Learning with Purpose: Grades 3-5
Third Grade: Deepening Inquiry and Imagination
Third graders step into greater independence, applying foundational skills in new and creative ways. They strengthen reading fluency, deepen comprehension, and express ideas through writing. Math instruction focuses on place value, multiplication, division, and fractions, with an emphasis on problem-solving and real-world applications.
A highlight of the year is an interdisciplinary unit on animal adaptations and sustainable mass transit. Students investigate how animals have evolved to thrive in their environments, then draw parallels between those traits and human innovation. Using their research, they design a transit system inspired by animal adaptations like buses modeled after fish gills or trains influenced by bird wings. They integrate reading, writing, math, science, and engineering to create scaled schematics and models. Social-emotional learning supports collaboration, communication, and empathy throughout the process.
Fourth Grade: Connecting to Place and Perspective
Fourth grade centers on the rich geography, ecology, and history of the Pacific Northwest. Students explore natural events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and learn about the region’s landforms and ecosystems. A key focus is honoring Indigenous perspectives and understanding how history continues to shape communities today.
Students raise salmon in the classroom and release them at a local hatchery, connecting science, stewardship, and storytelling. Writing becomes a tool for reflection and advocacy, while math skills are applied to real-world data and regional analysis. SEL remains central, helping students develop empathy, resilience, and a strong sense of connection to their community.
Fifth Grade: Expanding Horizons and Impact
Fifth grade is a culminating year that broadens students’ focus from local to global. Through the study of U.S. government and civics, students explore how systems function and how individuals can effect change. They also examine current events and global issues, guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In book groups, students engage with diverse stories that foster empathy and critical thinking. The year ends with a capstone project, where each student selects an SDG and designs a research and action project, combining reading, writing, math, presentation skills, and reflection. Fifth graders leave Meridian with a strong sense of purpose and a growing understanding of their role in the world.
