Sudan ISD Teacher Instructional Plan
Teacher: Joyce Welty joycewelty@sudanisd.net
Campus: Sudan Elementary
806-227-2431
Course Title: 5th-6th ELAR
School Year: 2026-2027
You are expected to come to class prepared. All students should use the bathroom, go to their lockers, and sharpen their pencils before class starts. I will dismiss you at the end of each class period.
Cell Phones Policy
Cell phones and smart watches must be TURNED OFF and PUT IN LOCKERS for the entire duration of the class. Disciplinary action will be taken if any device is used in the classroom without permission.
Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of engaging and enriching activities designed to support their learning, growth, and overall development.
Short Constructed Responses
Extended Constructed Responses
Vocabulary Enrichment
Grammar Practice
Spelling Practice
The information provided is intended as a general guide and may be adjusted as needed to accommodate individual student needs and circumstances.
1st Six Weeks: Grades 5-6
Forces of the Sky: Texas Weather, Water, and Watersheds Across Genres
Materials Used:
Ranch Life Weather John Erickson
Texas Weather: An Anthology of Poetry, Short Fiction, and Nonfiction (selected excerpts) Terry Dalyrymple and Laurence Musgrove, Editors
Video: Playas: The Water Oasis of the High Plains (Ogallala Commons)
Other Selected Readings
Essential Questions
How do Texas’s geography, climate, and the water cycle shape the physical landscape and the lived experiences of its residents?
How do authors across different genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama) use structure, imagery, and style to depict nature's power?
How do microclimates, playa lakes, and extreme weather events (droughts, flash floods, and blizzards) affect agricultural communities, wildlife, and ecosystems in Texas?
In what ways do human perspectives on weather differ when conveyed through objective informational texts versus subjective literary works?
Nonfiction / Informational Text: Analyze characteristics and structural patterns of informational text (e.g., central idea, cause-and-effect organizational patterns, objective summary). Analyze central ideas and the author's purpose.
Fiction: Analyze plot elements, character development, setting as a driving force, and the author's use of figurative language and imagery in narrative prose. Analyze how severe weather and regional climate serve as the primary antagonist in Texas fiction. Track plot pacing, rising action, and climax during sudden weather crises. Evaluate character development, dialogue, and point of view under harsh climate conditions.
Poetry: Analyze rhythm, figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification), sensory imagery, and tone in poetry. Analyze poetic structure, stanza forms, and shifts in tone when sudden fronts strike.
Drama: Analyze how playwrights develop characters and plot through dialogue, stage directions, scene transitions, and conflict.
Vocabulary & Inquiry: Use context, roots, and affixes to determine word meaning. Develop inquiry and research skills.
Scope Magazine Articles
September 11
"Into the Choking Smoke" is a true story feature article from Scholastic Scope detailing the experiences of a New York City firefighter on September 11, 2001.
TEKS
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Analyze characteristics and structural elements of informational text (e.g., central idea, author's purpose, chronological structure).
Explain how the author's use of language contributes to voice, tone, and mood.
Use context clues, structural analysis, and reference materials to determine the meaning of grade-level, domain-specific academic vocabulary.
Make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and the larger community.
Essential Questions
What is the central idea of the article "Into the Choking Smoke"?
Based on the firefighter's account in the article, what can the reader infer about the environment inside and around the towers?
Read this phrase from the article: "into the choking smoke..." Why does the author use sensory language like "choking smoke" throughout the feature article?
The History & Evolution of Money
· Texts: "The History of Money" & "The Evolution of Money" (Scholastic Scope, September Issue)
· TEKS
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Synthesize information to create new understanding across two texts.
Analyze characteristics and structural elements of informational text, including central ideas and author’s purpose.
Use context clues to determine the meaning of technical vocabulary.
PAIRED INFORMATIONAL TEXT UNIT SYLLABUS
Essential Questions
1. What synthesis statement best combines the core message of both "The History of Money" and "The Evolution of Money"?
2. Based on the context clues in the following passage, what does the term barter mean?
Read this paragraph from "The History of Money":
"Before metal coins existed, early communities relied on barter. A farmer might trade a sack of grain for a neighbor's woolen blanket. However, this required a 'coincidence of wants'—both people had to desire what the other possessed, making everyday commerce unpredictable."
3. How does "The Evolution of Money" build upon the central idea introduced in "The History of Money"?
4. What can the reader infer about the author's purpose in writing both feature articles?
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2nd Six Weeks
"The Mystery of Roanoke: How could an entire village of people just disappear?" by Allison Friedman (Scholastic Scope Magazine)
Unit Focus: Analyzing informational non-fiction, evaluating supporting evidence, identifying central ideas, and drawing logical inferences from historical mysteries.
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as note taking, annotating, freewriting, or illustrating.
Analyze characteristics and structural patterns of informational text, including clear thesis statement, strong supporting evidence, and organizational patterns (e.g., cause-and-effect, problem-and-solution).
Analyze the author's purpose, audience, and message within a text.
Analyze the author's use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.
Use print or digital resources to determine the meaning, syllabication, pronunciation, word origin, and part of speech of a word.
Use context to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words or technical terms.
Determine the meaning and usage of grade-level academic English words derived from Greek and Latin roots or affixes
UNIT STRU 5th grade Watsons Go to Birmingham
· Family, Resilience, and Change: Navigating Personal and Historical Conflict
Essential Questions
How does setting (time, geographic place, and historical context) shape character motivations, decisions, and conflicts?
