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Dear Parents,In Grade five your student is aiming for a score of 218

on the OAKS Reading

Assessment in five strand areas.

1st StrandVocabulary

Understanding how to determine the

meaning of a word.3rd Strand

Read to Perform a Task:

Looking at Graphs, Charts and Indexes of many kinds to locate

information.

4th StrandDevelop an

Interpretation

Thinking about story meaning beyond what

the text may say.

2nd StrandDevelop a General

Understanding

Finding answers by looking in the text.

5th Grade Reading

5th StrandContents & Structure of

Information Text

Analyzing Informational text for

many purposes.

6th Strand

Contents & Structure of Literary Text

Analyzing Literary text for many

purposes.

http://www.newton.k12.ks.us/sch/w/start/5th_grade.htmA GREAT SITE FOR ONLINE READING GAMES!

Grade five books to read at home that enhance – Content and Structure of Literary Text.

Where the Red Fern Grows is a great study of imagery and symbolism.

Paul Bunyan and other Tall Tales are a great way to learn about exaggeration and the genre of Folklore!

Summer of the Monkeys uses tons of figurative language!

The Time Warp Trio is aScience Fiction novel. 5th graders should read many types of genres.

Mystery on Skull Islandand other Mystery Books is yet another genre 5th graders should read.

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To the Parents:

This booklet can help you and your child work together at home to improve reading comprehension using a format that will enable your child to perform well on the OAKS reading test.

This booklet has three goals:

1. For the parent: To explains what the “strands” (goals) are for each area of reading comprehension your child will be tested on.

2. For parent and child: To provide state test samples you can practice at home that are similar to the ones on the test.

3. For parent and child: To inform you of books you can read together and discuss at home that encourage the use of the reading strategies [strands] your child will be tested on.

The test samples and strand data for this booklet can be found on the Oregon State Departments of Education web site. The use of this booklet was designed for the Hillsboro School District based on HSD Power Standards along with the ODE strand categories. This booklet is paid for and furnished to teachers for instruction by the HSD.

The concept of this booklet was created by Rick & Susan Richmond© Rick & Susan Richmond 2010 Revision: Original 03-2010

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from Rick & Susan Richmond and the Oregon State Department of Education and the Hillsboro School District.

To the Teacher:

This book is designed as a tool that should be delivered to the parents but with a brief overview and explanation (modeling) on how to use this book throughout the school year.

Imagery and Word Choice

She climbed the ladder, and Nick began to bark. She climbed to the very top of the hay and sat, looking down at us. Above, the stars were coming out. Papa piled a bed of loose hay below with his pitchfork. The light of the lantern made his eyes shine when he smiled up at Sarah.

When Sarah reaches the top of the hay dune, the author says the “stars were coming out.” She includes this image to

A. emphasize how tall the hay dune is.B. make the scene more mysterious by setting it at night.C. reflect that Sarah is uncomfortable with everyone

watching.D. show that something important is happening.

Grade Five Books to read at home that Enhance Content and Structure of Literary Text.

Figurative Language

The author’s use of the phrase “the stars blinked like fireflies” is an example of using

A. a metaphor to show that something bad is going to happen.

B. a simile to add to the fun mood in this part of the story.

C. personification to make the stars seem like characters in the story.

D. exaggeration to make this part of the story seem more humorous

Differentiate Between Different Types of Fiction

This is a passage from the book SARAH, PLAIN AND TALL by Patricia MacLachlan. Sarah is a young woman who has come to live with Papa and his two children, Anna and Caleb. The children hope Sarah will stay and marry their Papa. On these pages Annadescribes one of the first evenings with Sarah.

This story would be classified as what type of fiction?

A. folklore.B. historical fiction.C. science fiction.D. fantasy.

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I can figure out a new word by...

knowing words that mean about the same ( SYNONYMS)… knowing words that mean the opposite (ANYTONYM)…

applying knowledge of HOMOGRAPHS (words spelled the same but have a different meaning – Tie your bow. Bow before the audience.

interpreting the meaning of figurative language found in METAPHORS (comparing two things without using the

words “like or as”; it rained cats and dogs, and SIMILES (comparing two things using “like or as” ; fast as a fox )

CONTEXT CLUES! I can figure out a new word by...

looking context clues and at structural clues (prefixes and suffixes ).

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Vocabulary in grade five asks students to find a word that means about the same (synonym) or using context clues – words around the figure of speech – “sparkling like butterflies.”

STRAND 1

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Examine Content and Structure of Literary Text in grade five asks students what particular phrases mean in text, such as SIMILES “Like a Butterfly,” and what type of GENRE a story is ( fiction, mystery, historical fiction, etc…)

STRAND 6

I can analyze and evaluate literary text to….

identify the presence and function of common literary devices such as IMAGERY, METAPHORS and SYMBOLISM.

define the use of figurative language such as SIMILES, METAPHORS, EXAGGERATION and PERSONIFICATION and how it effects a literary work.

Differentiate between different types of fiction (e.g., FOLKLORE, MYSTERY, HISTORICAL, SCIENCE FICTION, ADVENTURE and FANTASY).

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Synonyms/Antonyms/Idioms

Next to the barn was Papa’s mound of hay for bedding, nearly half as tall as the barn, covered with canvas to keep the rain from rotting it.

The best synonym for the word mound as it is used in this selection would be…

A.pile.B.trail.C.blanket.D.pool.

Figurative Language

At last Papa slid down, too, as the sky grew darker and the stars blinked like fireflies.

The phrase the stars blinked like fireflies means that the stars were…

A. buzzing.B. twinkling.C. falling.D. glaring.

Looking at Context Clues

“The sow was a mongrel, numbering among her ancestors Yorkshires, and Saddlebacks, and Gloucester Old Spots.” From this description, we know that mongrel probably means a

A. sickly animal.B. one-of-a-kind animal.C. famous animal.D. mixed-breed animal.

Parents, these are the kind of questions your child is asked in Vocabulary on the grade 5 reading test.

Grade Five Books to read at home that Enhance Content and Structure of Informational Text.

A Complete Book of Science is a great text to emphasize the difference between fact and opinion.

Who Was Abraham Lincoln?is anInformational text that helps readers understand the difference between fact and opinion during the Civil War.

Meet the Authors is an Informational text that helps readers relate to well known authors and why they write.

The First Woman Doctor is a true story where the author’s purpose is relevant.

The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin emphasizes his inventions and writings, much which were very persuasive!

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Grade Five Books to read at home that - Enhance Vocabulary.

Its not just knowing what a word means, but knowing HOW TO FIGURE OUT THE MEANING of a word when reading!

Parents, these are the kind of questions your child is asked in Content and Structure of Informational Text on the grade 5 reading test.

Recognizing Fact and Opinion

Which sentence below is a fact?

A. “There’s no need to learn how to do arithmetic…”

B. “They are happy giving you the absurd answer you deserve.”

C. “They won’t tell you how to set up the problem.”

D. “No one wants to go back to the days of adding numbers by hand.”

INFORMATIONAL OR PERSUASIVE TEXT?

Which sentence from the article is meant to be persuasive as opposed to simply being informative?

A. “They won’t tell you what math operations you need to carry out.”

B. “They never tell you what information you need to get an answer.”

C. “That view is entirely wrong.”D. “Modern business couldn’t be ‘modern’

without them.

Tuck Everlasting and other novels rich with metaphors and figurative language.

Hailstones and Halibut Bones and books of poems. Even older students will recognize the similes in this picture book!

Island of the Blue dolphinsand books that use a different vocabulary than we do today that require using context clues to figure out new words.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech is full of beautiful metaphors.

Kazakhstanand books about people from other cultures.

It Figures is a great book and fun full of figurative language. Also Tall Tales use lots of idioms!

The “old classics” such as The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Author’s Purpose

Scarecrow, jack-of-straw, scarebird, tattybogle, or shoy-hoy—under many different names, these homemade figures have been used around the world to protect precious crops for over three thousand years. They are as old as the practice of farming itself.

The author most likely wrote this article to teach the reader some…

A. history and facts about scarecrows.

B. ways people farmed three thousand years ago.

C. stories about scarecrows.D. different ways scarecrows are

made

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STRAND 2

When I read Informational Text, I can…

distinguish between the main idea and supporting details.

summarize a sequence of events OR identify the main events.

When I read Literary (fiction) Text, I can …

tell about significant or important events and ideas that are found explicitly (“right in the text”).

distinguish the order of events or a special event from a sequence

identify causes of main events in the plot and their influence on future actions.

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Demonstrating a General Understanding, ask students to answer questions that can be directly found in the text.

STRAND 5

I can Examine and Evaluate the Content and Structure of Informational Text, by…

drawing conclusions about the author’s purpose

differentiate between fact and opinion.

recognize characteristics of persuasive text and how persuasion is being used.

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Content and Structure of Informational Text, require a higher level of thinking.

Questions center around the differences between fact and opinion and author’s purpose.

Informational TextContent & Structure

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Parents, these are the kind of questions your child is asked in Demonstrating a General Understanding on the grade 5 reading test.

Informational Text Main Idea and Details

And while computers and calculators are good at adding and subtracting, they don’t actually understand it.

According to the author, calculators and computers are good for…

A. telling you which math operations to use.

B. setting up a math problem.C. giving you another way to solve a math

problem.D. adding and subtracting.

Sequencing or Identifying Main Events in Informational Text

I charged through the pines and then, to the left, I heard thesharp bark of the fox. I waited. I had had the feeling, all the while I was running, that the black fox had been calling me, leading me somewhere, and now I had lost her.

Which did the boy do last?

A. He followed the fox.B. He stood waiting for the fox.C. He lost track of the fox.D. He heard the fox.

Main Events in Plot Development

“Scared? Scared!” exclaimed Sarah. “You bet I’m not scared.” She climbed the ladder, and Nick began to bark. She climbed to the very top of the hay and sat, looking down at us. Above, the stars were coming out. Papa piled a bed of loose hay below with his pitchfork.

Sarah is not scared to slide down the hay dune because

A. Caleb and Anna go down it first.B. She has slid down dunes before.C. She has seen many hay dunes in pictures.D. Papa promised that it was safe.

Grade Five Books to read at home that Enhance Developing an Interpretation

Books such Caddie Woodlawn encourage readers to predict the outcome!”

In this adventure The Gold Rush Kid, are many opportunities to examine and identify the theme as the Klondike Rush comes to life!

Books such asIndian in the Cupboard have strong characters that give meaning to determining the plot!

This true stories of Immigrant Kidsconveyed through images is a wonderful view of concepts at the turn of the century about immigration.

World War II for Kids includes war time letters and interviews with veterans help readers draw conclusions based on evidence.

This book, Who Named Pluto, highlights nine scientists that made significant contributions while very young. Great for sharing ideas and concepts.

Literary Text Informational Text

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Grade Five Books to read at home that Enhance Demonstrating General Understanding

Historical Fiction chapter books such as the Brooklyn, Bugsy and Me detail sequence and special events while teaching about history.

Chapter books such as the Tornadoseries have key events explicitly explained.

Literary Text Informational Text

Running Out of Time is an outstanding book about time travel and presents problems and solutions.

Science and Social Studies books present main ideas and details.

Children of the Dust Bowl is a true story about a boy in the 1930’s in farm labor camps analyzing key events.

Earthquake a historical fiction (but with informational true history) identifies main events that influence future actions.

Parents, these are the kind of questions your child is asked in Developing an Interpretation

Predicting Outcomes in Informational Text . . .

