theme essay 5th grade

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When I look back to my first experience teaching five paragraph essays to fifth graders, I can remember how terribly unprepared I felt.

I knew that the five paragraph essay format was what my students needed to help them pass our state’s writing assessment but I had no idea where to start.

I researched the few grade-appropriate essays I could find online (these were the days before Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers) and determined that there was a structure to follow.

Every essay followed the same basic structure. I taught the structure to my students and they did well.

I have been teaching five paragraph essay structure and everything that goes with it for several years now. I hope that after you read this blog post, you will have a good understanding of how to teach and grade five paragraph essays.

Once you’ve learned all about teaching basic essay structure, you’ll be ready to grow your writers from “blah” to brilliant!

Teaching five paragraph essays is just one part of teaching 5th grade writing. Click here to find out exactly how I teach writing to my 5th graders!

Start with Simple Paragraphs

We always start with simple paragraphs.

Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me!

We spend a while cementing paragraph structure:

Topic Sentence

Closing Sentence

I give students topics, they come up with their own topics, we write together, they write with a partner or independently, the more variety, the better.

We have fun with simple paragraphs. Then, it’s time to move on to body paragraphs.

Organize and Write Body Paragraphs

Please refer to my five paragraph essay organizer below.

The three body paragraphs are absolutely crucial to the success of the five paragraph essay.

Some teachers have trouble teaching the structure of five paragraph essays because they start with the introduction paragraph.

Always teach the body paragraphs first!

I had a teacher say to me once, “What’s the point of just writing parts of the essay? They need to write the entire five paragraphs to get all of the practice they need.”

I understand that point. However, think of it as building a house. Should you test out the foundation and make sure it’s sound and sturdy before building on top of it? Absolutely! That’s what we’re doing here.

The three body paragraphs are the foundation of the essay.

Ask students to write out their three body paragraphs just like they have practiced…Topic sentence…Detail 1…Detail 2…Detail 3…Closing Sentence.

I “ooooh and aaaah” over their three paragraphs. Students are on their way to five paragraph essays, so be sure to build their confidence.

Five paragraph essays - introduction paragraphs

Teach the Introduction Paragraph

I have to say, this is my favorite paragraph to teach. The introduction paragraph is what draws readers into the essay and makes them want to read more.

We start with what I call a “hook.” The hook captures the readers’ attention and can come in many forms: asking a question, making a bold statement, sharing a memory, etc.

After the hook, I ask students to add a sentence or two of applicable commentary about the hook or about the prompt in general.

Finally, we add the thesis sentence. The thesis sentence always follows the same formula: Restate the prompt, topic 1, topic 2, and topic 3.

That’s all you need to write an excellent introduction paragraph!

I do suggest having students write the introduction paragraph plus body paragraphs a couple of times before teaching the closing paragraph.

Teach the Closing Paragraph

In the conclusion paragraph, we mainly focus on restating the thesis and including an engaging closing thought.

With my students, I use the analogy of a gift.

The introduction paragraph and body paragraphs are the gift and the conclusion paragraph is the ribbon that ties everything together and finishes the package.

When you talk about restating the thesis sentence, tell students that they need to make it sound different enough from their original thesis sentence to save their readers from boredom.

Who wants to read the same thing twice? No one!

Students can change up the format and wording a bit to make it fresh.

I enjoy teaching the closing thought because it’s so open to however students want to create it.

Ways to write the closing thought: ask a question, personal statement, call to action, or even a quote.

I especially like reading the essays in which a quote is used as a closing thought or a powerful statement is used.

Example of a full five paragraph essay

Let’s Talk About Color-Coding!

Who doesn’t like to color? This is coloring with a purpose!

Training your students to color-code their paragraphs and essays will make grading so much easier and will provide reminders and reinforcements for students.

When students color-code their writing, they must think about the parts of their paragraphs, like topic sentences, details, and the closing sentence.

They will be able to see if they are missing something or if they’ve written something out of order.

Color-coding is a wonderful help for the teacher because you can skim to ensure that all parts of your students’ paragraphs and essays are present.

Also, when you are grading, you can quickly scan the paragraphs and essays. Trust me, you will develop a quick essay-grading ability.

I start color-coding with my students at the very beginning when they are working on simple paragraphs. I add the additional elements of the color-code as we progress through our five paragraph essays.

This is the code that I use:

Let’s Talk About Grading Five Paragraph Essays!

Imagine a lonely, stressed teacher grading five paragraph essays on the couch while her husband is working the night shift.

That was me!

Seriously, guys, I would spend about ten minutes per essay. I marked every little error, I made notes for improvement and notes of encouragement. I reworked their incorrect structure.

Those papers were full of marks.

On Monday, I proudly brought back the essays and asked students to look over them and learn what they needed to fix for next time.

You can guess what happened… there were lots of graded essays in the trashcan at the end of the day.

Make grading five paragraph essays easier!

I decided that my grading practices had to change. I needed my weekends back and my students needed to find their own errors!

This is my best advice:

STOP correcting every error!

Your students are not benefiting from marks all over their writing. They need to find those errors themselves so that they will remember their mistakes and change their writing habits.

Do a quick scan of each student’s writing as soon as it’s turned in to you.

If there are major problems with a student’s writing, call him/her over individually and show him/her what needs to be fixed or put the student with a competent peer editor who will help them fix mistakes.

If you have several students who are struggling with a skill, like closing sentences, do a mini-lesson on this topic.

You can do a mini-lesson with a small group. However, I prefer doing mini-lessons with the entire class. The kids who need help will get it and the rest of your class will receive a refresher.

It’s OK if there are some small spelling/grammar mistakes!

If the errors are few and they don’t take away from the meaning/flow of the essay, I don’t worry about them.

Our students are still learning.

Even your brightest star writer will have a few spelling/grammar mistakes from time to time.

Don’t discourage students from writing because of small errors.

Students who receive papers back with markings all over them don’t think, “Oh boy, my teacher has made it so easy for me to make all of these corrections.” They are thinking, “What’s the point in writing? I must be a terrible writer. Look at all of these mistakes.”

If your students are taking a standardized writing assessment, the structure and flow of their essays will be worth much more than perfect spelling.

Need more help?

I created this five paragraph essay instructional unit for teachers who are new to teaching five paragraph essays OR just need all of the materials in one place.

“Teacher Talk” pages will guide you through the unit and this unit contains all materials needed to help students plan, organize, and write amazing five paragraph essays! Click here to check it out:

I have a freebie for you! Enter your first name and email address below. You’ll receive three original prompts with five paragraph essay organizers AND two lined final draft pages!

Once your students are good essay writers…

These task cards will help your students stay sharp on their five paragraph essay knowledge. Students will review hooks (attention-getters), thesis sentences, body paragraphs, topic sentences, closings, and more. Each card contains a unique writing example!

I suggest using these task cards as a quiz/test, scoot game, individual review, or cooperative group activity.

Click on the image to view these task cards:

To save this post for later, simply pin this image to your teacher Pinterest board!

21 comments.

Wow! I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always stressed over the thought of teaching writing, but your blog makes me think I can do it successfully. Putting your writing packet on my TPT wish list!

Thank you, Shannon! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. I am so glad that my blog post was helpful to you!

Thanks for the tips! When I taught 6th grade I taught this same subject matter, but struggled to get started. I wish I had this then!

I appreciate your comment! Teaching was much different before Pinterest, wasn’t it?!?

This helped me so much!🙂 thanks a lot, I imagined being one student of yours. I’d be so smart and good at essays! Would’ve been so much easier in person❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so much, Aizlyn!

Thank you so much for this! May I ask where I can see the rubric for scoring the compositions?

You are so welcome! Click on the resource link. Then, you will see the rubric in the preview!

Thank you so much,I am a parent and this really helped me be clear how to guide my son. God bless you always.,

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!

you are welcome!!!

This looks great! Looking forward to using your tips and freebies with my 6th graders. 🙂 THANK YOU.

You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

Can’t wait to use this with my class tomorrow! Thanks a bunch for sharing!!

You are so welcome, Amy!

Thank you for making it easy to teach an essay with clarity.

You are very welcome, Yamuna! Thanks for taking the time to leave feedback 🙂

I am so happy I discovered your blog. I just started teaching grade 5 in September I have been searching for a simple method to hel me in guiding them in writing. I will be putting your method into practice in the coming week.

That’s wonderful, Cherry! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Welcome to fifth grade 🙂

Beautiful lesson well explained! Thank you so very much .

Thank you so much, Cheryl!

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Help your 5th Grader Write a Great Essay

Writing essays can be a daunting task for students. 5th-grade students have a strong foundation of writing skills to help them construct body paragraphs and express their ideas using complex sentences. Still, they may need an extra push to write confidently and expressively.

The most challenging task when writing an essay is starting the writing process and learning to be confident.

Helping students tackle the task and build their confidence in writing multiple types of essays such as a persuasive essay, an informational essay, or even a narrative essay such as short stories takes a lot of practice, focus, and support from instructors and parents.

Learning to Express Ideas

Pre-writing is a crucial step in the writing process. Fifth graders should be in a place in their writing journey where they can perfect all the pre-writing strategies before they even write a word of an essay.

This will set them up to successfully construct excellent five-paragraph essays consistently.

When your child sits down to write a five body paragraph essay, the very first thing they should do is read the prompt. Understanding what the prompt is asking for is the first step in being proactive about writing an excellent essay.

You want them to ponder these questions: am I writing a persuasive essay? Am I writing an essay on a topic requiring me to do my research? Will I need to list evidence? Am I writing a narrative story that requires figurative language?

How to Successfully Brainstorm An Essay

One excellent way to get the brainstorm rolling is to have your fifth-grade student utilize a graphic organizer such as a cluster map as a way to write down all the related words or small phrases they can think of about the prompt.

