the year. Discussion for the fall semester will concentrate on helping students review objectives to reach a goal (AGO) and encourage them to consider all factors (CAF) in order to make decisions.
Students will explore characteristics of leaders and be able to use these skills as they study the free enterprise system. Students will participate in a simulation at Enterprise City in Richardson ISD where they will operate a business for the day. Skills which will be targeted are:
• applying for a job
• interview process
• advertising
• check writing
• checkbook balancing
• group dynamics
• salesmanship
• business ethics
• independence
Every PAT class also includes opportunities for building various thinking skills. Each class begins or ends with quick brainteaser activities that we call anchor activities. These activities usually take less than 15-20 minutes of our class and are done to not only encourage thinking, but to build the ability to assess problems quickly and to push the students in their ability to deal with problems that may be challenging or frustrating. Students are encourage to "try again" if they do not find a correct solution on their first attempt to encourage persistance and motivation. The students will be introduced to various anchor activities throughout the year.
• Draw starts (creativity)
• Elimination logic (deductive thinking, math, language arts)
• Grid logic (deductive thinking)
• Logic number puzzles (math)
• Logic decimal number puzzles (math)
• Logic tic tac toe puzzles (math and deductive thinking)
• Spatial thinking puzzles (critical thinking)
• Plexers (language arts)
During the spring semester students will research a charity and investigate ways to make contributions to society. Some students may choose to explore traditional charities such as The American Red Cross, The American Heart Association, or The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Some students may choose to study charities that have a strong impact on our hometowns such as the Tarrant County Food Bank, AMBUCS, or GRACE. Other students might select a company such as Target, McDonald's, or Home Depot and explore how these companies make contributions to the community.
Students will develop public speaking skills as they learn to plan, write and deliver a speech and create a presentation for their research project.
 We will end our year by studying the American Legal System. This investigation will help students gain knowledge of the judicial system. Students will participate in a mock trial to enhance their experience with this branch of our government.
http://www2.state.id.us/isb/gen/lre.htm
| 
