IsiNdebele Home Language (Ilimi Lekhaya) in Grade 5 is designed to develop a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on reading for enjoyment, specifically through the daily reading of a novella, and introduces learners to complex text types like dramas, newspaper reports, and formal research projects. To ensure you have a complete roadmap for the year, it is essential to consult the full Grade 5 Annual Teaching Plans (ATPs).
This guide outlines the 2026 IsiNdebele Home Language Grade 5 ATP, providing a structured weekly breakdown from Information Texts in Term 1 to the major Creative Writing Project in Term 3 and Final Exams in Term 4.
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Download ATP HereIsiNdebele Home Language Grade 5 ATP 2026
The Annual Teaching Plan for Grade 5 emphasizes the development of critical thinking through language, requiring learners to analyze texts, understand literary devices, and produce structured creative writing.
Download: IsiNdebele Home Language Grade 5 ATP 2026 PDF
Term 1: Information, Novellas, and Poetry
Focus: The first term establishes a routine of daily reading (novella) and introduces learners to various non-fiction and literary texts.
- Weeks 1–2: Information Texts (Itheksti yelwazi)
- Reading: Analyzing information texts and social texts like SMS or emails.
- Writing: Writing an information text (3–4 paragraphs) or an email.
- Language: Verbs (Isenza samuntu), Synonyms, and Personification.
- Weeks 3–4: The Novella (Inovela)
- Listening & Speaking: Listening to extracts and discussing characters and values.
- Reading: Reading extracts from the novella; identifying differences between biographies and stories.
- Writing: Writing a book review or summary (Isirhunyezo).
- Language: Pronouns, Adjectives (Isiphawulo), Conjunctions, and Tenses.
- Weeks 5–6: Narrative Writing (Indatjana)
- Reading: Reading a story; predicting outcomes and discussing the plot.
- Writing: Writing a narrative or descriptive story (3 paragraphs).
- Language: Common and Proper Nouns (Amabizo avamileko nafaneleko).
- Weeks 7–8: Newspaper Reports (I-athikili yephephandaba)
- Reading: Reading reports; scanning for specific details (who, what, where).
- Writing: Writing a newspaper report with a headline and lead paragraph.
- Language: Prepositions/Adverbs (Izandiso), Articles, and Antonyms (Abomqondophika).
- Weeks 9–10: Poetry (Ikondlo)
- Reading: Analyzing poems for rhyme, rhythm, and atmosphere.
- Writing: Writing a poem using alliteration, assonance, and metaphors.
- Language: Adverbs (Izandiso), Simple and Compound sentences.
Term 2: Weather, Drama, and Reports
Focus: Term 2 explores functional texts like weather reports and creative genres like drama, leading up to the mid-year examinations.
- Weeks 1–2: Poetry Performance
- Speaking: Performing a poem with correct intonation and expression.
- Language: Abstract nouns (Amabizo-nya) and Punctuation.
- Weeks 3–4: Weather Reports (Umbiko wobujamo bezulu)
- Listening: Interpreting weather forecasts and discussing climate.
- Reading: Reading weather maps and symbols.
- Writing: Writing a weather report using visual data (maps/charts).
- Language: Future and Past Tense, Active and Passive Voice (Izenzo ezinomenziwa/ezinganamenziwa).
- Weeks 5–6: Drama (Umdlalo)
- Listening: Identifying plot, atmosphere, and character traits in a play.
- Reading: Reading a drama script; understanding stage directions and dialogue.
- Writing: Writing a drama script or a descriptive essay.
- Language: Oxymorons (I-oksimoroni), Direct and Indirect Speech.
- Weeks 7–8: Formal Reports (Umbiko)
- Reading: Reading reports containing tables, graphs, or diagrams.
- Writing: Writing a report based on research facts.
- Language: Pronouns (Izabizwana), Conjunctions (Iinhlanganiso), and Question forms.
- Weeks 9–10: Assessment
- Task: Mid-Year Controlled Test (Comprehension, Visual Text, Summary, Language).
Term 3: The Creative Writing Project
Focus: The third term is centred around a major Creative Writing Project that spans research, writing, and oral presentation, alongside the study of folklore.
- Weeks 1–2: Folklore (Iinolwana)
- Reading: Myths and legends; distinguishing between realistic and fantasy elements.
- Writing: Retelling a folklore story using descriptive language.
- Language: Verbs, Direct/Indirect Speech, and Paragraphing.
- Weeks 3–4: Project Phase 1 (Research)
- Activity: Researching a specific literary genre (Poetry, Drama, or Story).
- Skills: Collecting information, organizing notes, and compiling a bibliography.
- Weeks 5–6: Project Phase 2 (Writing)
- Activity: Drafting the creative piece based on the research (e.g., writing the story or poem).
- Process: Planning, drafting, editing, and producing a final version for assessment (30 marks).
- Weeks 7–8: Advertisements (Isikhangiso)
- Reading: Analyzing ads for target audience and visual effectiveness.
- Writing: Creating an advertisement using persuasive language.
- Language: Comparative Adjectives.
- Weeks 9–10: Poetry (Ikondlo)
- Reading: Analyzing poems for deeper meaning and figures of speech.
- Writing: Writing a poem using figures of speech like metaphors and similes.
Term 4: Revision and Final Assessment
Focus: The final term revisits key text types, finalizes the oral component of the project, and prepares learners for the end-of-year exams.
- Weeks 1–2: Stories (Folklore)
- Reading: Reading stories with animal characters (fables).
- Writing: Writing a story with a clear plot, background, and characters.
- Language: Idioms (Izaga), Similes (Isifaniso), and Metaphors (Isingathekiso).
- Weeks 3–4: News and Current Affairs (Umbiko)
- Listening: Discussing news bulletins and critical questions.
- Speaking: Presenting a formal oral report.
- Writing: Writing a formal report.
- Language: Homophones (Abomabizwafana), Synonyms, and Antonyms.
- Weeks 5–6: Information Texts (Itheksti yelwazi)
- Reading: Interpreting texts with complex visuals (maps/graphs).
- Writing: Writing an information text (3–4 paragraphs).
- Language: Noun clauses (Isigaba sebizo).
- Weeks 7–8: Oral Assessment
- Task: Finalizing the Oral Presentation (Task 7) linked to the Term 3 Creative Writing Project.
- Revision: Reviewing all language structures.
- Weeks 9–10: Final Exams
- Task: End-of-Year Controlled Test (Comprehension, Visual Text, Summary, Language).
FAQ: IsiNdebele Home Language Grade 5
Q: What is the “Inovela” requirement? A: In Home Language, learners are expected to read a novella (a short novel) or a reading book for at least 30 minutes every day to build reading stamina and vocabulary.
Q: How does the Creative Writing Project work? A: It is a 3-step process starting in Term 3. Step 1 is Research (10 marks), Step 2 is Writing the creative piece (30 marks), and Step 3 is the Oral Presentation of the project (20 marks), which is often finalized in Term 4.
Q: What is the pass requirement for Language Structures? A: While there is no specific “pass” mark for just the language section, “Izakhiwo nemithetjhwana yokusetjenziswa kwelimi” (Language structures and conventions) make up a significant portion (10-15 marks) of every control test and are integrated into all writing tasks.