The organizer will help get their creative minds rolling until they write something they are interested in or perhaps even excited about exploring further.

Brainstorming is a crucial component of teaching writing. This first step should be the most relaxed, no-pressure section for the student.

As a fifth-grader, your child will have a good idea of how to brainstorm different ideas on paper, but an essential part will be to organize these ideas into something of an outline.

Through brainstorming, students learn to think creatively to answer the prompt. Sometimes logical thinking is also required. For example, with a persuasive essay, students must brainstorm their arguments and develop reasons or evidence to back up their claims.

Supporting this step will allow students to perfect the details of the content they’re writing about and give them the main idea for their entire essay.

How to Turn a Brainstorm into an Outline

Encouraging your fifth grader to write a quick outline in a way that’s organized according to the five-paragraph essay format will give them a solid foundation to write their first rough draft.

These pre-writing skills are crucial in turning students from simple sentence writers into detailed five-paragraph essay writers.

Five-paragraph essays are the standard way to construct an essay, including writing an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Using this format, your fifth grader should write a short and straightforward outline that showcases every paragraph’s main ideas and contents in logical order.

Instead of freewriting the essay off the top of their head, an outline in the five-paragraph essay format will help your fifth grader have a guide to help them construct the first draft of their essay and flesh out ideas when they write body paragraphs.

Constructing a 5 Paragraph Essay

Read below for a brief five-paragraph essay instructional unit to help you guide your child in writing an exceptional essay.

1) How To Write An Introduction

In the five-paragraph essay format, the introduction is vital in grabbing the reader’s attention and holding it throughout the essay.

When teaching writing, the introduction is explained as the initial place to set up the topic of the essay. It usually requires a direct address of the contents to follow in the form of a thesis.

A thesis statement is a sentence in the introduction that directly answers the prompt and has reasons and evidence for the writer’s claim. It’s like a short preview of what the students will write about in their body paragraphs.

Furthermore, students write the thesis at the end of the introduction paragraph and ensure it follows a specific sentence structure to make it stand out as the most critical part of the intro.

2) How To Write Body Paragraphs

An excellent way to help students be confident in their work is to help them build clear strategies or steps to tackle daunting parts of an essay, such as a body paragraph.

Acronyms are one good way to remember all the steps of constructing a remarkable body paragraph. For example, TEEA is a wonderful acronym to get your fifth grader started on the task.

TEEA stands for:

T: Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is the very first sentence of a body paragraph. It explains what your section is about and its main idea. Ideally, this should be one sentence long and directly explain the topic at hand.

For the second section, you will want your fifth grader to answer the following question: WHY are you talking about this topic or idea? Why is this important? This should be about 2 or 3 sentences long because you will want your child to use lots of details to support the idea in the topic sentence.

E: Example

In the third section, the student should prove what they explained about their topic by giving a solid, real-life example. This can be 2-3 sentences. The key here is to make the example applicable to the topic and explanation.

A: Analysis

Lastly, the analysis explains how the example supports your topic. This will probably be 1 or 2 sentences.

The analysis is the most tricky part of a body paragraph. The best way to get your child to think about this is to emphasize the how question. How does your example prove you are right? How does the example relate to the topic?

Using TEEA, your child will be able to construct a clear and strong body paragraph for almost any prompt or topic.

3) How to Write A Conclusion

Lastly, to conclude an essay, students must think about what idea they want the reader to leave with after reading their essay.

To start, students can use their introductory paragraph as a guide. They should restate their essay topic or thesis differently.

Next, students should summarize the main points made in the body paragraphs.

After this step, students can play the “so what?” game. Have your fifth grader think about what they’ve written in the conclusion, then answer the question, “so what?” Why is this important? Why should anybody care?

The very last sentence of the conclusion is a fantastic place to answer the “so what” question and leave the readers with a good impression or the desire for more information.

Using this instructional guide, with practice, your 5th grader will be able to construct logically sound and impeccably organized essays in no time.

The Reading Ranch Method

Struggling writers can experience various difficulties in any step of the writing process. The Reading Ranch Intervention Program is a research-based program to help students strengthen their writing skills in an interactive and dynamic environment. Our curriculum prides itself on being an interactive writing curriculum proven through various studies to immensely help struggling writers. Contact us today if you’re looking for help with your child who struggles in school and at home because they are stuck when they write and unable to keep up with their peers. We offer either online or in-person programs we feel confident we have something just right for every family.

Kiran Gokal is a freelance writer, teacher, and lover of the written word specializing in content articles, blog posts, and marketing copywriting. For the past three years, she’s been teaching bright young students all about reading and writing at The Reading Ranch®, while also lending her writing skills to different businesses and non-profits in the education sector.

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Writing Prompts for 5th Grade

PhotoAlto / Sigrid Olsson / Getty Images

By fifth grade, students are developing basic fluency as writers. In order to hone their skills, fifth graders should practice supporting claims with factual information, conveying information clearly, and writing narratives in a logical order. The following fifth-grade writing prompts encourage students to develop their skills through topics that are meaningful to them.

Narrative Essay Writing Prompts

Narrative essays tell a story based on a student’s personal experience. They encourage students to use descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them in a logical manner, and draw conclusions from them.

New Beginnings . This is your last year of elementary school. What are you most excited or most nervous about when you think of starting middle school ?
Betwixt . Students in 5th grade are often referred to as “tweens,” meaning that they are between the young child and the teen years. What is the hardest thing about being a tween in today’s society?
Besties . What is the best book you’ve ever read? What made it so special?
Reflections . Do you remember your first-ever day of school ? Describe one vivid memory from that day.
Bullies . Have you ever witnessed someone bullying another student? What happened and how did it make you feel?
Man’s Best Friend . Do you share a bond with your dog or other pet? Describe your pet, and explain what makes your relationship unique.
Families . A family isn’t always a mom, a dad, and their children. Write about the ways your family is the same as and different from other types of families and what makes your bonds so strong.
Holiday Memories . Think about one of your favorite holiday-related memories. Write an essay describing it and tell why it is so unforgettable.
Guilty . Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.
The Ultimate Field Trip . If you could choose anywhere in the world to go on a field trip , where would you choose and why?
Family Game Night . Do you enjoy playing games with your family? Describe your favorite family game or activity.
Tasty Treats . What is your favorite food? Describe it as if you were introducing it to someone who has never seen or tasted it.
Someday . Have you thought about what you want to be when you grow up? Write an essay explaining why you think you’d like that career.

Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts

Persuasive essays are those written to convince another person to agree with the writer or take action. These persuasive essay prompts inspire 5th graders to share their passions with an audience.

Pets Day . You’ve just gone to work with your parent for “bring your child to work day.” Write an essay convincing your school to have a “bring your pet to school” day.
Yuck . What is your least-favorite cafeteria food? Give three compelling reasons why your school should quit serving it.
Let’s Trade . Your friend’s lunches from home always look better than yours. Write an essay convincing your buddy that you should start swapping meals every day. Be sure to highlight the benefits of the food you bring!
Home Alone . Write an essay convincing your parents that you are old enough and responsible enough to stay at home alone.
Sunny Day . The weather outside is beautiful for the first time in weeks. Persuade your teacher not to assign any homework so that you’ll have time to go out to play.
The Sequel . The long-awaited sequel to your favorite book or video game is now available. Convince your brother or sister to do your chores this week so that you have plenty of time for reading or gaming.
Seating Chart . Because of your teacher’s seating chart, you’re not going to be able to sit next to your friend all year! Persuade your teacher to let students choose their seats.
Birth Order . Are you an only child, the oldest sibling, the youngest, or the middle? What makes your birth order the best?
The Ultimate Game . What is the best video game on the planet? Explain why it’s better than similar games.
Life Lessons . What are the three most important lessons parents should teach their children and why?
Test Time . Do you think standardized tests are helpful or harmful? Explain your answer.
Tunes . Some studies have shown that listening to music can help students concentrate. Should students be allowed to listen to music using headphones during independent work times at school? Persuade the reader of your answer.
Catch-22 . You’re not a big fan of writing. Write an essay convincing your teacher that you shouldn’t have to write any more essays this year.

Expository Essay Writing Prompts

Expository essays are often called how-to essays. They usually teach the reader something or provide facts about a particular topic.

Let’s Play . Your family frequently attends community theater productions, but your friend has never seen one. Write an essay describing what he or she can expect during the evening.
Band . You're graduating elementary school, and a younger student is taking your spot in the school band. Explain to him or her how to clean and care for your musical instrument .
Lessons Learned . Write an essay to a younger sibling explaining two or three key strategies for having a positive 5th-grade experience.
Class Pet . You’ve cared for your class pet this week, but now it’s another classmate’s turn. Explain how to feed and care for the pet properly.
Upgrade Ahead . You have an idea to improve your school. Explain it.
Safety Zone . Explain three of the best steps kids can take to be safe online.
Family Traditions . Does your family have any customs or traditions that might be unfamiliar to a classmate? Describe them.
Pen Pal . Describe for your pen pal who lives in another state an animal native to your area, including its physical characteristics, behaviors, and any sounds that it makes.
Creepy Crawlies . Compare and contrast two insects or animals that are similar, but have different characteristics such as a bumblebee and a yellow jacket or a horse and a mule. How are they alike and how are they different?
Clean Up . Your class is going to spend a day cleaning up at a local park. You’ve done this with another group before, but some of your classmates haven’t. Explain the process.
Action . Your favorite book was made into a movie. Compare and contrast the film and book versions.
Team Players . Explain how contributing responsibly helps or how it hurts a group when someone doesn’t do his part.
Tell and Show . Your class is having a “tell and show” day. You have to describe your item in as much detail as possible without naming it. Only when the class guesses or gives up can you show your item. Write out the description of your item.

