In grade 5 we have 4 formal units of study.
The first focuses on identifying and analyzing themes in realistic fiction, a genre that students are very familiar with. This unit is based upon Lucy Calkins' Interpretation Book Clubs and operates on the premise that fifth graders are ready for a reading growth spurt and are capable of taking their reading work further than every before. It delves into the hard work of reading from the beginning, setting the tone for the rigorous work students are expected to do throughout the year. It includes writing about reading in a a non-formulaic way with the ideas that thoughts are crystallized and clarified and comprehension is deepened when ideas are written down. Students will learn how to support their ideas with evidence, which is based upon the content of the text as well as on the author's craft. In the book clubs, students learn to discuss their unique interpretations of texts and practice respectfully debating ideas about theme, later comparing and contrasting how similar themes are conveyed in multiple tests. paying particular attention to the role of the author's choice an craft. This is a fiction unit.
Overview:
Our second unit is based on Lucy Calkins' Tackling Complexity: Moving Up Levels of Nonfiction. This unit is integrated with our social studies unit Ancient Egypt. Student goals include monitoring for meaning and using fix-up strategies. Each student will also embark on his/her own independent interest inquiry project, beginning with primary research to build background knowledge and working up to a variety of sources. Each child learns to synthesize across subtopics, identify multiple main ideas and finally consider and question the source, ultimately forming their own perspective to be shared with an authentic audience in a culminating activity.