Spelling - 30% of Language Grade
Spelling Tests are scheduled for each Tuesday. Each unit consists of twenty
five words.
These Spelling Lists are kept in student's individual Reading/Language Folder
Language - Vocabulary
Each of ten vocabulary units is structured for students to engage in repeated
practice of skills that
respond to TAKS Objectives, in a variety of contexts. These activities are
designed to extend student
thinking, while expanding their vocabulary, thus increasing her/his
comprehension and confidence
in reading. Possible actvities included are:
Parts of Speech study
Contextual use of vocabulary words (reading comprehension)
Prefix and Suffix applications
Cloze activities (reading comprehension; contextual meaning)
Synonyms and Antonyms (vocab expansion; contextual meaning)
Phonemic Awareness (consonants, vowels)
Categorizing
Making Generalizations
Creative Writing
Sentence Structure
Spelling
Each vocabulary unit consists of ten words with definitions. Students will
keep this list in their
Reading/Language folder, as they will use it to complete various activities
assigned.
Tests consist of two parts: Part one -Spelling and sentence structure
Part two-applications of skills that were practiced during two week study period
Reading:
Novels-We'll read a variety of novels in class. Students will complete a
variety of activities that are
effective tools in application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation using
logic that is based on Bloom's
Taxonomy of thinking skills. They are specifically aligned to TAKS Objective
expectations. Activities
may include individual and/or group work.
Possible novels to be used this year (not necessarily in this order)
Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief, by Wendelin Van Draanen
The Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare
Holes, by Louis Sachar
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen
Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan
The Teacher's Funeral, by Richard Peck
Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key, by Jack Gantos
Tuck Everlasting, by Natalie Babbitt
Bridge to Teribithia, by Katherine Paterson
We will begin the year with "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen.
5Th Grade TAKS Reading Test will be given April 7, 2009.