Creative Writing Essay Prompts

Creative writing allows students to engage their imaginations and story-telling skills while also practicing vital writing skills such as sequence and description.

Magic Lamp . You’ve just found a magic lamp. What happens when you rub it?
Say Cheese . You are given an exceptional camera. Everything you take a picture of becomes yours, but you can only take three pictures. Tell a story about the photos you take.
Invisible Man . One morning, you glance in the mirror and realize that you don’t have a reflection. You’ve become invisible! Write a story about your day.
Gone to the Dogs . Write a story from your pet’s point of view.
All Hail the King . Imagine that you discover an uncharted land that you claim as a new country. And, you’re the ruler! Describe your country, its people, and your newfound position of power.
Part of the Story . One night, you doze off after reading the latest book in your favorite series. When you wake, you discover that you’re in the story! Write about your adventures.
Before or After . Imagine that you live either 100 years in the past or 100 years in the future. What is your life like?
Dr. Doolittle . You’re walking through a pet store when you discover that you can talk to the animals. What happens next?
Meet and Greet . Imagine that you can meet anyone you’re studying in school right now from famous scientists to historical figures to the characters in the class read-aloud . Write a story about your meeting with that person.
Switcheroo . If you could switch lives with anyone in your school, who would it be? Write about your day in the life of that person.
Holiday Loop . Imagine you get to relive your favorite holiday every day. What’s that like?
Tall Tales . Tall tales are possibly true stories that contain highly exaggerated actions or events. Create a tall tale about something that happened in your family.
Teacher's Pet . Imagine that your teacher is actually your parent. Describe a day in class.
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Teaching Theme in Upper Elementary

5+ new ideas for teaching themes in upper elementary. Use these suggestions for activities, scaffolding, projects, and review to give your students a firm foundation for identifying themes in literature.

Although theme can be interpreted as a single central idea, here at Fun in 5th Grade, we define theme as the lesson or message we can learn from reading the story. Read the example from our Reviewing Theme Game Show below.

Here are 5+ suggestions for teaching, scaffolding, and reviewing themes in the classroom.

#1- Teaching Theme (Activity): One Theme, Many Stories

We teach our students lessons every day, but when it comes to teaching them to FIND the lesson (or theme) when they are reading, our students often struggle to see past the main idea .

Introduce one theme to the whole class and give the students a few moments to outline a story that teaches that lesson. Then assign students to groups of 3, and ask them to share their story idea.

Once they have shared in their small group, call on a few students to share their stories with the class. This storytelling activity shows students that several stories (even with different characters and plots) can have the same theme.

The same lesson can be taught in many ways.

#2- Teaching Theme (Scaffolding Idea): Is it, or isn’t it? or True or False?

This is one of the ideas we repeatedly use in the Theme Game Show . Present students with a story and a given theme and ask them to decide if this IS or IS NOT the theme of the passage.

You can use the passages found in the Theme Game Show , but you can also reuse passages from other activities and stories you have lying around as well.

Is it or isn’t it, helps build student confidence related to theme because even if they can’t come up with the words themselves, they may still be able to identify them.

#3- Teaching Theme (Activity): Theme Bingo

Use the 25 passages in the Theme Game Show to create Theme Bingo Cards. Create a list of the themes and then input them into a Bingo Card Generator like this one . Create enough cards for the class, and then read the passages out loud. Ask students to quietly cover up the theme they think the passage goes with. When someone has a BINGO, they shout it out!!

Playing in a virtual classroom? The Bingo Card Generator we linked to above will allow you to have people join a virtual game via a link.

*Just a little FYI: At the time I am writing this, the Bingo Card Generator I’ve linked to allows you to either print or play virtually with up to 30 people for free. If you have more than 30 students, you can pair them up, or you can pay for more seats.

#4- Teaching Theme (Scaffolding Suggestion): This or That

Although there is one category in the Theme Game Show dedicated to this scaffolding technique, you can use other stories and passages to practice the same thing.

As a way of helping struggling students, read a passage with them and then provide two different theme options for them to choose from. One of the options is correct, and one is close but not quite right. Ask students to try to figure out which one is the best answer, AND explain why they think so.

While learning about and recognizing themes early on, allow students to work with others to pick an answer. Elevate the activity by asking students to not only identify which theme is best for this passage but to write a new passage (or modify the current passage) that fits the other theme better. These student-written passages can then be used by the class at a later date for another theme activity.

#5- Teaching Theme (Class Project): The Character’s Journey (a play)

Similar to #1 but with an actor’s twist. Put students in groups and assign them at least three themes. Each group will create a play where the main character goes on a journey. At each stop on the journey, he/she/they will have an experience that represents one of the group’s chosen themes. This project allows students to work on writing, character development, identifying and writing about themes, and many other skills.

I suggest using this project as an ongoing activity that students work on throughout the quarter. Give them time to write, edit, rehearse, and eventually present their work. Record their presentations to share with their parents and families.

+1 More- Teaching Theme (Review): Theme Game Show

We’ve been discussing the Theme Game Show throughout this post, but this spot is dedicated just to this resource as a review game to play in centers, with small groups, or as a full class. This game is built as an interactive game show complete with scoreboards for up to 6 teams. However, even better than the scoreboards are the 25 passages in the game that can be used in so many different ways, including in all of the examples provided above. Play the game as is, or use the passages to help your students learn more about theme!

Let’s wrap this thing up!

We hope you enjoy these activities, and as always, let us know how it goes! Leave us a comment telling us how these activities worked in your classroom or tell us about some of the activities and methods you use with your students to teach theme!

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100 Best Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade: Journal Prompts

Prompts for Narrative Essays
Prompts for Informative Essay Writing
Prompts for Research Writing
Funny Fifth Grade Writing Prompts
5th Grade Poetry Writing Prompts
Prompts for 5th Grade Fiction Writing
5th Grade Animal Writing Prompts
5th Grade Emotion Writing Prompts
Journal Writing Prompts for Fifth Graders
5th Grade Descriptive Writing Prompts

As parents and teachers, we recognize the significance of writing as a fundamental skill that enables children to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas. However, generating ideas and inspiration for writing can be challenging for many 5th-grade students. To aid students in this process, 5th grade writing prompts prove to be a valuable resource. Furthermore, Science Daily published an article that highlights the crucial connection between handwriting and brain activity. Writing can increase brain activity, leading to better memory retention and cognitive development. This is particularly important for students as it can positively impact their academic performance.

“Writing is the painting of the voice.” – Voltaire

By using writing prompts, children can explore various topics, develop their imagination, and hone their writing skills. In this collection, we have compiled various writing prompts that are engaging, entertaining, and sure to inspire creativity in 5th grade students. This collection has something for everyone: Persuasive writing, descriptive essays, narrative stories, and imaginative writing. Fifth grade journal prompts can help inspire creativity and reflection in their writing. So, let’s get started and explore these exciting 5th Grade writing prompts.

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10 Prompts for Narrative Essays

Writing Narrative Essays? Here Are Ten 5th grade narrative writing prompts:

“A great story can lead us to new worlds, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.” – Neil Gaiman

Write about a time when you faced a difficult decision.
Imagine you are stranded on a deserted island. Describe what you would do?
Create a narrative about a magical adventure.
Write about a time when you learned something important.
Think about the prospect of time travel. How would you react, and where would you go?
Develop a narrative about a superhero you create.
Describe a time when you overcame a fear.
Imagine you can do whatever you want. Tell me what it would be and how you’d use it.
Create a narrative about a day in the life of your pet.
Write about a time when you had to stand up for what you believe in.

10 Prompts for Informative Essay Writing

A list of ten 5th grade writing prompts to get you started on an informative essay:

Write an essay about a famous person who inspires you.
Research and write an essay about a historical event that interests you.
Write about the benefits of physical activity and exercise.
Write an essay about the effects of technology on society.
Research and write an essay about a country you would like to visit.
Write about the importance of reading books .
Write an essay about the positive and negative effects of social media.
Research and write an essay about an animal species that is endangered.
Write about the importance of recycling and conserving natural resources.
Please write an essay about the role of education in shaping our future.

10 Prompts for Research Writing

Here are ten Research writing prompts for 5th grade:

“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” -Zora Neale Hurston, author and anthropologist.

Research and write about your favorite historical figure.
Choose a famous landmark and research its history and significance.
Investigate and write about an important event in history.
Research and write about a unique and interesting animal species.
Study and write about famous inventors and their inventions.
Research and write about the culture and traditions of a country you are interested in.
Explore and write about a current scientific discovery or innovation.
Investigate and write about the effects of climate change on a particular region or ecosystem.
Research and write about a famous artist and their artwork.
Study and write about a significant moment in space exploration history.

10 Funny Fifth Grade Writing Prompts

Here are ten prompts for Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade:

Write a funny story about a talking animal.
Imagine speaking to your pet and writing about what you would say.
Write a comic dialog between two unlikely characters.
Write a humorous story about a mischievous character getting into trouble.
Create a funny story using three random objects.
Write a funny kids’ poem . This can be about your favorite food.
Imagine a world where everything is opposite, and develop a narrative about it.
Develop a narrative about a silly superhero with extraordinary power.
Create a funny dialog between a parent and a child.
Develop a narrative about a funny and unexpected event that happened to you.

10 5th Grade Poetry Writing Prompts

The following are ten writing topics for 5th graders seeking poetry writing prompts:

Write a poem about your favorite season.
Imagine you are a raindrop falling from the sky. Write a poem describing your journey.
Write a poem about a place that makes you happy.
Choose an object in the room and write a poem about it.
Write a poem about a dream you had.
Create a poem that includes the words “whisper,” “twist,” and “moon.”
Write a poem about a memorable moment with a friend.
Describe a beautiful sunset in a poem.
Write a poem about the ocean and all its wonders.
Create a poem about your favorite animal.

