Skip to main content

Grade Five Curriculum Picks

Picks can be purchased from Anchor Academic (using your PO#) or from one of our comprehensive vendors. Other options, such as borrowing from the Learning Commons Search Portal or Sora virtual eBook library or purchasing from our Used Bookstore, may also be available.

Vendor websites are pick-and-choose, and some optional or alternate suggestions may be listed, so carefully select your items.

Overview Of Grade 5 Curriculum Picks

Here is an overview of the curriculum picks that we suggest for Grade 5. Please note that some subjects provide more than one option. For more information about the curriculum, please refer to the information under Detailed Information for Grade 5 Curriculum Picks.

English Language Arts


  • Rigorous Approach (Option 1): Lightning Literature Gr 5 Student Workbook and Teacher's Guide with poetry book and readers

OR

  • Lighter Approach (Option 2): Language Lessons for a Living Education 5 by Master Books with 101 Favorite Stories from the Bible; From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiller by E.L. Konigsburg with Classroom Complete Press Literature Kit (or alternate); Sabotage by Karen Autio with activity guide OR No Time to Say Goodbye: by Sylvia Olsen with activity guide (pg. 29; cross-curricular w/social studies). A selection of Progeny Press novel studies are available if preferred.

Mathematics

    • Dynamic Classroom Math 5

    OR

    • Jump Math New Canadian Edition 5.1 and 5.2

    Science


     

    Biology

    • Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology by Jeannie Fulbright and Brooke Ryan, MD, lessons 1 - 8. (Lessons 9, 10, and 14 address grade six content standards; lesson 11 addresses grade four content standards)

    Chemistry

    • Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Textbook by Jeannie Fulbright and Notebooking Journal - Chapter 5 

    Physics

    • Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Textbook by Jeannie Fulbright and Notebooking Journal - Chapter 14

    Earth/Space

    • The Geology Book by John D Morris (Chapters 1 - 4) and Rocks and Geology ScienceWiz Kit by Penny Norman, Ph.D. (optional)

    Social Studies



    • Human Rights Unit Study Kit
    • BC Land and People by Bill MacDonald (Apple Press)
    • Canadian Government by Classroom Complete Press

    Bible/Christian Studies

    • Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here? by John Hay (Apologia)

    Optional Resources

    (not detailed below)

     

    • STEM Starters: Balloon Cars by Teacher Created Resources (ADST)
    • Healthy Habits for Healthy Kids Gr. 5-6 by Tracie Heskett  (Health Education)
    • Sockeye Mother by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson (Science; to address First Peoples concepts of interconnectedness in the environment)
    • Above & Beyond with Communication by Robin Johnson  (Career Education)
      Detailed Information for Grade 5 Curriculum Picks 

      English Language Arts

      Lightning Literature Gr 5 Student Workbook and Teacher's Guide with poetry book and readers 

      Type of Resource: Home Education Curriculum

      Description: Lightning Literature is a language arts curriculum designed to instill a love of literature in students, expand their ability to read intelligently and deeply, and prepare them for more advanced language arts concepts. The key components of this series are literature, grammar and mechanics, and composition. The Teacher’s Guide contains the answers to the comprehension questions for all nine books, as well as four chapters on poetry and the grammar pages, instructions for daily composition, a discussion guide for each book, and suggestions for additional activities. The Workbook and Guide can be purchased separately, in a set together, or in a pack with the readers. The author’s goal in writing this series is to “instill a love of great literature in children, expand their ability to read intelligently and deeply, improve their communication abilities, and prepare them for more advanced language arts concepts.” The three key components of this series are literature, grammar and mechanics, and composition. This year, students read a variety of great children’s literature, classic and modern. Grade 5 Lighting Literature will continue the Lightning Literature method of teaching intelligent reading, composition, and grammar using great children’s literature. Students will be introduced to new authors, exciting stories, and different cultures and experiences. The consumable four-colour Student Worktext contains comprehension questions, discussion questions, instruction on grammar (including sentence diagramming), and workbook pages. Workbook answers are in the Teacher’s Guide. The workbook will ask questions on the reading, teach (and quiz on) grammar and mechanics, and introduce composition techniques. Each week, students will write something of their own to keep their composition muscles exercised and growing. The Workbook and Guide can be purchased separately, in a set together, or in a pack with the readers. You’ll need something else to teach spelling, learning to read, and penmanship.

