Here is a preview of the journey ahead of us this year!

📚 What We Will Explore in Reading

This year, we will dive into a rich variety of books, genres, and real-world topics. Together, we will:

• Read Independently: Build a lifelong habit of reading by choosing books that spark your curiosity and passion.

• Join Book Clubs & Partnerships: Collaborate with peers to talk about stories, debate character choices, and share your favorite reads.

• Study Characters & Themes Deeply: Go beyond the surface to analyze complex character motivations, relationships, and central themes.

• Explore Real-World Change-Makers: Read inspiring informational texts about young people around the globe who are making a positive difference in our world.

• Journey Through History: Immerse ourselves in World War II historical fiction to explore resilience, courage, and human connection across history.

• Discover the Art of Drama: Learn how playwrights use dialogue, staging, and conflict to tell powerful stories on the page and stage.

📝 What We Will Create in Writing

Writing is one of the most powerful ways to share your unique perspective with the world. This year, you will:

• Craft Powerful Life Stories: Write vivid personal narratives and memoirs that bring your own experiences and memories to life.

• Write Informational & Argumentative Essays: Learn how to research, build strong arguments, organize compelling evidence, and persuade your audience.

• Write & Perform Original Plays: Combine your knowledge of drama and creative writing to draft original theatrical scripts and perform them with your classmates!

🔤 Grammar, Vocabulary, & Word Study

To strengthen our reading comprehension and enhance our writing craft, we will regularly engage in word study. We will investigate word origins, roots, prefixes, and suffixes, expand our vocabulary, and master key grammar concepts that help us express our ideas with clarity, precision, and style.

Homework should not take more than 15 minutes to complete.

• Almost every week, students will have an IXL lesson, iReady lesson, or a Khan Academy assignment. it will be due on Thursdays.

• When students are not spending their 15 minutes doing a lesson, they should spend the time reading. Each student has a reading log at the back of their ELA notebook to track their reading.  If they don't have their NB at home, jot page # to start and page # at end on a sticky note to be transferred to the log later.

• During vocabulary weeks, students will have a vocabulary assignment due on Thursday. They should also study the words because the quiz will be Friday (or the last day of the week).

Please refer to the Academic Planners for homework assignments, quizzes/tests, or any other assignments for that week.