• Fifth Grade ELA is filled with reading and writing for authentic purposes.

    In Reading students will learn to:

    • Read informational and fiction texts of increasing complexity
      • Texts will include The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo, Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, and Promises to Keep by Sharon Robinson
    • The students will also read self-selected books and a variety of supplemental texts that are related by theme or to science and social studies content. Cross-curricular units may include the following topics:
      • Ecosystems and human impacts on ecosystems - Case studies: Reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park, wildlife crossings, and invasive species
      • Water usage and scarcity - Case studies: The Hoover Dam and water in the American West, the Kinzua Dam
      • Materials and their properties - Case studies: Food chemistry, lead in the environment
    • Selected materials from the Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts program will be used.

    In Writing students will learn to write:

    • Argumentative/persuasive pieces
    • Informational/explanatory pieces
    • Narratives
    • Our overarching focus will be learning to support clear topic statements with facts and explanations. Students will learn many ways to elaborate and how to add to the complexity of their sentences.