5th grade · Kindergarten to Grade 5

What Should a 5th Grader Know?

Nobody can tell you what every 5th grade student knows; students differ, and so do states. What we can tell you exactly is what we teach. Below is the whole 5th grade list: 62 topics in eight subjects, in the order we teach them, each with the standard it addresses. It is a plan, not a test and not a legal standard — if your student is ahead in one subject and behind in another, that is ordinary.

62 topics8 subjects6920 questions

Math

8 topics440 questionsSubject page

1. Expressions and patternsParentheses, order of operations, numerical patterns5.OA
2. Powers of 10 and decimalsPlace value to thousandths; compare and round decimals5.NBT.A
3. Multi-digit operationsStandard multiplication algorithm; division by 2-digit divisors5.NBT.B
4. Decimal operationsAdd, subtract, multiply, divide decimals to hundredths5.NBT.B.7
5. Adding fractions with unlike denominatorsCommon denominators and mixed numbers5.NF.A
6. Multiplying and dividing fractionsFraction times fraction; divide with unit fractions5.NF.B
7. VolumeCubic units; V = l × w × h5.MD.C
8. Coordinate planePlot points in the first quadrant5.G

Reading

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Quoting accurately to support inferencesQuote the text accurately when explaining what it says and when drawing inferencesRL.5.1
2. Theme through a character's challengesDetermine a theme from how characters respond to challenges and summarize the textRL.5.2
3. Comparing and contrasting charactersCompare and contrast two characters, settings or events using specific detailsRL.5.3
4. Similes, metaphors and figurative languageDetermine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including similes and metaphorsRL.5.4
5. Two or more main ideasDetermine two or more main ideas, explain how key details support them and summarizeRI.5.2
6. Comparing accounts of the same eventAnalyze multiple accounts of one event, noting similarities and differences in point of viewRI.5.6
7. How authors use reasons and evidenceExplain which reasons and evidence support which points an author makesRI.5.8
8. Quoting accurately from informational textQuote accurately from an informational text when explaining what it says and when drawing inferencesRI.5.1

English & Writing

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Keeping verb tenses steadyRecognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tenseL.5.1d
2. Commas after introductory elementsUse a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentenceL.5.2b
3. Greek and Latin roots and affixesUse common Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a wordL.5.4b
4. Building a logical opinion essayOrder reasons logically, support them with facts and details, and link ideas with words like consequently and specificallyW.5.1
5. Informative writing with precise languageDevelop a topic with facts, quotations and examples; use precise, domain-specific vocabularyW.5.2
6. Pacing and dialogue in narrativesUse dialogue, description and pacing to develop experiences and show how characters respondW.5.3
7. Giving a short oral reportReport on a topic, sequencing ideas logically and speaking clearly at an understandable paceSL.5.4
8. Collaborative discussions with roles and conclusionsCome prepared, carry out a discussion role, pose specific questions and draw a conclusion from the talkSL.5.1

Science

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Matter is made of tiny particlesParticles too small to see explain dissolving, evaporating and air pressure5-PS1-1
2. Identifying materials by propertiesColor, hardness, magnetism, conductivity, solubility and more5-PS1-3
3. Mixtures and new substancesTest whether mixing two substances makes a new substance5-PS1-4
4. Gravity pulls downEarth's gravitational force on objects is directed toward its center5-PS2-1
5. What plants need to growPlants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water5-LS1-1
6. Food webs and decomposersMatter moves among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment5-LS2-1
7. Shadows, day and nightDaily shadow changes, day and night, and seasonal star patterns5-ESS1-2
8. Fair tests that improve a prototypePlan and run controlled tests, find the failure point, and use it to improve a model3-5-ETS1-3

