English Language Arts — Grade 5

Simplicity: A literature-based Paideia seminar

Students will apply their knowledge of how developments in the history of the United States, as well as the world, can impact the lives of people today. The lesson is based on the picture book entitled The Simple People, written by Tedd Arnold and illustrated by Andrew Shachat. (Summary: The simple people enjoy the simple life until one of the character's inventions is used to make life more complicated. As a result, everyone forgets the simple things in life.) After a Paideia seminar discussing the book, students will select a modern invention, research the history of its development and how it impacts society, and create a multi-media presentation.

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

By Krista Hannah.

Exploring the Everglades

After reading the book, Everglades, by Jean Craighead George, students will apply basic Internet navigation and computer skills to complete a scavenger hunt about the Everglades. As a culmination activity, students will use a word processing program to type a paragraph detailing what they have learned about the Everglades.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

By Debbie Fox.

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.

Clarification writing: What could I add to the NC Zoo?

Students will apply their knowledge of clarification writing and address "What Animal or Plant Would You Add to the NC Zoo." Students must research their plant or animal to determine if the zoo ecosystem could support the species. In addition, the student must provide reasons and explanations to support their choice. This is a follow-up activity to a unit of study on ecosystems/biomes.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

By Connie Johnson.

Civil rights wax museum project

In this lesson plan, students will choose African Americans prominent in the Civil Rights Movement and research aspects of their lives. They will create timelines of their subjects' lives and a speech about their subjects, emphasizing why they are remembered today.

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

By Sabrina Lewandowski.

Resources on the web

Where I come from

Students take research into their heritage a step beyond the construction of a family tree, traveling through cyberspace to find out what's happening in their ancestral homelands today and explore their sense of connection to these places in their past. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: EDSITEment

Webcams in the classroom: Animal inquiry and observation

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students observe animal habits and habitats using one of the many webcams broadcasting from zoos and aquariums around the United States and the world. Based on the observation of webcams, this lesson plan engages students... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Teaching language skills using the phone book

This lesson from ReadWriteThink uses a phone book to address literacy skills. Through multiple activities built around the everyday text, students will not only learn how the book is arranged, but what the contents are and also how it is used. In the process,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

A suitable job for a woman

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students identify the model for the character, Amelia Martin, by discovering information about four women: Abbie Burgess, Louisa May Alcott, Ida Lewis, and Clara Barton. Students will: act as reporters and interview... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Storytelling in the social studies classroom

This lesson invites students to tell their own stories and explore the stories of other Americans. Practiced skills include reading, researching, visually representing, writing, and presenting. After engaging students in discussion about great storytellers,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Searching for gold: A collaborative inquiry project

After the teacher demonstrates to students how to navigate online resources and gives a brief lesson on research skills, students study the Gold Rush using a collaborative inquiry strategy. In several self–selected small groups, students research... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Research building blocks: Notes, quotes, and fact fragments

In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students acquire and use research skills. They learn the importance of finding the words in sentences and paragraphs that contain the facts they need for compiling their research. They then move to putting those notes into... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Remember the Ladies: The First Ladies

Through the lessons in this unit, students will explore the ways in which First Ladies were able to shape the world while dealing with the expectations placed on them as women and as partners of powerful men. The discussions and activities that make up... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities

Peace poems and Picasso doves: Literature, art, technology, and poetry

Students learn think-aloud strategies in this lesson that challenges them to think about peace in their communities. After the teacher reads Somewhere Today: A Book of Peace, Peace Begins with You,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Multipurpose poetry: Introducing science concepts and increasing fluency

Students discover information about insects as they work in cooperative groups to prepare choral poetry readings and present factual information on an assigned insect. The teacher begins the lesson by engaging students in a discussion about what they know... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

More Amazing Americans: A WebQuest

In this EDSITEment lesson plan, students use the “Meet Amazing Americans” website created by the Library of Congress to explore the lives of some celebrated Americans. Working in small groups, they complete a WebQuest, identifying facts and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Computer/Technology Skills, English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Looking at landmarks: Using a picture book to guide research

In this lesson, students research famous landmarks from around the world presented in Ben’s Dreams, a picture book by Chris Van Allsburg. Students develop research skills by using reference materials such as nonfiction books,... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Literature as a jumping off point for nonfiction inquiry

Students explore the topic of water in this lesson that is conducted after reading Tuck Everlasting. After reading the book, students discuss examples of the themes that are present in the book. Then, the teacher challenges... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Learning about research and writing using the American Revolution

This lesson combines historical research and acrostic poetry. After listing all they know about the American Revolution, students work in groups to answer the questions they have about this historical period. Then, after reading If... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Exploring world cultures through folk tales

In this lesson, students read folk tales from Japan, Wales, and Africa and illustrate the stories for purposes of retelling. Students also research the countries and share a brief synopsis with the class. This lesson provides helpful resources for the assignment... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink