Fifth Grade Core Knowledge Language Arts Organization Guide

Welcome to the organization guide! The following information will help you get organized and prepared to homeschool Fifth Grade Language Arts using the Core Knowledge curriculum.

Important Notes

1^st vs. 2^nd Edition Materials: Please note, the support materials available here are specific to the 1^st edition CKLA curriculum which is available to download for free on the Core Knowledge website. CK’s partner Amplify offers 2^nd edition materials and homeschooling families can purchase hard copies of those 2^nd edition materials directly from the Amplify website (there is no “free” option for the 2^nd edition materials). If you choose to use the 2^nd edition materials, you may need to make significant changes to the schedule and prep information provided here. There is no advantage to using the 2^nd edition materials beyond the option to purchase preprinted copies online. I recommend using the 1^st edition curriculum so you can take full advantage of these support materials.

Free Resources

How-to Videos: Watch the videos to learn to use the CKLA curriculum to homeschool.

Unit-Specific Prep Checklist: View and download the notes for each unit of the curriculum including which Instructional Masters (activity pages) to print, library books that may be needed, required advanced preparation broken out by lesson, as well as a list of additional unit-specific supplies.

Daily Schedule: View and download the free daily schedule for homeschooling Fifth Grade using the Core Knowledge curriculum and MEP Math curriculum.

Primary Materials

Units: There are 9 units in the Grade 5 CKLA curriculum. All students start with Unit 1 and progress through the units in order. You will download each unit separately from the CK website. Each unit will be downloaded as a file folder containing multiple files including the Teacher’s Guide and Student Reader. Some unit folders will also contain a Digital Components file.

Teacher’s Guide: This is the primary resource used for the language arts lessons. When you are ready to start a lesson with your student, you will simply open the PDF file for the Teacher’s Guide on your tablet or laptop, navigate to the lesson indicated on the daily schedule, and work through the instructions in the Teacher’s Guide for that lesson.

Student Reader: Units 2, 4, 6, and 8 include a Student Reader. While you can print (and bind) the student reader if desired, the files can also be opened and read on a tablet or laptop when needed for a lesson.

Required Books: Please note, Units 1, 3, and 9 each use a trade book as the reader for the unit and those books will need to be purchased. Used copies of the books for Units 1 and 3 are often available on websites such as www.thriftbooks.com or www.abesbooks.com. Unit 7 requires a poetry journal that can be purchased directly from Amplify publishing (see below).

• Unit 1: They Call Me Güero: A Border Kids Poem’s, by David Bowles, ISBN 978-1-947627-07-09. It is possible to use a library copy of this book, but note the book is needed for 4 weeks to complete the unit. The audio book version is a wonderful addition to a lesson—check with your local library as they may have the audio version available to borrow.
  
  
• Unit 3: Adventures of Don Quixote, by Argentina Palacios, Dover Press, ISBN 978-0486407913. Please note, it is important to acquire this specific version of this famous story or the chapters, sections, etc. will not match up with the lesson instructions. It is possible to use a library copy of this book, but note the book is needed for a total of 4 weeks to complete the unit.
  
  
• Unit 5: Core Knowledge Core Classic. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ISBN 978-1-933486-91-8. Please note, it is important to acquire this specific version of this famous story or the chapters, sections, etc. will not match up with the lesson instructions. It is possible to use a library copy of this book (although most libraries won’t own this version), but note the book is needed for a total of 3-4 weeks to complete the unit.
  
  
• Unit 7: Purchase the Poet’s Journal, directly from Amplify. The Poet’s Journal has been designed to reinforce the unit’s integration of reading and writing poetry.
  
  
• Unit 9: The Science of Breakable Things, by Tae Keller, ISBN 978-1-5247-1566-3. It is possible to use a library copy of this book, but note the book is needed for a total of 3-4 weeks to complete the unit.
  
  

Activity Book: All units contain an Activity Book file except Unit 7 (see above). The Activity Book file should be printed prior to beginning each unit. This will save you time each school day. The Activity Book can be printed as a double-sided document. Once printed you can choose to:

• Keep the loose workbook pages in a file folder or other safe place so you can access the appropriate work page each day.
• Three-hole punch the worksheets and store them in a three-ring binder.
• Have your local office supply store coil-bind or comb-bind the pages into a bound book (typically about $4-$5). Money-Saving Tip: Print multiple unit’s Activity Books and bind them together to make a multi-unit workbook.

The Activity Book answer key is always located in the back of the Teacher’s Guide.

Digital Components: The Digital Components are a separate file located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website. Please note, not all units will include a digital components file. The lessons in the Teacher’s Guide will specifically reference when a digital component should be used. While it is not necessary to print these files, you can do so if desired. Alternatively you can access the file on a tablet or laptop when needed and complete the exercise orally. A good rule of thumb: If you are having trouble locating a resource called for during a lesson, check the unit’s Digital Components file (if available) and the Teacher’s Resources section in the back of the unit’s Teacher’s Guide.

