English Language Arts — Grade 5

Vocabulary surprise

This lesson focuses on prediction skills and vocabulary development. Students predict what is in a box from information they are given. In order to determine the contents of the box, vocabulary must be deciphered through contextual meaning. The activity idea could be used in all areas with a few modifications. Science would be easily integrated. Cooperative learning is also used.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

By Jennifer J. Murphy.

Understanding vocabulary in their own terms

This lesson focuses on vocabulary development. Students will work together in small groups to identify at least three to four unknown vocabulary words in a given passage. Vocabulary meanings will be learned through contextual means, previous knowledge and dictionary use. Students will then find a relevant way to illustrate the meaning of the word so that others can understand easily.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 English Language Arts)

By Christa Schneider.

Learn new words using context

With guided practice students will use context clues to determine meaning of unfamiliar words in short passages. When students have completed the practice activities, they will read a newspaper or magazine article, picking out unfamiliar words and using context clues to decide what the word means. As a group activity they will share the article, the words, and their meanings with the class.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–8 English Language Arts)

By Betty DeLuca.

Comparing governments - International

This lesson focuses on comparing and contrasting national governments in North America and/or Central America. It is the second in a sequence, the first being "Comparing Governments - Local, State, and National" by Tami Weaver and Wendy Pineda, also on the Learn NC website. This plan could be easily adapted for eighth grade or high school ESL students.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Social Studies)

By Tami Weaver and Wendy Pineda.

Resources on the web

Looking for the history in historical fiction: An epidemic for reading

This lesson from ReadWriteThink helps students better understand the genre of historical fiction and its uses in understanding history. Students read historical fiction on a particular topic, and then research nonfiction information on the same topic. They... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Engaging students in a collaborative exploration of the “Gettysburg Address”

In this lesson, students work together on inquiry-based projects in order to understand the message of Abraham Lincoln's “Gettysburg Address”. In this multi-genre activity, students will: explore the history and meaning of... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink