Unit Plan 34 (Grade 5 ELA): Revising & Editing for Clarity

Focus: Grammar/usage, punctuation/capitalization, spelling conventions

Grade Level: 5

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Language; Writing—Revision/Editing)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week turns writers into precision mechanics. Students will strengthen drafts through targeted revision (clear sentences, correct tense, smooth connections) and editing (punctuation, capitalization, spelling) so ideas read cleanly the first time. By Friday, each student will submit a short writing sample that shows measurable improvement from first draft to final copy, with an editing trail that explains the changes.

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Apply grade-appropriate grammar and usage: maintain consistent verb tense (including perfect tenses), avoid inappropriate shifts, use correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also), and ensure subject–verb agreement and pronoun clarity (L.5.1).
2. Edit for punctuation, capitalization, and spelling: commas in a series and after introductory elements; commas for direct address and yes/no; titles (quotation marks/italics/underlining); correct capitalization; accurate spelling using patterns and references (L.5.2).
3. Use a recursive writing process to plan, revise, and edit with feedback to strengthen writing for purpose and audience (W.5.5).

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 5

• L.5.1, L.5.2, W.5.5

Success Criteria — student language

• My draft shows consistent verb tense (including perfect tenses when needed) with no random shifts.
• I use commas correctly (series, introductory word/phrase, direct address, yes/no, tag question) and format titles correctly.
• I corrected spelling using patterns, syllables, and a dictionary tool.
• I can point to three specific revisions that improved clarity and explain why.