Ancillary Components: The CKLA Fifth Grade Ancillary Materials should also be downloaded from the Core Knowledge website. These materials are designed to primarily support students who need reinforcement across their language arts skills (reading, spelling, grammar, composition). Please read the introduction packet file located in the ancillary materials folder for an overview of how to use these components. Because they are optional support materials, these components and files are not specifically scheduled or referenced in the following organization information or on the daily schedule.

Please note, the optional Fluency Supplement is mentioned as an option in multiple units throughout the school year. To learn more about this resource, please see pg. 12 and 29 of the Unit 1 (They Call Me Güero) Teacher’s Guide.

Getting Organized

Catch-up Days: Occasional catch-up days have been scheduled for you. The lessons in these units are quite full and these catch-up days are meant to serve as a buffer so you don’t fall behind. If you do not need a catch-up day you can choose to read a library book related to the unit or enjoy a lighter school day.

Mid-Unit and End-of-Unit Assessments: Some units contain a mid-unit assessment and all units include an end-of-unit assessment. These are an important part of each unit. This information learned during the assessment can then be used to review with the student as they move forward in the current unit or into the next unit. Information for the mid-unit content assessments can be found in the unit-specific prep checklists for units where those assessment occur.

Pausing Points: Pausing Point days are set aside at the end of each unit. Pausing Point activities will generally include enrichment readings (located in the back of the student reader) as well as Activity Book pages focused on reinforcing material taught in the unit and further developing a student’s skills. Specific information will be located in the Pausing Point section of each unit’s Teacher’s Guide. Please note, while the Pausing Point readings and activity pages are useful and should be completed if possible, if you are running behind on core lessons when you reach a set of Pausing Point days on the schedule, complete the core lessons instead.

Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: Many units include options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources but these resources are not specifically scheduled on the daily schedule.

Optional Fluency Assessments: Many units have an optional fluency assessment at the end of the unit. To use the assessment, you would print the pages and then score the assessment per the instructions. These assessments are not specifically scheduled on the daily schedule.

Beginning-of-the-Year Assessment: A Beginning-of-the-Year Assessment is scheduled across several days at the end of Unit 1. This is used to assess where a student is at across a wide range of language arts skill areas so potential weaknesses can be identified and remediated over the coming weeks. The timing of this assessment assumes a student has just had the summer months off from school so they have the first three weeks of the school year to re-acclimate to language arts prior to taking the Beginning of the Year Assessment. The instructions for this assessment are located at the end of the Unit 1 Teacher’s Guide and the worksheets for the assessment are located in the back of the Unit 1 Activity Book.

Please note, in the event weaknesses are found, please refer to the Fifth Grade Ancillary Materials folder you downloaded from the Core Knowledge website for materials that can be used to remediate skills as needed.

End-of-the-Year Assessment: Several days at the end of Unit 8 are set aside for an End-of-the-Year Assessment. The instructions for this assessment are located at the end of the Unit 8 Teacher’s Guide and the worksheets for the assessment are located in the back of the Unit 8 Activity Book.

Novel Study: Unit 9 consists of a novel study. The teacher’s guide and format for this unit is different than the other units. Please read the information in the Teacher’s Guide carefully before starting the unit.

Important Tips

Writing Journal: Your student will be using a writing journal throughout the school year. While a more fancy bound journal can be purchased, you can also use a simple notebook.

Library Books: Some unit’s contain list of additional resources as part of the introduction portion of the Teacher’s Guide. Whenever possible, please select several of the recommended books from the unit’s resource list and request them from the library in advance. These books can be used as time allows, when specifically called for in a lesson, or can be left out for your student to read on their own in their free time.

Classroom-Based Activities: Some activities in this program are clearly designed for a classroom setting. Please adjust the activity as needed for your situation. For example, for an activity that suggests students work in teams, you can act as your student’s teammate. For activities that involve putting on a play or presentation, your student can present one part of the information or you can make the activity a family activity and involve siblings, etc.

Pacing of Language Arts Topics: Please note, Unit 1 assumes a student is returning to school after summer break and eases the student back into the language arts topics. Grammar instruction starts in Lesson 2 of Unit 2 and spelling instruction starts in Lesson 6 of Unit 2. For homeschooling parents coming from other language arts curriculum, it may initially seem like important topics are not being covered. Please be sure to complete at the first 3-4 units of the curriculum prior to considering supplementation. CKLA is a very full and academically rigorous curriculum. All important topics are covered (and covered thoroughly) but not all at once and not everyday.