10 Prompts for 5th Grade Fiction Writing

Opinion writing prompts 5th grade to help encourage critical thinking and self-expression in young students. Here are ten 5th grade writing prompt ideas to get them started:

Create a story about a mysterious package that arrives in the mail.
Develop a narrative about a person who can time travel.
Create a story about a magic tree that grants wishes.
Imagine being lost in the forest and creating a story about your adventure.
Develop a narrative about a group of friends who discover a hidden treasure.
Create a story about a person who can talk to animals.
Create a narrative about a family vacation gone wrong.
Imagine you could shrink to the size of an ant. Develop a narrative about your adventures.
Create a story about a person who wakes up one day with superpowers.
Develop a narrative about a group of people stranded on a deserted island.

10 5th Grade Animal Writing Prompts

Here are ten writing ideas for 5th grade for animal-themed assignments:

If you could be any animal for a day, which animal would you choose and why?
Create a narrative told from the point of view of a bear family as they emerge from their hibernation period.
Describe the life of a whale in the deep sea.
Write a persuasive essay on why zoos are important for conserving endangered animals.
Describe the life of a squirrel gathering nuts for winter.
Write a fictional story about a fox trying to outsmart a group of chickens.
Describe the life of a butterfly from caterpillar to butterfly.
Write a research paper on the migration patterns of birds.
Describe the life of a lion in the savannah.
Write a poem about the beauty of nature and the animals that live in it.

10 5th Grade Emotion Writing Prompts

Here are ten prompts for 5th grade writing prompts About Emotion:

Describe a moment when you experienced a strong sense of self-satisfaction and accomplishment.
Describe a moment when you felt scared and how you overcame your fear.
Create a narrative about a character who overcomes a difficult challenge.
Describe a time when you felt happy for someone else.
Write a letter to your future self about your dreams and aspirations.
Describe a time when you felt angry and how you managed your anger.
Develop a narrative about a character who learns the importance of forgiveness.
Describe a moment when you felt grateful for something or someone.
Write a poem about the different emotions that people feel.
Describe when you felt sad and how you coped with your sadness.

10 Journal Writing Prompts for Fifth Graders

The following are ten suggestions for 5th grade journal prompts to use:

Describe an instance where you successfully conquered a challenging obstacle.
Describe a moment when you felt proud of yourself and why.
Write about a place that is special to you and why it is important.
Describe a time when you helped someone else and how it made you feel.
Write about your favorite book and what you learned from it.
Describe an instance where you made a mistake and what you learned from it.
Write about a person who inspires you and why.
Describe a time when you felt grateful for something or someone.
Write about your favorite hobby and why you enjoy it.
Describe when you tried something new and what you learned from the experience.

When choosing 5th grade journal topics, consider selecting prompts that encourage students to explore their interests, emotions, and experiences in a safe and supportive environment.

10 5th Grade Descriptive Writing Prompts

Here are ten topics to consider when looking for descriptive writing prompts for 5th grade:

Describe your favorite outdoor place and explain why it is special to you.
Write a descriptive paragraph about a delicious meal you recently enjoyed.
Imagine you’re walking through a spooky forest. Describe what you see, hear, and feel.
Describe the view from your bedroom window. What can you see in the distance?
Write a paragraph describing a character from your favorite book. What do they look like, and what makes them interesting?
Describe your dream bedroom. What colors would you use, and what kind of furniture would you have?
Imagine you’re on a deserted island. Describe the island and the environment around you.
Write a paragraph describing a memorable moment from a family vacation.
Describe a special item you keep in your room. Why is it important to you?
Imagine you’re in a bustling city. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells you experience.

Encourage Fifth Graders in Becoming Writers

Writing is a significant skill that is essential for communication, expression, and personal growth. As highlighted in an article published by UCONN , writing prompts play a crucial role in engaging students’ interest in a particular topic and encouraging them to write thoughtfully and creatively. While effective prompts should introduce and limit the writing topic, they should also provide clear instructions about the writing task. It is imperative to equip 5th graders with resources and guidance to help them develop their writing skills.

Educators and parents can provide 5th grade journal prompts and creative exercises to assist students in exploring various forms of writing and finding their unique voice. Additionally, feedback and constructive criticism can help students improve their strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, teaching 5th graders to write improves their academic and personal lives by promoting self-expression, creativity, and critical thinking.

Fifth Grade Writing Prompts for Developing Young Writers

5th-grade writing prompts can be a powerful tool for parents and teachers to help students develop their writing skills and creativity. By providing a starting point for writing, prompts can help students overcome writer’s block and find inspiration for their ideas. The prompts in this collection cover a wide range of topics and genres, encouraging students to explore their interests and experiences through writing.

“A well-crafted writing prompt can spark creativity and lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us.” – Laura Robb

Parents and teachers can inspire students to develop regular writing habits and enhance their skills by utilizing 5th grade journal prompts. According to an article published by the Journal of Instructional Research , both approaches of writing i.e. direct and indirect, have positive effects on students’ writing abilities. This article dived into exploring these approaches for promoting writing. The direct approach focuses on teaching writing skills explicitly and providing feedback on children writing. The indirect approach, on the other hand, emphasizes creating a supportive environment that encourages writing.

We can motivate students to write on a variety of topics, experiment with different writing styles, and share their work with others. By nurturing a passion for writing, we can help our students become confident, creative, and effective communicators. Why not give these prompts a try and see where they take you? Let’s encourage our young writers to unleash their creativity and express themselves through the power of writing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are these prompts suitable for all 5th class students.

These 5th grade writing prompts are designed to be accessible to most students, but they may need to be modified or adapted for students with special needs or English language learners.

How can I implement these ideas into my lesson plans?

Creative writing prompts 5th grade to use it for anything from journal entries to class discussions. Teachers can also have their students use these as a springboard for creative thinking and topic development.

Can these prompts be used for other grade levels?

Yes, many of these prompts can be adapted for other grade levels depending on the level of complexity and difficulty. Teachers can also modify the prompts better to fit the interests and abilities of their students.

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How to Write A 5th Grade Level Essay

There are four basic types of prompts for fifth grade students: narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative writing.

Narrative Essay

A narrative essay requires them to tell a story, real or imagined, using descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them logically, and draw conclusions from them. The writing prompt will be something like this: Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.

To answer this, your child will have to tell the story of a time they did something wrong and what the consequences were. They will likely make use of the “five senses” and discuss how they felt moment-to-moment as they describe the events. Dialogue is an important part of this, too; they may describe the conversation they had with their teacher or with you, confessing what they did and apologizing.

Persuasive Essay

A persuasive essay is written to convince another person to agree with the writer or take action. The prompt will look something like this: What is your least-favorite food at the school cafeteria? Give three compelling reasons why your school should quit serving it. To answer this, your child needs to make sure to have three logical and persuasive reasons for why whatever food they choose is bad.

For example, they may hate the green beans they are given. The reasons they give don’t have to be particularly nuanced, but should still be realistic and logical. Their reasons may be that they are canned and therefore aren’t as nutritious as fresh, they are overcooked, and they make everyone’s breath smell bad. Their essay should also make a case for a replacement or better idea, such as serving fresh green beans or different vegetable options.

Expository Essay

An expository essay requires your child to explain something, like a how-to guide or providing facts about a topic. This essay prompt will look something like this: Your favorite book was made into a movie. Compare and contrast the film and book versions. To answer this, your child will need to point out the differences and similarities between the two works.

For example, the movie may have cut out a lot of scenes from the book or added new ones. Characters may dress differently or say different dialogue in the movie, or they may be perfect representations of how they look in the book. There shouldn’t be a list of similarities and differences; instead, your child should organize these comparisons in paragraphs that have a logical flow. For example, they may start by going through differences in the events of the two works and how the movie improves on certain plots, then discuss character differences and how they are better in the book, and finish with their ideas about which version tells the story better.

Creative Writing

Creative writing has your child use their story-telling skills while also practicing vital writing skills such as sequence and description. A creative writing prompt can look something like this: Write a story from your pet’s point of view. A creative writing prompt requires your child to consider things from a different perspective, and they may even write a poem or song instead of an essay, depending on their assignment.

To answer this prompt, they will need to consider what the world looks, sounds, and feels like from a very different view. It doesn’t have to be a perfect narrative, it can be the pet’s ideas and feelings about their life and how they feel about your child. Creative writing prompts are an opportunity for your child to stretch their imagination and try out different things in their writing.

If your child is having a hard time with these prompts, a way to help is to enroll them in Reading Genie. The program is designed to give your child practice writing while engaging them in fun topics and ideas. The teachers at Reading Genie give helpful and kind advice, and your child will have opportunities to get feedback from their peers to build their confidence.

You can also practice writing prompts with your child at home; they can be a lot of fun! Even if you don’t end up writing anything, discussing ideas with your child and how to approach certain prompts and questions can help get their minds active.

Genie Academy offers a range of after-school programs focused on enhancing skills in mathematics, literacy, composition, and coding. These educational services are available at our New Jersey tutor centers and are designed to cater to the learning needs of children from Pre-Kindergarten to 8th grade. Learn more about our writing classes in East Brunswick , writing classes in Hillsborough , writing classes in Marlboro , writing classes in South Brunswick , writing classes in Plainsboro , and writing classes in South Plainfield .

Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/fifth-grade-writing-prompts-4171627

Topics: Essay , Writing Skills , Fifth Grade , paragraph writing , Writing Prompt

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How do I use writing topics in my classroom?

Do you want to inspire your students to write great narratives, essays, and reports? Check out these grade-specific writing topics organized by mode (explanatory, creative, and so on). Or search for writing topics that relate to a theme, such as “life” or “animals” or “family.”

