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 weekly 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.
This month we focus on reading fiction books. Students will be discussing, writing and completing projects on fiction books. This month, students will be completing brochures on their books to demonstrate their reading comprehension and advertise the book to others. When completed, some of these brochures will be on display in the LMC.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Welcome Back
I would like to welcome students back to school. 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 90-minute 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.
Our first homework assignment was a "thinking" assignment. Students needed to think of a favorite book they read in the last year and be prepared to share with the class one reason it was their favorite. Some of the favorite books that were shared were books about mythology, legends, Titanic, building things, as well as some fiction books such as the Ricky Ricotta and His Mighty Robot series, the Nate the Great series, the Goosebumps series and Shiloh. I was so impressed by students’ enthusiasm for books and the amount of details some shared about these books!!
As a follow up to this assignment, students are asked to interview their parents or another adult about a favorite book they had as a child. Students also are encouraged to show parents this blog site and post the interview information on favorite books. I am so excited to read their postings!!
Math Instruction
This year your child’s math instruction uses much of the Math Expressions materials by Houghton Mifflin. I will be sending home occasional newsletters detailing our units of study. Follow the link to the right on this page for more information on Math Expressions, parent resources, as well as games for students to practice their math skills.
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 90-minute 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.
Our first homework assignment was a "thinking" assignment. Students needed to think of a favorite book they read in the last year and be prepared to share with the class one reason it was their favorite. Some of the favorite books that were shared were books about mythology, legends, Titanic, building things, as well as some fiction books such as the Ricky Ricotta and His Mighty Robot series, the Nate the Great series, the Goosebumps series and Shiloh. I was so impressed by students’ enthusiasm for books and the amount of details some shared about these books!!
As a follow up to this assignment, students are asked to interview their parents or another adult about a favorite book they had as a child. Students also are encouraged to show parents this blog site and post the interview information on favorite books. I am so excited to read their postings!!
Math Instruction
This year your child’s math instruction uses much of the Math Expressions materials by Houghton Mifflin. I will be sending home occasional newsletters detailing our units of study. Follow the link to the right on this page for more information on Math Expressions, parent resources, as well as games for students to practice their math skills.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Summer Reading
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. Any ways you can find to encourage your child to read in the summer will help. The Sparta Library offers a fun summer reading program. Involve the whole family by reading a chapter of a book each night before bed or while driving in the car during a family vacation.
Another summer reading opportunity for your child is checking out from our school the One Minute Reader books for your child. The One Minute Reader is a set of books that provide high-interest, age-appropriate stories and audio recordings that assist students in improving their reading fluency. Each book contains five stories. For each story, your child will listen along to the CD recording. The recording models appropriate pronunciation, expression, and fluency. Then your child listens and reads along with the recorded story. Next, your child practices reading the story several times alone. After that, a short comprehension quiz is taken. Finally, your child asks you to listen as he/she reads the story aloud. The books are designed for your child to complete independently until the final step when your child will read to you. Please contact me if you are interested in having your child take part in this opportunity.
Happy Reading!!
Another summer reading opportunity for your child is checking out from our school the One Minute Reader books for your child. The One Minute Reader is a set of books that provide high-interest, age-appropriate stories and audio recordings that assist students in improving their reading fluency. Each book contains five stories. For each story, your child will listen along to the CD recording. The recording models appropriate pronunciation, expression, and fluency. Then your child listens and reads along with the recorded story. Next, your child practices reading the story several times alone. After that, a short comprehension quiz is taken. Finally, your child asks you to listen as he/she reads the story aloud. The books are designed for your child to complete independently until the final step when your child will read to you. Please contact me if you are interested in having your child take part in this opportunity.
Happy Reading!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Reading News
This month, we are focusing on making inferences as we read. Making inferences is when the reader fills in the missing information that the writer has not included in the text. This strategy helps students ask and answer questions that are NOT literal and moves them into higher levels of thinking and understanding text.
We also focused on poetry this month. As we read poetry, we are focusing on reading poems fluently and writing poems using a variety of word choices. Students will read a variety of poems and study some different types of poetry and writing.
This month, fifth grade students read and discussed civil rights and read about Ruby Bridges. After reading part of her autobiography, students wrote letters to Ruby Bridges mostly to thank her for being so brave and helping to end segregation in southern school. We are also reading several nonfiction articles about bullying. As we read, students are discussing the main points and learning about different types of bullying, reasons for bullying behavior, and what students can do if they are bullied. Ask your child what they have learned this month about bullying behavior.
