Standard 2: Reading and Writing Process

Students will use a variety of recursive reading and writing processes.                                

Student Actions 

Teacher Actions 

• Students describe the differences between literary and nonfiction/informational texts.

• Students understand the differences between genres and apply their understanding to distinguish genre in text.

• Students compare and contrast the details in nonfiction/informational texts to decide the genre.

• Teachers explain the differences between and provide opportunities for students to describe the differences between literary and nonfiction/informational texts.

• Teachers explain the differences between genres using key characteristics from the text, and provide students with opportunities to distinguish the differences between genres independently.

• Teachers model how to and provide opportunities for students to find the similarities and differences among the details of a nonfiction/informational text to determine the genre.

• Teachers provide opportunities for students to receive feedback regarding their explanations of the similarities and differences among the details in a nonfiction/informational text to determine the genre.

Supporting Resources 

Teacher Insights 

ELAOK Framework Genre Guidance   (pdf: Genre guidance pg 4 & pg 89)

Teacher Excellence Award Literary Genres Anchor Chart (pdf)

• Students should use characteristics of genres to distinguish texts.

• Students have studied genres in previous years. They should be familiar with most genres recommended for fifth grade.

• Examples of previously taught genres: informational text, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama, nursery rhyme, fable, folktale, fairy tale, tall tale, autobiography, biography.   

• For fifth grade, students should become familiar with legends and myths.

• Legends are based in truth and have been passed down through generations.

• The characters are usually humans.

• Myths are ancient stories that tell stories to explain the origin of nature and the universe.

• The characters are either gods/goddesses or heroes.

• They come from various cultures including Native American, Celtic, Norse, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian.

Due to recursive nature of the standards, it is essential that teachers are aware of how all objectives within and between strands work together for optimal instruction.