Language Arts

This year in Language Arts we will be focusing on four main components:

+ Writing- Using the Units of Study in Writing by Lucy Calkins- Opinion, Narrative and Argumentative

+ Language acquisition- grammar, figurative language, and sentence structure

+ Vocabulary- Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes and roots

+ Spelling- No Excuse High Frequency words as well as utilizing words in all content areas

Spelling City supports our practice of Greek and Latin Roots as well as No Excuse Spelling Words

Greek and Latin Roots/ Vocabulary Development:

"Know One Root, Know Many Words"

English literally has its roots in Latin and Greek. Over 60 percent of English words have Latin or Greek root words. In the realm of science and technology, that number increases to 90%!

The theory behind teaching Latin and Greek prefixes, suffixes, and bases, which some teachers are doing with children as young as first grade, is that it helps build vocabulary more quickly than learning definitions of individual words.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.B

I can use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).

Root 1 PED = foot

Root 2 MAN, MANU, = hand

Root 3 SPEC = look, see

Root 4 DICT = speak

Root 5 JECT = throw

Root 6 SECT = cut, separate

Root 7 PORT = carry

Root 8 MISS, MIT = send

Root 9 GRAPH = writing

Root 10 SCRIB, SCRIPT = write

Root 11 CRED = believe

Root 12 JUR, JUS, JUD = law

Root 13 BEN, BENE, BON = good

Root 14 BIO = life

Root 15 MAL, MALE = bad

Root 16 VIT, VIV = life

Root 17 FLECT, FLEX = bend

Root 18 Frail, fract, frag = shatter

Root 19 Junct, join, jug = join, meet, link

Root 20 Rupt = break

Root 21 Cede, ceed cess = go ,yield

Root 22 Ver, vers= turn

Root 23 Tract = pull

Root 24 Struct = build

Root 25 THERM = heat

Root 26 Phon, phono, phone = voice

Root 27 TER, TERRA, GEO = land, earth

Root 28 Naut, naus, nav = relating to ships, the sea and travels

I can statements for English Language Arts

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1.A I can explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections in general and their function in particular sentences.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1 I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1.B I can form and use the perfect (e.g., I had walked; I have walked; I will have walked) verb tenses.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1.C I can use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1.D I can recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.*
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.1.E I can use correlative conjunctions (e.g., either/or, neither/nor).
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2 I can demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2.A I can use punctuation to separate items in a series.*
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2.B I can use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2.C I an use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It's true, isn't it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?).
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2.D I can use underlining, quotation marks, or italics to indicate titles of works.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.3. I can expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4 I can determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.A I can use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.B I can use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.4.C I can consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5 I can demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.A I can interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.B I can recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.5.C I can use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.6 I can acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.5.2.E I can spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed.

Figurative Language Ideas