We also focused on poetry this month. As we read poetry, we are focusing on reading poems fluently and writing poems using a variety of word choices. Students will read a variety of poems and study some different types of poetry and writing.
This month, fifth grade students read and discussed civil rights and read about Ruby Bridges. After reading part of her autobiography, students wrote letters to Ruby Bridges mostly to thank her for being so brave and helping to end segregation in southern school. We are also reading several nonfiction articles about bullying. As we read, students are discussing the main points and learning about different types of bullying, reasons for bullying behavior, and what students can do if they are bullied. Ask your child what they have learned this month about bullying behavior.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Winter Assessments and Nonfiction
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.
In Read 180, we are continuing to focus on nonfiction. Earlier this month, students finished reading short chapter books about monster trucks, tornadoes, bat and insects. Currently, students are reading biographies. 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 on their own and work more independently. Encourage your child to use the strategies we have practiced in class when they are completing reading and writing work at home.
In Read 180, we are continuing to focus on nonfiction. Earlier this month, students finished reading short chapter books about monster trucks, tornadoes, bat and insects. Currently, students are reading biographies. 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 on their own and work more independently. Encourage your child to use the strategies we have practiced in class when they are completing reading and writing work at home.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Character Development
During our novel studies, we worked on keeping track of the different characters and played a few games and activities as a way to review the book. As students learned more about the characters, they were better able to anticipate the characters’ actions and refine their predictions on what would happen next in the book. We also started to discuss different character traits. One of the games students really enjoyed playing is a game called Hot Seat. One student steps into the role of a character by being in the hot seat. The other students prepare questions to ask the character, such as why they acted a certain way. Students tried to ask “why” and “how” questions. The student in the hot seat had to try to answer each question as if they were the character in the book. This was an excellent way for students to review all the strategies we have learned so far this year.
As you are reading with your child at home, ask your child about the different characters in the book and what character they liked best. Try asking them why they think certain characters may have behaved a certain way or how a character may be feeling. Have your child give you one or two reasons to explain their thinking.
As you are reading with your child at home, ask your child about the different characters in the book and what character they liked best. Try asking them why they think certain characters may have behaved a certain way or how a character may be feeling. Have your child give you one or two reasons to explain their thinking.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Audio Books
Students are having fun and fine tuning their reading and listening skills this month as they read along to an audio book. Recorded books are a fun way for your child to listen to a fluent reader, practice following along, and focus their attention. Involve the whole family by reading along as you listen to a chapter of a book each night before bed or while driving in the car during a family vacation. There are many books on tape/CD at the public library that your child might enjoy.
Fourth grade students are listening and reading along to the audio recording of The Music Of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse. The main character, Mila, is rescued at sea after living with dolphins for several years due to a suspected plane crash. Mila is taken to a research facility where she lives with Dr. Beck who tries to teach Mila how to talk and act human. The main character is a clever and curious girl with many endearing qualities that students connect with as they are reading the book.
Fifth Grade students are listening and reading along to the audio recording of Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. The book is recorded by James Avery, who is engaging and really brings the characters to life. This historical fiction story takes place in Michigan during the depression. We are learning about life during the great depression and students really seem to like all the characters that Bud interacts with on his journey to find his father.
Each day, students are reading and discussing one of the chapters from the book during class. There have been great discussions about the book and students were able to practice a variety of reading strategies throughout our study. It is also a great way to develop their skills on sustaining attention and understanding while reading a longer chapter book over a longer period of time.
Fourth grade students are listening and reading along to the audio recording of The Music Of Dolphins, by Karen Hesse. The main character, Mila, is rescued at sea after living with dolphins for several years due to a suspected plane crash. Mila is taken to a research facility where she lives with Dr. Beck who tries to teach Mila how to talk and act human. The main character is a clever and curious girl with many endearing qualities that students connect with as they are reading the book.
Fifth Grade students are listening and reading along to the audio recording of Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis. The book is recorded by James Avery, who is engaging and really brings the characters to life. This historical fiction story takes place in Michigan during the depression. We are learning about life during the great depression and students really seem to like all the characters that Bud interacts with on his journey to find his father.
Each day, students are reading and discussing one of the chapters from the book during class. There have been great discussions about the book and students were able to practice a variety of reading strategies throughout our study. It is also a great way to develop their skills on sustaining attention and understanding while reading a longer chapter book over a longer period of time.
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