Sorting by NYSLS ELA & Grade Level 5
 

Title
Synopsis
  Show Some Backbone and Teach Invertebrates Using this unit, the students will gain information about the similarities and differences between the various invertebrate phyla. Through the use of easily acquired craft supplies, students will construct biologically correct models of a member of each phylum. Computers will be used in an assessment activity.
  Interpreting Fables Students will identify the three main characteristics of a fable, identify the moral of a fable, and relate a moral of a fable to real-life experiences.
  The State of ABC's Students will read, write, listen and speak for information and understanding.
  The ABC Book of Boonville's Businesses This unit is an ELA based unit in which my fifth graded class researched, wrote, and produced a book on Boonville's businesses, organizations, and services. The format we used was that of an ABC book.
  Hey Neighbor Students learn the geographic, economic, and social/cultural understandings as related to US, Canada, and nations in Latin America.
  Student-made Web Pages...Show Off Their Work! Designed to teach students how to create a web page using Netscape Communicator's Composer and can be used by students in grades 3-12 to present their projects or research on their school's web page. Designed to be taught in a lab setting and will be used by the technology teacher in coordination with the classroom teacher.
  Birth of a Nation Students learn how and why each colony was settled, starting in 1750 and ending with signing of the constitution,understand the American Revolution, how this diverse group of people joined together in a common goal to form this great nation through the eyes of one of the actual framers of the Constitution, summarize each class period with a journal entry through the framer's eyes, culminating with the actual framing and signing (or not signing) of the Constitution.
  Central America Students will read, research, learn, and present information on the countries of Central America, its features, and a brief history of each country.
  Rock, Rap, and Roll Students will research three styles of music (Blues, Rap, and Latin),write an abstract on the style assigned and prepare an oral report that will be delivered to the class. Students will also compose a song in their assigned style using the Rock, Rap’n Roll software, and will be performed for the class as part of the oral presentation.
  Locating Information in an Electronic Database Library Search: What is an Electronic Database? How do I locate and retrieve information from an electronic database?
  This Land is Your Land: Geology & Geograph* Essential Questions: How does the geology and geography of an area determine how people use the land? How does the earth's crust change?
  You Gotta Read This: A Favorite Author Study This unit is written as a way to encourage students to focus on the written works of an author whom they most enjoy reading. It is hoped that by researching this author, reading & reviewing some of their stories, and presenting a PowerPoint demonstration to a grade level appropriate for this author, the students will be encouraged to read even more of this author's works. It may also spark an interest in this author for the grade/class seeing the PowerPoint presentation.
  My Side of the Mountain Students will be reading, writing, discussing and presenting around the main theme of what it takes to survive.
  It's a What? A Children's Guide to Arthropods of The purpose of this learning experience is to use computer technology to develop a student generated arthropod guide of specimens collected by students in and around Indian Creek Nature Center in Rensselaer Falls, NY.
  Investigating Biographies Learning experience is part of a unit, Investigating Biographies. Through this book and the library teacher, students will discuss what makes a person famous, and will find and become familiar with the biography section of the library. A culminating activity called "Bio Stew" will help students internalize the organization of different biographies. This lesson would be best done as a collaborative lesson with the classroom teacher to help support the "What Are Biographies About?" section of this unit.
  One-Room Schoolhouses This is a unit on one-room schoolhouses. Students will learn about one-room schoolhouses, and visit one for the day. The focus will be to learn first hand what it was like to attend a one-room schoolhouse, and to compare schools of yesterday with schools of today.
  Westward Movement Students will read, On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The purpose of this unit is to give children an understanding as to why the westward movement took place and the impact it had on pioneer families, as well as, our own values, practices and traditions.
  Laura Ingalls Wilder and the Westward Movement 5th grade social studies, language arts and reading unit including the Westward Movement, the novel, On the Banks of Plum Creek, and publishing an autobiographical picture book.
  Once Upon A Fairytale This is a primary English/Language Arts unit on Fairytales. The unit will take about 4 weeks to complete. This unit will stress the elements of a fairytale. In this unit students will read for the understanding of the character, setting, and plot points of specific fairytales. The children will create their own fairytales through the writing process. With the use of technology, the children will produce a fairytale book complete with illustrations.
  Fairy Tails : A Classic Form of Literature Essential Questions: Why do we study classic examples of literature? What is the relevance to today's society? Why are there different versions of the same fairy tales? How did different versions of the same tale evolve? What are common elements of all fairy tales? Why do we enjoy and tell these stories again and again?
  Beyond "Ranger Rick" Where is the best information found for research papers? When is the best time to use periodicals vs. books? How do I search for information in thousands of periodicals? How do I acquire the periodical I need to look at? Does the information I've found satisfy the questions I have to answer?
  Native Americans - Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Students will work cooperatively to create a slide presentation on their particular Native American tribe to share with the class. This project will allow students to not only work cooperatively with another student, but also to integrate computer technology into English and Social Studies classes. Through slide presentations all students will be provided with more in-depth information about the history of many Native American tribes.
  How Spring Comes Each Year - The Sotry of Persepho Students will be able to accurately paraphrase what they have heard, follow directions that involve a few steps. Learning Standard - ELA 4. Students will be able to listen attentively and participate in discussions and present information to classmates.
  Owl Scavenger Hunt Students will get practice using internet technology for a specific purpose (scavenger hunt)
  The War With Grandpa This learning unit is based upon the book The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmel Smith. It will be used in an after school program of third, fourth, and fifth grade students. The novel will be read orally to the students as a group with the unit to follow. This unit is designed to give the students practice in using a digital camera and computer technology for the specific purpose of sequencing. Other related activities will accompany the technology.
  Bound for Oregon Introduce the history of the Oregon territory.
  Women in the Civil War Grade 5-8 ELA women of the Civil War
  How to DO Just About Anything This unit will incorporate technology and ELA in various subject areas on writing "How To's", and then presenting the finished product. The lesson will be first done with a small group of Consultant Students, who will then become group leaders to the full classroom.
  Solar Unit 299. This unit incorporates many curricula areas, by joining them with a common theme, solar energy. Each aspect of the lessons is designed to use the students' own knowledge and then explore beyond it. The unit uses both individual and team building lessons. The students learn from these experiences their strengths and weaknesses within themselves. This in turn can also direct a student to different career choices.
  O Canada This three week interdisciplinary unit on Canada addresses numerous New York State standards in a hands on, student centered manner. Its centerpiece is a WebQuest that allows students to experience researching on the internet in a controlled manner. Students will be immersed in reading, writing, researching, and creating, as they learn about America's neighbor to the north.
  Wild, Wild, West Learning about the lives of historical figures and events surrounding American time period of westward expansion.
  Food Pyramid The lesson was developed for the learning standards because of the need to integrate as many curricula areas as possible for both academic and motivational rigor. I learned a great deal in preparing this unit.
  Healthy Eating Students will evaluate their own diets and electronically log their daily entries. During daily lessons students will learn about the food pyramid and different types of diets and how they relate to long term health. Students will research various diets and report out both verbally and in writing. Power Point will be used as a way for students to demonstrate their knowledge of what constitutes a proper diet.
  What's the Matter? This is a learning unit on matter that takes approximately 2-3 weeks and is appropriate for fifth grade students. Students will research an element, study the states of matter of water, and research the contributions of a scientist, specifically someone who has had an element named for him or her.
  Colorful Writing This Learning Experience will take about 3 weeks to complete. The students will be learning the different types of figurative language so that they can use them in their writing to make it more interesting and descriptive. The students will then be using what they have learned about figurative language to describe their family's characeristics in a slide show presentation.
  Cinderella Really Gets Around! Create meaningful lessons for Upper Elementary students that integrate Language Arts lessons with lessons in world geography and culture. Some of the 3000 + variants of the Cinderella stories that exist from around the world provide an interesting way to teach language arts skills, as well as world geography and culture. Activities will be interactive and student centered where the students will have opportunities to apply their knowledge in a variety of interdisciplinary tasks that are appealing and definitive.
  Under the Canopy This rainforest unit is an integrated summer reading program designed to reinforce language arts skills with an emphasis on reading and writing. The summer program is designed to help students at risk meet the N.Y. State standards. This unit is literature based and spans a period of four weeks incorporating reading, writing, and technology skills for students who have just completed grades one through five. It will also expose the students to the geographical and scientific significance of a rainforest habitat. This theme based approach to learning a broad topic allows students functioning at a wide variety of levels to work together cooperatively, learn from each other, and have fun together. At risk readers take on the role of the "mentor" or "teacher" when paired with younger students and they are then able to build their self-esteem . These students are rarely able to be the experts with their peer group so this becomes a very positive experience for all the children. In addition, the younger students love the attention from their older classmates. All aspects of the summer program center around the rainforest theme including reading, writing, listening, and speaking projects, art activities, guest readers, and even snacks are woven into the theme. "Under the Canopy" is sure to be a swinging good time for all!
  The War With Grandpa: Solutions to Family Problem This unit is based on the book The War With Grandpa by Robert Kimmell Smith. The activities correlate closely with the New York State ELA 4th grade test and the standards.
  Research for Real Allows students to investigate a topic of interest and evaluate information sources to select best information to support their topic.
  Twentieth Century Artists Introducing Twentieth Century American Artists, producing an essay and a mask which reflects that style.
  Compare & Contrast Decades of the 20th Century Students will have investigated and researched a decade of the 20th century. They will have used reference materials from the library as well as CD Rom encyclopedias, the Internet web sites and personal interviews of relatives who can give personal accounts of the past.
  The Twentieth Century Essential Questions: What major changes have occurred in the United States in the twentieth century? What political, social, economic, scientific, and cultural events influenced American History? What resources are most effective in finding historical information?
  Energy: May the Force Move You This is a unit on Energy, Force, and Motion designed for deaf students at a grade 5 instructional level
  Sea Lions, Tigers and Bears, Oh My Research Can Be Research can be fun! Understanding the Library and how to use the resources available.
  It's (almost) ShowTime! Students discover, validate, and grow within each of the Arts/Theatre Standards while creating a live theatrical production.
  Preparting for Author Visits Students visit primary source author information prior to the author visit.
  Geometry Trhough Literature and Technology Essential Questions: Where can you find geometric shapes, 2 and 3 dimensional, in your life surrounding? Can a variety of geometric shapes be combined to form 1, 2, or up to 5 other polygons? What is the minimum number of triangles that could be used to form a square, trapezoid, rectangle, and parallelogram?
  Fairy Tales: Take a Critical Look! This unit is designed to promote critical thinking through the use of fairy tales. Students will learn about specific characteristics that exsist within this genre, use critical analysis to do note-taking and present their findings in a power point presentation format. They will then be provided the middle of a lesser known fairy tale in which they will have to think in reverse to reconstruct missing elements of a story so it makes sense.
  Presto! Poetry This four-week unit incorporates web page design into a unique poetry unit. Students will be exposed to twenty different types of poems, required to create a poetry anthology and participate in a poetry reading. Students will learn about alliteration, simile and metaphor, personification and descriptive language.
  Magazine Mania This three-week unit will let students experience what it is like to create a magazine. Students will be required to write position pieces, create surveys, design cartoons, analyze data and produce a classroom magazine. Students will be involved in building consensus and be required to make decisions that will influence a group.
  Real Life 101 Real Life 101 is an interdisciplinary unit that will take approximately four weeks to complete. This unit introduces elementary students to real life situations, such as applying for jobs, and buying cars. Students are put into situations where they must make decisions and follow through with their choices. This unit is both challenging and exciting but allows all students to succeed.
  Mr. President, Have Things Changed? Students will be responsible for studying about a President, creating a visual presentation and taking peers on a travel back in time.
  Tell Me How This mini-unit will allow children to explore the genre of nonfiction. Students will read a variety of texts and then publish their own How-To Power Point Presentation. Students will be invited to listen to a variety of community members and parents share something that they know how to do, and use this as a basis for their own oral presentation.
  Learning Vocab Doesn’t Have to be War This lesson is used as an introduction to the vocabulary presented in the novel My Brother Sam is Dead. Students are engaged throughout the lesson. Students are asked to observe, discuss and even act out words to help understand difficult concepts.