History & Social Studies

9 topics1080 questionsSubject page

1. Causes and effects of European explorationExplain why European explorers sailed to the Americas and the effects of their voyages on Native peoples and EuropeansD2.His.14.3-5
2. The Columbian ExchangeDescribe how plants, animals, people, ideas and diseases moved between the Eastern and Western Hemispheres after 1492D2.Geo.7.3-5
3. The thirteen colonies and their regionsCompare the New England, Middle and Southern colonies and connect where people settled to land, climate and natural resourcesD2.Geo.8.3-5
4. Latitude and longitudeUse lines of latitude and longitude, the equator, prime meridian and hemispheres to find and describe places on maps and globesD2.Geo.1.3-5
5. World countries and landmarksLocate major countries on each continent and connect famous natural and human-made landmarks to where they areD2.Geo.2.3-5
6. Barter, money and colonial tradeExplain how money makes exchange easier than barter, using examples from trade in colonial timesD2.Eco.5.3-5
7. Patriots, Loyalists and the American RevolutionExplain why people living at the same time had different perspectives about independence from Great BritainD2.His.4.3-5
8. The Constitution: a plan for governmentExamine why the Constitution was written, what the Preamble says, and how it divides power among three branchesD2.Civ.3.3-5
9. The Bill of Rights and amendmentsExplain how people change the Constitution through amendments and what key freedoms the Bill of Rights protectsD2.Civ.12.3-5

Life Skills

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Emergency preparedness and weather safetyMake a family emergency plan and kit, and know what to do in storms, floods and earthquakesNHES 7
2. Decision-making and peer pressureUse a decision-making model and refusal skills to handle peer pressureCASEL Responsible Decision-Making
3. Growth mindset and perseveranceLearn from mistakes, use 'not yet' thinking and keep practicing to get betterCASEL Self-Awareness
4. Active listening and clear communicationListen fully, ask questions, use a respectful tone and say what I need clearlyCASEL Relationship Skills
5. Saving, banks and interestExplain how banks keep money safe and how saving and interest help money growJump$tart Saving
6. Planning and cooking a simple mealPlan a balanced meal, follow a recipe, measure, and cook safely with an adultNHES 7
7. Setting goals and tracking habitsSet a SMART goal, track a habit for a week and reflect on progressCASEL Self-Management

Entrepreneurship & Business Thinking

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. The entrepreneur mindset: risk and resilienceExplain smart risks, learning from failure and sticking with a goalCEE Standard 14
2. Banks, loans and interestExplain how businesses borrow, why interest is charged and how to repayCEE Standard 12
3. Trade around the worldExplain how specialization and trade connect businesses across countriesCEE Standard 6
4. Growing a business: scaling upPlan how a small business could serve more customersCEE Standard 14
5. Negotiating and win-win dealsPractice negotiating so both sides gainCEE Standard 14
6. Businesses that help the communityDesign a business idea that also solves a community problemCEE Standard 14
7. Pitch day: presenting my business planPresent a business idea with problem, solution, customer, price and goalCEE Standard 14

Psychology for Kids

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Thinking traps and fair thinkingSpot thinking shortcuts like jumping to conclusions and check the factsCASEL Responsible Decision-Making
2. Persuasion and influenceRecognize how people try to persuade and decide for myselfCASEL Responsible Decision-Making
3. The psychology of goalsUse goals, small wins and rewards to stay motivatedCASEL Self-Management
4. Resilience: bouncing backUse coping and support to recover from setbacksCASEL Self-Awareness
5. Staying calm in conflictUnderstand what stress does to thinking and use calm problem-solvingCASEL Relationship Skills
6. Leadership and how groups workExplain roles in groups and what makes a good leaderCASEL Relationship Skills
7. Growth mindset: the science of getting smarterExplain how effort, strategies and practice help the brain improveCASEL Self-Awareness

Optional language courses

• Spanish for Kids · Level 3 · Grades 4–58 topics
• Portuguese for Kids · Level 3 · Grades 4–58 topics
• English for Spanish Speakers · Level 3 · Grades 4–58 topics
• English for Portuguese Speakers · Level 3 · Grades 4–58 topics

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

1. Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
2. Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
3. We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
4. You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
5. Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
6. Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

Other grades

• What should a kindergarten student know?
• What should a 1st grade student know?
• What should a 2nd grade student know?
• What should a 3rd grade student know?
• What should a 4th grade student know?

More

• See the whole curriculum
• Workbook store
• Frequently asked questions

Questions parents ask