5FifthGrade

Curriculum Supplement

Specials: Art, Music & Physical Education

A 36-week capstone supplement to the core 5th grade curriculum. Each unit aligns to a quarter of the hemispheric arc, so what students paint, sing, and play reinforces the social studies, science, and ELA they're already studying.

90

minutes per week, per subject

3

subject areas — Art, Music, PE

36

quarter-aligned weekly units

Synthesis & artistic voice

Visual Art

Synthesize the elements of art and principles of design in complex compositions, develop an individual artistic voice, and use art for communication and advocacy — building on K–4 foundations.

Synthesizing elements and principles in complex compositionsDeveloping individual artistic style and voiceCritically analyzing art from diverse cultures and historical periodsUsing art as a tool for communication and advocacy

Q1 · Weeks 1–6

Advanced Drawing & Realistic Representation

Two-point perspective, detailed observational drawing (texture, form, light/shadow), and introduction to portraiture (features, expression, contour drawing).

Activities

  • Draw buildings or street scenes using two-point perspective
  • Detailed still-life drawings emphasizing texture and reflected light
  • Self-portrait or peer portrait capturing emotion
  • Charcoal or pastel value studies

Hemisphere tie-in

Sketch landforms from the Q1 geography unit — Andes, Rockies, Mississippi, Amazon — using one- and two-point perspective.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Drawing for the Absolute Beginner — Mark & Mary Willenbrink
  • Cartooning Cartoon Animals — Christopher Hart

Supplies

  • Sketchbooks
  • Drawing pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
  • Charcoal & pastels
  • Blending stumps
  • Kneaded erasers
  • Mirrors

Multimedia

  • Two-point perspective tutorials
  • Renaissance & Baroque portrait galleries

Q1 → Q2 · Weeks 7–12

Advanced Painting & Personal Expression

Color theory (monochromatic, analogous, triadic, color psychology); developing personal brushwork and style; painting from imagination and memory.

Activities

  • Paintings using a chosen color scheme to evoke a mood
  • Imagined landscapes or fantasy scenes from memory
  • Comparative studies in Impressionist, Realist, and Expressionist styles
  • Multi-layered painting from washes to impasto

Hemisphere tie-in

Paint a Columbian-Exchange-era scene (Q2 social studies) — choose a color scheme that signals contact, exchange, or conflict.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • When Marian Sang — Pam Muñoz Ryan
  • Art That Changed the World (kids' edition)

Supplies

  • Acrylic & tempera paints
  • Brush variety
  • Canvases or canvas board
  • Palettes
  • Water containers

Multimedia

  • Color-theory videos
  • Virtual museum tours of painting movements

Q2 · Weeks 13–18

Sculpture, Mixed Media & Installation

Mixed-media sculpture; complex 3D forms with structural integrity; introduction to installation art (work that interacts with its space).

Activities

  • Mixed-media sculpture with found objects, wire, fabric, and clay
  • Functional art piece (decorative box, sculptural bookend)
  • Collaborative classroom installation responding to its space
  • Wire sculpture — bending and shaping wire into form

Hemisphere tie-in

Build a mixed-media diorama of a Q2 ecosystem (rainforest, kelp forest, prairie) showing matter cycles from science.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • The Girl Who Made a Million Things — Paula Bossio

Supplies

  • Air-dry clay & modeling tools
  • Wire (various gauges) & child-safe pliers
  • Found / recycled objects
  • Fabric scraps, yarn, strong adhesives
  • Paper maché supplies

Multimedia

  • Contemporary mixed-media & installation art videos
  • Wire sculpture tutorials

Q3 · Weeks 19–24

Printmaking & Digital Design

Multi-color relief prints with registration; screen-printing concepts; layers, selection tools, and typography in digital art tools.

Activities

  • Multi-color linocut prints with registration
  • Stencil-and-paint poster (screen-print look)
  • Digital illustration with layers and effects
  • Design a digital logo or social-media graphic with a message

Hemisphere tie-in

Design a poster for a Q3 'movement' theme (Independence movements, immigration, civil rights) — use type and image to advocate.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • The Artist's Way for Kids — Julia Cameron

Supplies

  • Soft linoleum blocks & carving tools
  • Brayers & block-printing inks
  • Acetate / cardboard for stencils
  • Tablets or computers with drawing software

Multimedia

  • Multi-color printmaking videos
  • Tutorials for Pixlr, Google Canvas, or simplified Procreate

Q3 → Q4 · Weeks 25–30

Global Art Traditions & Art Criticism

In-depth study of art from Indigenous American, African, Asian, Islamic, and Renaissance traditions; formal art criticism (describe, analyze, interpret, judge).

