What your child learns in 5th grade in Minnesota
In 5th grade, students add, subtract, multiply and divide with fractions and decimals, work with volume and the coordinate plane, and write longer pieces with evidence. Science covers matter and its changes, energy, food webs and the sun and stars, and students take the science MCA. Social studies is “Early American Studies”: the colonies, slavery and resistance, the American Revolution and the Constitution.
5th grade subjects in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Patterns and relationships: operations with decimals and fractions, and expressions
- Spatial reasoning, data and probability: volume, the coordinate plane, and data displays
- Mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
12 units, including Numbers to a Million, Multiply, Divide, Equivalent Fractions.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: summarizing, point of view, and figurative language
- Writing, speaking and listening: building arguments, and research from several sources
- Language: building vocabulary and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
11 units, including Plot and Conflict, Figurative Language, Purpose and Structure, Context Clues.
Science
Focus areas
- Matter and its changes, energy transfer, food webs, and the sun and stars
- Science and engineering practices: measuring, graphing and designing devices
- How science connects to people and communities in Minnesota and beyond
10 units, including Solutions & Mixtures, Solid, Liquid, Gas, Changes of State, Physical or Chemical?.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Theme: Early American Studies
- The colonies, slavery and resistance
- The American Revolution
8 units, including The Thirteen Colonies, Colonial Trade & Work, Road to Revolution, The American Revolution.
Printable 5th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
- 5th grade MathNumbers to a Million, MultiplyOpen the sheet →
- 5th grade English Language ArtsPlot and Conflict, Figurative LanguageOpen the sheet →
- 5th grade ScienceSolutions & Mixtures, Solid, Liquid, GasOpen the sheet →
- 5th grade Social StudiesThe Thirteen Colonies, Colonial Trade & WorkOpen the sheet →
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments on problem solving, supporting ideas with evidence and independent research. MCA scores are separate from the report card.
Minnesota has no statewide report-card scale in 5th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
5th grade students also take the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA). Read the state tests guide.
Minnesota's social and emotional learning competencies apply in every grade. Read about Social emotional learning.
The four practice steps in 5th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the learning standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the learning standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 5th grade?
5th grade builds on what your child practiced in 4th grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Numbers to 10,000, Add & Subtract, Multiply & Divide, Fractions, Decimals
- English Language Arts: Reading Detectives, Text Features, Figurative Language, Point of View, Parts of Speech
- Science: Wind, Water & Ice, Pushes, Pulls & Forces, Magnet Inventions, Traits & Variation, Earth's Systems & Water
- Social Studies: States & Capitals, World Regions, World Maps & Globes, Resources & Regions, People on the Move
Common questions
5th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards. In 5th grade, students add, subtract, multiply and divide with fractions and decimals, work with volume and the coordinate plane, and write longer pieces with evidence. Science covers matter and its changes, energy, food webs and the sun and stars, and students take the science MCA. Social studies is “Early American Studies”: the colonies, slavery and resistance, the American Revolution and the Constitution.
Minnesota has no statewide report-card scale in 5th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 5th grade also write the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
5th grade builds on 4th grade. In math, that means Numbers to 10,000, Add & Subtract, Multiply & Divide. In English language arts, that means Reading Detectives, Text Features, Figurative Language.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Read what they are interested in: graphic novels, sports pages, series. Then talk about it. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 5th grade skills with Gradelings
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