Unit Plan 2 (Grade 5 ELA): Reading with Evidence & Theme
Grade 5 ELA unit: teach students to ask and answer text-based questions, cite evidence, infer themes, and write objective summaries with fluency practice.
Focus: Asking/answering questions; citing details; inferring theme
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Literature, Speaking & Listening, Foundational Skills, Language)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week moves students from curious readers to evidence-based thinkers. They’ll learn to ask strong before/during/after questions, quote accurately and paraphrase details (with line/page tags), and use those details to infer theme and write objective summaries. Fluency is reinforced through brief phrase-cued readings. By Friday, each learner can answer text-dependent questions with proof, state a theme supported by events, and summarize a short text concisely.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Ask and answer text-dependent questions and support inferences with explicit evidence (RL.5.1).
- Determine theme and explain how it is conveyed through details; produce an objective summary (RL.5.2).
- Engage in collaborative discussions using accountable talk stems and shared norms (SL.5.1).
- Read aloud/silently with sufficient accuracy, rate, and expression to support comprehension (RF.5.4).
Success Criteria — student language
- I can write a question that the text can answer, and I can prove my answer with a quote or paraphrase.
- I can explain the theme (message about life) and point to events/lines that build it.
- I can write a 3–5 sentence summary in my own words—no opinions.
- I can read a key passage smoothly, using phrasing and expression to show meaning.
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 5
- RL.5.1, RL.5.2, SL.5.1, RF.5.4