Course Description

This interactive and structured course is designed for upper elementary students (Grades 4–5) to build nonfiction reading and writing skills. Through engaging texts on science, the environment, and animals, students will practice identifying central ideas, summarizing key details, and conducting basic research.
Students will also begin developing their argumentation skills—learning to form and express opinions based on evidence. The course culminates in drafting five-paragraph expository and argumentative pieces. Aligned with Florida State Standards, this course prepares students for confident middle school writing.

 

Florida State Standards Alignment

Grade 4:

• Informational Text Structure & Comprehension (ELA.4.R.2)

• Cross-Genre Reading & Information Integration (ELA.4.R.3)

• Opinion & Expository Writing (ELA.4.C.1)

• Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling Conventions (ELA.4.C.3)

• Research from Multiple Sources (ELA.4.C.4)

• Academic Vocabulary Use (ELA.4.V.1)

Grade 5:

• Informational Text Structure & Comprehension (ELA.5.R.2)

• Cross-Genre Reading & Information Integration (ELA.5.R.3)

• Opinion & Expository Writing (ELA.5.C.1)

• Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling Conventions (ELA.5.C.3)

• Integrated Research Skills (ELA.5.C.4)

• Academic Vocabulary Use (ELA.5.V.1)