Waterford Public Schools

LANGUAGE ARTS CURRICULUM

Grade 5

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 

Teachers should plan language arts instruction that is comprehensive and that supports the diverse learning needs of all students.  A minimum of at least ten (10) hours per week should be allocated for language arts instruction and should include the following components:

 

*      Read aloud

*      Teacher modeling and mini-lessons

*      Whole class and small group instruction

*      Flexible guided reading groups that meet the reading needs of all students

*      Literacy discussion groups

*      Independent reading and writing

*      Phonics instruction, spelling, word study, grammar, vocabulary, writing mechanics and handwriting

*      Writer’s workshop which includes planning, writing a first draft, revision, conferencing, editing and publishing

*      Opportunities to share reading and writing pieces which will enhance speaking, listening, viewing and media skills

 

 

 

  1. A minimum of four (4) book length titles should be used for instruction focusing on a variety of genres and with accompanying assessments.  Some suggested genres and book titles are:

 

GENRE

SUGGESTED TITLES

Historical fiction

Sign of the Beaver

Hatchet

Charlie Skedaddle

Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

A Family Apart

Survival

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Kavik

Julie of the Wolves

Mystery

House of Dies Drear

The Face of the Besseldorf Funeral Parlor

Biography

 

Tall Tales

The Brocaded Slipper

Poetry

Random House Book of Poetry

Social Relationships

Bridge to Terabithia

The Facts and Fictions of Minna Pritt

 

Suggested genres include:

*      Fiction:  Survival/adventure, social issues/coming of age, mystery, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary fiction, narrative

*      Nonfiction or expository text including using text books

*      Historical fiction

*      Memoir

*      Biography

*      Humor

*      Drama

*      Poetry

*      Short story

 

Teachers will choose books that represent a mix of:

*      Male/female protagonists

*      Multi-cultural themes, settings and characters

*      Classic versus contemporary writing

 

Teachers will use a variety of text sources when teaching expository text and text features for whole class and small group instruction including:

*      Time For Kids

*      Sports Illustrated for Kids

*      Smithsonian For Kids

*      News oriented children’s magazines

*      Science and social studies textbook materials and related articles

 

 

Teachers will teach a variety of writing genres including:

*      Narrative and descriptive

*      Expository

*      Persuasive

*      Memoir

*      Drama

*      Literary response

*      Journal reflection   

         

 

Teachers will choose books that represent a mix of:

*      Male/female protagonists

*      Multi-cultural themes, setting and characters

*      Classic vs. contemporary writing

 

Poetry will be taught focusing on the use of

*      Poetic devices

*      Similes

*      Metaphors

*      Alliteration

*      Personification

*      Sensory imagery

*      Word choice and vocabulary

 

Teachers will teach a variety of writing genres including:

*      Persuasive

*      Narrative

*      Expository

*      Memoir

*      Descriptive

*      Poetry

*      Drama

*      Literary response

*      Journal reflection

 

Teachers will require three final copy handwritten pieces for assessment.