In fifth grade, students work to master multiplication and division of whole numbers. Following the mastery of multiplication facts in fourth grade, they continue to practice multiplication and are expected to master the corresponding division facts by the end of the year. Fifth graders develop strategies and algorithms for multi-digit computation. All students work on factors and multiples as well as increasing their understanding of the relationship among fractions, decimals, and percents.

Fifth grade children work on data, developing an understanding that the shape of data on bar graphs and line plots helps describe information. Geometry and measurement work includes describing and classifying 2-D shapes, describing and measuring angles, and finding the area and perimeter of rectangles and right triangles.

Changes for the 2009-2010 School Year
Some of the units listed below are supplemented with materials from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Bridges in Mathematics to meet curricular gaps caused by changes in the State of Washington math standards. New curricula that strongly match the new standards are being piloted this year and are expected to be adopted and implemented in the fall of 2010.

Computational fluency in fifth grade
The computing skills that fifth graders will learn and be able to do easily by the end of the year: Fifth Grade Computation Strategies