Descriptions of the Reporting Categories Grade 5
The following descriptions outline what your child should know
and be able to do at this grade level.
Comprehension and Reading Skills
This topic includes basic skills necessary for successful reading,
like vocabulary and word recognition. When reading, it is important
to identify main ideas, make inferences, and draw conclusions. When
reading fiction, students should think about how the author’s
choices add to the impact of a text. When reading nonfiction, students
should consider how word choice contributes to the purpose of the
text.
Activity: Interview an Interest
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Ask your
child to think of a family member, neighbor, or friend who has an
interesting job or hobby. Help her come up with a list of questions
and to arrange a time to interview the person to find out more. After
she has gathered information, ask her to create a flyer advertising
the need for someone to fill the job or to join a club that focuses
on the hobby. Talk with your child about the process of gathering
and presenting the information.
Interpretation and Analysis of Fiction and Nonfiction Texts
This topic involves many skills. It requires students to analyze
elements of fiction texts such as character, setting, plot, theme,
topic, tone and style, and content. Also included in this topic are
literary devices like foreshadowing and flashback, point of view,
and figurative language. One of the most important things to consider
about nonfiction texts is their organization. Students need to distinguish
between fact and opinion and essential and nonessential information.
Students must also determine an author’s purpose.
Activity: Capture Characters
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Encourage your child to read outside of school and discuss these
readings with her. In particular, ask her about the actions of the
main characters. Have her describe what these actions show about the
character's personality. Based on the character's choices or behaviors,
ask your child to give the character a nickname that captures his
personality. Make sure that your child can describe the behaviors
or actions that led to the nickname.
