Grade: 5

Unit 7 : Solving Problems: Mysteries

This is a unit written for fifth grade on mysteries and solving problems.

By the end of the unit, students will answer the following writing prompt:
You will conduct a short research project using several sources to build knowledge about the different aspects of a real-life mystery. You will gather relevant information from
print and digital resources and then summarize the information from your notes for your finished work. The relevant information and summaries will be used to write an
informational essay explaining the circumstances and impact of this mystery.

Your response should be a well-developed essay with three sources of information cited, including accurate quotations from the texts. Edit your writing for proper verb tenses
and punctuation, especially commas. Publish your essay and present it to the class. Answer questions from classmates about your presentation.

Week Mentor text Supplemental
text/Multimedia
Standards Assessment
Reading Writing Speaking/Listening Language
1 The Westing
Game by Ellen
Raskin (Lexile 750)
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (Lexile
750)
Room One by Andrew
Clements (Lexile 840)
The Wright 3 by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 870)
Brain Finds a Leg by
Martin Chatterton (Lexile
900)
The Bad Beginning by
Lemony Snicket (Lexile 1010)
Strategy: Inferring
Standard: RL.5.1,

W.5.7, W.5.8 SL.5.1, SL.5.4, SL.5.6
L.5.1, L.5.2,
L.5.3,L.5.5, L.5.6

Making Inferences Graphic
Organizer
Figurative Language Graphic
Organizer (on-going
throughout the unit)
2

The Westing
Game by Ellen
Raskin (Lexile 750)
When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (Lexile
750)
Room One by Andrew
Clements (Lexile 840)
The Wright 3 by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 870)
Brain Finds a Leg by
Martin Chatterton (Lexile
Strategy:
Synthesizing
Standard: RL.5.1,
RL.5.5

W.5.7, W.5.8 SL.5.1, SL.5.4, SL.5.6 L.5.1, L.5.2,
L.5.3,L.5.5, L.5.6
Research Summary Notes
Graphic Organizer
Story Structure Graphic
Organizer
Figurative Language Graphic
Organizer (on-going
900)
The Bad Beginning by
Lemony Snicket (Lexile 1010)
throughout the unit)
3 Chasing
Vermeer by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 770)

When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (Lexile
750)
Room One by Andrew
Clements (Lexile 840)
The Wright 3 by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 870)
Brain Finds a Leg by
Martin Chatterton (Lexile
900)
The Bad Beginning by
Lemony Snicket (Lexile 1010)
Strategy:
Synthesizing
Standard: RL.5.1,
RL.5.5
W.5.2, W.5.7,
W.5.8, W.5.9
SL.5.1, SL.5.4, SL.5.6 L.5.1, L.5.2,
L.5.3,L.5.5, L.5.6
Writers Workshop
Conferences
Story Structure Graphic
Organizer
Figurative Language Graphic
Organizer (on-going
throughout the unit)
4 Chasing
Vermeer by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 770)

When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (Lexile
750)
Room One by Andrew
Clements (Lexile 840)
The Wright 3 by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 870)
Brain Finds a Leg by
Martin Chatterton (Lexile
900)
The Bad Beginning by
Lemony Snicket (Lexile 1010)
Strategy:
Compare and
contrast/inferring
Standard:RL.5.1,
RL.5.5,RL.5.9

W.5.2, W.5.5 SL.5.1, SL.5.4, SL.5.6 L.5.1, L.5.2,
L.5.3,L.5.5, L.5.6
Writers Workshop
Conferences
Comparing Two Texts
graphic organizer
Figurative Language Graphic
Organizer (on-going
throughout the unit)
5 Chasing
Vermeer by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 770)

When You Reach Me
by Rebecca Stead (Lexile
750)
Room One by Andrew
Clements (Lexile 840)
The Wright 3 by Blue
Balliett (Lexile 870)
Brain Finds a Leg by
Martin Chatterton (Lexile
900)
The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snicket (Lexile
Strategy:
Compare and
contrast/inferring
Standard: RL.5.1,
RL.5.5,RL.5.9

W.5.4, W.5.5 SL.5.1, SL.5.4, SL.5.6 L.5.1, L.5.2,
L.5.3,L.5.5, L.5.6
Final Drafts of Mystery
reports
Comparing Two Texts
graphic organizer
Figurative Language Graphic
Organizer (on-going
throughout the unit)
101
*note: Bold standards indicate when new standard is introduced
**Note: standards highlighted are the focus standards for the week