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; sometimes it is the first year of middle school; in Canada and other parts of the United States it is next-to-last. Students in this grade are normally 10 or 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 vulgar 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 music, most classes start or continue recorders. Sometimes called the flutaphone.
• In P.E. (physical education) some schools start sexual education.

United Kingdom

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

Scotland

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

See also

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• Education in England
• Education in Scotland

Educational years