The Writing Academy · Content Language Support

One Voice Can Start a Wave

Grade 5 · Cluster 7 · Module 1 (low stamina) · Tap any underlined word to see a picture

Read in Randi Whitney's voice.

One speaks, another hears,

A grows and conquers fears.

One person asks, “Is this thing ?”

Another stops to listen there.

A whisper travels down the ,

Then other rise to meet.

A thought once spoken all alone

Can quickly find a stronger tone.

People can , , and speak,

To help protect the they seek.

They their thoughts and make them known,

So hear more than their own.

A voice may start out soft and small,

Yet one brave question can reach all.

When listen, learn, and say,

One voice can start a mighty .

The highlighted key words in this passage are tappable. Each opens a simple picture, the content language support accommodation for new English language learners.

Take Turns Reading (Fluency)

The teacher reads one line and pauses. The student reads the next line. Keep taking turns to the end of the passage.

  1. Model. Read each Teacher line with clear expression and phrasing, then pause so the student knows it is their turn.
  2. Track. The student points under each word with a finger or pointer, left to right and top to bottom, while you read and while they read.
  3. Praise. Name what went well in the student's reading, such as expression, smooth phrasing, or a tricky word said with accuracy. Reread any tricky word together.

Feedback on rate, accuracy, and prosody: Fluency Feedback Guide, Grade 5

  1. 1.Teacher readsOne voice speaks, another hears,
  2. 2.Student readsA question grows and conquers fears.
  3. 3.Teacher readsOne person asks, “Is this thing fair?”
  4. 4.Student readsAnother stops to listen there.
  5. 5.Teacher readsA whisper travels down the street,
  6. 6.Student readsThen other voices rise to meet.
  7. 7.Teacher readsA thought once spoken all alone
  8. 8.Student readsCan quickly find a stronger tone.
  9. 9.Teacher readsPeople can gather, write, and speak,
  10. 10.Student readsTo help protect the change they seek.
  11. 11.Teacher readsThey share their thoughts and make them known,
  12. 12.Student readsSo leaders hear more than their own.
  13. 13.Teacher readsA voice may start out soft and small,
  14. 14.Student readsYet one brave question can reach all.
  15. 15.Teacher readsWhen people listen, learn, and say,
  16. 16.Student readsOne voice can start a mighty wave.
ELPS supported by this routine
  • ELPS 3(H) Read with fluency and prosody and demonstrate comprehension of content-area text.
  • ELPS 3(A) Demonstrate awareness of print concepts and directionality of reading as left to right and top to bottom.
  • ELPS 2(A) Pronounce words, including high-frequency words, cognates, and increasingly complex syllable types, with accuracy.
The Writing Academy · Content Language Support · Grade 5 Cluster 7