"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go."

~Dr. Seuss

This year in fifth grade we will be using a wide variety of texts to focus on comprehension strategies, reading accurately and fluently, and expanding our vocabulary. We are excited to be teaching the 6 signposts found in children’s literature: Contrasts and Contradictions, Aha Moment, Tough Questions, Memory Moment, Again and Again, and Words of the Wiser. While reading literary text, we will analyze characters, identify an author’s purpose and explain how the text supports the theme, main ideas, and meaning. In informational text, we will learn to use text features and structure to gain understanding.

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."

~Richard Steele

With the above quote in mind, our expectation is that each student be reading at home. We are excited to again issue the 40 Book Challenge this year. The idea is that students challenge themselves to read 40 “just right” books throughout the year. Students will be held accountable for this reading in a variety of ways throughout the school year.

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

~Stephen King

"When our spelling is perfect, it's invisible. But when it's flawed, it prompts strong negative associations."

~Marilyn vos Savant

During Language Arts we will be keeping a writer's notebook. Major projects will include narrative, persuasive, and informational pieces. Students will also receive instruction in grammar, vocabulary and spelling as outlined in the Indiana College and Career Ready Standards. Spelling pretests will occur on Fridays with the weekly test on the following Friday.

"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

~a sign on Einstein’s wall

Each student will receive a grade in both Reading and Language Arts. Grades will be taken from daily work, tests, compositions, and reading responses. We are looking forward to a great year of growth in Reading and Language Arts!