BlogTeaching ResourcesWhat Do You Learn in 5th Grade? 7 Crucial Subjects & Skills

What Do You Learn in 5th Grade? 7 Crucial Subjects & Skills

As kids enter the final stages of elementary school, it is essential to know what they will learn before starting middle school. By reviewing the 5th-grade syllabus and understanding what is taught to kids in 5th grade, you can plan effectively and talk to teachers about what expectations need to be set.

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You can provide the right platform for your little ones and give them the best approach to fully optimize their experiences. 5th graders have tons of experience in the classroom setting and can efficiently solve problems across math, science, ELA, and geography. To review what your child learned last year, check out this blog: What Do 4th Graders Learn? 

You can also get a better sense of what subjects will be preliminary to improving academic performance and what areas will be challenging for your kids. You can start preparing with the right online learning platforms, tutoring, and courses to help them excel in their next grade.

What Is Taught to Kids in 5th Grade? An Overview

So, what do you learn in 5th grade? Fifth graders delve into advanced math (fractions, decimals, geometry), science (human body, Earth’s systems, physical science), language arts (reading, writing, vocabulary), and social studies (state history, geography).

To support your child’s academic journey, talk to their teachers about their specific needs and consider using online learning platforms and 5th-grade learning activities to reinforce key concepts. Here are the primary areas teachers focus on when teaching 5th graders:

1. Mathematics in 5th Grade

Grade 5 math focuses on more advanced concepts within the field of study. They will further explore decimals, place values, exponents, algebra, equations, and operations. Geometry is also a higher priority, with volume, area, and other calculations taught to kids in the 5th grade. These 5th-grade topics set the foundation for your child’s middle school math journey. 

Here are key math skills taught to 5th graders and fun activities you can use to reinforce these skills at home:

I. Decimals

  • Understand a base ten number system as it applies to both whole numbers and decimals.

i) Base Ten Blocks with Decimals: Use base-ten blocks or draw diagrams to show whole numbers and decimals (like tenths and hundredths). For example, let a large square represent 1, a long strip represent 0.1, and a small square represent 0.01, helping them visualize decimals in the base-ten system. These worksheets on decimal models help kids identify and represent decimals using models: 

ii) Place Value Decomposition: Write a decimal number like 4.256 and ask your child to decompose it by place value, explaining that 4 is in the ones place, 2 in the tenths, 5 in the hundredths, and 6 in the thousandths. Here are engaging games to reinforce this skill:

  • Read, write, and compare the place value of decimals to thousandths.

i) Decimal Number Line: Draw a number line from 0 to 1, marking increments like 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001. Give your child a decimal (e.g., 0.256) and ask them to place it on the number line, explaining why it’s closer to certain increments. 

Reinforce this skill using these printable worksheets where kids will learn to plot tenths, hundredths, and thousandths on a number line:

ii) Decimal Comparison Cards: Write different decimals (e.g., 0.452 and 0.46) on index cards and ask your child to arrange them in order from smallest to largest, using >, <, or = to compare pairs. Here are fun games for practicing decimal comparison using place values and number lines:

  • Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals and expanded form.

i) Expanded Form Challenge: Write a decimal (like 5.347) and ask your child to break it down in expanded form (5 + 0.3 + 0.04 + 0.007). Try this with these fun games for extra practice. In these games, kids will solve a set of problems on the expanded form of decimals and get immediate feedback for wrong answers:

ii) Decimals in Words and Numerals: Give your child a decimal in numeral form (like 6.054) and ask them to write it out in words (“six and fifty-four thousandths”) and then expand it. Get started with these fun worksheets:

  • Use place value to round decimals to any place.

i) Rounding Bingo: Create a bingo card with rounded decimals (like 5.0, 6.5, 7.6). Call out decimals (e.g., 5.46 or 6.51), and have your child round to the nearest whole or tenth to mark on their bingo card.

ii) Rounding Challenge: Write several decimals (like 3.457) and have your child round them to the nearest tenth, hundredth, or whole, explaining why they rounded each number the way they did. Practice rounding decimals to the nearest whole, tenth, and hundredth with these engaging worksheets:

  • Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths.

i) Money Math: Use dollar and cent amounts (e.g., $4.56 + $3.25) to practice addition and subtraction of decimals, relating them to real-life money management.

ii) Decimal Multiplication Grid: Set up a grid to help your child visualize multiplying decimals. For example, multiplying 0.4 by 0.3 can be shown by shading 40% across one axis and 30% on the other to reinforce how decimal places multiply.

iii) Decimal Operations Games: In these games, kids will practice performing arithmetic operations on decimals up to hundredths using different strategies, such as using models, regrouping, the horizontal method, and direct calculations.

