Academics

English Language Arts

English Language Arts incorporates the integration of reading, study of literature, study of informational text, writing, speaking, listening, and language. Leveled books and trade literature (fiction and nonfiction) are used for reading instruction. Many comprehension strategies are used to expand meaning; including making connections, visualizing, asking questions, inferring and predicting, determining importance, synthesizing, and analyzing text.

In writing, students learn to create organizational structures that support their purpose. Exposure to a variety of writing forms including personal narrative, how-to, comparative, explanatory, and persuasive writing, as well as analysis of poetry and music.

Grade 5 Novels: The View from Saturday (E.L. Konigsburg), Hoot (Carl Hiaasen), The BFG (Roald Dahl), Number the Stars (Lowis Lowry)

Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop explicitly teaches vocabulary through students’ active participation and collaboration to learn word meanings, share ideas, and engage with words in writing and speaking activities.

Wonders Grammar for Writing helps students master grade-appropriate conventions of standard English through instruction with models, ample practice, and immediate application of skills. Divided into five units, each level focuses on teaching the conventions of standard English-grammar, usage, and mechanics- as well as, the writing process and grammar in the context of reading and writing.

Freckle English Language Arts is an online supplemental English program and is part of Renaissance’s Individualized Skills Practice for Literacy.  Students practice specific nonfiction, fiction, and grammar standards at their level. Freckle ELA provides differentiated instruction while addressing skills such as reading comprehension, vocabulary, and writing conventions. Students answer reading comprehension questions and can even respond to writing prompts.  With student- and class-level insights, teachers can celebrate growth and know exactly what students are ready to learn next.

Math

enVision Mathematics  is a math program that combines problem based learning with visual learning to deepen students’ conceptual understanding. The lessons start with problem based learning. Students will think critically about real-world math problems, evaluate options, collaborate and present solutions. This is followed by visual learning to solidify the underlying math concepts. In conclusion, the children have a better understanding of math ideas. This program has received top honors for supporting students at all levels.

Freckle Math is an online supplemental mathematics program designed by Renaissance to provide differentiated, skills-based math practice based on grade-level standards. Freckle provides self-paced practice that continuously adapts as students progress. Real-world lessons encourage students to solve fun, practical challenges with the skills they have learned. As students work, supports such as audio and hints guide them through their practice and help them solve problems without giving up. Additional math fact practice and inquiry-based resources help drive deeper understanding. As students practice independently, Freckle continuously adapts and provides content that fits the variety of ways they learn best.

Advanced Math

*Students have the opportunity to test into Advanced Math, placing them in a track to participate in Geometry during eighth grade. Specific criteria must be met for this consideration. Students in Advanced Math work across multi grade level standards to push their critical thinking and math skills to a high level. Understanding of concepts is deepened and mastered to ensure preparation for high school math in the later elementary years.*

Science

Mystery Science   is a hands-on curriculum that is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Mystery Science’s units of study contain hands-on activities, engaging, real-world investigative phenomena, thoughtful discussions to build background knowledge, lesson & unit assessments to evaluate comprehension and curated, cross-curricular extensions. The ultimate goal is to ensure that our children grow to see that it’s an amazing world we live in, full of possibility and wonder—and that they develop the ability to figure things out for themselves.

History

From Sea to Shining Sea: The Story of America (Catholic Textbook Project) tells the story of North America—the Indian nations, European colonization, and the founding and history of the United States up to the Twentieth Century. Told as a series of historically accurate stories, the textbook includes thumbnail biographies, lives of the saints, maps, and illustrations. The curriculum provides students with the necessary standard historical knowledge, while also giving credit to the contributions of and to the Catholic Church in the settlement and foundation of the nations of North America. Students examine how central the Catholic faith has been to the entire European American development.

Religion

*Religion is infused across all disciplines at Holy Cross Academy. The school community meets together to worship monthly, weekly class masses as well as seasonal prayer services. There are also scheduled opportunities for students to attend Adoration, Stations of the Cross, and the Sacrament of Penance. Students may also elect to be an altar server.*

Word of Life centers on an initial proclamation of the gospel message. The curriculum is firmly rooted in Sacred Scripture and the history of salvation. Students will be immersed in the historical reality of God’s entering time and inviting all people into communion with Him. The Word of Life series has been strategically developed to present the fullness of the faith in a way that can resonate with students today. Students will be presented with practical situations and concrete examples of virtuous and holy character. The Word of Life series teaches students the truth about their identity, dignity, and purpose. Additionally, the curriculum not only prepares students for liturgical celebration but also equips them for ongoing reflection following their participation in liturgy and the sacraments.

Growing with God Safe and Sacred is a program that offers a practical and systematic approach to child safety, social development and emotional development. Students are taught to see themselves and others as children of God inherently deserving of respect and care.

Spanish

Realidades Digital Edition is a widely recognized and respected language curriculum, which provides standards-based instruction that integrates vocabulary, grammar, communication, culture, and digital learning.  This balanced approach is built upon the principles of backward design with assessment aligned with instruction. The program features many resources for differentiated instruction that are available in print or online. The digital courseware, realidades.com, offers an online learning system for middle school as well as high school Spanish programs. Along with holidays and culture related to the Spanish-speaking world, topics of study in the fifth grade include Greetings & Introductions, Numbers, Time, Parts of the Body, The Calendar, The Classroom, Question Words, Weather and Seasons. Students also study a variety of prayers and saints interweaving the Catholic faith in a culturally authentic way. Additionally, students explore the geography of the Spanish-speaking world using multiple resources, including text and online maps.

Specials

Students meet for 60 minute class periods in the following special subject areas:

Art
The standards for fifth grade Visual Arts emphasize learning through inquiry. Students will examine aspects of the artistic process: generation of ideas, problem solving, and self- assessment.  Students will gain fluency in using and understanding the elements of art and principles of design. Emphasis is placed on the artistic process including idea development, production and reflection to achieve a final piece of art. Students begin to utilize more three-dimensional skills and visualize the production of the works of art. Creativity and using problem solving skills to answer the given project are encouraged. Projects are inspired by books and artists discussed during the introduction of each project.

Gym 
Fifth Grade Physical Education addresses the needs of all students through diversified skill development and activities designed to implement locomotor, non-locomotor, manipulative, non-manipulative skills, with and without equipment. Fifth grade students typically are put into different invasive types of games to get them thinking and working together cooperatively with other classmates. The goal of our physical education program is to involve the body in developing lifetime skills necessary for individual and team sports.

Music 
The Middle School Music Education program for fifth graders is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded musical education. It aims to deepen students’ understanding of music through theory, history, performance, composition, and appreciation of various musical styles and cultures. This curriculum supports students in their musical growth and exploration. Materials for this curriculum include sheet music, musical instruments, audio recordings, music software, and technology for recording.

STEM
PLTW curriculum utilized in our STEM program is designed to empower students to thrive in an evolving world and focuses on connections to a variety of  New Jersey State Learning Standards for Computer Science, Math and English Language Arts. Holy Cross Academy partners with PLTW to offer a hands-on, project-based approach to learning for students in Grades K-8. The program incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) skills needed for future success. Fifth grade students are immersed in PLTW’s Launch program, exploring topics such as Robotics & Automation. In addition to PLTW programs, students work on a variety of technology-based skills such as Google Tools for Education and Coding, all while incorporating and taking the Catholic values that we use in our real world with us into the digital world.