Standard: 5.W.5 – With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grade 5 here.)
Grade level: Grade 5
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Writing
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of the writing process, including planning, revising, editing, and rewriting. It highlights the need for students to seek guidance and support from peers and adults to strengthen their writing. Mastery of this standard is crucial as it builds the foundation for effective written communication, a skill that is essential across all subjects and in real-world contexts. Students need to understand the basic elements of writing, including grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure, as well as the steps involved in the writing process. They should have some experience with drafting and revising simple texts.
Students will be able to independently apply the writing process to various forms of writing, including more complex and extended texts. They will develop a deeper understanding of how to adapt their writing for different audiences and purposes.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that once a piece of writing is drafted, it is complete and does not need further revision. This is incorrect because writing is a process that involves multiple drafts and continuous improvement.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide students with examples of professional writers who revise their work multiple times. Encourage students to see writing as a process and to embrace revision as an opportunity to improve their work.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that editing is only about correcting grammar and spelling errors. This is incorrect because editing also involves improving the clarity, coherence, and overall quality of the writing.
Intervention 2
Teach students that editing goes beyond surface-level corrections. Use checklists that include questions about clarity, coherence, and overall effectiveness to guide students in their editing process.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of the writing process, including how to draft, revise, and edit simple texts. They should be familiar with basic grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure as outlined in Language standards 1-3 up to grade 4.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to independently apply the writing process to various forms of writing, including more complex and extended texts. They will develop a deeper understanding of how to adapt their writing for different audiences and purposes.
Instructional Activities
- Peer review sessions where students give and receive feedback on their drafts
- Writing workshops focused on specific aspects of the writing process
- Individual conferences with the teacher to discuss revisions
- Group activities where students collaboratively revise a piece of writing
- Using graphic organizers to plan and structure writing
- Editing exercises that focus on different elements of writing
