Our Curriculum › Writing & Grammar › 5th Grade
Writing 5
Fifth grade writing: logically ordered opinion pieces, research reports from several sources, stories with tension, flashbacks and conflict, and a steady rhythm of peer editing and revising. Grammar includes perfect tenses and correlative conjunctions, and the year ends with a portfolio.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
10 units
Each opens to its lessons
9 peer-editing rounds
Giving and using specific feedback
Standards
Common Core Grade 5 writing & language
What's taught, unit by unit
Getting started & the first research reportDays 1–20
Opinion reasons in logical order with linking words, phrases and clauses; informative grouping and formatting; narrative techniques; then a full research report from several sources with a hook, headed body paragraphs and conclusion. Grammar: perfect tenses, tense shifts, correlative conjunctions, series commas.
- 1 · Welcome to Writing 5!
- 2 · Logically Ordered Opinion Writing
- 3 · Linking Words, Phrases, and Clauses
- 4 · Informative Writing: Grouping and Formatting
- 6 · Narrative Writing: Effective Technique
- 7 · Perfect Verb Tenses
- 8 · Correcting Inappropriate Shifts in Verb Tense
- 9 · Choosing a Research Topic
- 11 · Taking Notes in Your Own Words
- 12 · Organizing Research from Multiple Sources
- 13 · Correlative Conjunctions
- 14 · Writing the Research Report Introduction
- 16 · Writing the Research Report Body with Formatting
- 17 · Prepositions and Interjections in Context
- 18 · Writing the Research Report Conclusion
- 19 · Punctuating Items in a Series
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Narrative craft and a process explanationDays 21–30
Five-sense detail, building tension and a full narrative draft, commas after introductory clauses, how to format titles, explaining a process step by step, and giving and using specific peer feedback.
- 21 · Narrative Writing: Vivid Sensory Detail
- 22 · Narrative Writing: Building Tension
- 23 · Writing a Full Narrative Draft
- 24 · Commas for Introductory Clauses
- 26 · Titles: Underlining, Italicizing, Quoting
- 27 · Writing an Informative Piece: Explaining a Process
- 28 · Peer Editing: Giving Specific Feedback
- 29 · Revising Based on Specific Feedback
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
Opinion pieces and persuasive lettersDays 31–40
A second opinion topic, linking phrases between paragraphs, strong concluding statements, a persuasive letter in formal letter format, plus present, past and future perfect tenses and commas for direct address and tag questions.
- 31 · Opinion Writing: A Second Topic
- 32 · Using Linking Phrases Between Paragraphs
- 33 · Writing a Strong Concluding Statement
- 34 · Commas for Direct Address and Tag Questions
- 36 · Perfect Verb Tenses: Present Perfect
- 37 · Perfect Verb Tenses: Past and Future Perfect
- 38 · Writing a Persuasive Letter
- 39 · Formatting a Formal Letter
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
A new story and a second research pieceDays 41–54
Planning and drafting a new narrative with dialogue that shows character, then a second research project taken through the whole process: topic and questions, subtopic notes, hook introduction, headed body paragraphs, conclusion, revising, editing and publishing.
- 41 · Narrative Writing: A New Story Idea
- 42 · Narrative Writing: Dialogue That Reveals Character
- 43 · Narrative Writing: Full Draft
- 44 · Choosing a New Research Topic
- 46 · Organizing Research Notes by Subtopic
- 47 · Writing an Introduction with a Hook
- 48 · Writing Body Paragraphs with Headings
- 49 · Writing a Conclusion That Ties It Together
- 51 · Finishing the Second Research Piece: Revising
- 52 · Finishing the Second Research Piece: Editing
- 53 · Publishing Your Research Piece
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
Style, poems, scripts and biographyDays 55–70
Another opinion piece, varied sentence types, stronger word choice, compare and contrast, a rhyme-scheme poem, onomatopoeia and alliteration, a short script and a biography. Days 66-69 build a first portfolio and a family presentation.
- 55 · Opinion Writing: A New Topic
- 56 · Using a Variety of Sentence Types
- 57 · Strengthening Word Choice
- 58 · Writing a Compare-and-Contrast Piece
- 59 · Peer Editing Round 2
- 61 · Writing a Poem: Trying Rhyme Scheme
- 62 · Writing with Onomatopoeia and Alliteration
- 63 · Writing a Short Script
- 64 · Writing a Short Biography
- 66 · Portfolio Reflection: Choosing Your Best Work
- 67 · Portfolio Reflection: What You've Learned
- 68 · Revising a Portfolio Piece
- 69 · Preparing to Present Your Portfolio
Plus 3 review days, not listed.
Persuasion, mood and informative skillsDays 71–90
A tougher opinion topic weighing both sides, a sequel and a flashback, symbolism and mood, a persuasive speech with delivery practice, then text features, facts versus bias, describing data, a how-to guide, a book review and a news report.