Jump to . . .

Explanatory writing.

A day in the rainforest
After-school games
An important person I know about
At the library
Foods I don't like
Friendly places
Games I play with friends
Games we play at recess
Good things in my neighborhood
How plants grow
How to make my favorite dessert
How to make new friends
I like spring because . . .
I like to make . . .
I'd like to see . . .
Insects, insects everywhere
Learning to ride a bike
My favorite food
My favorite pet
My favorite season
My mom's/dad's hobby
My new friend
My shopping list
Our clubhouse
The biggest bubble-gum bubble
The funniest zoo animal
This person makes me laugh
What I know about . . .
What I know about an animal
What I know about dinosaurs
What I know about stars
What I know about the ocean
What I like about math
What makes me laugh?
What will I share?
Who I will be in the future
Who's at the zoo?
Why I like to read
Why I love to sing
Words I think are funny

Persuasive Writing

Don't litter!
Things that would make my neighborhood better

Narrative Writing

A day at the beach
A special birthday
Buying something with my own money
Cooking dinner with Mom/Dad
Eating lunch with my friends
Going grocery shopping
Going to the circus
I rode on a . . .
I'm happy when . . .
Losing my teeth
My adventure
My trip to . . .
Noisy times and quiet times
Playing a game with Grandma/Grandpa
Playing with pets
Something funny that happened to me
The biggest thing I ever saw
The last time I cried
When _ was born

Response to Literature

A book I just read
Some of my favorite books

Creative Writing

A story about a holiday
A trip on a rocket ship
Dear George Washington
Seeing the world through the eyes of . . .
Sometimes I wish . . .
What if I met a . . .
What if I were 10 years old?
What if I were someone else?
What if toys could talk?
What's under my bed?

Research Writing

I wonder why . . .
Something I don't understand
A bicycle I'd like to have
A day in the desert
A great place to go
A great treehouse
A place I like to visit
A sport I'm good at
A trip on a monorail
Activities for indoor fun
Activities for outdoor fun
Amazing facts I know
An amazing animal
Dancing to the music
Having fun at school
Helping out around the house
Magic tricks I can do
Making my favorite food
My favorite baby-sitter
My favorite board game
My favorite teacher
My homework place
Our classroom pet
Some things I like about the museum
The best house pets
The weirdest house pets
Things that are hard to believe
Things to do in the snow
Unusual fruits and vegetables
Water balloons!
What I like about where I live
What makes me special
Who is beautiful?
Let's help the environment by . . .
Things I'd like to change
A cozy spot at home
A funny time in my family
A great day with a friend
A helpful person I have met
A person who means the world to me
A walk in the woods
Funny things my pet has done
My best birthday
My favorite family story
Putting on a play
Swimming at the pool or lake
When everything goes wrong
Book characters I'd like to meet
A dark hallway
Donuts for dinner
Something I wish would happen
What if there were no electricity
All about an amazing animal

Business Writing

A cartoon character that I like
A song that means a lot to me
A special photograph
A special, secret place
A trip in a submarine
An important time in history
Building a fort
Creatures that live in the ocean
Creepy, crawly things
Dirt bikes and skateboards
Do I want to be famous?
Doing homework
Going to the dentist
Gone fishing!
How to stop hiccups
How we divide the chores at our house
I don't understand why . . .
I'd like to invent a machine that . . .
If I started my own business, I'd . . .
Instructions for a pet sitter of my pet
Let's help the animals by . . .
Looking at the globe
My favorite clothes
My favorite form of exercise
Pizza is . . .
Staying at a friend's house
The first day of school is the worst/best because . . .
The rules we follow
Things I see when I take a walk
What I use a computer for
What if I were the teacher?
What is important to me?
What it's like to use a wheelchair
What my dreams feel like
When I see nature, I . . .
Why I like/dislike playing team sports
Why my mom and dad are the greatest
My school really needs . . .
A day in the life of my pet
A visit to a friend's school
An excellent birthday party
Discovering a new friend
Getting my first pair of glasses
Grandma's attic
I'll never eat another . . .
My best day
My first school memories
My most embarrassing moment
Rings on her fingers
Talk about being scared!
When I did something amazing
When I was upside down
When the big storm hit
If I wrote like the author of . . .
A really spooky story
Summer games
What if we suddenly had to move?
A game that meant a lot to my childhood
A school field trip
A toy I've held onto all these years
A trip to a space station
A typical lunch hour
Can farmers grow enough food for everyone?
Here's what a new student needs to know
How I can change the way I look
How I picture myself four years from now
How I would define the word . . .
I would have liked to have lived during this time.
I'm principal for the day. Here is my schedule.
I've done something that no one else has done
If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
My bedroom from top to bottom
My favorite place
My idea of a fun weekend
My life as a . . .
My participation in an activity outside of school
One thing I want to do by the time I leave 8th grade
Overcoming health problems
The wildest hairstyle I have ever seen
What a family member taught me
What a house of the future might look like
What I broke or lost that belongs to someone else
A big hazard on the road
A big problem in education is . . .
A cool store
A dedicated teacher or coach
Dear Senator
Discover nature
Finally, a good assembly
How could TV be better?
Let's save _ in our schools
My best class ever
My favorite neighbor
My favorite singer(s)
Rights that kids in my grade should have
The worst food I ever ate
This really bugs me
What's good about hard work?
Why I deserve a larger allowance
Why parents should be honest with their kids
Why school fund-raisers are important
Why weekends need to be longer
A memorable bus ride
A narrow escape from trouble
A time that was just not fair
A visit to a relative's house
If I lived back in history
If only I would have listened!
My first concert
My first friend
Summer in a cabin by a lake
The most fun I've had recently
We couldn't stop laughing!
We got caught!
When I was lost
A great book made into a great movie
My favorite character from a book
What if a book came to life?
What this story means to me
How _ came to be.
Life among the cloud people
Long ago and far away
Meeting myself in the future
Traveling west in a wagon train
When the dinosaurs returned
A job I'd really like to have
All about an amazing place
The most fascinating things I learned
The tallest, the deepest, the longest, the biggest
When I conducted an experiment
When science took a big leap forward

Personal Writing

The book that got me hooked on reading
A day I will always remember
A friend who moved away
A great scientific breakthrough
A person who changed history
A personal habit I'd like to change
A project I am working on
A typical evening at home
A visit with the doctor or dentist
An invention that transformed the world
Causes of a huge change in the world
Coping with brothers and sisters
Hanging out
How a vehicle works
How do people cope with constant pain?
How I express myself artistically
How it would feel to walk in space
I admit it: I enjoy professional wrestling.
I take some things too seriously
If I were a superhero, I'd be . . .
Is pollution a necessary evil?
Is this love?
Morning madness
My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
My dream car
My first crush
My first encounter with a bully
My muscles were so sore after . . .
My Web site
Self-esteem
Something this school really needs is . . .
Sometimes, adults seem . . .
The environment: problem and solution
The hardest thing I have ever done
The idea hit me like a tornado.
The next wave of social media
The toys I'll never give up
Tools I will need in my intended profession
We all make mistakes
What animals can teach people
What different colors mean to me
What do Americans do well?
What do I do to break routine?
What do I worry about?
What if school sports were dropped?
What invention would I like to see in my lifetime?
What it's like where I work
Who knows me best?
Why are crime dramas so popular?
Why are some people so cruel?
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal."
A change that would improve school life
Foods I love, foods I hate
I couldn't believe that Mom/Dad volunteered me for that job
It's a rule, so it's right . . . right?
Let's hear it for my favorite senior citizen
Let's push alternate forms of energy
Putting my foot in my mouth
The government should . . .
What most drives me crazy is . . .
Why appearance is not so important
Why I deserve the job
_ is like a boomerang
A funny thing happened when . . .
A meaningful gift I've given or received
A time when I got in trouble
An unforgettable dream
Looking at pictures of family and friends
My brother or sister made me so mad
My worst vacation
What I regret most
When I faced my fears
When I learned something difficult
When I traveled to . . .
A remarkable artist
An all-new album from an important artist
An amazing work of art
Meet the characters of . . .
The music that moves me most
The theme of my favorite story is . . .
Alone on a desert island

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The theme of a story is a message that the author is trying to express. The author does not explicitly state the theme. To discover the theme, the reader must make some deductions concerning events in the story.

Identifying the theme of a story can be challenging. Fortunately, as with all reading skills, practice makes perfect. These theme worksheets will help students achieve mastery of this essential reading skill. I recommend starting with the theme PowerPoint lesson posted below. Also, you may be interested in my advice on teaching theme .

This is a preview image of Theme Lesson 1. Click on it to enlarge it or view the source file.

I hope that these theme resources help students meet learning goals.

This is a photo of a young woman reading a book. She appears to be in deep concentration. Letters are pouring out of the books and surrounding her.

Theme Common Core State Standards

188 comments.

Thank you so much for all these resources. I find them very useful when it comes to teaching my students.

Genevieve G

I love your site. Thank you for the free resources to use with my students. I really appreciate you providing them.

Thank you! during my winter break I have been reading your worksheet and powerpoint which will help me when I return. I am a beginners teacher. ELA/ICR teacher. Again thank you. Just what I needed.

editha galo

Thank you very much, you relly of big help to us

And – to add – this is an awesome resource. Thank you so much for sharing it!

How do you find the students’ results? Not sure where to find report if there is one? Thanks!!

They have to send them to you. I will look into the Classroom API again soon, but last I checked, I couldn’t do what you and I both want it to do.

Stephanie Hampton

I really appreciate having a resource like this! It makes lesson-planning so much easier, especially when you can edit the resources to differentiate for students. Thank you so much for all of this!

The useful website

Lily (Student)

I love this site because it tells you everything we need. I think this is a pretty neat website, thank you.

Hi, I was wondering could you send me a full sample essay about the theme so I could get a better understanding of it. Thank you.

Quintrell Williams

fourth grade Time for themessage Key-theme

Analie S. Canete

Thank you so much for helping me be ready to teach my students. It’s a big help that makes my work easier and more effective! God Bless!

Thank you for the blessings!

Alan Chacon

could you please provide an answer key to these lessons because I can’t tell if I am correct with my inferences. I understand how to identify them a little better, but if I knew I was correct it would help me and maybe some others with how they should think and if they are in the correct mindset It would help them indulge in positive reinforcement please read this and consider others learning process in your decision.

There are answer keys. Click the links that say “View Answers” underneath the assignment sheets.

mariecel reynes

the objective of my lesson is to explain how the elements build its theme, would you mind to please provide me materials for the evaluation of my lesson.tnx much

I loved these passages and powerpoint! I used them for my fourth grade class and they were right on target for their level. Thank you!

I want to express my gratitude to you for providing these wonderful resources-free of charge! I love visiting your site.

In our lessons we are studying the difference between moral and the theme but in your pdf s it kinda says that there are the same thing. so what is the difference between them. Thank you 🙂

They are similar, but a moral is usually explicitly stated, where a thematic statement is implied.

Antonio Soto

at first i thought this would be a bad website, but now i stand corrected this site has helped me and my classmate with numerous amounts of classwork and homework

Mourad Romdhani

A very helpful course for both student and teacher. Thank you very much for such high quality lessons.

Thank you very much for the great resources. I’ve been engaged with searching for such materials very long! and they are helpful for me and my class at school. And thank you for the great website!!

Nick Muzekari

I will be teaching an online short story class this summer for the first time. I’m new to this and so am looking for material to help myself and the students. I believe I will get paid for teaching the class so I am asking permission to use EReading materials since I really love them and want to use them in the class. May I have permission?

hi Mr.Morton. i am having trouble on a theme packet that my teacher assigned me for homework . i do not understand what a theme is. can you help me??????

Theme is the message of a story, the lesson that the author intends to impart through his or her story. So, read the story and ask yourself, is there a lesson to be learned here? Put that lesson into words, and you can say that you have found a theme in the story. Best wishes!

Jennifer Reed

After reading the comments, they struck home for me. My colleagues and I are always discussing the definition of theme. For me, I think it is fair to differentiate for the student between universal and literary theme.

I make sure to talk to students about the definition of Universal Theme, one word, and the literary theme described here. Sometimes my at-risk students have to zero in on the one word before they can get to the generalization. If not, I end up with a main idea or plot summary instead.

I hope this helps, or adds to the discussion.

Great contribution. Thank you.

Denise Ramos

I appreciate these lessons and the guidance you provide! I am a beginning teacher, and I feel frazzled at times about how to put things, but your resources are very helpful. I was wondering, how did you become so good at creating lessons? Were there any books that helped you? Or was it time and practice that helped you organize your plans and lessons so well?

I like to think that I have a way of getting to the point. I can’t recommend any books or resources that helped me out in any significant way. I can only point to the amazing teachers who inspired me and helped me grow. I’ve worked at some pretty messed up schools, but no matter how bad things were at times, there were always amazing people doing amazing things. I will never be the superb disciplinarian that Mrs. Smith, Mr. Dillard, or Mr. Tang were, but I’ve taken a little piece of them with me. I will never be as organized or as motivating as Mr. Phoenix was with his students, but I carry a little piece of him with me.

Find the teachers that inspire you. Fight to observe them. Take what you can.

That’s pretty much the best advice that I can give you about that topic.

Thank you for visiting my site and posing such an interesting question.

Best wishes!

I, too, love this site and appreciate the information and activities. It is so helpful… I was wondering if you could add some expository writing activities.

Like these expository writing prompts or did you have something different in mind?

Karen Schonewise

THANKS so much. This site is great. I almost lost it on a student today who was trying to tell me theme was one word after I have spent a month teaching these juniors in high school that it is a sentence!!! This site is awesome!!

Ha ha. It’s funny you say that. I’ve gone back and forth with terminally educated adults about this. I think a Common Core ELA glossary (like the one that they have for mathematics) would go a long way in resolving this debate. I also think that the word motif better fits the “a theme is one word” thing. Anyway, thanks for visiting the site and taking the time to comment. Best wishes!

You are the best. I am at a loss of words oh how to express my gratitude to you and this website that you have created. AWESOME-RIFIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love the word that you invented. Thank you for visiting.

Fifth Grade – Determine Theme Common Core Lesson

Determine the theme.

Lesson Description

This Common Core reading literature lesson covers how to infer the theme of a text by using textual evidence. The lesson includes research-based strategies and strategic questions that prepare students for Common Core assessments. In this lesson, students will learn how to determine the theme by analyzing and identifying in the text how characters respond to challenges. In addition to the lesson, there are four pages of Independent Practice with questions modeled after the Common Core assessment items.

Subject: English Language Arts

Additional Resources

Student Handout

Click on the Student Handout icon to download and print for your students. Or save the PDF file to your computer or cloud storage, and digitally share the lesson with your students via applications like Google Classroom.

Teaching with a Five-Paragraph Essay Example

Looking for a five-paragraph essay example? Look and listen in as a fourth grade teacher models this strong writing structure for her students.

Ms. Sneed Grades Her Kids’ Paragraphs

As our favorite fourth grade teacher graded her class’s latest paragraphs, she let out a satisfied sigh. First they tackled paragraph structure. Then they learned to elaborate. Additionally, they improved their writing by varying sentences and using transitions. Now that they had the writing strategies down, her kids were ready to scaffold from one paragraph to the five-paragraph essay .

Purposefully tackling each genre of writing – then scaffolding from shorter to longer – was sure to work for her.

A Five-Paragraph Essay Example

Ms. Sneed turned and opened her laptop. With just a few clicks, she found it. Her favorite prompt, You Should Try It , asked kids to persuade others to try an activity – in five paragraphs.

Teaching Paragraph by Paragraph

The following Monday, Ms. Sneed stood in front of her class. “Today,” she said, “you will learn how to write a longer essay.”

Several kids looked a little unsure, but their teacher continued. “For now, I’ll take you through a five-paragraph essay example. That should ease your concerns.”

First Paragraph

Ms. Sneed projected a sample. “The first paragraph, or introduction, includes a thesis statement and supportive factual reasons.”

With the mention of a new term, thesis statement , more kids looked uncomfortable. Some squirmed in their seats.

“Now I know the term thesis statement is new, but no worries! You know it as a topic sentence. However, the thesis is the main idea of a multi-paragraph composition.”

The teacher read the paragraph aloud. “Can anyone pick out the thesis for this persuasive essay?” she asked.

One student slowly raised his hand. “Wouldn’t you like to try water skiing?”

“Yes! Although it’s written as a question, this sentence offers an opinion. Furthermore, the entire essay supports this thesis. Can you find the author’s three supporting reasons?”

Using the five-paragraph essay example, the class soon established the supporting details too: improving health, impressing friends, and teaching them to ski.

When you use a five-paragraph essay example, study the first paragraph first. It establishes the thesis, or main idea, as well as key details.

Second Paragraph

“Now let’s look at the second paragraph,” Ms. Sneed said.

“You identified one of the main details as health. As you can see, this paragraph expands on that reason.”

“That’s just what we were doing with one paragraph,” piped up a girl in the back row.

“Um-hm. True. But writing in five paragraphs gives you more room to elaborate.”

The kids seemed to relax in their seats. This wasn’t so bad after all.

Third Paragraph

With no further ado, she pulled up the third paragraph. “See, paragraph #3 discusses the second main supportive detail.”

After they read the paragraph aloud, Ms. Sneed asked, “Who can find the topic sentence of this paragraph?”

“Isn’t it the first sentence?” said a boy with purple glasses.

Ms. Sneed nodded. “Easy peasy. The main idea of this paragraph, as we said before, is the second reason.”

Fourth Paragraph

For the fourth paragraph, Ms. Sneed tried a new tactic. “Okay, think-pair-share! Find the the topic sentences and smaller details that support it.” Her students knew what this meant. Immediately, they turned to their seat partners and began to discuss.

After a few minutes, groups began to share:

“The first sentence is the topic sentence again,” said the first spokesperson.

“And the details are the steps in teaching,” said the second.

“Ahh, a sequence paragraph inside a five-paragraph persuasive essay,” Ms. Sneed remarked. That famous teacher smile spread across her face.

Fifth Paragraph

“Here we have the final paragraph, or conclusion,” the teacher continued.

Beginning writers can frame their five-paragraph essays by repeating the thesis, key details, and a conclusion that matches the hook.

After she read the paragraph aloud, Ms. Sneed pointed out the restated thesis statement and details. “It’s a repeat of the first paragraph in different words.”

A Five-Paragraph Essay Example – and a Hamburger!

Quickly, strode toward the board. She picked up a marker and sketched a hamburger with three patties. “Does this look familiar?”

Everyone smiled and nodded. Ms. Sneed’s favorite analogy for an writing a paragraph !

“We just used this again,” their teacher said. “The top bun is the first paragraph. It introduces the main idea with a thesis statement and supporting details. The first hamburger patty explores the first detail; the second, the second; and the third, the third! Finally, the bottom bun wraps it all up with a restatement of the thesis and details. This helps you write, as well as find the main idea and supporting details .”

“It’s just a giant version of the paragraph,” said a small girl in the front corner.

“Yep,” replied Ms. Sneed. “Not hard at all – if you know what you’re doing. Over the next few months, we’ll write more of these essays in our ELA block . Then you’ll feel even more confident.”

