Language and Grammar Goals of the Common Core:

In fifth grade, students learn new rules for grammar and usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.  Students use their knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, listening, and reading.  Under the fifth-grade CCSS, students explain the function of conjunctions, as well as prepositions and interjections, in general and in particular sentences. The CCSS call for students to use verb tense to convey the various times, sequences, states, and conditions. The fifth-grade CCSS emphasize verb tenses. Students learn to use perfect-tense verbs (e.g., I had walked; I have walked) and to recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tenses. Comma use is another focus of the CCSS in fifth grade. Students learn to punctuate items in a series and use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence. They also learn to use a comma to set off the words “yes” and “no” (e.g., Yes, thank you); to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?); and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Linda?).The CCSS cover a range of strategies for vocabulary acquisition, though independent reading is the primary means by which students increase their vocabulary. Students use their knowledge of the relationships between synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms to understand each of the related words.  Students understand and can explain figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. They use Greek and Latin affixes and roots to understand the meaning of complex words (e.g., controversial, photosynthesis).  In addition, the CCSS emphasize students’ use of both print and digital reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to pronounce words, clarify the precise meaning of key words, and to identify alternate word choices in all fifth-grade subject areas. In a related standard, the CCSS call for students to acquire and use grade-appropriate academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., although, similarly, in addition). Students also learn and can explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.