Preview the book to ensure that it is age appropriate for fifth-graders. If the book uses vocabulary that is too advanced, you might have a hard time keeping their attention. This also applies to the subject matter. Major components of the fifth grade language arts curriculum include vocabulary development, reading comprehension, literature, writing strategies and writing applications. Guided reading should also be a vital focus.
Take a moment to introduce the topic of the book. Give children the time to discuss what they think the book might be about. This will help them feel connected to the story and prompt attentiveness. This will also reinforce English and literature conventions and foreshadowing, an important component of the fifth grade curriculum.
Provide the title of the book along with the author and illustrator. This helps kids associate the book with other works by the author. Popular authors of fifth grade literature include Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, Gary Paulsen, J.K, Rowling, Avi and Scott O'Dell.
Get rid of distractions, such as cell phones, radio and television sets. Make it clear that this is reading time.
Control your intonation and volume. Read fluently and with expression. At happy parts of the book, it might be necessary for you to show excitement. At scary or sad parts, lower your volume to match the mood of the story to help reinforce listening and speaking skills.
Try to look at your audience as much as possible. Make them feel like you are talking directly to them.
If you sense that you are losing the attention of the kids, take a moment to talk about the book. Give students the time to ask questions or discuss what they think is going to happen next. Focus on questions that test the kids' comprehension of the story and vocabulary words. What just happened in the story? What does this word mean? What do you think is going to happen next?
Show illustrations if the book has pictures to go along with the story.
Take time to discuss the story. Ask questions and allow kids to ask you questions. Create a vocabulary and spelling word list to go along with the story. To encourage fifth grade writing strategies, ask how they would have changed the story.
Revisit highlights of the story. Try to leave your audience with a good perception of the book. Fifth grade language arts programs focus on text structure and organization. Help your kids understand the basic literature devices, such as characters, plot, theme and point of view.
Attempt to get the kids to relate to at least one part of the book with questions, such as how are you and the main character alike?