       

      Website

      Review

      Samples: Teacher Intro, Teacher's Sample, Student Workbook Sample

      Other Optional or Supplementary Resources: Worksheets

       

      (Option 2): Language Lessons for a Living Education 5 by Master Books with 101 Favorite Stories from the Bible; From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiller by E.L. Konigsburg with Classroom Complete Press Literature Kit (or alternate); Sabotage by Karen Autio OR No Time to Say Goodbye by Sylvia Olsen (cross-curricular w/social studies)

      Type of Resource: Workbook

       Description: students will build on and reinforce essential communication skills as they achieve proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, spelling, and written communication. Independent reading and mastery of effective sentences and paragraphs are at the heart of this course.

      Students will enjoy poem, hymn, and picture studies, as well as faith-growing stories to inspire detailed and descriptive paragraphs while making real-world connections that enhance this fun and engaging story-based approach. Written with a Charlotte Mason influence but designed for modern homeschoolers, activities include book reports, Scripture, creating a dictionary, narration, and critical thinking games to hone and apply their writing and reading skills creatively.

      This course is a story-based approach, using Charlotte Mason's ideas for the modern homeschool student with character-building themes. Each quarter has five stories, two picture studies (one of which is biblically based), and two poems (one of which is a proverb). Using the spelling words and the Dictionary Worksheets, the student will create their own dictionary as they move through the material weekly. 

      This course incorporates picture study, memorization, grammar and punctuation, spelling and vocabulary, observation, and application through creating their own stories through pictures, sentences, paragraphs, poems, proverbs, and letters. This course also develops reading and narration skills. Writing stamina is built up gradually. By the end of the course, students should be able to comfortably write various types of paragraphs.

      Scope and sequence, daily course calendar, assessment charts, recommended reading list, spelling practice ideas, and grammar sheets are also included.

       

      Website

      Series Overview 

      Placement Guide

      Review

      Other Optional or Supplementary Resources

      Table of Contents (under "Scope & Sequence")

      PDF Samples

      From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler with Literature Kit by Classroom Complete Press (or alternate)

      Type of Resource: fiction novel and workbook

      Description: enhance instruction and allow for much deeper conversations to keep students engaged. Imagine who the character of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler will be and what role she will play in the story. Put the Kincaid children's actions in the correct order they occurred as they ran away. Find a simile in the book to describe how hungry the children are. Invent a character and write a letter similar to what Mrs. Frankweiler does at the beginning of the novel. Draw a map of the children's journey in the style of a plot pyramid. 


      About the Novel: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a Newbery Medal-winning story about two young children who run away from home. Twelve-year-old Claudia and nine-year-old Jamie run away to New York using an old unused adult ticket for the train. The pair find themselves living in the famous Metropolitan Museum of Art by hiding in the bathrooms when the Museum closes. While there, they become interested in Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler and her recent purchase of the marble statue of an angel on display at the Museum. They use the rest of their money to visit the woman in Connecticut. Their trip leads to them discovering the secret behind the angel statue.


      Note from Curriculum Consultant: Any novel can be chosen in place of this one. Other options for novels/novel studies can be found here.

      Sabotage by Karen Autio

       Type of Resource: novel, suitable for cross-curricular learning in Social Studies (internment camps) and Language Arts

      Description: It's 1915, and the Great War is raging in Europe. What does that have to do with Port Arthur, Ontario? Heaps, thinks John Maki. Sure, he's a prankster, but he's also a hard-working newsboy with a secret dream to be a reporter. So he keeps his eyes peeled, waiting for the big story. Sabotage is the final book of Karen Autio's trilogy about a Finnish family in early Thunder Bay. This story, told by both Saara and John, takes us into a real-life world of espionage, sabotage, and paranoia - right here in Canada!

