Grade 5 ELA Activities

As your child develops as a reader, she will become familiar with different forms of writing. She has probably already read different kinds of stories, poetry, and various types of nonfiction. Ask your child about the types of writing she enjoys most and encourage her to sample various kinds of books. When you visit the local library or bookstore, ask your child questions about how the books are organized. What does the organization show about the many different types of writing? Help your child learn about the features of each type of writing. Ask her questions about the characteristics of myths, legends, short stories, and poems. You might discuss the different categories of music and movies your family enjoys. What types of music does your child like? What are her favorite kinds of movies?

	Paper

	Pen or pencil

Open a discussion about types of writing by first asking your child about her favorite books from when she was younger. What was her favorite bedtime story? What category of writing does this story fit into? For example, many children remember a favorite fairy tale from younger days. What did she especially like about her favorite childhood story?

Take this discussion a step further by talking about the different types of stories told in your family. Does your child have a favorite family story? Are there any family members who tell tall tales or exaggerated “legends” about the family? Ask your child to come up with one famous and often-told family story. Use this real-life story and adapt it into an original tall tale, ghost story, or legend. Encourage your child to write down her new versions of these stories and give them to family members as gifts.

Learning about different types of writing will allow your child to grow as a reader and a writer. She will quickly see how writers use language in a wide variety of ways to accomplish many purposes. Encourage her not only to read a rich range of writing types, but also to pursue different and varied writing projects. If she wants an additional challenge, have her imitate the writing style of an author she particularly admires.

 Grade 5 ELA Activities