  Powerful Presentations Students will fill out a short questionnaire about themselves. Ask them to think about how we could present their information to another fifth grade class (write letters, send e-mail, make a collage, send pictures). Teacher shows them a slide show on Power Point about them and the things that they have accomplished this year.
  Civil War: A Living Museum Students research famous people and battles during Civil War Era, sharing information learned by portraying that person or battle in a "Living Museum". Meant to be used within a larger Learning Unit on the Civil War; would be a great culminating activity for a Civil War Learning Unit. Is written for classrooms that utilize the push-in model from support services (special education teachers, reading teachers) and use a team-teaching model; helps to organize and assist students in writing and with their final presentations.
  Literature Study of the Civil War Era The Civil War era is one of the most critical and fascinating periods in our nation's history. The many books about this period, written for young audiences provides a rich context in which to learn about the Civil War itself and to explore more basic issues about the nature of human life and society. The following upper elementary unit on historical fiction about the Civil War era contains valuable experiences that incorporate the Internet, Literature Circles, and Grand Conversations.
  The Write Byte The Write Byte is part of a writing workshop unit, which is an in-depth plan that teaches students the writing process. The purpose of the Write Byte is to get students excited about writing, learn about authors they have read, and become familiar with the writing process.
  Westward Ho / Oregon Trail To answer: What hardships did settlers experience in the Westward movement in the United States? Why did people choose to leave a settled land and face the uncertainties of moving to a new and unsettled land? What is the real story behind Native Americans and the westward movement? Television and movies portray the Native Americans as raiders, is that the truth?
  Organize Your Thoughts Essential Question: How does the organization and outlining of a topic increase the understanding and awareness of the concepts and information involved?
  Can You Stretch the Truth? Essential Questions: In what ways do Folk Tales influence our lives? Why are listening skills important through out life? How is it possible for one person to influence the world?
  SHAKE, RATTLE, AND ROLL The topic of this unit is the movement of the earth's crust as it relates to earthquakes and volcanoes. It encompasses the layers of the earth, plate tectonics, as well as earthquakes and volcanoes. Students will explore the relationships between these concepts and will understand how and why earthquakes and volcanoes occur.
  Behold the Wonder of Creation This project is for Grade 5 to explore and to become familiar with the National Parks of the United States, to understand the magnificence of their origins, to locate them geographically, to explore their unique features, inhabitants and inhabitants, to describe their attractions for the visitor today. In conclusion, the students will prepare booklet with cover page, essay, templates filled in, Bibliography, etc.
  Newbery Books: Guaranteed Good Reading Each February the American Library Association selects one book that is considered the outstanding example of children's literature published in the previous year. Students gain the understanding that by reading this literature they are reading the best of the best books. They have a chance to react to the books as critics and readers. As a library media specialist I prepare book talks throughout the year for classes. These talks can center on a particular genre or theme. For this learning experience we decided to concentrate on the Newbery Medal books. The timing of the experience coincides with the announcement of the new Newbery Award.
  What a Wonderful World Students journal and do research on a country for specific information. The skills emphasized are ones which students can apply to other areas. Public speaking is so important for our students and this will give the students an opportunity to present the information they have found from different sources in a variety of ways. The e-pals will also peak interest in students so that the focus is on daily life from a kids perspective instead of the typically information found in a textbook or encyclopedia.
  What a Wonderful World - Unit of Study Essential Questions: What influence does geography have on a country's economy and the well-being of its people? How have the interactions of social/cultural, political and religious systems in different regions of the world affected our lifestyles? How do international affairs (current events) affect various people? What influence have international authors, poets, and artists had on our view of foreign lands? How does daily life in various countries compare to our daily life?
  The Civil War Era This purpose of this unit is to explore both the causes and the actual events of the American Civil War. It is a writing intensive unit. Content knowledge is presented through textbooks, literature, videos, WEB sites, interactive CD's, and primary sources.
  No, Dorothy, this isn't Kansas! Students will learn about hurricanes and tornadoes and read the novel Night of the Twisters. They will make journal entries and write a research report to follow up.
  The Tread of the Iron Horse Exposes 4th graders to issues, conditions adn events in their community during the mid-19th century.
  Heroes of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Heroes are not born; they are people who are shaped by experiences in their lives. This unit will provide students with an opportunity to reflect on what makes a hero. It will also provide students with an opportunity to research heroes of yesterday and today, as well as encourage them to think about heroes for tomorrow.
  Island Investigation Mini research project for intermediate students to learn about one of the larger islands near the community of Clayton called Grindstone Island. Students learn how an island affects the life of people living there. They will also learn that lifestyles on Grindstone Island have changed over time (completed in two 3-4 multi-age classes at Guardino Elem. School-two month long unit designed to totally immerse children in reading, writing, speaking and listening, culminating in a final project. Lessons took about one and one-half hours per day. Daily scheduled reading and writing workshop times were used for this project. Activities related to NYS Standards in Language Arts, Social Studies, and Technology.
  Recycling Recycling: Is our present recycling process as effective as it could be? How can we use graphing techniques to analyze both present recycling in our elementary school and recycling after our class information sessions? How can we promote better recycling in our school? How can we reduce, reuse, and recycle paper products in our classroom?
  Amazing Astronomy The purpose of this unit, Amazing Astronomy, is to help students understand how our daily lives are affected by astronomy-the study of outer space and everything in it. From the medical field to air transportation, it is crucial for students to realize the importance of space exploration.
  Focusing on Famous People Begin by asking students if they have ever heard of George Washington (or other famous person). Read a story to the class on the famous person you have chosen. In small groups, students discuss and write answers to questions given on a worksheet.
  Welcome to New York State Students will create a New York State travel brochure
  Meant to Invent: Famous American Inventors Using the Internet, students will research a famous American inventor. They will complete activities to display at a Famous American Inventor Hall of Fame.
  What Lies Beneath? This learning unit is designed to give students a deeper understanding of plate tectonics theory, concepts and real life consequences. Topics that will be addressed will include the layers of the earth, mountain formations, plate boundaries, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Throughout this unit students will be asked to work cooperatively to gain information through Internet use, written expression and graphic organizers. At the culmination of the unit students will be asked to create a brochure that states their opinion for which is the most destructive force.
  International Festival We have activities that relate to math, arts and writing. The learning experience has different activities incorporated into one, therefore all learners should be able to find some aspect that appeals to them. The students will be engaged in activities that relate to the learning standards as stated above.
  Lewis and Clark Does the student read, write, listen, and speak in order to demonstrate knowledge of the Expedition's importance in US history? Does the student read, write, listen, and model to demonstrate an understanding as to the importance of geography to the Expedition? Does the student read, write, listen, speak, and demonstrate an understanding of planning, scarcity, and decision making? Does the student read, write, listen, and speak for critical analysis and evaluation of the successes and failures of the Expedition?
  Rain Forest Animal Habitat Museum A rainforest project that requires students to have a thorough understanding of one specific rain forest animal and its needs.
  The Civil War This is a five week interdisciplinary unit on the Civil War which addresses numerous New York State standards in a student-centered manner. Students will be immersed in reading, writing, researching and creating as they learn about life during the mid 1800's. The unit is focused on developing an understanding of life as a slave, soldier, leader and civilian during the American time period known as The Civil War.
  Reptiles Essential Questions: What is a reptile? How are they both similar and different to other animals? What adaptations, defense mechanisms, and camouflage have allowed them to change and survive? How do reptiles reproduce?
  Cybernetiquette This learning experience will teach students the basics of safety on the Internet. This learning experience will be a perfect beginning to any Internet activity whether it is within a technology curriculum or other content area. This connects to all areas where instruction will lead to exploration of the Internet. This Learning Experience is tied to the unit called Keypals: Communicating Across the Information Superhighway
  Key Pals The focus of this experience is to compare the student's own cultural/religious beliefs and traditions of death and funerals with those of another culture. This experience comes near the end of a unit on death and dying. We have discussed the biology of death and dying, we have investigated and debated euthanasia vs. palliative care, we have learned about health care proxies and living wills, organ donation, and we have toured a local funeral home and discussed local traditions.





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