       

      Student Activity Guide

      Website

      Sample Chapters 1 and 2

      Other Supplementary Resources: Clippings from the Port Arthur Daily News, The Note Book, Spies and Sabotage, Internment and Enemy Aliens, Vernon Internment Camp

       

      No Time to Say Goodbye: Children's Stories of Kupe Island Residential School

      Type of Resource: Historical Fiction

      Description: a fictional account of five children sent to an Indigenous boarding school, based on the recollections of a number of Tsartlip First Nations people. These unforgettable children are taken by government agents from Tsartlip Day School to live at Kuper Island Residential School. The five are isolated on the small island, and life is regimented by the strict school routine. They experience the pain of homesickness and confusion while trying to adjust to a world completely different from their own. Their lives are no longer organized by fishing, hunting and family but by bells, line-ups and chores. In spite of the harsh realities of the residential school, the children find adventure in escape, challenge in competition, and camaraderie with their fellow students. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, always engrossing, No Time to Say Goodbye is a story that readers of all ages won’t soon forget.


      Note from Curriculum Consultant: this book addresses standards in Social Studies as well as English Language Arts. No Time to Say Goodbye is made up of a number of different stories. Not all of them are appropriate for Grade 5, and some refer to sensitive material. Parents should exercise their discretion in assigning stories.

      Website

      Other Optional or Supplementary Resources:

      FNESC Indian Residential Schools & Reconciliation Teacher Resource Guide, Gr. 5, pages 29 - 62

      Mathematics

      Option 1: Dynamic Classroom Math Grade 5 Workbook

      Description: curriculum aligned for each Province.  Easy for students to get started due to the clear explanations with guided examples and step-by-step solutions. Students gain confidence by working through exercises that are structured for all ability levels.  Unit tests provide students and parents with feedback on topic mastery. Students and parents have access to video lessons that are directly connected to the book and provide that extra level of support to gain confidence and excel in math (video lessons are optional and cost extra).


      Website 

      Samples

      Pricing

      Video Bundle

      Supplementary Resources: video lessons, free resources

      Option 2: Jump Math New Canadian Edition Student Assessment & Practice (AP) Book 5 (Parts 1 and 2) 
      Type of Resource: workbooks

      Description: in conjunction with the New Canadian Edition of JUMP Math's teacher resources, Student Assessment & Practice (AP) Book 5 is designed to cover the curriculum for Grade 5 mathematics, with units on:

      • Number Sense
      • Patterns and Algebra
      • Geometry
      • Measurement
      • Probability and Data Management

      NOTE: The New Canadian edition of AP Book 5 is printed in two parts, Book 5.1 and Book 5.2. In order to cover the full curriculum, students will need both parts. 

       

      Note from Curriculum Consultant: The multi-modal approaches to solving math problems presented in this resource can be a benefit to some students, but other students may find this approach confusing and would be better served with a program that presents a consistent approach to solving problems.

       Website

      Choose the correct grade from the dropdown menu on pages with multiple grade options.

      Teacher Resource/Lesson Plans (free when you register online as a Teacher)

      Other Optional or Supplementary Resources

      Table of Contents (free when you register online as a Teacher)

      Sample Pages (free when you register online as a  Parent)

      • Student AP Book 5.1
      • Student AP Book 5.2
      • Grade 5 Problem-Solving Lessons
      • Teacher Resource 5.1
      • Teacher Resource 5.2
      Science
      Biology
      Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy and Physiology Textbook and Student Notebooking Journal Lessons 1 - 8

      Type of Resource: home education student textbook and student notebooking journal (like a workbook)

      Description: From the brain in your head to the nails on your toes, you and your students will encounter fascinating facts, engaging activities, intriguing experiments, and loads of fun as you learn about the human body and how to keep it working well. Beginning with a brief history of medicine and a peek into cells and DNA, your students will voyage through fourteen lessons covering many subjects, such as the body systems: skeletal, muscular, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, nervous and more! They’ll study nutrition and health, how God designed their immune system to protect them, embryology, and what makes them unique creations of God.

      As they work their way through the course, your students will enjoy adding the organs about which they learn to their own personalized human figure to be placed in their course notebook. In addition to all this exploration, your students will enjoy scientific experiments and projects, such as testing the bacteria content around the house, finding their blood type, creating a cell model from Jello and candy, and even building a stethoscope!

      In keeping with the other books in the Apologia elementary science Young Explorer Series, the Charlotte Mason methodology is employed with engaging narratives, narration prompts and notebooking projects, all of which reinforce their learning using proven techniques that strengthen retention.

       

      Website

      Review

      Other Optional or Supplementary Resources

      Table of Contents and PDF Samples:

      Additional Support:

        Chemistry and Physics 

        Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics Textbook by Jeannie Fulbright and Notebooking Journal 

        Chapter 5 addresses grade five chemistry standards; chapter 14 addresses grade five physics standards.

