Fifth grade - Definition

In North American education, "fifth grade" (aka "5th grade" or "grade 5") is the name given to the fifth year of elementary school following kindergarten. In some areas in the United States it is also the last year of elementary school; in Canada and other parts of the United States it is next to last. Students in this grade are normally between 10-11 years old.

While courses of study are not regimented nationwide across either country, some conventional expectations of subject matter are generally taught in this grade:

• In mathematics, students usually master long division and work with multiplication of fractions and decimals. Sometimes this also includes initial exposure to ratios and percentages.
• In language classes the study of grammar begins.
• In social studies, the study of history and geography are furthered. In Ontario, this grade focuses on the history of the student's province (as opposed to fourth grade which covers the student's municipality, and sixth grade which focuses on the country).
• In physical science, the states of matter are introduced, and an introduction to the basics of machines.
• In life science, the structures and mechanics of plants and animals are illustrated.

In the United Kingdom (except Scotland), "year 5" covers age 9 to 10.

In Scotland, "Primary 5" covers ages 8-10, while "fifth year" covers 15 to 17.

See also:

• Education in England
• Education in Scotland