Reading & Math for K-5

Kindergarten
Learning numbers
Comparing numbers
Place Value
Roman numerals
Subtraction
Multiplication
Order of operations
Drills & practice
Measurement
Factoring & prime factors
Proportions
Shape & geometry
Data & graphing
Word problems
Children's stories
Leveled Stories
Context clues
Cause & effect
Compare & contrast
Fact vs. fiction
Fact vs. opinion
Main idea & details
Story elements
Conclusions & inferences
Sounds & phonics
Words & vocabulary
Reading comprehension
Early writing
Numbers & counting
Simple math
Social skills
Other activities
Dolch sight words
Fry sight words
Multiple meaning words
Prefixes & suffixes
Vocabulary cards
Other parts of speech
Punctuation
Capitalization
Narrative writing
Opinion writing
Informative writing
Cursive alphabet
Cursive letters
Cursive letter joins
Cursive words
Cursive sentences
Cursive passages
Grammar & Writing

Breadcrumbs

Grammar and Writing Workbook for Grade 5

Download & Print Only $6.89

Narrative writing for grade 5

Fiction and non-fiction narratives.

Worksheets and writing prompts focused on the elements of narrative writing.

Developing plot structure : outline plots from introduction to resolution.

Create realistic settings : develop key elements of given settings.

Character traits : link character traits to feelings, sayings, thoughts and actions.

Settings & sensory details : use sensory details to create a setting.

Writing from different points of view : write in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd person.

Inner and outer dialogue : combine inner and outer dialogue in texts.

Perspective : describe the same events as seen by different characters.

Personal narrative writing : write a personal narrative from a prompt.

Fictional writing : write a fictional narrative from a prompt; hints provided.

Fantasy writing : write fantasy narratives from a prompt, with hints.

Nonfiction narrative writing : research and write non-fictional narratives.

Narrative writing prompts : more writing prompts.

Grade 5 narrative writing worksheet

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Grades 6-12
School Leaders

NEW: Classroom Clean-Up/Set-Up Email Course! 🧽

101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens

Use your words to sway the reader.

Persuasive Essay Topics: Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Persuasive writing is one of those skills that can help students succeed in real life. Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try reading some mentor texts to show kids great examples of opinion writing. Then use these persuasive essay topics for practice.

School and Education Persuasive Essay Topics

Life and ethics persuasive essay topics, science and technology persuasive essay topics, sports and entertainment persuasive essay topics, just for fun persuasive essay topics.

Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?

Persuasive Essay Topics: Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?

Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
Should schools have dress codes?
If I could change one school rule, it would be …
Is year-round school a good idea?
Should we stop giving final exams?
Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?

Is it better to be good at academics or good at sports?

Which is better, private schools or public schools?
Should every student have to participate in athletics?
Do you think schools should ban junk food from their cafeterias?
Should students be required to volunteer in their communities?
What is the most important school subject?
Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?

Persuasive Essay Topics: Are letter grades helpful, or should we replace them with something else?

Is it ever OK to cheat on homework or a test?
Should students get to grade their teachers?
Do you think college should be free for anyone who wants to attend?
Should schools be allowed to ban some books from their libraries?
Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?

Which is better, book smarts or street smarts?

Should all students have to learn a foreign language?
Are single-gender schools better or worse for students?
Is it OK to eat animals?
What animal makes the best pet?
Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
If you find money on the ground, should you try to find the person who lost it, or is it yours to keep?

If you find money on the ground, should you try to find the person who lost it, or is it yours to keep?

Who faces more peer pressure, girls or boys?
Should all Americans be required to vote?
Is it better to be kind or truthful?
Which is better, giving or receiving?
Is it OK to keep animals in zoos?
Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?

Should we change the minimum driving age in the United States?

Which is more important, happiness or success?
Is democracy the best form of government?
Is social media helpful or harmful?
Should parents be punished for their children’s mistakes or crimes?
Should kids have set bedtimes or just go to bed when they’re sleepy?
Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?

Do you think the government should find a way to provide free health care for everyone?

Is it better to save your allowance or spend it?
Should we ban plastic bags and bottles?
Which is better, living in the city or in the country?
If I could make a new law, it would be …
Is Pluto a planet?
Should human cloning be legal?
Should vaccines be mandatory?
Is it right for countries to still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals?

Is it right for countries to still maintain nuclear weapon arsenals?

Should testing on animals be made illegal?
Will expanded use of artificial intelligence be good for humanity?
Should all people have free Internet access in their homes?
Is there intelligent life on other planets?
Does technology create more jobs than it eliminates?
Should parents use their children’s cell phones to track where they are?
Should scientists try to develop a way for people to live forever?

Should scientists try to develop a way for people to live forever?

What’s the best type of smartphone: Android or iPhone?
Which is better, Macs or PCs?
Do people rely too much on technology in the modern world?
Should cryptocurrencies replace cash?
Should there be a minimum age requirement to own a smartphone?
Is it important to keep spending money on space exploration, or should we use the money for other things?

Is it important to keep spending money on space exploration, or should we use the money for other things?

Should kids under 13 be allowed to use social media sites?
Should we ban cigarette smoking and vaping entirely?
Is it better to be an animal that lives in the water or on land?
Should kids be allowed to watch TV on school nights?
Which is better, paper books or e-books?
Is the current movie rating system (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) effective?
Are video games better than board games?
Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Should we allow little kids to play competitive sports?

Which is better, reading books or watching TV?
Does playing violent video games make people more violent in real life?
Are graphic novels just as valuable as traditional fictional books?
Should everyone play on the same sports teams, regardless of gender?
Choose a book that’s been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?

Choose a book that's been made into a movie. Which was better, the movie or the book?

Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
Which is better, fiction or nonfiction?
The best music genre is …
What is one book that everyone should read?
What new sport should be added to the Olympics?

What new sport should be added to the Olympics?

What’s the best video game system?
Does playing video games make you smarter?
Does reality TV actually depict real life?
Should all neighborhoods have free parks and playgrounds?
What’s the best holiday?
The very best food of all time is …
Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?

Which is better, artificial Christmas trees or real ones?

What’s the best season of the year?
Should you put ketchup on a hot dog?
Is a taco a sandwich?
Does fruit count as dessert?
Should people have to go to school or work on their birthday?
Are clowns scary or funny?
Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?

Which is more dangerous, werewolves or vampires?

The best pizza topping is …
What would be the best superpower to have?
Should everyone make their bed every day?
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Should you put pineapple on a pizza?
Should you eat macaroni and cheese with a spoon or a fork?

Should you eat macaroni and cheese with a spoon or a fork?

Describe the world’s best ice cream sundae.
Is Monday the worst day of the week?
Would you rather travel back in time or forward in time?
Is it better to be too hot or too cold?
Are there aliens living among us here on Earth?

What are your favorite persuasive essay topics for students? Come exchange ideas in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the big list of essay topics for high school (120+ ideas) ..

Need some ideas for practicing persuasive writing skills? These persuasive essay topics provide lots of scope for students of all ages.

Animal shelter persuasive writing project

To Learn Persuasive Writing, These Students Wrote “Why You Should Adopt Me” Essays for Shelter Pets

The real-world connection made this project so engaging. Continue Reading

Proserpina: the Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring

This essay about Proserpina, a figure from Roman mythology, explores her dual role as the goddess of the underworld and spring. It recounts her abduction by Pluto, the god of the underworld, and her mother’s grief, which led to the first winter. When Jupiter intervenes, Proserpina is allowed to return to earth for part of the year, symbolizing the seasonal cycle of growth and decay. The essay discusses themes of loss, renewal, and transformation, highlighting Proserpina’s evolution from an innocent maiden to a powerful queen. It also touches on her cultural impact, noting her enduring influence in literature and art, and reflects on the timeless human experiences her story represents.

How it works

Roman mythology’s fascinating character Proserpina is a tale full of themes including love, kidnapping, and the inevitable cycles of life and death. In Greek mythology, Persephone is the daughter of Jupiter (Zeus), the king of the gods, and Ceres, the goddess of agriculture (known to the Greeks as Demeter). The story of Proserpina weaves the vivid, blooming earth with the sinister underworld in a magnificent tapestry of symbolism.

The story of Proserpina starts when the underworld deity Pluto (known as Hades in Greek mythology) kidnaps her.

According to legend, Proserpina was collecting flowers in a meadow when Pluto noticed her and fell in love. She was so beautiful that he was enthralled with her and took her to his dark world to make her his queen. Ceres was devastated by her daughter’s abrupt disappearance and spent a lifetime looking for her. The first winter occurred as a result of the land being barren due to her extreme grief.

The story reaches a turning point when Jupiter intervenes, moved by the desolation of the earth and Ceres’ unending sorrow. He decrees that Proserpina must be allowed to return to her mother. However, there’s a catch: if Proserpina has eaten anything in the underworld, she must stay there. As fate would have it, Proserpina had eaten a few pomegranate seeds, binding her to Pluto for part of the year. Thus, a compromise is reached—Proserpina would spend half of the year with her mother on earth and the other half as queen of the underworld. This annual cycle of Proserpina’s return to the earth marks the arrival of spring, while her descent back to the underworld brings the onset of autumn and winter.

This myth is rich with themes of loss and renewal. Ceres’ sorrow and the barren earth during Proserpina’s absence symbolize the harshness of winter, while her joyous return heralds the rejuvenation of spring. This duality reflects the cycles of the natural world, emphasizing the inevitability of change and rebirth.

Proserpina’s story also delves into the theme of transformation. Her journey from an innocent maiden picking flowers to a powerful queen of the underworld mirrors the passage from youth to maturity. This transformation is not just physical but also psychological, as Proserpina grows into a more complex and authoritative figure. Her dual role as a life-giving force and a ruler of the dead highlights the interconnectedness of life and death, a theme that resonates deeply with the human experience.

