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ELA G5:M4:U1

Researching Natural Disasters: Physical Impact

Each unit is made up of a sequence of between 5-20 lessons. The “unit at a glance” chart in the curriculum map breaks down each unit into its lessons, to show how the curriculum is organized in terms of standards address, supporting targets, ongoing assessment, and protocols. It also indicates which lessons include the mid-unit and end-of-unit assessments.

View the unit overview

Lesson 1Discovering Our Topic: The Impact of Natural Disasters
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face: Poetry about Natural Disasters (15 minutes)

B. Infer the Topic: The Impact of Natural Disasters (15 minutes)

C. Introducing the Performance Task and Module Guiding Questions (5 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. World Café: The Impact of Natural Disasters (20 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Read and reflect on the guiding questions for the module. Talk about them with someone at home. How do the questions make you feel? Why? What do they make you think about? You can sketch or write your reflections.
  • I can infer the topic of this module from images, texts, and videos. (RI.5.1, W.5.8, SL.5.1)
  • I can draw conclusions about the module topic following a discussion. (SL.5.1)
  • I Notice/I Wonder note-catcher (RI.5.1, W.5.8, SL.5.1)
  • Infer the Topic

Lesson 2Launching Research of Natural Disasters
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reflecting on Module Guiding Questions (5 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Developing Research Questions (10 minutes)

B. Choosing Expert Groups (10 minutes)

C. Expert Group Work: Videos of Natural Disasters (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Launching Independent Reading (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can cite evidence from a source to support answers to my research questions. (W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • Natural Disasters Research Note-catcher (W.5.7, W.5.8)

Lesson 3Reading Informational Texts: Researching Expert Group Natural Disasters
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Expert Group Work: Reading for Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary (15 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Expert Group Work: Researching Natural Disasters (35 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face: Natural Disasters Research (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can read an informational text closely and take notes in order to answer research questions. (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • I can cite evidence from the text to support my answers to questions. (RI.5.1)
  • Natural Disasters Research note-catcher (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • Catch and Release

Lesson 4Close Read: How Well Is Your Community Prepared?
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reading for Gist and Unfamiliar Vocabulary: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" (10minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Close Reading: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" (30 minutes)

B. Language Dive: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Exit Ticket: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?"(5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete the Language Dive Practice: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" in your Unit 1 Homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can explain how the author uses reasons and evidence to support a point. (RI.5.8)
  • I can read an informational text closely and take notes in order to answer research questions. (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • Close Reading Note-Catcher: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" (RI.5.1, RI.5.4, RI.5.8, W.5.7, W.5.8, L.5.2a, L.5.4)
  • Natural Disasters Research Note-catcher (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • Exit Ticket: "How Well is Your Community Prepared?" (RI.5.8)

Lesson 5Reading Informational Texts: Researching Expert Group Natural Disasters
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner:  Revisiting Class World Café Anchor Charts (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Expert Group Work: Researching Ways to Stay Safe During a Natural Disaster (30 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Preparing for a Science Talk (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal
  • I can read an informational text closely and take notes in order to answer research questions. (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • I can cite evidence from the text to support my answers to questions. (RI.5.1)
  • I can prepare for a Science Talk about how natural disasters affect the people and places that experience them by identifying appropriate evidence from sources about natural disasters. (SL.5.1a)
  • Natural Disasters Research note-catcher (RI.5.1, W.5.7, W.5.8)
  • Natural Disasters: Preparing for a Science Talk note-catcher (SL.5.1)

Lesson 6Mid-Unit 1 Assessment: Analyzing How an Author Uses Reasons and Evidence to Support Points
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mid-Unit 1 Assessment: Analyzing How an Author Uses Reasons and Evidence to Support Points (40 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Tracking Progress (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can identify reasons and evidence an author gives to support a specific point. (RI.5.8)
  • Mid-Unit 1 Assessment: Analyzing How an Author Uses Reasons and Evidence to Support Points (RI.5.4, RI.5.8, L.5.4a)

Lesson 7Text-Based Discussion: Science Talk about Natural Disasters
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Preparing for a Science Talk (10 minutes)