- 71 · Opinion Writing: Taking on a Tougher Topic
- 72 · Linking Two Reasons with a Transition
- 73 · Narrative Sequel: Continuing a Story
- 74 · Adding a Flashback to Your Story
- 76 · Using Symbolism in Your Writing
- 77 · Setting a Mood with Description
- 78 · Writing a Persuasive Speech
- 79 · Practicing Your Persuasive Speech
- 81 · Writing About Text Features
- 82 · Writing a Persuasive Text with Facts
- 83 · Avoiding Bias in Informative Writing
- 84 · Data-Based Writing: Describing a Data Set
- 86 · Writing a How-To Guide
- 87 · Writing a Book Review
- 88 · Writing a News-Style Report
- 89 · Peer Editing Round 3
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Mystery, growth and personal narrativeDays 91–110
A mystery story from plan to revision, a character-growth story and its theme, then a personal narrative about overcoming a fear with supporting characters, precise words, pacing, dialogue tags and a comparative essay.
- 91 · Writing a Mystery Story: Planning
- 92 · Writing a Mystery Story: The Clues
- 93 · Writing a Mystery Story: The Resolution
- 94 · Revising Your Mystery Story
- 96 · Writing About Character Growth
- 97 · Identifying Your Own Story's Theme
- 98 · Peer Editing Round 4: Whole-Story Feedback
- 99 · Final Revision: Polishing Your Growth Story
- 101 · Writing About Overcoming a Fear
- 102 · Adding a Supporting Character to Your Narrative
- 103 · Choosing Precise Words for Effect
- 104 · Writing an Effective Ending
- 106 · Writing with Varied Pacing
- 107 · Writing Effective Dialogue Tags
- 108 · Writing a Comparative Essay
- 109 · Peer Editing Round 5
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Informative pieces and stories with conflictDays 111–130
An informative piece and safety guide about extreme weather, a story with internal and external conflict and its resolution, a teamwork story with a disagreement and compromise, and an invention explained, instructed and pitched.
- 111 · Writing About Weather: An Informative Piece
- 112 · Writing a Weather Safety Guide
- 113 · Writing a Story with Internal Conflict
- 114 · Adding External Conflict to Your Story
- 116 · Finishing Your Conflict Story
- 117 · Peer Editing Round 6
- 118 · Final Revision: Conflict Story
- 119 · Reflecting on Your Writing Growth
- 121 · Writing a Story About Teamwork
- 122 · Adding a Disagreement to Your Story
- 123 · Writing a Compromise Scene
- 124 · Finishing Your Teamwork Story
- 126 · Writing About an Invention You'd Create
- 127 · Writing Instructions for Your Invention
- 128 · Writing a Persuasive Pitch for Your Invention
- 129 · Peer Editing Round 7
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Time capsules, migration and point of viewDays 131–150
A time capsule story, letter to the future and object descriptions, a mid-year review of genres and grammar, a final opinion piece, a story showing time passing, an informative piece on migration with sequence words, a journal entry and an animal's-point-of-view piece.
- 131 · Writing About a Time Capsule
- 132 · Writing a Letter to the Future
- 133 · Describing Objects for a Time Capsule
- 134 · Revising Your Time Capsule Writing
- 136 · Cumulative Writing Review: Genre Reflection
- 137 · Reviewing Grammar and Conventions
- 138 · Writing a Final Opinion Piece
- 139 · Peer Editing Round 8: Final Feedback
- 141 · Writing About Growing Something
- 142 · Showing Time Passing in Your Writing
- 143 · Writing About Migration: Informative Piece
- 144 · Adding Sequence Words to Your Writing
- 146 · Writing a Journal Entry
- 147 · Writing from an Animal's Point of View
- 148 · Peer Editing Round 9
- 149 · Revising Your Animal Point-of-View Piece
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Review, portfolio and year-endDays 151–180
Cumulative review of opinion, informative, narrative and grammar skills, choosing and revising a best piece, reflections and goals, a finishing-a-project story, letter to next year's class, portfolio and presentation, and a final creative piece. Over a third of these days are review and reflection.
- 151 · Cumulative Review: Opinion Writing
- 152 · Cumulative Review: Informative Writing
- 153 · Cumulative Review: Narrative Writing
- 154 · Cumulative Review: Grammar and Conventions
- 156 · Choosing Your Best Piece of the Year
- 157 · Final Revision of Your Best Piece
- 158 · Reflecting on Your Writing Journey
- 159 · Setting Writing Goals for Next Year
- 161 · Writing About Finishing a Big Project
- 162 · Writing a Letter to Next Year's Writing Class
- 163 · Creating a Writing Portfolio
- 164 · Writing an Introduction for Your Portfolio
- 166 · Final Editing Pass on Your Portfolio
- 167 · Practicing Your Portfolio Presentation
- 168 · Writing a Final Creative Piece
- 169 · Sharing Your Final Creative Piece
- 171 · Final Cumulative Review: Part 1
- 172 · Final Cumulative Review: Part 2
- 173 · Preparing for Grade 6 Writing
- 174 · Writing Skills Certificate Project
- 176 · Writing Year in Review: My Favorite Pieces
- 177 · Final Writing Challenge: A Piece of Your Choice
- 178 · Writing 5 Final Assessment Practice
- 179 · Reflecting on a Full Year of Writing 5
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Writing 5!
Plus 5 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Write an opinion piece with reasons in logical order, linking words and a strong conclusion
- Write a research report from several sources with a hook, headed sections and conclusion
- Write a story with sensory detail, tension, dialogue and a flashback
- Use perfect verb tenses and correlative conjunctions correctly
- Use commas for series, introductory clauses and direct address
- Give specific feedback to a peer and revise a draft in response
Other 5th Grade subjects: Math 5 · Reading 5 · Science 5 · History 5