II. Multi-Digit Arithmetic

  • Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers.

i) Multiplication Grid Practice: Give your child a multi-digit multiplication problem (like 34 56) and have them solve it using the area model or grid method. They can break the problem down into smaller parts, multiply each, and then add the results. Here are practice worksheets for multi-digit multiplication using the area model strategy:

ii) Real-World Multiplication Scenarios: Create a scenario, such as, “A school needs 125 pencils for each of its 24 classrooms. How many pencils are needed in total?” Encourage your child to multiply fluently and check their work by estimating the result first. Try these printables for reinforcement and extra practice:

  • Divide four-digit numbers by two-digit divisors.

i) Long Division Practice: Write a four-digit division problem (like 3,456 ÷ 24) and guide your child through each step of long division. Emphasize placing numbers correctly in each column to make it easier to keep track. Here are fun games for reinforcement:

ii) Real-Life Division Story: Present a practical division problem: “A shipment of 3,600 books needs to be divided evenly into 45 boxes. How many books will each box have?” Have your child use long division to find the answer and explain each step.

III. Fractions

  • Add and subtract fractions.
  1. Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.

i) Write different fractions on cards (like 1/2, 2/4, 3/6) and ask your child to match equivalent fractions. Then, give them an addition problem, such as 1/2 + 1/4, and guide them to convert 1/2 to 2/4 so the fractions can be added easily. Reinforce this skill with these fun activities:

ii) Use fraction circles or bars to show how equivalent fractions work in addition and subtraction. For example, if they need to add 1/3 and 1/6, help them convert 1/3 to 2/6 using fraction pieces, then add 2/6 + 1/6 to get 3/6 or 1/2.

Here are some excellent games that help kids use bar models to practice this skill:

  1. Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions.

i) Recipes with Fractions: Give your child a recipe problem, like “You used 3/4 cup of sugar, and you need another 1/2 cup. How much sugar do you need in total?” Encourage them to find a common denominator, convert the fractions, and then add them to solve the problem.

ii) Practice with Worksheets: In these worksheets, kids can solve tons of story problems on addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers.

  • Multiply and divide fractions. 
  1. Solve real-world problems involving multiplication and division of fractions and mixed numbers.

i) Recipe Scaling: Give your child a recipe that calls for fractions (like 1/2 cup of flour) and ask them to double or halve it by multiplying or dividing. For instance, “If you double 1/2 cup of flour, how much will you have?” This reinforces fraction multiplication with real-world relevance.

ii) Word Problems Worksheets: In these exercises, kids will solve a variety of real-world problems related to fraction multiplication. Perfect for creating task cards and planning fun quizzes!

  1. Understand the principle and resulting effect when multiplying and dividing fractions by numbers greater than or less than one.

i) Fraction Size Comparisons: Have your child multiply a fraction by a number greater than one (e.g., 1/2 × 2) and by a number less than one (e.g., 1/2 × 1/4) to observe the effects. Discuss how multiplying by a number greater than one makes the fraction larger while multiplying by a number less than one makes it smaller.

ii) Scaling Down and Up: Use visuals like grids or bars to show what happens when you multiply or divide fractions by numbers greater or less than one. For example, multiplying 3/4 by 1/2 shows the fraction getting smaller, while multiplying by 2 shows it getting larger.

iii) Scaling Fractions Worksheets: Kids will understand the effects of multiplying by fractions less than and greater than 1 using visuals.

  1. Understand the relationship between multiplication and division when dividing fractions by whole numbers or whole numbers by fractions.

i) Flip the Operation: Show that dividing a whole number by a fraction is the same as multiplying by the reciprocal. For example, dividing 4 by 1/2 is the same as 4 × 2. Use visuals to illustrate that dividing by a fraction is like asking, “How many halves fit into four wholes?” Help kids visualize and practice this division using interactive games that use bar models and a variety of practice problems:

ii) Fraction Division Worksheets: Kids will understand the concept of division fractions, dividing a fraction by a whole number, and dividing a whole number by a fraction. They will learn to use models as well as direct strategies.

