United States · Common Core State Standards
5th Grade English Language Arts
This course develops advanced literacy skills through the deep analysis of complex literature and informational texts. Students refine their ability to synthesize multiple sources, craft evidence based arguments, and use precise language to communicate across various media and genres.
The Art of the Story: Narrative Structure and Character Complexity
Students analyze how authors build intricate plots and develop characters through dialogue, actions, and internal thoughts.
Investigating how characters change over time and the specific events that trigger their growth or decline.
Examining the relationship between the sequence of events and the emergence of central themes.
Analyzing how the narrator's perspective shapes the reader's understanding of the story.
Informing the World: Analyzing Nonfiction and Media
Students explore the structural elements of informational texts and how authors use evidence to support their claims.
Identifying how authors organize information using cause and effect, comparison, and chronological order.
Critically examining how authors use facts and reasons to persuade their audience.
Learning to combine information from several texts to speak or write knowledgeably on a topic.
The Writer's Craft: Precision, Purpose, and Style
Focusing on the writing process to produce clear, coherent, and engaging pieces across different genres.
Developing logical arguments supported by facts and structured with clear transitions.
Using sensory details and precise pacing to create vivid stories and experiences.
Refining writing through peer feedback and self-assessment to improve clarity and impact.
Word Power: Vocabulary, Grammar, and Usage
Building a robust vocabulary and mastering the conventions of standard English to enhance communication.
Using Greek and Latin roots and surrounding text to determine the meaning of unknown words.
Exploring metaphors, similes, and idioms to understand how language conveys deeper meaning.
Applying knowledge of verb tenses, conjunctions, and prepositions to create sophisticated sentences.
The Power of Voice: Speaking, Listening, and Collaboration
Developing the skills necessary to participate in collaborative discussions and deliver effective presentations.
Engaging in diverse group discussions by building on others' ideas and expressing one's own clearly.
Planning and delivering presentations that sequence ideas logically and use appropriate media.
Summarizing points made by a speaker and identifying the evidence used to support those points.