Intermediate School (4 - 6)
Fourth Grade
In fourth grade, students are taught to deeply think about and make connections in what they read and learn, write with clarity, and are encouraged to be more independent in their learning. Through the use of multiple resources such as virtual manipulatives, hands-on activities, learning stations, and interactive websites, our fourth-grade students are developing 21st-century skills of effective communication and critical thinking. Learning requires that the learner engages in problem-solving to actively build mental models. Students obtain knowledge not only by receiving information but also by interpreting the information and relating it to their prior knowledge. It is important to assess the learner’s ability to organize, structure, and use information in context to solve complex problems through standardized and authentic assessments.
Character education in fourth grade is integrated into everyday classroom interactions as we work together to build a community that values and respects each of its members. Reaching beyond the classroom, students will participate in community service projects including stocking The Little Free Pantry and providing blankets for foster children and veterans.
The Math program encourages critical thinking by engaging students in active participation through deep questioning and real-world application of mathematics. Through the use of manipulatives, visual models, hands-on experiences, and problem-solving opportunities, fourth-grade students build on third-grade math skills. Working with numbers into the billions, students broaden their understanding of number theory, place value, rounding, and estimation. Students evaluate expressions, apply the order of operations, and solve for variables. Computational skills are furthered through instruction and practice in adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Conceptual understanding and automatic recall are both emphasized as students solve multi-digit multiplication and division problems. Through geometry and measurement, students identify and measure properties of figures, determine the perimeter, area, capacity, surface, and volume, and explore coordinate grid systems. Integrating data analysis and probability, students will use real-life data to create and interpret graphs, make predictions, and solve problems.
The English Language Arts program focuses on the study of novels with oral reading and a continued focus on fluency. The novels for our fourth-grade program are selected from classic, award-winning literature that discusses themes close to our growing students' hearts. These novels include activities designed to develop vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills. Students are placed in the Accelerated Reader Program to meet individual needs in the development of reading and comprehension skills. This computer program tests and tracks each student. Weekly one-on-one meetings between the student and the teacher are designed to help students understand their progress and monitor their achievable goals.
Students in fourth grade use all stages of the writing process—prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing—to produce clear, coherent writing suited to the purpose and audience. In their writings, students learn to create organizational structures that support their purpose. They learn to use technology to find information, interact and collaborate with others, and produce and publish their writings. They learn conventions of standard English grammar and usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling to support their writing and speaking. These conventions include the use of prepositional phrases and progressive verb tenses, recognition and correction of fragments and run-ons, and appropriate use of commas and quotation marks to indicate direct speech. In Social Studies the study of Louisiana in the fourth grade provides students with opportunities to learn in-depth about their state. The history of Louisiana is rich with ethnic and cultural diversity, economic energy, geographic variety, and a growing civic community.
In Social Studies, students explore natural resources prevalent in the United States. Students will identify the characteristics and locations of cities, capitals, states, and regions and how they have changed over time. Finally, students will focus on the United States government, the Constitution, and their role as “responsible citizens” in a democracy. Social Studies themes will be enhanced through relevant field trips, including a day at the State Capitol and the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge.
In fourth grade, students will experience three science domains; physical science, life science, and earth science. During the physical science unit, students learn that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents. Our life science unit consists of the human body, senses, and the brain. This unit takes the perspective that we can think about our bodies as a machine. Students explore their senses and consider how the information we process helps us understand and react to our environment. And in earth science, students learn about rock formations, the effects of weathering, and describe patterns of Earth’s features. Our fourth graders enjoy weekly STEAM projects!
Fifth Grade
A fifth-grade child is often experiencing the early stages of adolescence complete with growth spurts and emotional changes. The fifth-grade program recognizes these changes and strives to help focus each child with interesting and challenging material aimed at problem solving and critical thinking.
The English Language Arts program focuses on the study of novels with oral reading and a continued focus on fluency. The novels for our fifth grade program are selected from classic, award-winning literature that discusses themes that are close to the hearts of our growing students. Along with these novels, activities designed to develop vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills are included. To meet individual needs in the development of reading and comprehension skills, students are placed in the Accelerated Reader Program. This computer program tests and tracks each student’s independent reading. Fifth grade also focuses on grammar and continues the grammar lessons from previous years to ensure continued learning. Our students apply this grammar through writing essays, journals, and independent writing assignments.
The fifth-grade Math program provides many opportunities for each child to master specific skill objectives. Multiplication facts from 2 - 12 should be mastered before 5th grade. Using the Sadlier curriculum, students will continue to master place value and rounding from thousandths to billions. Basic facts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are covered with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Geometric applications of polygons, area, perimeter, and volume are introduced. Students will also be introduced to graphing and data. This is an important concept that is utilized in both science and math. Learning how to read and interpret constructed response questions is taught at the beginning of each section of notes. Collaborative games and activities will be used to engage and reinforce previous material covered. Students will also work in a math program called ALEKS. This program allows advanced students to work ahead, and it can help fill in gaps for any student that may struggle with mathematics.
