Purposeful Design Language Arts: Grade 5 Language and Writing Student Edition

Language arts programs listed in this section cover most areas of language arts (reading/literature, writing, grammar, spelling and handwriting) in one curriculum, although some skill areas may be covered with less intensity than a focused, stand-alone course.

This impressive series is a full-bodied language arts program, covering ALL aspects of language arts. (Yes, really!) Phonics and spelling materials provide systematic instruction, and the grammar and writing instruction is integrated. Literature studies are both engaging and comprehensive. The series meets or exceeds national standards and was developed following the guidelines of The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy Continuum.

Program materials are bright, colorful, and engaging. Based on teacher-student interaction, teacher materials are classroom oriented, but still user-friendly for homeschools (daily lessons plans are limited to a two-page spread). The general pace of instruction is robust and challenging, but not overwhelming. All materials are written with a Christian worldview. This means that biblical principles are embedded throughout the literature, as well as in the student and teacher materials. Content is interactive, culturally relevant, and inspirational. Teaching approaches are innovative as well as spiritually motivated.

The reading program is "multimodal" providing systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics rules, reading fluency, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. It has all the marks of a research-based reading program. Read-alouds coupled with discussion are built right into the lesson plans. Texts used for student reading and assessment are varied and provide opportunities for discussion and interaction. Students and Teachers talk about the texts, share thoughts, and seek to better understand the main ideas. A major emphasis of the program is to focus on developing traits that lead toward effective, literature-based writing skills.

Courses each have eleven units per year. Units each have a character quality or topical theme (i.e. courage; inventions) with an accompanying Scripture verse. There are three chapters per unit, for a total of 33 weeks of instruction. There are five daily lessons per weekly chapter.

Course components vary as the program progresses through the grades, with a distinctive change occurring at Grade 3. Grades K-2 employ a Teacher Edition (available either in print or as an eBook), a Student Edition, Student Spelling Workbooks (1st and 2nd grade only), Decodable Readers (K and 1st grade), Leveled Readers (1st and 2nd grade), and printable Teacher Resources (available at Purposeful Design's website for purchasers of either the TE or the Teacher eBook). These levels mention an optional language arts manipulative kit (includes common phonics manipulatives such as small & large magnetic letters, sandpaper letters, letter tiles, alpha cards and placemats, mini alpha cards, and beginning blends). These items are not available in kit form at Rainbow Resource Center but can be purchased individually.

From Grade 3, components diverge into the two main strands of Language Arts: Language/Writing and Reading Skills. For a complete language arts program, you'll need the Student and Teacher texts for each strand (4 books in total). Each weekly lesson (30 weeks total) in the Language and Writing texts incorporate grammar, writing, spelling, speaking/listening skills and vocabulary. The Reading and Literature texts review phonics weekly and focus on different reading comprehension skills; context clues; listening comprehension; and genre. These grades intentionally weave a biblical worldview in all program components. Student materials are consumable (perforated pages) and the teacher materials can be purchased as spiral-bound softcover/hardcover combo or as digital eBooks. Some PDF helps and supplemental material are available free at the publisher's website with purchase of a Teacher book. Also starting at Grade 3, the program transitions away from publisher-written reading books to carefully selected, classic read-aloud Literature (recommended) and Readers (required). These lists are found in the TGs and on our website. The Reading and Literature TG provides extremely detailed, pick-up-and-go Literature Guides and Reader Guides. These resources provide the teacher with a wealth of support for teaching vocabulary, discussing comprehension, building fluency and for literature discussion.

The Teacher eBook contains the same content as the print edition. An email with access information will be sent in 1-2 business days after your order is processed. Please note, the Teacher eBook cannot be printed and is not refundable.

Purchase of either the print Teacher Edition or the Teacher eBook includes access to printable online Supplemental Resources. Blackline masters (BLMs) include – notes, handouts, spelling tests, reviews of high-frequency words, phonics, and grammar, as well as digital masters (DMs – lesson display items). These teacher resources are available as pdf downloads from the publisher's website (access instructions included with either the print TE or the Teacher eBook).

This series has a lot to offer. It includes solid instruction, a biblical worldview, colorful and engaging student materials, along with well-organized and user-friendly teacher resources. All in all, a language arts program that deserves serious consideration. ~ Janice