English Language Arts — Grade 5

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 and Science)

By Connie Johnson.

Ecosystem problem solving

Students will apply their knowledge of ecosystems and the interdependence of plants and animals to creatively solve problems.

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

By Kelley Turner.

Election Time Database

After using various methods of researching information, students will create a database and use it to answer questions about the current election. At the conclusion, students will create a poster or Hyperstudio presentation of their findings.

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

By Lee Yahnker.

George Washington's Obituary

The following lesson will introduce students to the research process--formulating questions, choosing resources, fact finding, and note-taking. After completing their research, they will write a short obituary for George Washington. Activities will integrate Reading, Language, Social Studies, Writing, and Computer Skills.

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

By Kathy Blades.

It's in the garbage

In studying archaeological concepts, students will analyze garbage from different places demonstrate competence in applying the concepts of culture, context, classification, observation and inference, chronology and scientific inquiry.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 and 8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Looking at an object

Students will analyze unfamiliar objects in order to observe the attributes of an object, infer the uses of objects; and discover how archaeologists use objects to learn about the past.

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

Science is a Puzzle: Lessons in Observation

Simple, fun activities using observation to introduce students to the scientific process.

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

By Cindy Ellis.

Survival/Abel's Island/Segment 1 of Novel Unit, 8 activities

This is the first segment of a literature study on the book "Abel's Island" by William Steig. This unit is centered around the concept of survival. The instruction involves the student in analysis of all that is involved in what we simply term "survival". It prepares students for situations in their real worlds that are symbolized by events in the novel as well as hopefully increasing their understanding and ability to analyze these situations, break them down and make logical decisions supported by evidence and higher level thinking skills.

This unit is especially appropriate for gifted students, using different models (Bloom, Bruner, Kohlberg) in the lesson formats. It contains intense analysis of passages from the novel and questioning strategies that pull the students into a higher realm of thinking and reasoning.

This first lesson is a combination of an introduction to natural disasters (which is the first major conflict in the book), the start of a diary and analysis of a passage.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

By Courtney Pickett.

Time - Light and Shadow (Visit)

This lesson focuses on light and shadow. Students will examine several paintings at the Ackland Art Museum for light and shadow.

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

By Denise Young.

Tree-ring dating

In their study of dendrochronology, students use activity sheets and a discussion to apply principles of dendrochronology to determine a tree's age and to recognize climatic variation. They will also analyze and experience how archaeologists can sometimes use tree rings to date archaeological evidence and study past climates.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)

Lesson plans on the web

Alaska Native stories: Using narrative to introduce expository text

This lesson uses traditional stories of the Native peoples (i.e., narrative text) to introduce students to the study of animals in Alaska. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Animal adaptations

Students participate in classroom discussions about animals. (Learn more)

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

Provider: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Balancing three branches at once: Our system of checks and balances

Students use primary source documents to investigate how the three branches of the American government can check each other. (Learn more)

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

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Book report alternative: Writing resumes for characters in historical fiction

Students select a character from a work of historical fiction then help the character choose and apply for a job. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Can you convince me?: Developing persuasive writing

Students are engaged in developing their skills of persuasion in a classroom game that introduces students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them (or that they want) and making persuasive arguments. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

Provider: IRA/NCTE

A case for reading: Examining challenged and banned books

This lesson introduces students to censorship and then invites them to read a challenged or banned book and decide for themselves what should be done with this book at their school by writing a persuasive essay explaining their perspectives. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA\NCTE

Charting characters for a more complete understanding of the story

Introduces the instructional strategy of Character Perspective Charting. This method is designed to reflect the actual complexity of stories that may not be reflected by the use of traditional story maps. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Choosing clear and varied dialogue tags: A mini-lesson

Students explore the use of dialogue tags such as “he said” or “she answered” in picture books and novels, discussing their purpose, form, and style. (Learn more)

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

Provider: IRA/NCTE

Cinderella folk tales: Variations in character

Students compare and contrast several versions of Cinderella stories told around the world to find differences and similarities in character traits. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities

Cinderella folk tales: Variations in plot and setting

Students compare and contrast several versions of Cinderella stories told around the world to find differences and similarities in plot and setting. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts)

Provider: National Endowment for the Humanities