1. Welcome to English – Grade 5
With Mrs. Lisa Haywood

2. Course overview: Builds upon reading skills mastered in fourth grade
Emphasis on comprehension
Good readers understand what they’re reading!
Good readers read for specific purposes – information, entertainment, enrichment, inspiration

3. Summer Reads Wonder – RJ Palacio Matilda – Dahl
Introduces concepts presented in CPR
Matilda – Dahl
Great book for exploring character

4. Texts: Hatchet – Gary Paulson Esperanza Rising - Pam Muñoz Ryan
5th graders will use text to understand and strengthen comprehension strategies
Esperanza Rising - Pam Muñoz Ryan
Use text to understand figurative language such as simile, metaphor and personification

5. As well as…
Reading Street text – comprehension of non-fiction text (Common Core)
Introduce Literature circles using a number of historical fiction novels
Biography
Personal choice novel
Poetry – appreciation and writing

6. Writing Journal entries, narratives, paragraph structure Biography
Research project on Ancient Greece
Poems
Literature response activities
Also…vocabulary words and G.U.M days once a cycle

7. Goals Strengthen reading skills, esp. comprehension
Develop life-long readers
Encourage them to write like their favorite writers and authors
Encourage them to read with a writer’s eye
Improve mechanics and usage
Increase vocabulary

8. Grades Projects and papers based on literature Vocabulary tests
Grammar quizzes
Comprehension tests based on novels
Tests are worth 40% of grade
Quizzes and projects worth 25%
Homework worth 10%

9. Policy for late work One point off for every day it is late.
Let me know, in advance, if you’re planning a trip or extended absence. Encourage student to talk to me and take control of situation.
Sometimes they learn best when they experience consequences. If they lose a point this time, it may not happen again.

10. We are partners!
Please feel free to communicate any problems or concerns you have.
I will often or call you before behaviors or problems become out of hand.
If a project seems unfair or confusing, please contact me. Often it’s just a miscommunication.
I want to get to know your student. Let’s set up a connections meeting!
Please sign up for fall/spring conferences.