5th Grade
5th grade lesson plans, slideshows, and other resources for the EL Education curriculum
Math resources, lesson plans and curricular support for 5th grade
Science resources, including support for FOSS
Social Studies curriculum with slide decks and other resources
5th Grade Resources
Early Literacy Central (assessment materials and supports)
Additional Curriculum Resources
EL Education is the provider of the OUSD ELA curriculum for grades K-5.* The curriculum is standards-based, and relies heavily on fiction and nonfiction trade books. OUSD teachers can find EL Education materials and lesson plans at EL Ed Central.
* OUSD Dual Language schools use the Benchmark Education curriculum for language instruction.
Module 1
Stories of Human Rights
What are human rights, and how can they be threatened? How can we use writing to raise awareness of human rights?
Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan
A Life Like Mine: How Children Live Around the World by DK Publishing
Module 2
Biodiversity in the Rain Forest
Why do scientists study the rainforest? How do authors engage readers in narratives?
The Great Kapok Tree, Cherry Seeds of Change by Jen Cullerton Johnson
The Most Beautiful Roof in the World by Katherine Lasky
Module 3
Athlete Leaders of Social Change
How have athletes broken barriers during the historical era in which they lived? What factors can contribute to an individual's success in changing society?
Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America by Sharon Robinson
Module 4
The Impact of Natural Disasters
How do natural disasters affect the people and places that experience them? How can we prepare for a natural disaster?
Eight Days: A Story of Haiti by Edwidge Danticat
Eureka Math2 (Eureka Math "Squared") is the adopted OUSD curriculum for elementary schools. The curriculum is aligned to California Common Core standards, which describe what students should know and be able to do in each subject in each grade. More detailed info about modules, assessments, and pacing can be found at the OUSD Math 5th grade webpage.
Fall
Module 1
Place Value Concepts for Multiplication and Division with Whole Numbers
Module 2
Addition and Subtraction with Fractions
Winter
Module 3
Multiplication and Division
with Fractions
Module 4
Place Value Concepts for Decimal Operations
Spring
Module 5
Addition and Multiplication with Area and Volume
Module 6
Foundations to Geometry in the Coordinate Plane
For elementary science instruction, OUSD uses FOSS (Full Option Science System), a research-based science curriculum developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. This curriculum emphasizes hands-on activities and is aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The order of the three modules varies from school to school, depending on the rotation of physical science kits at each school site.
Physical Science
Mixtures and Solutions
What is matter, and what happens when samples of matter interact?
Investigations:
Separating Mixtures
Developing Models
Concentration
Reaching Saturation
Fizz Quiz
Earth Science
Earth and Sun
How do Earth’s geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere interact to create a sustainable environment for life?
Investigations:
The Sun
Planetary Systems
Earth’s Atmosphere
Heating Earth
Water Planet
Life Science
Living Systems
How can we describe Earth’s biosphere as a system of interacting parts?
Investigations:
Systems
Nutrient Systems
Transport Systems
Sensory Systems
OUSD 5th graders use a custom Social Studies curriculum that focuses on U.S. history. This curriculum is aligned to the History/Social Science Framework for California public schools. It includes includes individual Newsela articles that are adjusted to each student's reading level. Students and teachers can access Newsela through Clever.
Fall
Indigenous Lands
Unit 1
Early Indigenous Peoples of North America
Unit 2
Age of Exploration
Unit 3
Cooperation and Conflict in North America
Winter
Colonial America
Unit 4
Settling the Colonies
Unit 5
The Road to War
Unit 6
The American Revolution
Spring
The U.S. Forms and Expands
Unit 7
Development and Significance of U.S. Constitution
Unit 8
Life in the Young Republic
Unit 9
The New Nation’s Westward Expansion
5th Grade Academic Milestones (for families)
Milestones_5th Grade.pdf