5th Grade Reading Syllabus
The mission of William James Christian K-8 School is to ensure that every student is prepared to compete in the vastly changing global
society and become productive, lifelong learners; by providing a diverse, rigorous, and nurturing learning environment; through positive
and continuous collaboration among all stakeholders.
Our fifth grade reading program is designed around numerous strategies including:
interactive activities, learning games, printable worksheets, reading logs, outside
assessments, working in small groups, positive reinforcement, etc. Guided reading is a
vital part of a fifth grade reading program.
Textbook: Scott Foresman Reading Street
Utilizing your class textbook you will be responsible for weekly test (comprehension, skill
and vocabulary.
According to the Alabama State Course of Study:
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Demonstrate word recognition skills and vocabulary knowledge
Use a wide range of reading strategies
Identify literary elements and devices
Compare genres and story elements
Respond in writing to open ended questions
Apply mechanics in writing
Organize information
Demonstrate good listening skills
Demonstrate critical thinking
Prefixes, Roots & Suffixes: One of the tools we will be employing to build vocabulary
will be learning five to six new prefixes, roots & suffixes (monthly).
http://teacher.scholastic.com/reading/bestpractices/vocabulary/pdf/prefixes_suffixes.pdf
Blogging: Our class blogging is the posting of journal-like writings on Kidblog. While
these pages can contain photo, media or text, they are primarily focused on the easy
ability to post written thoughts that will promote critical thinking. The posting will be
commented on by classmates. The class blogging support our 2010 Common Core
Standards.
Rules for Class Blogging:
 Must respond to bi-monthly posting and respond to at least two classmates
posting
 Must be students’ original thoughts
 Original post should address the discussion question /mirror understanding of topic
 Must write positive comments
 Must write at least five complete sentences
 Must post by due date (Students will be allowed to complete this assignment
before school, if they do not have internet at home, etc. Monday-Thursday by
appointment or during Unify Arts with teacher permission).
 Posts must be relevant, well-thought out, and aid to class discussion
Classroom Participation: Students are expected to participate daily in class discussion
and activities.
Pop-Quizzes: I use Pop-quizzes as a way to increase student vigilance. Quizzes will be
employed to encourage students to study nightly. Quizzes will be giving on skills covered
the previous day.
Novel Study:
Fifth grade will be required to read two novels December/January: We Beat The Street
by The Three Doctors
Fifth grade May: Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
At-Home Reading Log: Assigning monthly reading logs will aid in developing the total
child. It…
 Aid in creating strong reading habits
 Equips you with lifelong skills
 Prepare you for standardized tests
 Develops writing skills
 Develops communication skills
 Increase word base
 Develops prior knowledge
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Monthly Reading Log:
Students will record any material read OUTSIDE/INSIDE of class. This can include
magazines, newspapers, internet articles, assigned reading for any class as homework,
etc. You will record the date, the type of material you read and the number of pages
you read. Important to note is that the Monthly Reading Log is due (signed by your
parent) on the first school day of each month for the prior month’s reading. See form
attached. I will NOT accept any LATE Reading Log.
1. Each book must be at grade level or higher.
2. You must read at least one non-fiction book (please mark each non-fiction
book**)
3. You cannot re-read any book that you have already read.
4. You will need to create your own MONTHLY READING LOG (view example log)
Name __________________________________ Grade/Section ______
{5th Grade Reading Goal 350 or more pages}
Name of Book/Magazine/Etc
Author
# Pages
Parent Signature: _____________________
No points will be received without a parent signature!
Date
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
TOTAL PAGES READ THIS MONTH: ____________ (ADD THEM UP!)
THIS FORM IS DUE ON THE FIRST SCHOOL DAY OF EACH MONTH
IT IS A RECORD OF THE PRIOR MONTH’S OUTSIDE READING.
Thanks for aiding your child in completing assignments on time.
Complete Three Creative Non-Traditional Book Reports:
You will be required to complete three non-traditional book reports. You will be
permitted to select THREE reports to complete over the next nine months.
All reports will be presented in class on the due dates {dates to be announced).
5th Grade
1) Design a poster advertising the book. {1/2 of a poster- any color} Non-Fiction Book
2) Videotape/DVD: Make a videotape/DVD of your favorite part of the story. Have
family members or friends play the parts of other characters in the story. Dress up and
wear things that Opal and other characters from the story would have worn. This
requires some practice and some skill at using the video camera. (3 to 4 minutes)
(You may work in groups of 3 to 4 students). Non-Fiction Book
3) Videotape/DVD: Prepare a television commercial to advertise your book to upcoming
4th or 5th grade students. This requires some practice and some skill at using the video
camera (3 to 4 minutes). (You may work in groups of 3 to 4 students) NonFiction Book
4) Create a PowerPoint researching a topic of interest from your non-fiction book (no
more than five slides).
5) Create a PowerPoint: Write a different ending to the story in your book (no
more than five slides. Much contain story elements). Fiction Book
6) Cheeseburger Report (Fiction Book)
http://345classinfo.wikispaces.com/file/view/Cheeseburger+Book+Report+File.pdf
7) Cereal Box Book Report: Guideline Posted on Web Page(Fiction Book)
8) Character-Suitcase (Fiction Book)
http://teacherweb.com/PA/ImmaculateConceptionAcademy/FourthGrade/CharacterSuitcase.pdf
One Additional Non-Optional Report: February Black History Living Wax Museum
{Please sign, cut, and return by August 25th}
I have read the back-to-school letter.
Parent Signature ____________________________________________________ Date________________
Student Signature ___________________________________________________ Grade/Section_______
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