In Grade 5, multilingual learners in ELD/ESL classes continue to strengthen their skills as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners while exploring meaningful topics from science and social studies. ESL class does not replace classroom instruction—rather, it supports and develops language so students can participate fully and confidently in all subjects. Grade 5 unit topics include: Moving to a New Country; The Power of the Sun; Plants, Animals, and Ecosystems.
Our Multilingual (ML) teachers implement an ESL Curriculum using National Geographic Reach Higher resources to provide rich stories, visuals, and informational texts. Lessons are designed with the WIDA Standards Framework, which guides how students grow in social and academic English across listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Students will explain what it means to move to a new country and how it can change someone’s life.
Students will describe the feelings and challenges people experience when they leave one place and start over in another.
Students will identify the main ideas and details in stories about migration.
Students will share their own thoughts and connections clearly in speaking and writing.
Students will use new vocabulary to talk about moving, identity, and belonging.
How can I describe the feelings people might have when starting a new life in a new place?
How can I find and share the most important ideas in stories about migration?
How does moving to a new country change a person’s life, identity, and sense of belonging?
How can I connect migration stories to my own life or family experiences?
What happens when someone leaves one place and starts life in another?
How might people feel when they move to a new country?
What was the main message of a story you read about someone moving?
Can you think of someone in our family, or someone we know, who moved to a new place? What was their experience?
What new words did you learn to describe moving and belonging?
Suggested Activities:
Read Together in Any Language
Read a book in your home language or in English about moving, migration, or being in a new place.
Pause and Ask: What was the main idea of the story? How did the person feel about moving? What lesson or message can we learn from their experience?
Family Storytelling
Share a family story (or one from a friend/neighbor) about moving from one place to another.
Have your child retell the story in your home language or in English.
Feelings Chart or Talk
With your child, make a chart of possible feelings connected to moving (excited, nervous, proud, lonely, happy).
Write them in English and/or your home language.
Practice sentences: “People feel ____ when they move because ____.”
Students will explain how people from different cultures have told stories and myths about the sun.
Students will describe how scientists study and use the sun’s energy to solve problems.
Students will identify main ideas and details in stories, myths, and informational texts about the sun.
Students will share their own ideas in writing and speaking about how the sun connects to people and cultures.
Students will use new vocabulary to talk about the sun, energy, and culture.
How can I explain what the sun means in different cultures and stories?
How can I describe how scientists use the sun’s energy today?
How can I find and share the most important ideas in stories and facts about the sun?
How does the sun connect to people, culture, and science across time?
How can I share my own ideas about the sun clearly in speaking and writing?
What stories or myths have you learned about the sun?
How do scientists today use the sun’s energy to help people?
What was the most important idea you read in a story or article about the sun?
How does the sun connect to both people’s cultures and to science?
What new words did you learn to describe the sun and its energy?
Suggested Activities:
Read Together in Any Language
Read a book in your home language or in English about the sun.
Pause and Ask: What was the main idea of this story or article? What did we learn about the sun’s role in culture or science? How is the sun important to us today?
Sun Art or Poster
Create a drawing or poster showing how the sun is important to people and nature.
Label parts in your home language and/or English.
Cultural Storytelling
Share a story, myth, or tradition from your culture about the sun.
Have your child retell the story in your home language or English.
Students will explain how plants and animals depend on each other to live and grow.
Students will describe how living things work together in ecosystems.
Students will identify main ideas and details in stories, science articles, and interviews about ecosystems.
Students will share their ideas clearly in speaking and writing about why every plant and animal matters.
Students will use scientific vocabulary to explain connections in nature’s web
How do plants and animals depend on each other to survive?
How can I describe how living things work together in ecosystems?
How can I find the main ideas and details in texts about ecosystems?
Why does every plant and animal matter in nature’s web?
How can I share my own ideas about ecosystems clearly in English?
Can you explain what an ecosystem is?
How do plants and animals depend on each other?
What was the main idea of a story or article you read about ecosystems?
Why is every plant and animal important in nature’s web?
What new science words did you learn to describe ecosystems?
Suggested Activities:
Read Together in Any Language
Read a book in your home language or in English about ecosystems.
Ask: How do plants and animals depend on each other? Why is it important that every living thing has a role in nature’s web?
Nature Walk
Look at plants, insects, or animals in your neighborhood or park.
Ask: How do these living things depend on each other?
Animal and Plant Partners
Choose one plant and one animal (like a flower and a bee).
Ask your child to explain how they help each other.