5th Grade

5th Grade has two, one hour ELA blocks of instruction. The first hour focuses on creating authentic learning experiences through literacy by incorporating Science and Social Studies Standards into in depth learning modules. The second hour is an Additional Literacy and Language Block, known as ALL Block, which gives additional small group time with grammar, fluency, vocabulary, independent reading, and spelling . They have four overarching topics of study through the school year. The first module of study focuses on human rights and how character respond when those rights are threatened.

Unit 1:  Students begin the year by building knowledge of human rights through the story, Esperanza Rising. They simultaneously tackle unfamiliar vocabulary while studying articles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Unit 2:  Both texts are continued in unit 2 as students make connections to Esperanza Rising and the UDHR. They will also discuss characters' reactions and write a two-voice poem to express the characters' feelings.

Unit 3:  Students bring all of their knowledge together in unit 3 to study a specific event that human rights were threatened and write a monologue from the perspective of the character in Esperanza Rising. They work with peers to revise their monologues and add a director's note that explains the human right being threatened and present their monologues to an audience. 

Guiding Questions:

1. What are human rights, and how can they be threatened?

2. How can we use writing to raise awareness of human rights issues?

Module 3 studies athletes like Jackie Robinson and Jim Abbot who have been Leaders of Social Change. Students learn about these, along with other athletes who have been leaders, and what factors led to their success.

Unit 1:  Students begin by reading the text, Promises to Keep. This book helps students explore the factors that led to Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier and the different events that led to his success.

Unit 2:  Once students have grappled with the different factors that led to Jackie Robinson's success, they start to break down which factors were the most important. Students will work through different texts and videos comparing author's and speaker's points of view, and then come to their own conclusion to write an opinion essay on the topic.

Unit 3:  Students will now research and gain knowledge about Jim Abbot and the factors that led to his success in leading social change for athletes with disabilities. They will compare and contrast those factors with the factors studied ion unit 2 with Jackie Robinson, and create a poster highlighting qualities leaders need to have.

Guiding Questions:

1. How have athletes broken barriers during the historical era in which they lived?

2. What factors can contribute to an individual's success in a changing society?