        This resource is recommended to address chemistry and physics standards for grades 3, 5, and 6. A full correlation between Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics and BC's Gr 1 - 6 science standards can be found here.

        Type of Resource: home education curriculum

         

        Description: Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics is part of Apologia’s award-winning Young Explorer Series and a curriculum specifically designed for elementary students. From the laws of motion to electricity and magnetism to the very building blocks of creation, this course is a God-honoring study about some of the most impactful scientific principles that are at work all around us. As your student works through this course, their scientific curiosity and confidence will explode as they engage with the vivid graphics, thought-provoking lessons, and hands-on experiments that will bring theory to life.

         

        Curriculum Overview

        We believe that your child’s education is at its best when their learning begins with curiosity. That’s why this course was designed for elementary students with no prerequisite. We use the practical concepts and things in their world to help them to learn and experience that science isn’t just a class–it’s a means for them to discover their world! 

        Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Chemistry and Physics course is written in a conversational tone, takes complex and abstract concepts, and makes them approachable for curious young minds. As your student engages with the lessons, projects, and experiments, they will better understand the fascinating world of chemistry and physics and the Master Designer who created it all. 


        Throughout this course, they’ll study and explore the basic building blocks of creation, atoms and molecules, simple chemicals, the laws of motion, energy in its many forms, as well as concepts of electricity and magnetism. Your student will get to put their learning to work as they have fun making a bouncy ball, developing a smoke bomb, building a solar oven, constructing a working periscope, fashioning a miniature motor, and creating a lava lamp! 


        Lesson Plans and Materials
        There are 14 lessons in this one-year chemistry and physics course.  Detailed lesson plans and a suggested daily schedule are included in the student notebooking journal (sold separately). This will set you and your student up for success as they work through the course while also providing flexibility to meet the needs of your student and your family.


        Packed with vivid photos and a variety of hands-on activities and experiments that bring chemistry and physics to life, the student textbook and provides engaging hands-on activities to help solidify the concepts learned. The hard-cover textbook and notebooking journals (sold separately) are recommended for your student to make the most of this course. 


        All of the activities and experiments use easy-to-obtain household items and truly make the lessons come alive!

        Website

        Preview and Table of Contents

        Resource Extras

        Earth/Space

        The Geology Book (Wonders of Creation)

        Note: only the first 4 of 8 chapters need to be completed to address content standards. This is not a very costly book.


        Type of Resource: Nonfiction 

        Description: rocks firmly anchored to the ground and rocks floating through space fascinate us. Jewellery, houses and roads are just some of the ways we use what has been made from geologic processes to advance civilization. Whether scrambling over a rocky beach or gazing at spectacular meteor showers, we can’t get enough of geology! The Geology Book will teach you: what really carved the Grand Canyon; how thick the earth’s crust is; why the earth is unique for life; the varied features of the earth’s surface—from plains to peaks; how sedimentary deposition occurs through water, wind and ice; effects of erosion; ways in which sediments become sedimentary rock; fossilization and the age of the dinosaurs; the powerful effects of volcanic activity; continental drift theory; radioisotopes and carbon dating; and geological processes of the past.

         Website

        Other Optional or Supplementary Resources

        ScienceWiz Rocks and Geology Book & Kit (Optional)

        Type of Resource: Science Kit with Book

        Description: This is the WEIGHTIEST ScienceWiz book sold, as it has lots of good-sized rock samples! Eruptive experiments are used to explore the active geology of planet Earth. Relate rocks to the history of the planet and connect the earth’s crust to real rocks through exciting eruptive experiments to foster comprehension.

