Literacy

Shared Reading:

Students read grade-level texts, both fiction and nonfiction, as a chance to practice specific reading comprehension skills and strategies. They work in triads (groups of 3) to read, discuss, and write about the texts.

Differentiated Reading Instruction:

All fifth graders receive targeted reading instruction based on the particular skills they need throughout the year: fluency-, vocabulary-, and/or comprehension-based. This is delivered through flexible small groups that read a variety of texts.

Independent Reading:

Students will have a chance daily to read a book of their choice that meets their interest and reading level, while also practicing discussing their reading with an adult, and applying reading skills and strategies.

Writing:

Opinion/Persuasive Essays: Students focus on organizing their writing by crafting strong thesis statements, clearly grouping their reasons into separate paragraphs, and using transition words to effectively move from one idea to the next.

Literary Essays: Students practice using text evidence, studying character, determining theme, and analyzing texts through precise writing.

Realistic Fiction: Students work to create and develop stories and characters that feel real and believable.

Informational Essays: Students focus on organizing their writing by using headings and topic sentences to clearly structure their information. Another emphasis will be to effectively research, cite sources, and put information into their own words.

Word Work:

Throughout the year, students will determine meanings of word parts (roots, prefixes, suffixes), apply these meanings to new or unknown words, and build vocabulary.