Fifth Class
Fifth Class is the second last year in primary school. Children in Fifth Class are aged 10-11 years old. The school day for children in Fifth Class lasts from 8:45-14:25. In Fifth Class, the children partake in 12 subject areas. Where appropriate, teachers will link some of these subject areas in a thematic approach. Children study the 3 core subjects every day. For more information on how you can help your child in Fifth Class please see some advice from the NCCA.
Writing: Children will develop and apply their knowledge of conventions of different writing genres and become very consistent in their application of spelling rules and conventions of print such as capitalisation and use of punctuation.
Reading: The focus on fluency, understanding of print conventions and comprehension continues from previous years. Comprehension has a particular focus on higher order skills such as analysing, making connections and inferring or “reading between the lines”.
Oral language: Focus on broadening vocabulary and developing higher order thinking skills: explaining, defending, justifying, clarifying.
Oral Language: Oral language is the foundation of learning in Gaeilge. Children continue to learn different language functions to allow them to use the language for communication.
Reading: Focus on recognising and fluency in pronunciation of words and comprehension of short texts.
Writing: Continued focus on learning to write and spell words already in the child’s vocabulary. Children develop their understanding of grammar through learning the forms of the different tenses.
Areas covered: Number, Algebra, Shape and Space, Measures, Data. Introduction of new concepts and skills based on previous learning: Long Division, Percentages, Positive and Negative Numbers, Comparing and calculating angles.
Social, Personal and Health Education
In Fifth Class, children will learn about human reproduction for the first time. This is a logical next step from what they have learned about human development and puberty in Fourth Class and builds on the understanding of the human body they have been developing since they started school. If you would like more information on this, the Busy Bodies programme is an excellent resource developed by the HSE for parents and teachers of children aged 10-14.
Suggested books for children in Fifth Class. Children’s Books Ireland also issues Reading Guides to newly published books every year, arranged by theme and age.