Unit Plan 11 (Grade 5 ELA): Reasons, Evidence, and Quoting/Paraphrasing
Grade 5 ELA unit: cite textual evidence, paraphrase accurately, and evaluate authors’ and speakers’ arguments using clear reasons, credible evidence, and logical links.
Focus: Using textual evidence; evaluating arguments in listening
Grade Level: 5
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Informational, Writing/Opinion, Speaking & Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week tightens students’ evidence muscles. Readers will explain how authors use reasons and evidence to support points, and writers will quote or paraphrase information correctly to develop reasons in opinion paragraphs. Listeners will evaluate a speaker’s claims, noting the reasons/evidence used. By Friday, each learner can cite precise textual evidence, paraphrase accurately, and produce a short, well-linked opinion response grounded in sources.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points (RI.5.8).
- Develop reasons with evidence from texts, using accurate quoting/paraphrasing and linking words/phrases; provide a brief closure (W.5.1b–d).
- Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis and writing (W.5.9b).
- Summarize a speaker’s points and explain how each is supported by reasons/evidence (SL.5.3).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 5
- RI.5.8, W.5.1b–d, W.5.9b, SL.5.3
Success Criteria — student language
- I can name a point and match it with a specific reason/evidence line from the text.
- I can quote with quotation marks and paraphrase in my own words (with attribution).
- I can use linking words (for example, therefore, specifically, in addition) and add a closing sentence that fits my claim.
- I can summarize a speaker and explain how the speaker’s claims are supported.