Unit-Specific Prep Checklist

This checklist will help you prepare for each new unit of the Core Knowledge Fifth Grade Language Arts curriculum. Please refer to the specific unit list prior to starting a new unit. It will guide you through what what documents to print, when a library book is needed, unit-specific supplies that should be gathered, and special notes for lessons in that unit.

Unit 1: They Call Me Güero

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-8

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • This unit does not use a student reader file. Instead you will need to obtain the book They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems, by David Bowles, ISBN 978-1-947627-07-09 and you will need to have this book on hand for the entire 4 weeks of this unit. Your local library likely owns a copy of this popular book.
  • Reminder: Print the Activity Book for each unit before starting the unit.
  • If working with your own copy of the book for this unit, it is strongly recommended that you number the lines of the poems used in the lessons prior to starting a lesson. This will make it much easier to follow the instructions in the Teacher’s Guide.
  • This unit includes discussion of a number of sensitive topics. If possible, please use the Teacher Background and Preparation information on pg. TG 14-16 to prepare to teach this unit.
  • The optional Fluency Supplement mentioned in a number of lessons is located in the Fifth Grade Ancillary Materials folder you downloaded from the CK website. Information on this resource can be found on TG pg. 12 and 29.
  • “Take Home Material” listed in the Teacher’s Guide refers to informational or activity pages that can be assigned as homework by a classroom teacher. If time is available in your school day, it’s a good idea to complete the activity pages whenever possible.
  • A Mid-Unit Content Assessment is scheduled between Lessons 8 and 9. The assessment can be found on AP 8.2. Please see the daily schedule.
  • Advanced preparation is required for all lessons in this unit.
  • Pausing Points: Potential culminating activity assignments for Pausing Point days can be found on TG pg. 143-144. Choose 1-2 activities for each Pausing Point day.

Unit 2: Early American Civilizations

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-7

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • The Student Reader file is located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website.
  • The Digital Components file used throughout this unit is located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website. The Civilization Cards used to make the timeline in Lesson 1 are part of this Digital Components file. As a general rule of thumb, if a lesson calls for a resource, look for that resource in the Digital Components file and/or the Teacher’s Resources section of the Teacher’s Guide (TG pg. 262).
  • Many important resources such as the civilization cards, pronunciation guide, rubrics, editing checklist, enrichment resources, and answer keys are located in the Teacher’s Resources section starting on TG pg. 262.
  • All lessons require advance preparation.
  • Mid-Unit Content Assessment: A day is scheduled between Lessons 6 and 7 for a mid-unit content assessment. Information on this assessment can be found on TG pg. 110. See also Activity Page PP.1.
  • End-of-Unit Content Assessment: This assessment is scheduled for the first Pausing Point day. See also Activity Page PP.2.
  • Pausing Point Days: Information about the pausing point days is located on TG pg. 258-261. This unit’s Pausing Point days are primary focused on remediation and enrichment. A number of activity pages for the pausing point days are located at the end of the activity book and are marked as PP.  
  • Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: This unit includes options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources.

Unit 3: Don Quixote

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-19

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
• This unit does not use a student reader file. Instead you will need to obtain the book Adventures of Don Quixote, by Argentina Palacios, Dover Press, ISBN 978-0486407913. Please note, it is important to acquire this specific version of this famous story or the chapters, sections, etc. will not match up with the lesson instructions. It is possible to use a library copy of this book, but note the book is needed for a total of 4 weeks to complete the unit.
• Many important resources such as an excerpt from a related Grade 4 unit, individual code chart, anecdotal reading records, tens recording and conversion charts, pronunciation guide, rubrics, editing checklist, several teaching support guides, enrichment resources, and answer keys are located in the Teacher’s Resources section starting on TG pg. 266.
• Advanced preparation is required for all lessons in this unit.
• Pausing Point Days: Information about the pausing point days is located on TG pg. 262-265. This unit’s Pausing Point days are primary focused on remediation and enrichment. A number of activity pages for the pausing point days are located at the end of the activity book and are marked as PP. 
• Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: This unit includes options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources.

Unit 4: The Renaissance

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-7

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • The Student Reader file is located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website.
  • Many important resources such as timeline cards, pronunciation guides, reference documents, rubrics, stories and texts, editing checklists, enrichment resources, and answer keys are located in the Teacher’s Resources section starting on TG pg. 291.
  • All lessons require advance preparation.
  • Mid-Unit Content Assessment: A day is scheduled between Lessons 7 and 8 for a mid-unit content assessment. Information on this assessment can be found on TG pg. 147. See also Activity Page PP.1.
  • End-of-Unit Content Assessment: This assessment is scheduled for the first Pausing Point day. See also Activity Page PP.2.
  • Pausing Point Days: Information about the pausing point days is located on TG pg. 258-261. This unit’s Pausing Point days are primary focused on remediation and enrichment. A number of activity pages for the pausing point days are located at the end of the activity book and are marked as PP. 
  • Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: This unit includes options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources.