        20 activities, which include:

        • Mold and slice open a model of the earth
        • Create a lava fountain to explore density
        • Spew your own volcano
        • Make your own pyroclastic eruptions
        • Discover which rocks will float and which will burn
        • Identify, break & display volcanic rocks
        • Sediment your own sedimentary rocks
        • Acid test rocks
        • Explore metamorphic rocks
        • Form fossils

        Website

        Other Optional or Supplementary Resources

        Social Studies

        Human Rights Unit Study Kit

        Type of Resource: HCOS Unit Study Kit

         

        Description: What are human rights, and why are they important? How can we protect human rights in Canada? How can we protect human rights around the world? What does the Bible have to say about human rights? You and your student will be investigating these and many other fascinating questions about human rights in this exciting unit! You will be able to investigate historical injustices, create your own treatise on human rights, design a brochure about children’s rights, play the Time Shuffle historical game, create a project on the history of Chinese Canadians, analyze the Japanese internment during World War II, engage with technology, tell stories with stop-motion animation, research and create a dynamic presentation, take a virtual tour of Ellis Island, make your own heritage fair project, learn about the sad history of Canadian Residential schools, and much more! You will be able to read engaging books, watch fun and fantastic videos, play games, make crafts, and choose from dozens of projects to create the ultimate self-directed learning experience for your fifth grader. This kit is divided into sections based around driving questions. You will have the opportunity to choose your materials and projects in each section of the kit. The materials, projects, and activities contained in the kit have been carefully selected to address the big ideas, competencies, and content of BC's Modernized Curriculum.

         

        Download the Unit Study Guide

        Borrow Physical Kit

        BC Land and People by Apple Press

        Type of Resource: Consumable Workbook


        Description: This reproducible activity book is about Canada's Pacific province. Topics include a cross-section of British Columbia, the Cordillera, climate, the Fraser River system, preserving a temperate rainforest and natural resources, Indigenous place names, a traditional winter lodge, the gold rush, fruit growing, copper mining, Pacific Rim National Park, the capital, Victoria and emblems of British Columbia.


        The self-directing activities are designed to help students acquire a knowledge of Canada's basic geography and social history. Numerous map activities are a part of the book, and map skills are developed, such as plotting a route, interpreting symbols, and using a scale to calculate distance. Pictures and charts are used to clarify and enhance the content. Activities such as crossword puzzles and quizzes are used for review. The answers to the activities and outline maps for the teacher or student use are included at the end of the book.

        Coming to Canada by Robert Livesy

        Type of Resource: student textbook

        Description: This textbook of 160 pages contains personal stories of 42 young people aged 8 to 25 who left their native countries to come to Canada. It describes their reasons for leaving, why they (or their parents) chose Canada, the problems that they encountered on the way here, the immediate culture shock when they arrived, their adjustment to their new environment, the problems and advantages that they discovered and their opinions of Canada today.

        Note from Curriculum Consultant: This resource could cross over into some English language arts standards as it includes hundreds of Topics for Discussion and Creative Challenges that will inform students about their new multicultural citizens and the advantages of living in Canada as seen by new Canadians.

        Website

        Canadian Government by Classroom Complete Press 

        Type of Resource: Workbook


        Description: travel back to Confederation to see how Canada became a new nation.  This resource breaks down the responsibilities and parts of the federal government. Recognize that Canada is a democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with the head of state being the King or Queen. Read the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms before writing your own Constitution for a new country. Create a presentation on one of the departments the federal government is responsible for, such as national defence or the post office. Understand that Canada is comprised of provinces and territories, and each has its own government under the federal system. Jump into the political process to elect the next Prime Minister and see how a majority of minority government affects his or her leadership. Written to Bloom's Taxonomy. Additional writing tasks, crosswords, word searches, comprehension quizzes, and answer keys are also included. Gr. 5-8; reading level Gr. 3-4.

         

        Video Overview

        Website

        PDF Samples (shown as photos on this site)

        Bible/Christian Studies

        Who Am I? And What Am I Doing Here? by David Webb and John Hay 

        Type of Resource: textbook

         

        Description: helps children understand what it means to be fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of the Most High God. Students will develop a healthy, biblical self-image based on the truths taught in this second book in the What We Believe Series.

        Students will develop a healthy, biblical self-image based on these truths:

        • God made me in His image and crowned me with glory
        • He has given me special gifts and a unique purpose in life
        • I can creatively express God’s love
        • I am meant to think about beautiful and praiseworthy things, especially God and His Word
        • I must make decisions based on God’s truth
        • I can always know the wise thing to do
        • I must cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in my life
        • I am a beloved child of God whose true identity is found in Christ.

        Website

        Review

        Table of Contents and Sample Pages

         

        Note from Curriculum Consultant: this resource is most suitable for Grades 4-8 students but could be used for children as young as 6 and as old as 14 in a multi-grade learning environment. This resource could be used for family devotions and discussions.