5FifthGrade

For parents

Parent Digest

A weekly, plain-language preview of what your fifth grader is studying — themes, anchor texts, and one conversation starter per week.

Quarter 1 · Foundations of the Western Hemisphere

Weeks 1–2

The Geography of the Americas

Weeks 3–4

The Maya Civilization

Weeks 5–6

The Aztec Empire

Weeks 7–8

The Inca Empire

Week 9

Quarter 1 Synthesis and Portfolio Review

Quarter 2 · Age of Exploration & the Columbian Exchange

Weeks 10–11

Causes of European Exploration

Weeks 12–13

Columbus and Early Voyages

Weeks 14–15

The Columbian Exchange

Weeks 16–17

Conquest and the Atlantic Slave Trade

Week 18

Quarter 2 Synthesis & Opinion Essay

Quarter 3 · Government, Economics & Earth's Systems

Weeks 19–20

Foundations of Government & Citizenship

Weeks 21–22

U.S. Constitution & Bill of Rights

Weeks 23–24

Comparative Government in the Americas

Weeks 25–26

Economics & the Water Cycle

Week 27

Quarter 3 Synthesis & Stewardship Action Plan

Quarter 4 · Modern Western Hemisphere & Year-End Synthesis

Weeks 28–29

Immigration & Cultural Diversity

Weeks 30–31

Civil Rights & Contemporary Issues

Weeks 32–33

Astronomy & Space Systems

Weeks 34–35

Year-End Synthesis Project

Week 36

Capstone Showcase & Reflection