Fifth Class is the seventh year in primary school in Ireland and typically accommodates students aged 10 to 11. During this year, students continue to expand their foundational skills across a broad curriculum that includes English, Irish, Mathematics, Science, and the Learn Together curriculum.
The English curriculum focuses on advancing reading and writing skills, with an emphasis on comprehension, creative writing, and grammar. In Irish, students work on enhancing their conversational abilities, reading fluency, and written expression. Mathematics becomes more complex, covering topics such as fractions, decimals, geometry, and problem-solving.
Science education includes hands-on experiments and exploration of topics like living things, materials, energy, and environmental awareness. History lessons delve into Irish and World History, encouraging students to understand and reflect on the past. Geography covers physical and human geography, fostering an understanding of local and global environments. Music and art lessons help develop creativity and appreciation for various forms of expression.
Teachers in Fifth Class encourage critical thinking, independent learning, and collaborative work while nurturing social and emotional development. This year marks a significant stage where students consolidate their academic abilities and prepare for more advanced learning in their final years of primary education.
For more information on the curricular areas and how you can help your child in Fifth Class, please see some advice from the NCCA.
Curriculum Link
News from Fifth Class
September 2024
Fifth Class has had a lively and engaging start to the year. In 5A, students have jumped into their English with station work using the iPads. They also have been collaborating with 2A on a special mini-project. 5B is off to a great start too, enjoying time in the library and learning about Climate Literacy with Aoife from Education in Sustainability. This week they did a fun sustainability A-Z relay. Meanwhile, 5C participated in a team-building STEM challenge using pasta and marshmallows.
It's been a fantastic start for all, with lots of learning, teamwork, and fun activities!
October 2024
All three 5th classes have been hard at work this month, diving into fascinating topics and developing new skills. In Maths, we’ve all been tackling long multiplication. Even though it was tricky at times, we persevered and are proud of the progress we've made!
5A has been getting into the Halloween spirit during our creative sessions, producing some lovely spooky artwork. We also created holiday brochures based on the Maya civilization and recently started Athletics in PE, which has been a lot of fun.
This October, 5B did a lot of fun things. We did a litter pick with Aoife from Education for Sustainability and collected 4 bags of rubbish from the school grounds and the green space behind the school. We did lots of Halloween art, including an art competition where we drew ourselves as zombies. We also did a sponsored Halloween Walk in our Halloween costumes. We had lots of fun this October. By Erin and Juliette
5C enjoyed collaborating in small groups to create fantastic projects based on the Mayan civilization. The History research project was a huge success, with everyone doing an excellent job presenting their findings to the class.
We are all looking forward to a well-deserved break!
November 2024
November was an exciting and enriching month for all three 5th Classes, filled with creativity, kindness, and curiosity! Here's a look at what we got up to:
Friendship and Anti-Bullying Week
We celebrated Friendship and Anti-Bullying Week, focusing on the importance of kindness, respect, and building strong relationships. Everyone worked hard to create vibrant and meaningful Choose Respect posters. Throughout the week, we took part in a range of fun and thought-provoking lessons about friendship and explored ways to support and care for one another. As a special treat, we swapped out our regular homework for Happiness Homework, focusing on activities like spending time with friends and family, helping someone, or trying something new.
Anti-Bullying Art Workshop
A highlight of the week was an online art workshop themed around anti-bullying. We explored the concept of individuality by painting colorful odd socks, symbolizing how our differences make us unique and special. It was a fantastic way to combine creativity with an important message.
Science Webinar: Mini-Earthquakes at Concerts
Our curiosity for science soared during an online science webinar, part of the Meet the Scientist Webinar Series. We explored the fascinating question: How can concerts create mini-earthquakes? We learned about seismic activity and how large crowds dancing or jumping can mimic natural phenomena. It was an engaging and eye-opening experience!
This month has been a wonderful mix of fun, learning, and teamwork. We can't wait to see what December has in store for us!