Grade 5 English (Virginia SOL)

Foundations for Reading (FFR)

• 5.FFR.1 Print concepts – see Kindergarten.
• 5.FFR.2 Phonological awareness – see Kindergarten to Grade 2.
• 5.FFR.3 Apply phonics and word analysis to decode unfamiliar words in grade-level text.
• Use syllable division and syllable types to decode and encode words.
• Use morphology (prefixes, suffixes, roots) to decode words.
• Read grade-level high-frequency words accurately and automatically.

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina (DSR)

• 5.DSR Build knowledge and comprehension from challenging texts, using strategies when understanding breaks down.
• Read complex texts accurately, fluently, and with expression, self-correcting as needed.
• Understand literary and informational texts in the upper part of the grades 4–5 complexity band.
• Support claims with accurately quoted or paraphrased evidence, noting where it appears.
• Regularly read sets of related texts at varied levels to build knowledge and vocabulary.
• Use reading strategies to support understanding in challenging parts of a text.

Reading and Vocabulary (RV)

• Build vocabulary and word knowledge systematically from grade 5 content and texts.
• 5.RV.1 Develop vocabulary and word analysis through a range of texts and discussion.
• Build academic and subject-specific vocabulary through grade 5 texts and topics.
• Discuss the meanings of complex words and phrases from conversation and literature.
• Work out complex word meanings using root words and inflectional affixes.
• Use sentence context to choose between homophones.
• Use synonyms and antonyms to understand words.
• Analyze Greek and Latin affixes and roots and how they affect meaning.
• Broaden vocabulary by listening to and reading high-quality, complex texts.
• Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs and adjectives.
• Use strategies to infer word meanings.
• Use print and digital glossaries, dictionaries, and thesauruses to clarify meanings.
• Use newly learned words and phrases in discussion and speaking.

Reading Literary Text (RL)

• Use textual evidence to understand literary texts, with a focus on fantasy.
• 5.RL.1 Key ideas and details in literary texts.
• Summarize stories or plays, including theme and lessons, using specific details.
• Describe plot as a series of events building to conflict and resolution.
• Explain how plot events change characters and how characters and setting shape the plot.
• 5.RL.2 Craft and style in literary texts.
• Describe how characters develop through what they say, think, and do and how others respond.
• Analyze language choices such as figurative and sensory language and dialogue, and their effects.
• Analyze features of poems and sound devices such as rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration.
• 5.RL.3 Integrate concepts across literary and informational texts.
• Set a purpose for reading by activating prior and background knowledge.
• Compare points of view across stories, including first- and third-person narration.
• Compare paired literary and nonfiction texts on similar themes, topics, and events.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• Use textual evidence to understand grade-level informational texts.
• 5.RI.1 Key ideas and supporting details in informational texts.
• Summarize main ideas and how details develop them.
• Summarize historical, scientific, or technical events and ideas, including what, how, and why.
• Describe how reasons and evidence support an author's points, quoting accurately.
• 5.RI.2 Craft and style in informational texts.
• Describe text structures and how later parts build on earlier ones, using transitions.
• Examine text features and search tools in print and digital sources to evaluate information.
• Determine the author's purpose and how perspective and bias shape meaning.
• 5.RI.3 Integrate concepts across informational texts.
• Use prior experience and background knowledge as context for new learning.
• Analyze several accounts of the same event, noting similarities and differences in point of view.
• Explain how individuals, events, or ideas interact in historical, scientific, or technical texts.

Foundations for Writing (FFW)

• Print and write cursive legibly and spell words correctly using grade-level knowledge.
• 5.FFW.1 Handwriting.
• Keep printing legible.
• Keep cursive legible.
• Sign first and last name.
• 5.FFW.2 Spelling.
• Combine letter-sound, syllable, and morphology knowledge to spell accurately.
• Use sound-symbol correspondences to read and spell high-frequency words.

Writing (W)

• Compose a range of texts for different audiences and purposes linked to grade 5 content.
• 5.W.1 Modes and purposes for writing.
• Write personal or imagined narratives around a central problem, using description or dialogue.
• Write expository texts with facts, details, and examples from several sources, grouped logically.
• Write persuasive pieces, including about media messages, with a clear position backed by facts and reasons.
• Respond to texts with logically grouped details and evidence.
• 5.W.2 Organization and composition.
• Use a writing process to build well-developed paragraphs with topic sentence, evidence, precise language, transitions, and conclusion.
• 5.W.3 Usage and mechanics.
• With support, revise for ideas, organization, fluency, and precise word choice.
• Self- and peer-edit for capitals, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, and Standard English.

Language Usage (LU)

• Use Standard English conventions and tell formal from informal contexts.
• 5.LU.1 Grammar.
• Expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning and style.
• Use adverbs to express time, frequency, degree, and certainty.
• Use interjections, prepositional phrases, and conjunctions to join words and phrases.
• Recognize and correct unwanted shifts in verb tense and number.
• Use standard subject-verb agreement.
• 5.LU.2 Mechanics.
• Use commas correctly in compound sentences.
• Use colons in times and to introduce lists.
• Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a line.
• Apply spelling patterns and generalizations when writing and pronouncing words.
• Use reference materials to check and correct spelling.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies (C)

• Develop oral communication and collaboration skills that help a learning community build understanding together.
• 5.C.1 Communication, listening, and collaboration.
• Prepare for and join sustained discussions, responding respectfully, asking relevant questions, and summarizing with evidence.
• Share responsibility for learning according to assigned roles and tasks.
• 5.C.2 Speaking and presenting ideas.
• Present reports or opinions in an organized way with subject vocabulary, facts, and audience engagement.
• 5.C.3 Integrating multimodal literacies.
• Create engaging presentations with multimedia components and visual displays.
• Use two or more interdependent modes of communication to convey a message.
• 5.C.4 Examining media messages.
• Take apart media types to identify their features and judge how well their messages work.
• Identify the purpose, audience, and credibility of media messages.
• Compare techniques such as animation, images, music, and photo editing across media.

Research (R)

• Conduct research and read related texts to build knowledge, solve problems, and support cross-curricular learning.
• 5.R.1 Evaluate and synthesise information.
• Write questions that narrow a topic and revise them as research goes on.
• Choose search terms and gather relevant information from print and digital sources.
• Organize and synthesise information, judging relevance, reliability, and credibility.
• Take notes with key ideas, summaries, and source details.
• Organize and share information orally, in writing, or visually.
• Avoid plagiarism by citing sources of media, facts, ideas, and quotations.