Snapshot 5.6. Student-Initiated Research and Action Project
Integrated ELA/Literacy, ELD, Math, Science, and Visual Arts in Grade Five
(cont.)They also spoke with city personnel about building and accessibility codes. When they
were told there were insufficient funds to construct a new walkway, with the permission of the
site administrator, the students wrote a letter to the families served by the school, sharing the
results of their research, images of the damage to classroom carpets, and a detailed design of
the proposed walkway. Mr. Hubert supported students in using general academic and domain-
specific vocabulary, as well as language effective for persuading; such as “We should improve
our learning environment.. .” and “This is definitely an issue that affects.. .” in their letters
and conversations with officials. He also helped them structure their letters cohesively. The
students asked the community for donations of materials and labor. The fruits of their efforts
were realized when, in early spring, the school and local community, with leadership from
several parents who were skilled in construction, poured a new concrete walkway.
Mr. Hubert and his students documented all the project activities and shared images with
families at the school’s Open House at the end of the year. The students were proud of their
accomplishments and contribution to the school, and Mr. Hubert was pleased with everything
they had learned in so many areas of the curriculum.CA CCSS for ELA/Literacy: R.I.5.4; W.5.1, 2, 7; SL.5.4–6; L.5.1–3, 6
Related CA ELD Standards: ELD.PI.5.1, 3, 10a, 12a, 11a-b; ELD.PII.5.1
Related CA Model School Library Standards:
5-1.2 Formulate appropriate questions
5-3.3 Use information and technology creatively to answer a question, solve a problem, or enrich understanding
5-4.2 Seek, produce, and share information
Related CA CCSS for Mathematics:
MP.1 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
MP.3 Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
MP.4 Model with mathematics.
MP.5 Use appropriate tools strategically.
MP.6 Attend to precision.
5.MD.5 Relate volume to operations of multiplication and addition and solve real-world and mathematical problems
involving volume.
Related CA Next Generation Science Standards:
Engineering Design
3-5-ETS1-1 Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success
and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
3-5-ETS1-2 Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet
the criteria and constraints of the problem.
3-5-ETS1-3 Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify
aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
Related CA Visual and Performing Arts Content Standards:
Visual Arts 2.3 Demonstrate beginning skill in the manipulation of digital imagery.
Visual Arts 5.1 Use linear perspective to depict geometric objects in space.478 | Chapter 5 Grade 5