Activities

  • Analyze global artworks for symbols and meaning
  • Create artwork inspired by a specific tradition (mosaic, batik, calligraphy)
  • Apply the four-step art criticism method to famous works and personal pieces
  • Research and present on a global tradition or artist

Hemisphere tie-in

Anchor on hemispheric traditions: Mexican muralism, Andean textiles, Inuit printmaking, Caribbean carnival art.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Diego Rivera: His World and Ours — Duncan Tonatiuh
  • Global Art — MaryAnn F. Kohl & Jean Potter

Supplies

  • Variety of art materials
  • Research access (books, online)

Multimedia

  • Google Arts & Culture
  • Documentaries on art from diverse cultures

Q4 · Weeks 31–36

Art as a Career, Portfolio & Exhibition

Art-related careers (animator, architect, graphic designer, curator, art therapist); compile a culminating portfolio; curate and host a class exhibition.

Activities

  • Research an art career and interview an artist (in person or virtually)
  • Select and arrange best work for a final portfolio with artist statements
  • Plan, set up, and promote a class art exhibition
  • Reflect on artistic growth across elementary school

Hemisphere tie-in

Curate the year's hemispheric work into a portfolio + small exhibition for the family/community capstone.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • What Do Artists Do All Day? — JoAnn Early Macken

Supplies

  • Portfolio folders
  • Display boards & labels
  • Final-project art supplies

Multimedia

  • Art-career documentaries
  • Online student exhibitions

Theory, history & performance

Music

Master advanced rhythm and melody, explore music theory (chords, key signatures, scales), study music history and global traditions, and develop ensemble performance skills.

Advanced music literacy and interpretationMusic theory: chords, key signatures, scalesMusic's role in culture, history, and societyIndependent musicianship and collaborative performance

Q1 · Weeks 1–6

Advanced Rhythm & Ensemble Performance

Syncopated rhythms, triplets, dotted rhythms with precision; complex meter (5/4, 7/8 simplified); rhythmic ensembles with multiple independent parts.

Activities

  • Rhythmic dictation and sight-reading
  • Body-percussion and instrument performance of complex pieces
  • Small-group layered rhythmic compositions
  • Introduction to conducting basic meter patterns

Hemisphere tie-in

Drumming traditions of the Americas — West African legacy in Caribbean and Brazilian rhythms; tie to Q1 geography.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Ben's Trumpet — Rachel Isadora

Supplies

  • Rhythm instruments
  • Staff paper
  • Whiteboards
  • Metronome

Multimedia

  • Advanced rhythm-reading drills
  • African drumming and Stomp ensembles

Q1 → Q2 · Weeks 7–12

Melodic Theory & Key Signatures

Notes on treble and bass clef; sharps, flats, naturals; key signatures (C, G, D Major); singing and playing major and minor scales.

Activities

  • Note-identification drills on both clefs including accidentals
  • Play and identify major/minor scales on pitched instruments
  • Sing songs in different major keys
  • Compose a short melody in a specific key

Hemisphere tie-in

Compare folk melodies from North, Central, and South America — what scales and modes are common where?

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Lives of the Composers — Kathleen Krull

Supplies

  • Classroom keyboard / piano
  • Pitched instruments (xylophones, glockenspiels)
  • Staff paper & note flashcards

Multimedia

  • MusicTheory.net
  • Videos on sharps, flats, and key signatures

Q2 · Weeks 13–18

Harmony, Form & Musical Structure

Primary chords (I, IV, V) in various keys; simplified inversions; musical form (sonata, theme and variations); simplified counterpoint.

Activities

  • Play I-IV-V progressions on keyboard or ukulele to accompany songs
  • Listen to classical pieces and identify sections and themes
  • Sing or play ostinato patterns as accompaniment
  • Discuss how musical elements create structure and meaning

Hemisphere tie-in

Analyze form in works by Aaron Copland (Appalachian Spring), Heitor Villa-Lobos, or Astor Piazzolla — composers of the Americas.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Peter and the Wolf — Sergei Prokofiev
  • The Carnival of the Animals — Camille Saint-Saëns

Supplies

  • Classroom keyboard / piano
  • Recordings with clear forms

Multimedia

  • SFSKids Music Structures & Harmony
  • Videos illustrating rondo and theme & variations

Q3 · Weeks 19–24

Music History, Genres & Cultural Significance

Medieval through 20th-century periods and characteristics; historical and social context; evolution of genres.

Activities

  • Compare music across historical periods
  • Research and present a composer or genre
  • Trace origins of rock, hip hop, country, etc.
  • Discuss how music reflects social change

Hemisphere tie-in

Hip hop's roots in the Bronx, jazz in New Orleans, samba in Rio — map genres of the Americas to their origin cities.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop — Laban Carrick Hill

Supplies

  • Recordings across periods and genres
  • Online research access

Multimedia

  • NPR Tiny Desk Concerts
  • Age-appropriate History Channel music segments

Q3 → Q4 · Weeks 25–30

World Music & Intercultural Connections

West African drumming, Indian classical, Japanese koto, Latin American dance forms; cultural fusion and global exchange.