And while computers and calculators are good at adding andsubtracting, they don’t actually understand it. If you put in the wronginformation or do the problem wrong, they are happy giving you the absurd answer you deserve. So you need to know how to check that an answer is reasonable and then do it every time.

What do you think will most likely happen if students read this advice?

A. Students will not check their answers.

B. They will just use computers.C. Students will check for reasonable

answers.D. They will get rid of calculators.

Determining Character Traits in Literary Text

“Fine,” said Sarah. She lifted her arms over her head and slid down, down, into the soft hay. She lay laughing, as the dogs rolled beside her.

Based on what you learned in this story, which word best describes Sarah’s character?

A. PlayfulB. FearfulC. WeakD. Shy

Drawing Inferences based on Textual Evidence in Informational Text

A COMMON COMMENT ABOUT modern-day mathematics is“There’s no need to learn how to do arithmetic since everyone now has calculators and computers.” That view is entirely wrong.

Although it is never really stated, the main idea of this article is that

A. students should use both technology and thinking skills.

B. calculators and computers save time and can correct your errors.

C. students should always check their adding and subtracting.

D. it is important to do your math problems on calculators.

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STRAND 3

When I read to locate information I can…

look at Titles and Chapter Headings.

look in the Table of Contents.

look at illustrations.

look at captions.

look in glossaries.

look in indexes.

interpret information in diagrams.

interpret information in charts and tables.

interpret information in graphs.

interpret information on maps.

I can locate information in specialized materials such using…

a thesaurus.

an almanac.

a newspaper.

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Grade 5 Read to Perform a Task, ask students to find information using charts, a thesaurus page and more complex tables.

STRAND 4

I can interpret informational text by…..

predicting outcomes.

draw valid inferences and conclusions based on textual evidence.

determining unstated ideas and concepts conveyed through images, patters or symbols.

I can interpret literary text by…..

predicting outcomes.

determining character traits and how they influence the plot.

identifying and examining themes.

drawing valid inferences and conclusions.

Parent Note: Most questions on the OAKS test for Developing an Interpretation, asks students to “read between the lines,” or make a guess based on evidence and clues in the story.

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Grade Five Books to read at home that Enhance

Read to Perform a Task.

Parents, Your child will be asked to answer these kind of questions in Read to Perform a TaskIn fifth grade students should also be able to understand tables, charts, maps and diagrams. More complex interpretations include using a thesaurus or newspaper.

Use this page from a popular thesaurus to answer some questions about words.

gentle adj. 1 She was a gentle woman whowouldn’t hurt a fly: gentle-hearted, kindly,kind, peaceful, compassionate, tender,sympathetic, mild, meek; tolerant, benign,lenient, indulgent, merciful; thoughtful,considerate. 2 She gave the baby a gentle paton the back. A warm, gentle breeze was comingfrom the sea: mild, soft, light, easy, slight;quiet, calm, serene, tranquil, placid; balmy,moderate, temperate, not violent, notrough, not severe; bland, smooth,untroubled. 3 Is that horse gentle enough forthe children to ride? docile, tame,manageable, easily handled, tractable;domesticated, broken, harmless, subdued,peaceful, calm.

In this thesaurus, a semicolon (;) is used to separate…

A. groups of words closely related in meaning.B. words used in sentences from their definitions.C. definitions of words with unrelated multiple

meanings.D. a word’s part of speech from its definition.

Using a Thesaurus

Using a Glossary to findnew information

World Almanac for children make using charts and tables fun to learn facts that interest them!

Antartic Ice is an awesome informational book with tons of captions and illustrations.

Using a Thesaurusis a life long skill in understanding language.

Oceans has Charts and Graphs and amazing ways to use them, much as the Magic School Bus series.

The Guinness World Records and other record books have many tables and diagrams.

How thick should clear untraveled lake ice be to safely support one person on foot?

A. 2 inchesB. 3 inchesC. 4 inchesD. 5 inches

Using a Chart