B. Conducting a Science Talk: Round I (15 minutes)

C. Conducting a Science Talk: Round II (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Reflecting on Key Ideas and Drawing Conclusions (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can effectively participate in a Science Talk about how natural disasters affect the people and places that experience them. (SL.5.1a, SL.5.1b, SL.5.1c)
  • I can ask questions so I am clear about what is being discussed and to build my understanding of the topic. (SL.5.1c)
  • I can review the key ideas discussed and draw conclusions. (SL.5.1d)
  • Participation in the Science Talk (SL.5.1a, SL.5.1b, SL.5.1c, SL.5.1d)
  • Science Talk Notes and Goals sheet (SL.5.1c, SL.5.1d)

Lesson 8Writing a PSA: Analyzing a Model
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Engaging the Learner: Listening to Model PSAs (20 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Analyzing a Model and Generating Criteria for an Effective PSA (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Research Reading Share (10 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can analyze a model in order to generate criteria for an effective PSA. (W.5.2, W.5.4)
  • Participation in creation of Characteristics of PSAs anchor chart (W.5.2, W.5.4)

Lesson 9Writing a PSA: Planning and Drafting the Introduction
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Planning a PSA (25 minutes)

B. Analyzing a Model PSA: Introduction (10 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Independent Writing: Writing an Introduction (20 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can plan the key points of a PSA that raises awareness how to stay safe during a natural disaster. (W.5.2a, W.5.2b, W.5.4, W.5.5)
  • I can write the introduction for the script of my PSA. (W.5.2a, W.5.4, W.5.5)
  • PSA Planning note-catcher (W.5.4)
  • Draft PSA Script (W.5.2a, W.5.2b, W.5.4, W.5.5, L.5.2a)

Lesson 10Writing a PSA: Drafting the Body and Conclusion
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Analyzing a Model PSA: Body and Conclusion (15 minutes)

B. Mini-Lesson: Using Punctuation to Separate Items in a Series (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Independent Writing: Writing a Body and Conclusion (25 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete Using Punctuation in a Series in your Unit 1 Homework.

B. For ELLs: Complete the Language Dive Practice: Model PSA Script in your Unit 1 Homework.

C. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can use punctuation to separate items in a series. (L.5.2a)
  • I can write a script for my PSA. (W.5.2a, W.5.2b, W.5.2d, W.5.2e, W.5.4, W.5.5)
  • Draft PSA Script (W.5.2a, W.5.2b, W.5.2d, W.5.2e, W.5.4, W.5.5, L.5.2a)

Lesson 11Writing a PSA: Revising and Editing
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Mini-Lesson: Using Commas (15 minutes)

B. Revising PSA: Task, Purpose, and Audience (25 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Editing PSA (15 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Complete Using Commas in your Unit 1 Homework.

B. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can use a comma to set off words and phrases. (L.5.2c)
  • I can revise my PSA for appropriateness of task, purpose, and audience. (W.4.1, W.4.4, W.4.5)
  • I can edit my PSA for correct grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. (L.5.1, L.5.2)
  • Revised and edited PSA (W.4.1, W.4.4, W.4.5, L.5.1, L.5.2)

Lesson 12End of Unit 1 Assessment: Recording a PSA
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Practicing PSAs (25 minutes)

B. End of Unit Assessment, Part I: Recording PSAs (70 minutes)

C. End of Unit Assessment, Part II: Editing Punctuation (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Returning Mid-Unit 1 Assessments (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can record my PSA. (SL.5.4, SL.5.6)
  • I can use punctuation to separate items in a series. (L.5.2a)
  • I can use a comma to set off words and phrases. (L.5.2c)
  • End of Unit 1 Assessment: Recording a PSA (SL.5.4, SL.5.6, L.5.2a, L.5.2c)

Lesson 13End of Unit 1 Assessment: Recording a PSA
Agenda Daily Learning Targets Ongoing Assessment Anchor Charts & Protocols

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Work Time

A. Practicing PSAs (25 minutes)

B. End of Unit Assessment, Part I: Recording PSAs (70 minutes)

C. End of Unit Assessment, Part II: Editing Punctuation (15 minutes)

3. Closing and Assessment

A. Returning Mid-Unit 1 Assessments (5 minutes)

4. Homework

A. Accountable Research Reading. Select a prompt and respond in the front of your Independent Reading journal.
  • I can record my PSA. (SL.5.4, SL.5.6)
  • I can use punctuation to separate items in a series. (L.5.2a)
  • I can use a comma to set off words and phrases. (L.5.2c)
  • End of Unit 1 Assessment: Recording a PSA (SL.5.4, SL.5.6, L.5.2a, L.5.2c)

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