Activities

  • Learn and perform call-and-response and polyrhythmic patterns
  • Analyze unique vocal and instrumental techniques
  • Discuss how music travels and mixes between cultures
  • Research and present a world music tradition or instrument

Hemisphere tie-in

Pan-American playlist project: cumbia, son cubano, bachata, Andean pan flute, Argentine tango — locate each on the Q3 hemisphere map.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • We Got the Jazz: The Story of Jazz Music — John O'Brien

Supplies

  • World music recordings
  • Maps
  • Percussion variety

Multimedia

  • Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
  • TED-Ed videos on global music

Q4 · Weeks 31–36

Composition, Improvisation & Performance

Multi-part compositions; improvising over chord changes; conducting small ensembles; preparing and presenting a significant performance.

Activities

  • Compose a class piece or collaborate on a mini-musical
  • Improvisation circles with given scales or chord progressions
  • Take turns conducting a song or instrumental piece
  • Rehearse and perform a varied program with program notes

Hemisphere tie-in

End-of-year hemisphere showcase — students perform a piece reflecting one place and era they studied this year.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • The Composer's Handbook — Alice C. Evans

Supplies

  • Classroom instruments
  • Staff paper & whiteboards
  • Music stands
  • Recording equipment
  • Performance space

Multimedia

  • Chrome Music Lab (advanced features)
  • Youth orchestras & choirs videos

Strategy, fitness & leadership

Physical Education

Master motor skills with precision, develop comprehensive fitness knowledge, apply strategic thinking in games, and demonstrate leadership in physical activity.

Mastering motor skills in dynamic environmentsPersonal fitness plans and long-term healthAdvanced game strategy and tacticsSportsmanship, leadership, and conflict resolution

Q1 · Weeks 1–6

Advanced Locomotor, Agility & Coordination

Complex sequences of locomotor skills with fluidity; advanced agility (reaction drills, ladder drills with changes); hand-foot-eye coordination in complex tasks.

Activities

  • Design and navigate challenging obstacle courses
  • Partner and group agility drills with reaction-time components
  • Choreographed movement sequences to music
  • Games requiring rapid decision-making and precise movement

Hemisphere tie-in

Indigenous games of the Americas — try lacrosse warm-ups (Haudenosaunee origin) and pelota mixteca passing patterns.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Ready, Set, Go! — Sarah L. Schuette

Supplies

  • Cones
  • Agility ladders
  • Speed ropes
  • Music

Multimedia

  • Youth athlete agility & coordination drills

Q1 → Q2 · Weeks 7–12

Balance, Body Control & Rhythmic Movement

Static and dynamic balance in unpredictable situations; expressive movement and creative dance; combining balance, flexibility, and strength.

Activities

  • Group balancing acts; balancing objects while moving
  • Choreographed line dance or simple folk dance
  • Individual or small-group gymnastic routines
  • Basic yoga or Pilates for core strength and flexibility

Hemisphere tie-in

Folk dances of the Americas — Mexican jarabe, Andean huayno, Appalachian square dance.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Yoga Pretzels: 50 Fun Yoga Activities for Kids — Tara Guber & Leah Kalish

Supplies

  • Mats
  • Balance boards or stepping stones
  • Music

Multimedia

  • Cosmic Kids Yoga (advanced)
  • Dance-style demonstration videos

Q2 · Weeks 13–18

Manipulative Skills — Accuracy, Power & Strategy

Throwing, catching, kicking with consistent accuracy and power in game situations; offensive strategies (passing patterns, set plays); advanced dribbling.

Activities

  • Basketball: speed dribbling, layups, shooting from spots
  • Soccer: accurate passing, receiving, shooting, basic offensive formations
  • Modified football: spiral passes, basic route running
  • Target games with moving targets or defensive pressure

Hemisphere tie-in

Soccer is the hemisphere's most-played sport — discuss its spread from Britain through the Americas (links to Q2 history).

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Basketball (Usborne Guides)
  • Soccer (Usborne Guides)

Supplies

  • Basketballs
  • Soccer balls
  • Junior footballs
  • Cones
  • Targets
  • Goals

Multimedia

  • Instructional videos for elementary/middle-school sport skills

Q3 · Weeks 19–24

Striking with Implements & Defensive Tactics

Striking with bats and racquets for accuracy and power; defensive strategies (man-to-man vs. zone, intercepting, blocking).

