Welcome to 505!

Journal Responses

The class will begin most days with a guided journal response. Each student will be responsible for keeping an organized response journal that includes the date, title, and 3-4 sentence response for each day. Students are responsible for making up any missed responses because of an absence or any other reason they were unable to finish the assignment. Journal prompts will be posted in Google classroom and will be available at any time to check. Journals will be collected at a minimum of two times per semester to be used as a formative assessment.

Writing Components

Each unit is broken down into two separate modules (A and B) with a specific writing focus in each. Short lessons will develop the skills necessary to complete the larger writing piece as well as the PBA (performance-based assessment) that will be assessed during the trimester. Below is the list of writing style that will be focused on during each unit and module.

Unit 1 Module A - Writing a Narrative

Unit 1 Module B - Informative Writing

Unit 2 Module A - Opinion Writing

Unit 2 Module B - Informative/Explanatory Task

Unit 3 Module A - Narrative Science Fiction

Unit 3 Module B - Informative/Explanatory Task

What kind of writing are we going to start the year with?

The first module in unit 1 will focus on narrative writing. The instructional focus of the lessons will develop the writers' overall knowledge of a narrative piece of writing including the elements crucial to the narrative arc. We will begin with the exposition (developing characters, setting, conflict) before moving in to higher level ideas like pacing, theme, and point of view. The class will create small writing pieces for each element building up to a final narrative piece. This piece will be a reflection of the learning that has taken place throughout the module.

Each lesson will typically include a small group discussion/check in, a mini lesson that focuses on a specific writing skill, and then time to write.

Standards and Targets for Trimester 1!

The learning standards listed below are what students will be assessed on throughout the first trimester. These are the priority standards that you will see on the report cards. I will also be working on non-priority standards to build their reading comprehension.

Learning targets listed below refer to a "Level 3" on the scale, meaning 'at grade level'. When introducing a skill, I first explain each level of the scale so that students have a solid understanding of what the expectations are to attain a 2, 3, or 4. I will typically begin with the "Level 2" on the scale as a whole class introduction, and then work my way up to that "Level 3". As students show understanding or need to be challenged, "Level 4" expectations and assignments will be explained and provided.

W.5.3 - Write narrative stories from real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details, and clear even sequences.
W.5.4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
W.5.5 - With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
W.5.10 - Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
SL.5.1 - Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
SL.5.4 - Report on a topic or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes: speak clearly at an understandable pace.
L.5.1 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.5.2 - Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

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