5th Grade - Writing & Spelling

Writing Focus

*6 Traits (Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Ideas)

*Writing process

*Modes of Writing: Poetry, Persuasive, Creative Fiction, Narrative, Informative, and Expository

We start our day with a Mini Lesson which will introduce something to practice in our writing. This usually involves a mentor text. Often times before we sit down to write a piece, we turn and talk to a neighbor to share our thoughts. Students find this a great way to get their pencil moving! While they write, the teacher will conference with the students to discuss their creative pieces. We make time at the end of class to share. This is a great time for the class to discuss specific details that enhanced that student's writing.

We typically begin our year with a unit centered around the collection of "seed ideas." These ideas will be referenced throughout the year as students search for topics to write on during our workshop time. After this first unit, we will dive into informative writing and research!

Students will be given twenty spelling words each week. During the school week, our class will work on practice activities centered around the week's spelling skill. Our primary goal is to have students carry over their new understandings into their reading and writing work. Students will be assessed by their weekly practice work.

Spelling will be further assessed when students publish their writing this year. As students edit, classroom resources such as our one to one iPads can be utilized to find the correct spelling.