Activities

  • Baseball/softball: batting against soft toss, fielding, throwing to bases
  • Tennis / badminton / pickleball: serve, forehand, backhand, rally
  • Volleyball: underhand/overhand serve, forearm pass, set
  • Modified team games emphasizing defensive roles and communication

Hemisphere tie-in

Baseball as a hemispheric sport — its journey from the U.S. to the Caribbean, Mexico, Venezuela, and Japan.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • Girls Play Baseball — Jennifer Gordon

Supplies

  • Baseball / softball gear
  • Racquets & shuttlecocks
  • Foam tennis balls
  • Volleyballs & low nets

Multimedia

  • Advanced striking & defensive skill videos

Q3 → Q4 · Weeks 25–30

Health-Related Fitness & Personal Wellness

Components of fitness for lifelong health; comprehensive personal fitness plans; nutrition, hydration, and sleep for performance.

Activities

  • Design and follow a multi-week personal fitness plan with tracking
  • PACER, push-up, and sit-up assessments with goal-setting
  • Discussions on healthy eating, portions, and sleep
  • Explore lifetime activities — hiking, biking, swimming, dance

Hemisphere tie-in

Map outdoor activities to hemispheric geography — surfing in Costa Rica, snowboarding in the Andes, hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • The Everything Kids' Healthy Cooking Cookbook — Sandra K. Nissenberg

Supplies

  • Fitness assessment tools
  • Tracking journals
  • Nutrition materials

Multimedia

  • MyPlate.gov
  • Healthy-lifestyle videos

Q4 · Weeks 31–36

Leadership, Officiating & Lifetime Activity

Lead warm-ups, drills, and games; officiate modified sports; design and lead activity for younger students; understand mental-health benefits of activity; plan for lifelong participation.

Activities

  • Students lead warm-ups, drills, and games
  • Organize and officiate modified sports games
  • Plan and lead a session for a younger grade level
  • Demonstrate a new outside-school activity (climbing, martial arts, dance)
  • Reflect on PE journey and plan for staying active

Hemisphere tie-in

Capstone: students design a 'Hemisphere Field Day' with one game from each region they studied.

Resources & supplies

Books

  • The Value of Sportsmanship — Spencer Brinker

Supplies

  • Various sports equipment
  • Pinnies
  • Whistles
  • Optional scoreboards

Multimedia

  • Officiating & coaching basics videos
  • Lifetime physical activity resources

Cross-curricular projects

Anchor projects that braid Art, Music, and PE with the hemispheric core curriculum. Pick one per quarter for a meaningful integration moment.

Hemispheric Mural

Class designs and paints (or digitally composes) a mural of the Western Hemisphere with cultural icons from each region — drawing on Q1 geography and Q3 cultural-traditions content.

Soundtrack of the Americas

A class playlist + program notes pairing each historical era studied (Pre-Columbian → Contact → Colonial → Independence → Modern) with representative music from the hemisphere.

Pan-American Field Day

Students plan a field day featuring one game or movement tradition from each of three regions: North America, Central America/Caribbean, and South America.

Eco-Sculpture from the Watershed

Mixed-media sculpture or installation made from materials gathered (responsibly) from a local watershed — connects Q2 ecosystems and Q3 environmental issues.

Capstone Year

Preparing for middle school

Fifth grade is the bridge year. The supplement is designed to gradually shift the load from teacher-led to student-led so the move to middle school feels natural.

Portfolio development

Maintain a digital + physical portfolio across all three subjects, with artist/musician/athlete statements.

Increased independence

Reduce scaffolding deliberately each quarter — by Q4, students choose materials, tempos, and warm-ups themselves.

Specialized interests

Carve out time each quarter for a self-directed deep-dive project in a chosen sub-area.

Technical vocabulary

Use disciplinary vocabulary (composition, dynamics, biomechanics) explicitly in feedback and reflection.

End-of-year skills checklist

Use these as portfolio rubric anchors during the Q4 review week.

Visual Art & Music

  • Use elements of art and principles of design with intent
  • Critique artwork using appropriate vocabulary
  • Read and write basic musical notation
  • Perform rhythmic and melodic patterns
  • Identify instruments and music genres
  • Create original compositions and artworks
  • Understand cultural contexts of art and music

Physical Education

  • Demonstrate proper form in locomotor movements
  • Combine movements smoothly in sequences
  • Throw, catch, and strike with accuracy
  • Apply offensive and defensive strategies
  • Create and follow a personal fitness plan
  • Show leadership in group activities
  • Understand rules and officiate basic games

Digital resources

Reading list

  • The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau — Jon Agee
  • The Music of Dolphins — Karen Hesse
  • The Crossover — Kwame Alexander
  • Art & Max — David Wiesner
  • Diego Rivera: His World and Ours — Duncan Tonatiuh
  • Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music — Ana Gerhard
  • Ghost — Jason Reynolds
  • Drawing Comics Lab — Robyn Chapman
Back to the core curriculum