By Marnie Leif

Pacelli fifth-grade teacher

The fifth grade curriculum at Pacelli Catholic Schools incorporates every component of the school’s philosophy: faith, scholarship, and service. By teaching strong study habits and skills, the long-term goal is to prepare students for middle school by helping them develop into independent and responsible learners.

The total development of each child is stressed: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical through strong academic courses, enrichment opportunities, and leadership. The fifth grade puts a strong emphasis on leadership. Leadership builds character, helps students take ownership of their school, and builds a sense of community and school spirit. We teach that leadership is doing the right thing without being asked. It is helping others in need and guiding others on the right path. Leaders set good examples for others by being good role models. Leaders stand up for others even when it may be the hardest thing to do

Pacelli fifth graders are provided with the opportunity to practice leadership every single day. We want all fifth graders to graduate from Pacelli Elementary School and enter middle school as strong leaders and role models who are good listeners, honest, generous, and strong communicators. Fifth graders are taught that anyone can be a leader. Any child can help others and help their school. Even though the qualities of a leader are many, the fifth graders at Pacelli focus on four main characteristics; setting a good example, being a team player, practicing confident communication, and teaching a strong work ethic.

The first characteristic of a strong leader is to set a good example. As school leaders, fifth graders understand the importance of accountability through leading by example. One of the greatest responsibilities the fifth graders have to set a good example is with their first grade reading buddies. Students meet once a week to read together, help with reading skills, and share a love of reading. The fifth graders love the sense of responsibility they feel for their younger buddies. They are able to practice their own skills of cooperation and collaboration with a younger child. They have opportunities to practice taking turns, sharing knowledge, listening to each other, and praising one another.

The second characteristic of a strong leader is learning to be a team player. This is achieved through encouragement in team activities. 5th graders are provided with several opportunities to learn valuable lessons about teamwork through team activities. For example, they can participate in band, orchestra, and/or Clover Choir. These music activities teach future leaders time management, cooperation with others, and patience. They increase a sense of responsibility because students need to learn the importance of mastering individual musical parts for the success of the whole piece. These activities also teach the discipline of practice. Math Masters is another team activity fitth graders can participate in. Math Masters challenge students to use critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities. Students learn to develop and understand concepts through discussion and explanation. They learn the importance of giving and receiving positive feedback, and they learn to develop stronger communication skills to problem solve. 5th graders are also provided with several situations in academic areas to work on group projects. Group projects help students develop skills of collaboration. Students learn to delegate roles and responsibilities, and to hold one another (and themselves) accountable.

The third characteristic of building a strong leader is confident communication. The fifth graders are given the opportunity to practice confident communication by being put into situations that call for order and speaking directly to others. This will help them gain confidence in themselves and communicate what they need. Fifth graders practice communication skills by reading parts at weekly Mass, delivering science fair and reading fair presentations, classroom speeches during language arts class, leading morning announcements for the school, and speaking to other classes about upcoming service projects. Other communication opportunities are provided during our daily morning meetings. The morning meeting gives each student the opportunity to speak and share their opinions in a safe environment. The morning meeting is designed to set the tone for respectful learning, to establish a climate of trust, to motivate students to feel that they belong, to create empathy, and to encourage collaboration. A leader must communicate effectively in a wide variety of situations.

The final leadership quality that we focus on is a strong work ethic. Leaders are made through hard work. Pacelli fifth graders are encouraged to work daily on their academics, but they are also encouraged to work through service projects.  We want students to develop the understanding that having a strong work ethic and giving 100 percent of yourself in your work, fosters self-sufficiency and a strong self-esteem. Fifth graders organize the recycling in the elementary building. They have designed posters to display in each of the classrooms, reminding students which materials are recyclable. Each week they collect the recycling bins from the classrooms and sort the materials.

Fifth graders also lead the annual food drive during the month of November. Food is collected for the food shelf at the Salvation Army. Students collect food daily from the classrooms and encourage others to donate. Work provides us with the joy of helping others.

At Pacelli we have the rewarding task of raising the next generation of leaders. Each of these qualities that we focus on will not only create better leaders, but can help the students perform better in school and develop better personal relationships throughout life. Providing students with the opportunity to lead shows them that they can be an influence in the lives of others, while teaching accountability and confidence. At Pacelli we are sure to graduate future leaders who received a strong foundation in fifth grade.

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278.