5th Grade Reading & Writing Part 3 - Writing Opinions and Analyzing Argument

📚 Engaging, Standards-Aligned, & Interactive Learning!

Are you looking for a comprehensive, engaging, and interactive 5th-grade ELA course? I am thrilled to offer this full-year online English Language Arts program, designed to fully meet 5th-grade Common Core reading and writing standards (CCSS) in a dynamic, project-based format! This section covers the 3rd of 4 total units offered in 5th grade ELA. 

This unit focuses on argument, opinion writing, and social justice using the text "Harbor Me" as a mentor text and novel study. Students will complete a piece of opinion writing and engage in multiple structured class debates during this course. 

In addition to reading, writing, and literary analysis, students will be challenged to spelling tests and grammar instruction and quizzes. 

Each student will receive one 30-minute 1:1 session with Ms. Crocker to support their overall learning. 


✨ For the 2025-26 school year, I will offer two sessions from September to May: 
✔ Option 1: Mon/Wed with homework +  one 40-minute  async assignment per week
✔ Option 2: Tues/Thurs with homework + one 40-minute async assignment per week


🌟 Classroom Community
This class fosters a positive, collaborative, and supportive environment where students feel safe, valued, and empowered. Through explicit instruction in discussion techniques, students will develop strong communication and interpersonal skills while engaging in thoughtful literary discussions.

📚 Daily Lesson Structure
Each lesson follows a structured and engaging format:
✅ Warm-Up: Fun language-based games to build fluency, critical thinking, and writing
✅ Mini Lesson: Direct instruction on the day’s key reading or writing concept
✅ Collaborative Project: Hands-on activities to reinforce the lesson
✅ Independent Practice: Time for students to apply new skills

Throughout the week, we also focus on essential technical writing skills, including:
✏ Grammar & Sentence Structure, with 3-5 grammar test throughout the class
🔡 Spelling & Vocabulary, with 12 spelling tests throughout the class
⌨ Typing & Digital Writing Skills

📌 Homework & Assignments
Students will receive  2-3 assignments per week. These assignments are meaningful, skill-building, and engaging—no busywork! They often involve reading from our core text, writing, and studying spelling. 

💡 My Teaching Philosophy & Style
I believe that every child has the potential to thrive with the right support, instruction, and high expectations. My approach balances academic rigor with creativity, ensuring students develop strong ELA skills while staying engaged and inspired.

I lead with inquiry-based learning, encouraging students to ask questions, think critically, and express their ideas. At the same time, I recognize that kids are awesome, unique, and full of brilliant ideas—so I listen to them, value their voices, and create a space where they feel heard.
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📖 Full Class Overview
This 36-week course weaves together reading comprehension, writing skills, grammar, and vocabulary through four carefully structured units. Each unit is anchored in a high-quality novel or nonfiction text and culminates in an exciting, hands-on project that encourages critical thinking and creativity.

🗓️ Weekly Schedule
- 2 Live Classes per Week (60 minutes each)
- 1 Asynchronous Assignment per Week
- 4 Individual 1:1 Sessions (30 minutes each) for personalized support for each unit

Full Curriculum Information 
📖 Units & Projects
🌟 Unit 1 (10 weeks) Storytelling & Perspective - Esperanza Rising 
(Projects: Bloom Ball Book Report, Graphic Novel Storytelling)

🌟 Unit 2 (10 Weeks)  Informational Texts & Innovation - The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind 
(Projects: Research Essay, Innovation & Invention Presentation)

🌟 Unit 3 (10 Weeks) - Argument & Social Justice - Harbor Me
(Projects: Opinion Essay, Student Choice Project on a Social Justice Issue - documentary, podcast, spoken work poem, or opinion article)

🌟 Unit 4 (6 weeks) -Myths, Poetry, and Fantasy – Finding Our Own Stories - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon 
(Projects: Poetry book, Published Myth)


💬 Questions?
Feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect and help you decide if this course is the right fit for your learner!