In theater, a monologue is presented by a single character, most often to express the character's inner thoughts or emotions and share them with the audience. In the upper grades, monologues are useful practice in public speaking to gain confidence in elocution (clear speech), expression (speaking with feeling), and memorization.
This year, the focus is on elocution, expression, and confidence, not perfect recall or memorization, although that will come with time. Getting the gist (the main point or idea) with confidence and clarity will allow you to succeed.
In fifth grade, monologues may come from:
plays, film, and television scripts,
longer poems, such as sonnets,
passages from short stories and novels,
autobiographies of historical figures and scientists.