The Perspectives Grade 5 kit spans three reading levels. A three-part anthology at each level includes a nonfiction text and two fiction stories and is accompanied by a teacher guide that includes support for up to five days of instruction.

Level U: Taxes

This anthology begins with How Taxes Work to provide background about taxes. The fiction stories, It’s Not Fair and Two Kids and a Stadium, show points of view on two sides of the issue of raising taxes to fund the construction of a new sports stadium. The teacher guide leads students to make and defend arguments on both sides of this issue and then to rank the importance of each argument.

Level V: Music on the Internet

How the Internet Has Changed the Music Industry starts off this anthology with information on the history of music and the dynamic of the music industry. The fiction stories look at free downloading of music from the Internet from the point of view of a music fan (A Musical Bonanza) and of a musician (The Customer Is Always Right). The teacher guide engages students to discuss questions of right and wrong and how a person’s point of view can be incorrect based on a misunderstanding or lack of information.

Level W: The American Civil War

The nonfiction text, Countdown to Civil War, provides context for the American Civil War. The fiction stories provide deeper insight into the conflict through engaging personal stories. Hannah’s War presents the Southern view through a series of letters between a girl and her cousin. Amy’s Secret Plan presents the Northern view through the eyes of a girl whose family has moved to the North because they disagreed with slavery. The teacher guide leads students to discuss how the different circumstances of the Northerners and Southerners affects their points of view and to realize that issues can be very complex and need to be considered carefully.