How do authors balance humor, tragedy, and perspective to explore complex themes like family dynamics and racial injustice?
In what ways do characters transform when confronted with internal trauma and external crisis?
How do literary devices (figurative language, symbolism, dynamic dialogue, and point of view) enhance an author's message and tone?
TEKS
Plot Elements & Structure: Analyze non-linear plot development, foreshadowing, subplots, and climax.
Character Development & Relationships: Analyze how characters change as a result of internal/external conflicts and how relationships influence plot.
Setting & Historical Context: Analyze how setting (including historical/cultural backdrop) influences character traits, tone, and plot progression.
Point of View & Perspective: Identify and analyze first-person point of view, narrator reliability, and how perspective shapes meaning.
Author’s Purpose, Craft, & Tone: Analyze word choice, figurative language (hyperbole, metaphors, symbolism), mood, and conversational tone.
Theme Analysis: Infer multiple themes using evidence across the text.
6th Grade: Guts by Gary Paulsen
Nonfiction / Autobiography & Memoir / Informational Text
Survival, Perseverance, and Resilience
The Unforgiving Power of Nature
Essential Questions
1. How do an author's real-life experiences shape the central ideas and messages in their writing?
2. How do the structural features and purpose of a memoir differ from fictional adventure stories?
3. How does an author’s choice of language, tone, and text structure convey a realistic sense of survival?
TEKS Skills Matrix
Memoir/Autobiography: Analyze characteristics and structural elements of informational text, including memoirs and autobiographies (e.g., first-person perspective, reflection, life-changing events, connection between real life and fiction).
Informational Text: Analyze characteristics and structural elements of informational text, including text structures (cause/effect, problem/solution, chronological/sequential) and graphic features.
Author's Purpose & Message: Explain the author's purpose and message within a text.
Synthesis & Connections: Analyze how the author's use of language contributes to mood, tone, and voice.
Inferences: Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Central Idea & Summarizing: Evaluate details read to determine key ideas and synthesize information to create logical summaries.
Context Clues: Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words.
3rd Six Weeks
DRAMA Robin Hood 2.0 by Scholastic Scope Magazine. A modern adaptation of the classic legend featuring Robin, a talented young coder who uses ethical hacking skills to expose corruption and redistribute resources.
TEKS Covered
Use context (e.g., in-context definitions, paraphrasing, examples, bulleted lists, antonyms, synonyms) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.
Analyze how characters' motivations and behaviors drive the plot and contribute to the theme.
Analyze non-linear plot elements such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, subplots, and parallel plot structures.
Analyze characteristics and structural patterns of informational/literary texts, including the author's message and theme across modern adaptations.
Analyze the author's purpose and message within a text.
Model legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology.
"I Have Autism" paired informational article and personal narrative from Scholastic Scope Magazine
Neurodiversity, personal lived experiences, and overcoming societal misconceptions regarding autism spectrum disorder.
TEKS Covered
Use context (e.g., in-context definitions, paraphrasing, examples, bulleted lists, antonyms, synonyms) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Make connections to personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and the larger community.
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.
Analyze linear plot development and character traits/perspectives within personal narratives.
Analyze characteristics and structural patterns of informational text.
Analyze the author's purpose, audience, and message within and across texts.
Identify central ideas, key details, and graphic feature purposes in an informational piece.
Identify Voice, tone, and character/author perspective in personal narrative.
Compare how an informational text and a personal narrative convey a shared message using different structural techniques.
"Offline" from Scholastic Scope Magazine When a sudden blackout cuts off all screens, small moments of discomfort turn into unexpected human connections as characters navigate life without digital devices.
Use context (e.g., in-context definitions, paraphrasing, examples, bulleted lists, antonyms, synonyms) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.
Analyze non-linear plot elements such as flashbacks, foreshadowing, subplots, and parallel plot structures.
Analyze how characters' motivations and behaviors drive the plot and contribute to the theme.
Analyze characteristics and structural patterns of literary text, including theme and conflict resolution.
Analyze the author's purpose and message within a text.
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4th Six Weeks
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Set in Denmark during World War II, ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen and her family risk everything to help her Jewish best friend, Ellen Rosen, escape Nazi persecution.
TEKS Covered
Use context (e.g., in-context definitions, paraphrasing, examples, bulleted lists, antonyms, synonyms) to determine or clarify the meaning of unfamiliar or multiple-meaning words.
Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.
Analyze plot elements, including rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Analyze relationships, motivations, and changes within and across characters.
Infer multiple themes within a text using text evidence.
Analyze the author's purpose and message within a text.
Analyze organizational patterns and structural elements in literary texts.
Other Scope articles that deal with the Holocaust:
"Escape From Darkness"
"Courage in a Time of Terror" narrative nonfiction
"The Girl Who Lived Forever" / Anne Frank Excerpts paired texts
"Teens Against Hitler" / "The Children Who Escaped the Nazis" paired texts
Begin STAAR review.
5th Six Weeks
STAAR Review
In order for our class to get off to a great start, students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to learn. Before class begins, please take care of personal needs, such as using the restroom, getting materials needed from your locker, and sharpening pencils. At the end of each class period, I will dismiss students.
Cell phones and smart watches must be turned off and kept in lockers for the entire class period.
If a device is used during class without permission, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with school expectations.
Thank you for helping us create a focused, respectful, and positive learning environment!