Fifth-graders have enhanced their recent gains in consciousness and grown more accustomed to being an isolated self, seeing the world in a new perspective. Yet, like third-graders, they are about to leave another phase of childhood and cross a new threshold of experience. The curriculum must, therefore, not only continue to build on already established foundations, but introduce certain new elements to prepare them for this next step forward.

History and Geography

Until now, history has been taught from only a pictorial and personal nature. No attempt was made to introduce exact temporal concepts or to proceed in strict sequences. Now, however, history becomes a special main lesson subject, as does geography. By telling of man's deeds and strivings, history stirs children to a more intense experience of their own humanness. Geography does exactly the opposite; it leads them away from themselves out into ever wider spaces. History brings children to themselves; geography brings them into the world. In the fifth grade, ancient history starts with the childhood of civilized humanity in ancient India, where men were dreamers. The ancient Persian culture that followed felt the impulse to transform the earth, till the soil, and domesticate animals, while helping the sun god conquer the spirit of darkness. The great culture of Mesopotamia, (the Chaldeans, the Hebrews, the Assyrians, and the Babylonians) reveal the origins of written language on clay tablets. The Egyptian civilization of pyramids and pharaohs precedes the civilization of the Greeks with whom ancient history ends. Every means is used to give children a vivid impression of these five ancient cultures. They read translations of poetry, study hieroglyphic symbols of the Egyptians, sample arts and crafts of the various ancient peoples, trying their hands at similar creations. At this age, history is an education of children's feelings rather than their memory for facts and figures, for it requires inner mobility to enter sympathetically into these ancient states of being so different from our own. In contrast, American geography examines every consideration of the earth's physical features and links this with a study of the way human life has been lived in the region, including the use of natural resources.

Life Science

As a continuation of their study of the living earth, fifth-graders begin botany, the study of the plant world, including exercises to develop powers of observation. After discovering some of the secrets of the plant life found in their own environment, their attention is drawn to vegetation in other parts of the world.

Math

Building on years of form drawing, freehand geometry is introduced in the fifth grade. Fractions and decimals continue to be emphasized in mathematics, along with mixed numbers and reciprocals.

Special Subjects

Foreign language study builds additional skills in reading simple texts, syntax, short talks and descriptions. Sanskrit poems and Greek phrases are also learned. In addition to free geometric drawing, fifth-graders practice form drawing, watercolor painting, knitting, woodworking, carving and clay work. In music, they study time values, harmony, and the major and minor scale. They sing rounds and canons, and participate in a school-wide chorus and orchestra. Movement education includes rhythmic exercises, gymnastics, kickball and Greek sports such as javelin, discus, running, long jump and upright wrestling. Fifth-graders also continue their study of eurythmy and circus arts.

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