Reading and Writing Instruction
We do everything we can to create a print rich environment and contagious enthusiasm for reading! We use a combination of authentic chapter books, nonfiction digital texts, and Journeys literacy program for our literacy instruction. Students will also have independent and partner reading time every day with an impressive classroom library full of high-interest books, as well as access to non-fiction blogs and digital texts online.
We use both whole group lessons and the Daily 5 rotation stations for literacy instruction. In the Daily 5 rotations students choose a variety of literacy centers to work at (Read to Self, Read to a Partner/ Listen to reading, Word Work, and Work on Writing. While students work at centers, teachers are able to meet with small groups of students to give direct instruction on a variety of writing, reading, and spelling strategies based on each student's unique needs.
For writing instruction we use the 6 (+1) Traits Model. Students' writing projects will focus on one of the 6 (+1) Traits (Ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, or presentation.) Each writing project will use the text we are reading as a model (either of the genre or author's skill.) For each writing project students will receive a rubric that tells them exactly what skills will be focused on and graded. They will also have frequent opportunities to revise, publish, and share their final drafts with small groups or the class. Presenting their final drafts allows students to learn from one another, inspires ideas for their own writing, gives them opportunities to practice their presentation skills, all while receiving positive feedback on their writing.
We use both whole group lessons and the Daily 5 rotation stations for literacy instruction. In the Daily 5 rotations students choose a variety of literacy centers to work at (Read to Self, Read to a Partner/ Listen to reading, Word Work, and Work on Writing. While students work at centers, teachers are able to meet with small groups of students to give direct instruction on a variety of writing, reading, and spelling strategies based on each student's unique needs.
For writing instruction we use the 6 (+1) Traits Model. Students' writing projects will focus on one of the 6 (+1) Traits (Ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, or presentation.) Each writing project will use the text we are reading as a model (either of the genre or author's skill.) For each writing project students will receive a rubric that tells them exactly what skills will be focused on and graded. They will also have frequent opportunities to revise, publish, and share their final drafts with small groups or the class. Presenting their final drafts allows students to learn from one another, inspires ideas for their own writing, gives them opportunities to practice their presentation skills, all while receiving positive feedback on their writing.
There is no official reading homework, but we ask that families make time to read 20 minutes a day as part of a healthy lifestyle.
What should my child read at home?
Just right books (read these the most!) ("Miss 1 or 2, it's for you! Miss 3 or more...read no more!")
-Only misses 1-2 words on a page
-Student is familiar with the content
-Many words on each page
-Chapter and non-fiction books
Challenge books (every once in awhile)
-May miss 3-4 words on a page
-Knows a lot about the content
-Has a strong desire to read the text
Just for Fun (every once in awhile)
-Only misses 0-1 words
-Enjoys the content
-Easy to read and understand
-Comics and graphic novels
-Fewer words on each page
*Even though your child is getting older it's important that you continue to read aloud to them to model expressive, fluent reading. You should also listen to your child read aloud often to make sure their book is a good fit.
- A wide variety of genres (fantasy, biographies, non-fiction, poetry, mystery, adventure, etc.)
- A "healthy diet" of books (mostly just right books, but also some just for fun and challenge books as well)
Just right books (read these the most!) ("Miss 1 or 2, it's for you! Miss 3 or more...read no more!")
-Only misses 1-2 words on a page
-Student is familiar with the content
-Many words on each page
-Chapter and non-fiction books
Challenge books (every once in awhile)
-May miss 3-4 words on a page
-Knows a lot about the content
-Has a strong desire to read the text
Just for Fun (every once in awhile)
-Only misses 0-1 words
-Enjoys the content
-Easy to read and understand
-Comics and graphic novels
-Fewer words on each page
*Even though your child is getting older it's important that you continue to read aloud to them to model expressive, fluent reading. You should also listen to your child read aloud often to make sure their book is a good fit.