Folktales and Nonfiction Focus

Currently, students are reading folktales in class and for independent reading. Students have learned that Fables are stories told to teach a lesson or a moral. The morals often have to do with using one’s thinking to overcome enemies such as the value of cooperation, looking at problems from a different point of view, and being satisfied with what life deals you. Folktales represent many different countries and cultures.

In addition, students are writing their own folktales. Some students will be typing their writing on the computer and some will be using the SOLO program. SOLO is a computer software program that includes word prediction, a text reader, graphic organizer, and talking word processor. This assists students in being more independent during the writing process and is just one more tool for students to use during the writing process in class.

SOLO
This year, many students were introduced to the SOLO program. Students learned how to use the Write Outloud and Co Writer features of the program to take notes and write a summary of a book we are reading in class, something previously completed with pencil and paper. Some of the features of this program are its ability to read the text students write, spell check, and click and drag text (instead of retyping it.) Another advantage of using this program is its high motivation. Not only is the new technology fun for students to use, students are finding the writing process to be less laborious and more enjoyable.

Reading Nonfiction and Taking Notes
During our weekly LMC times, students are reading more and more nonfiction books. Reading nonfiction requires readers to think differently about the text. Readers need to determine the big ideas and figure out the most important facts from the interesting ones.

The process of note taking involves many skills that can be challenging. Here are some of the skills I have focused on with students.

Just Right Books
Students need to be able to read most of the words in the book and retell what they read. Nonfiction can having challenging vocabulary and names. Students are also frequently interested in reading about topics /books that are not at their “Just Right level”

Summarizing
We are focusing on the comprehension strategy of summarizing. Summarizing is when students determine the main events and write them in their own words. It is critical now that students are reading longer chapter books! Students have learned and practiced a strategy called RAP to assist them in summarizing.
RAP stands for:
R=Read
A=Ask yourself what is most important
P=Put it in your own words

Summarizing In Writing
We have also used a specific format when writing our summaries. Students have used this format often when reading a short nonfiction text on the computer and then writing a short summary. Posters are near each computer and hung throughout the classroom to remind students of what to include in their written summary.

Independent Reading

One focus at the beginning of the year is finding and reading “just right “ books. These are books that students are interested in reading independently with still a little challenge. Students need to be able to read most of the words, have a good understanding of what they are reading, and able to completely read the book in a reasonable amount of time. We visit the LMC for the purpose of finding just right books. Each month, there is a different focus and a project to complete as part of daily independent reading.

I suggest that students read a minimum of 20 minutes nightly and often this may be the only reading and writing homework I assign. As often as possible, listen to your child read and retell the story to you. Establish reading and sharing about books as part of your child’s daily routine. The more your child reads, the better chance your child has to become a successful reader.

Focus on a Series

Last month, we focused on reading fiction books in a series. Reading books in a series can assist readers with understanding more difficult text because they are familiar with the characters, plot, and author’s style. This also assists with making more accurate predictions because they can anticipate what characters will do based on other books read in the series. This familiar plot structure further assists students in summarizing information.

Some of the books students are enjoying are Nate the Great, Mr. Putter, Poppleton, Mercy Watson, Bean and Ivy, and the Jake Maddox series. We have shared and read some of these books in class to motivate students for choosing these series for independent reading. In addition to the above series, other series you may want to encourage your child to read are: The Zach Files, Amber Starts With A, Pony Pals, Secrets of Droon, and The Kootie Club Mystery series.

We need your help!!! With state testing upon us, much our class time will be spent testing. Please continue to read with your child and discuss the books they are reading. This just motivates them to read and discuss the books even more!!

Welcome Back!!!

I would like to welcome students back to school. I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. I spent a lot of time outside with my family and reading!

I am eager to start the new school year and there are many exciting things to look forward to in the upcoming year. As we start the school year, students will make adjustments in learning new names, procedures, and routines. We will spend the first weeks together reviewing procedures and getting to know each other.

Reading and Writing Instruction
This year, your child’s reading, writing, and spelling instruction utilize a variety of resources and techniques. My instruction uses technology and print to meet the needs of students whose reading achievement is below proficient level. The daily instruction, directly address individual needs through high-interest literature, instructional software, and direct whole group and small group instruction in reading, writing, and vocabulary skills.