Proserpina’s influence can be seen in various cultural and artistic expressions. In literature, her tale has been retold and reimagined by numerous poets and writers, from Ovid in his “Metamorphoses” to more contemporary works. In visual arts, she has been depicted in countless paintings, sculptures, and frescoes, each capturing different aspects of her myth—her innocence, her abduction, and her regal presence as queen of the underworld. These artistic representations are a testament to her enduring impact on human imagination and cultural heritage.

Today, Proserpina’s myth continues to inspire and provoke reflection. Her story is often invoked in discussions about the human condition, especially themes of resilience and the capacity for renewal after periods of darkness or hardship. The cyclical nature of her existence reminds us of the constant potential for renewal and the balance inherent in the natural world.

In summary, Proserpina, as both a goddess of spring and the underworld, embodies the intricate balance between life and death, joy and sorrow, loss and renewal. Her myth, full of symbolism and cultural significance, continues to captivate and inspire, reflecting the timeless nature of these universal themes. Through her story, we are reminded of the power of transformation and the enduring cycles that shape our world and our lives.

Cite this page

Proserpina: The Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring. (2024, Jun 01). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/proserpina-the-enigmatic-goddess-of-the-underworld-and-spring/

"Proserpina: The Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring." PapersOwl.com , 1 Jun 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/proserpina-the-enigmatic-goddess-of-the-underworld-and-spring/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Proserpina: The Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/proserpina-the-enigmatic-goddess-of-the-underworld-and-spring/ [Accessed: 4 Jun. 2024]

"Proserpina: The Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring." PapersOwl.com, Jun 01, 2024. Accessed June 4, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/proserpina-the-enigmatic-goddess-of-the-underworld-and-spring/

"Proserpina: The Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring," PapersOwl.com , 01-Jun-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/proserpina-the-enigmatic-goddess-of-the-underworld-and-spring/. [Accessed: 4-Jun-2024]

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COMMENTS

Five Paragraph Essays
We always start with simple paragraphs. Yes, this is basic, but if your students cannot write excellent paragraphs, their five paragraph essays will be train wrecks. Trust me! We spend a while cementing paragraph structure: Topic Sentence. Detail #1. Detail #2. Detail #3. Closing Sentence.
Fun Creative Writing and Essay Topics for Grade 5
More Grade 5 Writing Resources. 72 5th Grade Writing Prompts; 5th Grade Opinion Writing Prompts; Printable 5th Grade Writing Worksheets; Until next time, write on… If you enjoyed these Exciting Creative Writing Topics and Essay Topics for 5th Graders, please share them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. I appreciate it! Sincerely, Jill ...
PDF Lucy Calkins: Literary Essays
Lucy Calkins: Literary Essays Texts: Whole Group Classroom Short Texts for Modeling: (writing inside the story, close reading, characters, ... She also beat this girl, a fifth-grader named Yolanda, and asked her to join their group. They proceeded to more matches and more wins, and soon there was a crowd of people ...
Help your 5th Grader Write a Great Essay
Constructing a 5 Paragraph Essay. Read below for a brief five-paragraph essay instructional unit to help you guide your child in writing an exceptional essay. 1) How To Write An Introduction. In the five-paragraph essay format, the introduction is vital in grabbing the reader's attention and holding it throughout the essay.
Writing Prompts for 5th Grade
Persuasive essays are those written to convince another person to agree with the writer or take action. These persuasive essay prompts inspire 5th graders to share their passions with an audience. Pets Day . You've just gone to work with your parent for "bring your child to work day.". Write an essay convincing your school to have a ...
Teaching Theme in Upper Elementary
5+ new ideas for teaching themes in upper elementary. Use these suggestions for activities, scaffolding, projects, and review to give your students a firm foundation for identifying themes in literature.. Although theme can be interpreted as a single central idea, here at Fun in 5th Grade, we define theme as the lesson or message we can learn from reading the story.
100 Best Fun Writing Prompts for 5th Grade: Journal Prompts
Here are ten Research writing prompts for 5th grade: "Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose." -Zora Neale Hurston, author and anthropologist. Research and write about your favorite historical figure. Choose a famous landmark and research its history and significance.
PDF Grade 5 English Language Arts/Literacy Literary Analysis Task 2018
2018 Released Items: Grade 5 Literary Analysis Task The Literary Analysis Task requires students to read two literary texts that are purposely paired. Students read the texts, answer questions for each text and for the texts as a pair, and then write an analytic essay.
How to Write A 5th Grade Level Essay
Narrative Essay. A narrative essay requires them to tell a story, real or imagined, using descriptive writing to reflect on their experiences, explain them logically, and draw conclusions from them. The writing prompt will be something like this: Think about a time you did something that made you feel guilty. Describe what happened.
5th Grade Essay Writing Worksheets & Free Printables
Respond to Art: Opinion & Evidence #2. Worksheet. Make an Argument! Worksheet. Hyperboles in History. Worksheet. 1 2. Fifth grade students are expected to master and utilize many skills when developing and writing essays. Our fifth grade essay writing worksheets will give them the encouragement they need to remain composed while composing.
75 Creative Fifth Grade Writing Prompts (Free Slides!)
These fifth grade writing prompts encourage kids to imagine, explain, persuade, and reveal—improving their writing abilities day by day. If you'd like even more upper elementary writing prompts, check out the Would You Rather questions we post regularly on the Daily Classroom Hub. Kids will get a kick out of these, for writing or discussion!
Writing Topics
Writing Topics. Do you want to inspire your students to write great narratives, essays, and reports? Check out these grade-specific writing topics organized by mode (explanatory, creative, and so on). Or search for writing topics that relate to a theme, such as "life" or "animals" or "family.".
Theme
Theme - Fifth Grade ELA. Q: What is the difference between a main idea and a theme? A main idea typically relates to nonfiction works such as essays. In a good essay, the main idea of each paragraph is directly stated. For example, in an essay about the need for more public transportation options in the United States, the main idea of one of ...
Theme Worksheets
Understanding Theme with Fables 1. This worksheet features classic fables by Aesop. I have removed the explicitly stated morals. Students must draw conclusions to infer the meaning or theme of the fables. This worksheet is 4-pages and has 15 problems. Suggested reading level for this text: Grade 4-8.
Informative writing worksheets for grade 5
These grade 5 writing worksheets focus on informative writing, including presenting evidence and writing of cohesive introductions and conclusions. Text evidence: identify uses of text evidence. Citations: include a citation in your essay. Writing strong introductions: write a structured introduction. Writing conclusions: write a conclusion for ...
Determine the Theme
Determine the Theme. This Common Core reading literature lesson covers how to infer the theme of a text by using textual evidence. The lesson includes research-based strategies and strategic questions that prepare students for Common Core assessments. In this lesson, students will learn how to determine the theme by analyzing and identifying in ...
PDF Grade 5 Writing Exemplars with Annotations
Wyoming Department of Education. 122 W. 25th St., Ste. E200 | Cheyenne, WY 82002 P: 307-777-7675 | F: 307-777-6234 | edu.wyoming.gov. The WY-TOPP ELA test has a Writing portion for grades 3, 5, 7, and 9. Each writing test contains one or more passages that relate to a prompt.
Teaching with a Five-Paragraph Essay Example
Teaching Paragraph by Paragraph. The following Monday, Ms. Sneed stood in front of her class. "Today," she said, "you will learn how to write a longer essay.". Several kids looked a little unsure, but their teacher continued. "For now, I'll take you through a five-paragraph essay example.
Narrative writing worksheets for grade 5
Fiction and non-fiction narratives. Worksheets and writing prompts focused on the elements of narrative writing. Developing plot structure: outline plots from introduction to resolution. Create realistic settings: develop key elements of given settings. Character traits: link character traits to feelings, sayings, thoughts and actions.
101 Interesting Persuasive Essay Topics for Kids and Teens
These persuasive essay topics provide lots of scope for students of all ages. Is a taco a sandwich? Use your words to sway the reader. ... Grades K-5 All Grades 6-12 PreK 6th Grade Kindergarten 7th Grade 1st Grade 8th Grade 2nd Grade 9th Grade 3rd Grade 10th Grade 4th Grade 11th Grade 5th Grade 12th Grade.
PDF Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Grade 5
110.7. English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 5, Adopted 2017. Introduction. The English language arts and reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) embody the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking through the seven integrated strands of developing and sustaining foundational language skills ...
PDF 5TH Grade ELA Teacher Resources
5TH Grade ELA Teacher Resources 12 Types of transitional words/phrases (from the Purdue Online Writing Lab) To Add: and, again, and then, besides, equally important, finally, further, furthermore, nor, too, next,
The Timeless Nature of Love in Shakespeare's Sonnet 116
Essay Example: Sonnet 116 by William Shakespeare, often esteemed as one of his most exquisite and profound creations, delves profoundly into the theme of love's enduring and immutable essence. This sonnet, fashioned in the twilight of the 16th century, retains its relevance in contemporary times
State Finalists in the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom Essay
Wisconsin fourth and fifth graders were asked to author an essay with the theme 'Wisconsin Agriculture is Fruit-full!' as part of the annual essay contest that focuses on food and agriculture. The contest is open to all fourth- and fifth-grade students across the state, with each grade level judged as its own division.
Proserpina: the Enigmatic Goddess of the Underworld and Spring
The essay discusses themes of loss, renewal, and transformation, highlighting Proserpina's evolution from an innocent maiden to a powerful queen. It also touches on her cultural impact, noting her enduring influence in literature and art, and reflects on the timeless human experiences her story represents.
Rethinking the 5-Paragraph Essay in the ChatGPT Era
Joanna Andreasson/DALL-E4. Will AI kill the five-paragraph essay? To find out, I asked my ninth grade English teacher. The five-paragraph essay is a mainstay of high school writing instruction ...