IV. Measurement

  • Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system.

i) Measurement Match-Up: Write different measurements on cards (like 1 foot, 12 inches, 1 yard, 3 feet, etc.) and ask your child to match equivalent values within the same system. For example, they would match 1 foot with 12 inches.

ii) Conversion Charts: In the kitchen, display conversion charts and use real recipes to practice conversions. For instance, if a recipe needs 4 cups of water, ask your child how many pints that equals (2 pints) or how many ounces (32 ounces).

iii) Unit Conversion Games: In these games, kids will practice unit conversion with both metric and customary units of length, weight, and capacity.

  • Solve multi-step problems using unit conversions.

i) Shopping Trip Scenarios: Give your child a multi-step problem, like, “If you buy 4 pounds of apples, but the recipe calls for ounces, how many ounces do you need in total?” (1 pound = 16 ounces, so 4 × 16 = 64 ounces). This helps them apply conversion and multiplication.

ii) Distance Conversions: Create a story problem like, “If you walk 5 miles to a friend’s house, but you want to know the distance in feet, how many feet did you walk?” (5 miles × 5,280 feet per mile). This reinforces conversions in real-life scenarios.

  • Understand concepts of volume measurement by counting unit cubes.

i) Building Blocks: Give your child a small box and ask them to fill it with 1-inch cubes. Have them count how many cubes fit and discuss that the volume of the box is the total number of unit cubes, helping them understand volume in cubic units. Here are interactive games focusing on finding the volume by counting unit cubes:

ii) Volume by Layers: Create a 3-layer cube structure, such as a 3x3x3 cube, and count each layer to understand that volume is the product of length, width, and height. Each layer adds volume, reinforcing that volume = length x width x height.

  • Relate volume to the operations of multiplication and division.

i) Volume with Multiplication: Give a rectangular prism (e.g., a tissue box) and have your child measure the length, width, and height. Show them how to find volume by multiplying these dimensions together (Volume = length × width × height). Here are practice worksheets to get you started:

ii) Present a scenario like, “If you have a 60-cubic-inch box and you want to split it into layers 10 inches high, how many layers will it have?” This reinforces dividing volume by one dimension to find the number of layers or sections.

V. Geometry 

  • Graph Points on a coordinate plane.

i) Create a simple treasure map on a coordinate grid, marking points with coordinates (e.g., (3, 4)) where “treasures” are hidden. Ask your child to find each point on the grid to “collect” the treasure.

ii) Play a game of “Coordinate Battleship,” where you call out coordinates, and your child places a marker on their grid, practicing plotting points accurately on the plane.

iii) Coordinate Plane Games: In these interactive games, kids practice plotting points in the first quadrant. 

  •  Identify points in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane.

i) Draw a coordinate plane with only the first quadrant labeled and provide points for your child to plot, like (5, 2) or (3, 7). Then, ask them to describe the coordinates of specific points you’ve marked, reinforcing their understanding of x and y positions.

ii) Create a small obstacle course on a printed first-quadrant grid. Give clues like “Start at (0, 0) and move to (4, 5), then go to (2, 3),” having your child trace the path and identify each point as they “travel” through the course.

iii) Practice reading coordinates using printable worksheets. In these activities, kids will practice identifying missing coordinates, writing ordered pairs for given points, and matching ordered pairs with points.

  • Sort two-dimensional figures and identify the attributes (angles, number of sides, corners) they have in common.

i) Draw or cut out shapes like triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombuses, and trapezoids. Ask your child to group them by properties such as the number of sides, angle types, or parallel lines.

ii) Classifying Shapes Games: In these games, kids practice identifying attributes of shapes, classifying triangles based on angles and sides, and more.

iii) Create a “Shape Sorting Chart” with categories like “Shapes with Right Angles,” “Shapes with Equal Sides,” and “Shapes with Parallel Sides.” Have your child place each shape in its appropriate category based on these properties. Here are practice worksheets to reinforce this skill:

  • Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy based on properties.

i) Use a hierarchy chart to classify shapes. Start with broad categories like “Quadrilaterals” and branch into subcategories, such as rectangles and squares, discussing how each shape fits into the hierarchy based on its properties.

ii) Provide a variety of polygons and ask your child to classify them in order of specificity. For example, they could start with “Polygons,” then move to “Quadrilaterals,” and finally to “Rectangles” or “Squares,” reinforcing the idea of hierarchical classification. Here are fun games targeting this skill in an engaging way: