Reading
We will be using the Scholastic Storyworks curriculum for reading along with novels. We will be using and practicing different skills throughout the reading process. Students will be working independently and with partners to read, discuss, and practice the different reading strategies, while learning to apply them as they read.
Reading Instruction
Comprehension
We will be practicing and using eight key comprehension strategies. The students will:
Making connections
Inferring
Asking Questions
Determining Importance
Monitoring Understanding
Synthesizing
Creating Images
Using Fix-Up Strategies
Click on each strategy to view the organizers we will use.
Fluency
Fluency is the speed, accuracy, and expression that a person has when reading. We will practice improving
fluency through our source books, poetry, and charts. Rereading familiar books and poetry improves
fluency.
Vocabulary
Our vocabulary instruction uses a six-step approach to learning words. The first three steps are used to
introduce a new word and the last three steps are used to sharpen understanding.
Explain: The teacher explains the word through a picture, description, and example.
Restate: Students restate the description or example in their own words.
Show: Students draw a picture, symbol, or graphic of the word.
Discuss: The class has a structured vocabulary discussion.
Refine and Reflect: Students return to their notebooks to refine entries.
Apply: Students are involved in games that allow them to play with words.
Writing Instruction
During writing mini-lessons and writing workshop this year, the students are introduced to grammar skills, including punctuation and parts of speech. The students will learn most of these skills in the context of reading books and poems, as well as during our writing activities. We will be working on writing different styles, such as letters,stories, and poems. We will also be working on different writing skills, such as using good words, using different sentence styles, and coming up with ideas. As the year progresses, students will become more independent with their writing.
Writing Process
We will learn about and use the five steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
Students will be introduced to each through shared and interactive writing, and then apply their skills through independent practice during writing workshop.
Writing organizers that we will use throughout the year are:
Main Ideas and Details
Story
Sequence
Poem
Biography
Problem and Solution
Newspaper
Cause and Effect
Report
Sequence
Observation Log
Sequence
Persuasive Essay
Compare and Contrast
Letter
Story
Writing Traits
Students will learn about the qualities, or traits, of good writing. We will study how many different authors develop their craft as we develop our traits of good writing: ideas, organizations, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.
Historical Fiction Project
Historical Fiction Rubric
Comprehension
We will be practicing and using eight key comprehension strategies. The students will:
Making connections
Inferring
Asking Questions
Determining Importance
Monitoring Understanding
Synthesizing
Creating Images
Using Fix-Up Strategies
Click on each strategy to view the organizers we will use.
Fluency
Fluency is the speed, accuracy, and expression that a person has when reading. We will practice improving
fluency through our source books, poetry, and charts. Rereading familiar books and poetry improves
fluency.
Vocabulary
Our vocabulary instruction uses a six-step approach to learning words. The first three steps are used to
introduce a new word and the last three steps are used to sharpen understanding.
Explain: The teacher explains the word through a picture, description, and example.
Restate: Students restate the description or example in their own words.
Show: Students draw a picture, symbol, or graphic of the word.
Discuss: The class has a structured vocabulary discussion.
Refine and Reflect: Students return to their notebooks to refine entries.
Apply: Students are involved in games that allow them to play with words.
Writing Instruction
During writing mini-lessons and writing workshop this year, the students are introduced to grammar skills, including punctuation and parts of speech. The students will learn most of these skills in the context of reading books and poems, as well as during our writing activities. We will be working on writing different styles, such as letters,stories, and poems. We will also be working on different writing skills, such as using good words, using different sentence styles, and coming up with ideas. As the year progresses, students will become more independent with their writing.
Writing Process
We will learn about and use the five steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.
Students will be introduced to each through shared and interactive writing, and then apply their skills through independent practice during writing workshop.
Writing organizers that we will use throughout the year are:
Main Ideas and Details
Story
Sequence
Poem
Biography
Problem and Solution
Newspaper
Cause and Effect
Report
Sequence
Observation Log
Sequence
Persuasive Essay
Compare and Contrast
Letter
Story
Writing Traits
Students will learn about the qualities, or traits, of good writing. We will study how many different authors develop their craft as we develop our traits of good writing: ideas, organizations, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation.
Historical Fiction Project
Historical Fiction Rubric