Math Instruction
This year you child’s math instruction will use much of the Math Expressions materials by Houghton Mifflin. I will be sending home occasion newsletters detailing our units of study. Follow the link for more information on Math Expressions, parent resources, as well as games for students to practice their math skills. http://www.eduplace.com/math/mthexp

Independent Reading

A large focus of my instruction is finding ways to instruct, encourage, and support students’ daily independent reading. I start the year by giving students strategies for finding “just right “ books. These are books that students are interested in reading independently with still a little challenge. We visit the LMC weekly for the purpose of finding just right books. I also find ways to expose students to a wide variety of reading and try to focus on at least one genre each month. Each month, there is a different project to complete as a way to share what we have learned from our daily independent reading. I set short and long term deadlines for completing projects and encourage student feedback in guiding these projects. Students have choices in the projects they complete that involve a variety of medium and technologies. Once student projects are completed, we often spend class time sharing student work and display projects in the classroom and hallways. So far this year, we have read fiction books in a series, nonfiction animal books, biography, historical fiction, folktales and poetry as part of guiding students through their daily independent reading practices.

Now I am asking for your suggestions and feedback. With the summer closely approaching, I encourage everyone to find a way to fit reading into their busy summer schedules. Many students will have a slight drop in their reading level in the fall mostly due to not being in school and reading on a consistent basis. In the past, I have encouraged and tried different methods for motivating students to read over the summer. I would like to know what ideas you have for reading over the summer! Perhaps there are suggestions or ideas that I can assist with or support to make summer reading fun and enjoyable. Please send me all your wonderful ideas so that we can all discuss and share how to continue our fun in reading all year long!!

Winter Assessments
Your child has completed several assessments in recent weeks. Students completed a winter writing prompt for descriptive writing. Students also completed an informal reading inventory. Lastly, students completed the MAP assessment in reading and math. I will review your child’s progress and results of these assessments during upcoming meetings or spring conferences. If you have questions on any of these assessments or would like more information on the assessment results for your child, please contact me.

Folktales
Currently, students are reading folktales in class and for independent reading. Students have learned that Fables are stories told to teach a lesson or a moral. The morals often have to do with using one’s thinking to overcome enemies such as the value of cooperation, looking at problems from a different point of view, and being satisfied with what life deals you. Folktales represent many different countries and cultures.

Writing
In addition, students are writing their own folktales with Mrs. Finnigan, our student teacher. Some students are also writing reports on information they have learned from their readings about different countries. Students will be typing their writing on the computer and some will be using the SOLO program. SOLO is a computer software program that includes word prediction, a text reader, graphic organizer, and talking word processor. This assists students in being more independent during the writing process and is just one more tool for students to use during the writing process in class.

Nonfiction

We are continuing to focus on nonfiction. Students are creating nonfiction notebooks with explanations and examples of the many conventions of nonfiction text. First, students develop a definition of the convention (such as the glossary) and discuss how it helps a reader learn new information. Then, students create their own example. Students will use their notebooks during practice activities such as finding information from the index, glossary,and table to contents.

Recently, students finished reading short chapter books about bushfires in Australia and improving life in India. Students may also chose to read about monster trucks, tornadoes, bat, insects, and other foreign countries. Currently, students are reading biographies from the LMC. Students are continuing to summarize the main points of what they read, and do so with less teacher support moving toward independent practice. This is a difficult skill and we practice taking notes and determining the main points through a variety of activities. Some students are reluctant to work independently. Encourage your child to use the strategies we have practiced in class when they are completing reading and writing work at home.

Welcome Mrs. Finnigan

Mrs. Finnigan will be graduating from Winona State University, as a nontraditional student, in May with a license in Special Education learning disabilities. She is currently working with Ms. Veenstra to complete her student teaching practicum. She will be working with students on reading strategies and programs, as well as math skills. She looks forward to learning many things from the students and staff at Meadowview Intermediate School. We are all so excited to have her in our class!!