• Gather the Unit-Specific Supplies:
  • Timer, most cell phones have a built-in timer in the standard clock app (Lesson 7)

Unit 5: A MidSummer Night’s Dream

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 9-25

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • This unit does not use a student reader file. Instead you will need to obtain the Core Knowledge Core Classic. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ISBN 978-1-933486-91-8. Please note, it is important to acquire this specific version of this famous story or the chapters, sections, etc. will not match up with the lesson instructions. It is possible to use a library copy of this book (although most libraries won’t have this version available), but note the book is needed for a total of 4 weeks to complete the unit.
  • Advanced preparation is required for all lessons in this unit.
  • Mid-Unit Content Assessment: A day is scheduled between Lessons 8 and 9 for a mid-unit content assessment. See Activity Page 8.3.
  • End-of-Unit Content Assessment: This assessment is scheduled for the first Pausing Point day. See Activity Page 15.1.
  • Pausing Points: Potential culminating activity assignments for Pausing Point days can be found on TG pg. 99. Choose 1-2 activities for each Pausing Point day.

Unit 6: The Reformation

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-7

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • The Student Reader file is located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website.
  • Many important resources such as timeline cards, pronunciation guides, rubrics, stories and texts, editing checklists, enrichment resources, and answer keys are located in the Teacher’s Resources section starting on TG pg. 202.
  • All lessons require advance preparation.
  • Mid-Unit Content Assessment: A day is scheduled between Lessons 6 and 7 for a mid-unit content assessment. Information on this assessment can be found on TG pg. 128. See also Activity Page PP.1.
  • End-of-Unit Content Assessment: This assessment is scheduled for the first Pausing Point day. See also Activity Page PP.2.
  • Pausing Point Days: Information about the pausing point days is located on TG pg. 198. This unit’s Pausing Point days are primary focused on remediation and enrichment. A number of activity pages for the pausing point days are located at the end of the activity book and are marked as PP. 
  • Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: This unit includes options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources.

Unit 7: Poetry

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-8

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • This unit does not use a student reader file. Instead you will be using an internet search to access the poems covered in each lesson.
  • This unit does not use an activity book file. Instead you will be purchasing the Poet’s Journal directly from Amplify. The Poet’s Journal has been designed to reinforce the unit’s integration of reading and writing poetry.
  • Advanced preparation is required for all lessons in this unit.
  • Unit Assessment: Please see TG pg. 137 for information.
  • Pausing Points: See TG pg. 143 for a list of suggested culminating activities to use on the pausing point days.

Unit 8: Native Americans

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-7

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • The Student Reader file is located in the folder of unit files you downloaded from the CK website.
  • Many important resources such as maps, images, pronunciation guides, rubrics, sample essays, editing checklists, enrichment resources, and answer keys are located in the Teacher’s Resources section starting on TG pg. 281.
  • Mid-Unit Content Assessment: A day is scheduled between Lessons 7 and 9 for a mid-unit content assessment. Information on this assessment can be found on TG pg. 138. See also Activity Page PP.1.
  • End-of-Unit Content Assessment: This assessment is scheduled for the first Pausing Point day. See also Activity Page PP.2.
  • Pausing Point Days: Information about the pausing point days is located on TG pg. 258. This unit’s Pausing Point days are primary focused on remediation and enrichment. A number of activity pages for the pausing point days are located at the end of the activity book and are marked as PP. 
  • Enrichment Readings & Activity Pages: This unit includes options for enrichment readings (located at the back of the student reader) and activity pages (located at the back of the activity book). If time is available on pausing point days and/or catch-up days, you are encouraged to use these resources.

Unit 9: The Science of Breakable Things

• Read the Unit Introduction: Teacher’s Guide pg. 1-9

• Review the Unit-Specific Notes:
  • This final unit of the year is a novel study and is set up quite differently from other units. Please take the time to carefully read the introduction portion of the Teacher’s Guide prior to starting the unit and each lesson the night before presenting it to your student.
  • This unit does not use a student reader file. Instead you will need to obtain the book The Science of Breakable Things, by Tae Keller, ISBN 978-1-5247-1566-3. It is possible to use a library copy of this book, but note the book is needed for a total of 4 weeks to complete the unit.
  • This unit does include an Activity Book file.
  • The book does not have traditional chapters but instead is divided up into “Assignments”. Each lesson in the teacher’s guide will involve reading several “Assignments” from the book. Example: Instead of calling for the student to read Chapters 1-3 for the first lesson, the student will read “Assignments 1-3” in the book prior to the lesson.
  • This unit does not have a Pausing Point or a Unit Assessment.

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MEP Math has been made available through the Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching.