In addition to reading comprehension, we will also be working on multisensory reading strategies and sight words. Typically, homework will be assigned according to reading comprehension as well as spelling patterns/sight words.

ELA Reading Curriculum

1. Launching the Workshop Through Character Work - In this unit, there will be a focus on setting up the Reading Workshop while examining characters in literature. Students will be able to establish, reflect on and revise ongoing goals to improve reading behaviors and deepen their thinking. Students will write about character change, motivation, actions, and relationships in response to their reading. 
   
   
2. Critical Reading Across Text Sets - In this unit, students will transfer all they learned in Unit 1 while analyzing themes across texts- the major focus of this unit. Their interpretive skills will be sharpened as they deepend their understanding of characters, settings, and events in texts to discover big ideas in their books. These big ideas can be found in more than one text; therefore, students will compare and contrast how themes are developed in different texts. This will require students to quote accurately, infer, and summarize. Students will identify common themes across a variety of texts and sources. 
   
   
3. Examining Social Issues - In this unit, students will be able to integrate skills and strategies while reading multiply perspectives of a social issue in order to formulate a stance. The core novel for this unit is Because of Mr. Terupt. 
   
   
4. Reading High Interest Non-Fiction - Students will read non-fiction to learn more about a specific topic. They will be given access to multiple sources about the same topic to help develop a more global understanding and appreciation for different points of view. It spotlights the skills of determining importance, finding the main idea and supportive details, summary, syntheses, and reading to learn. This unit highlights the importance of structure and asks students to read with an eye towards Literary nonfiction in addition to information texts. 
   
   
5. Fantasy Story Book Clubs - In this unit, students will work together in book club groups to read a fantasy novel. Students will develop proficiency in using book club strategies to assure participation of all members and to enhance listening skills as they consider divergent perspectives.
   
   
6. A Genre Study - Exploring Traditional Literature - Students will explore myths and other traditional literature, offering students a unique look at the cultures and people from various regions around the world. 

*Ongoing ELA Unit : Word Study, Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics* 

ELA Writing Curriculum 

1. Launching a Community of Writers: Personal Narrative/Memoir and the Writing Process - In this unit there will be a focus on setting up the Writing Workshop while crafting a memoir using the qualities of good writing and techniques from mentor authors. 
   
   
2. Writing a Literary Comparative Essay - In this unit, students will writing structured, evidence-based interpretive essays while responding to texts. They will compare and contrast ideas about characters, themes, and other literary elements. 
   
   
3. Research Based Opinion Writing: Social Issues - In this unit, students will structure an opinion essay to support a claim using logically ordered reasons. Opinion writing is designed to state a claim, support it with evidence, and persuade the reader to share that view and take action.
   
   
4. Expository Nonfiction: Feature Article - Students will discover elements of a feature article through immersion of authentic articles. Before writers can successfully write their own feature article, they need to spend time noticing, reading, and thinking about this genre of writing. Students will then be asked to write an article that uses non-fiction features and structures to inform an audience about a self-selected topic. 
   
   
5. Writing Fantasy - In this unit, students will use what they know about narrative writing to craft a story using elements of fantasy. Students will make decisions on using language, symbols, settings, quests and archetypes to create interest.
   
   
6. Writing Through Varied Genres (Ongoing) - Students explore literary genres by completing a series of genre studies. The concept of genres is introduced through class discussion, during which students determine specific elements of the various genres including poetry, drama, and prose. Students then choose a genre to explore through their own writing.