Fifth Grade Language Arts

Semester A

The Language Arts 5 curriculum integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, and the study of vocabulary and grammar in a way that engages today’s learners and supports them in building a broad and diverse set of literacy skills. Students study classic literature as well as more contemporary forms, including media and multimedia products. Writing assignments in Semester A focus on narrative and persuasive modes and emphasize the use of reasoning and details to support opinions. Each writing assignment spans several lessons and guides students through a writing process that begins with prewriting and ends by emphasizing one or more aspects of conventions of standard written English. Students also learn how to participate in collaborative discussion and peer review sessions. In each lesson, engaging and relevant models and step-by-step instruction guide students toward mastery and appreciation of 21st Century communication in all its forms and functions.

Semester B

Like Semester A, Semester B provides an integrated curriculum. Whereas Semester A focuses on skills needed to literary text, Semester B focuses on skills for reading and analyzing informational text. In Semester B, students learn how informational text differs from literary text and how different forms of information text differ from each other. Writing assignments emphasize expository writing and guide students through research projects. Near the end of the semester, students learn how to present information orally and using multimedia.

Semester A

Weekly Themes Include:

• Foundational skills for reading and writing
• Literary elements and devices
• Literary forms, including poetry and drama
• Fluency in reading and writing
• Collaborative discussions
• English language conventions
• Classic literature

Semester B

Weekly Themes Include:

• Strategies for reading informational text
• Informational text structures
• Research stages and strategies
• Analyzing and evaluating information
• Writing research reports
• Media literacy
• Oral and multimedia presentations
• Peer review process and strategies
• English language conventions

Semester A:
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate Dicamillo
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

Semester B:
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Island of the Blue Dolphin by Scott O’Dell

Course Materials List

Materials listed should be acquired by the student prior to beginning work in the course.