In the fifth-grade Science curriculum, the foundational aspects of Physical Science, Life Science, & Earth Science are presented to students over the course of the school year. Students learn about matter and properties of matter, lab safety, an introduction into the periodic table and chemical reactions, gravity, distance of objects in space, the rotation & revolution of the Earth, an introduction into energy progressing through a cycle, and how different things effect plant growth. To further build skills and concepts, students participate in lab activities and projects to build and further processing/problem solving skills. The following labs are just a few of the labs we conduct during the year: Handwashing Lab, Lab/Science Instruments & Measurements Labs, Properties of Matter Lab, Physical Phase Changes Lab, Chemical Properties & Reactions Labs, Germs in our School Lab, What is in our water labs, and Plant Growth Labs.
The fifth grade Social Studies curriculum follows the development of civilization through Medieval Times to the origins of the Early Modern World. In addition, this curriculum allows students to have critical experience in the four core disciplines of social studies (geography, civics, economics, and history). The approach to instruction is student-centered and revolves around inquiry and tactile experience. The content and skills imparted to students through the social studies curriculum helps to prepare their foundational understanding to better serve them later on in their academic careers. Students in fifth grade are sure to grow in their knowledge of the world around them and how impactful the study of social studies can be!
In addition, fifth grade students go to class in: • Spanish • Technology • Art • Music (Choir or Band) • Physical Education • Library Field trips
Special Events may include: • Visiting the Houston Aquarium with lab and ecosystem study •Creative book reports (creating games based on your book, dioramas, video presentations, etc.) • Many exciting social studies class projects • Epiphany Pageant • Basketball, Track, and Cross-Country teams for boys and girls • Library Club • Special labs in science • D.A.R.E.
Sixth Grade
A sixth-grade child is often experiencing the early stages of adolescence complete with growth spurts and emotional changes. The sixth-grade program recognizes these changes and strives to help focus each child with interesting and challenging material aimed at problem solving and critical thinking.
The English Language Arts program uses student-centered curriculum that provides a connected approach to improving student learning and achievement. myPerspectives provides students opportunities to read texts and engage in activities that inspire thoughtful conversation, discussion, and debate. Students will encounter authors; perspectives as they read literature from across time periods and cultures. Students will listen to the perspectives of their peers through conversations and collaborative activities. And, as students read the literature and engage in activities, they will formulate—and defend—their opinions as they develop their own perspectives through writing. myPerspectives is utilized throughout their middle school education.
The sixth-grade mathematics course is a combination of sixth and seventh grade topics. This is an advanced curriculum that fully prepares students to take Pre-Algebra next school year. Students participate in a concentrated study of basic arithmetic skills and practice. Algebraic applications are introduced and reinforced at this level, as well as geometric applications of polygons, surface area, and volume. Students will also be introduced to statistical measures and data displays, this is crucial in both mathematics and science. The curriculum learned in math interlocks with science curriculum. This allows students to see how mathematics relates to the real world. Homework problems are designed to continually review previously covered skills and allow the appropriate amount of practice needed to master the skill. Students will also work in a math program called ALEKS. This program allows advanced students to work ahead and it can help fill in the gaps for any students that may struggle with mathematics.
In the sixth-grade science curriculum, introductory and building aspects of Physical Science, Earth Science, and Life Science are all covered throughout the school year. A more in depth concept of matter and properties of matter, understanding and using the periodic table of elements, an introduction into chemical compounds and reactions, forces and motion, as well as work, power, and efficiency are included. An introduction into cells and different cell types based on function, students build upon prior knowledge of ecosystems and the patterns within ecosystems. Hands-on activities vastly enhance the curriculum and provide for the application of what is being taught/learned into daily life. Students focus on being a better scientist and steward of the environment. The scientific method is presented as a logical approach to problem solving. Students’ skills with the scientific method help them with creating a science fair project which is presented at our school Science & Social Studies Fair usually held in December. A significant emphasis on lab safety is placed when conducting any/all labs. The following are some of the labs to reinforce concepts taught in the classroom: Handwashing Lab, Cell Cookies, identifying chemical reactions, biodiversity/ecology field & lab projects, inertia labs, ramps & cars labs, marble roller coasters, balloon rocket lab, electromagnet labs, and waves/energy labs.
The sixth grade Social Studies curriculum focuses on The United States & Louisiana: Beginnings Through Ratification. This course follows important national events in addition to events that have impacted and shaped Louisiana’s development. Students will learn about British and French exploration, the colonization of North America by European countries, French & Spanish Colonial Louisiana, the American Revolution, along with the drafting and ratification of the United States Constitution. Students will engage in all four core disciplines of social studies: geography, civics, economics, and history. Having exposure and experience with such content and skills equips our students with the knowledge they’ll need to advance in their academic careers. Special hands-on projects, workshops, economic investigations, Socratic seminars, and critical thinking activities are a staple in sixth grade curriculum. Beyond the walls of the classroom, our sixth-grade students are able to attend a time-honored field trip at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Students will spend a Night at The Museum and will be able to attend special classes, participate in hands-on learning opportunities, and so much more! Sixth grade social studies curriculum directly flows into the course content of our Middle School, so students are well prepared for the next step in their education journey at EDS!