Reading
Our reading is centered around a Readers Workshop model. During our 90-minute reading block students participate in a variety of activities including whole group lessons, small reading groups, word study, journaling, and independent reading.
Students have an independent book about which they will write me weekly letters. They select this book on their own, with a little guidance from me to make sure it is the right reading level for them (a "Just Right Book"). Students are encouraged to bring this book home to read there as well.
In their Reading Journals students write letters to me about what they are reading. Different from the retelling and summarizing they have done in the past, I am looking for students to show me the "thinking" they do as they read. These letters are a place for them to tell me about any predictions they have about what will happen later in the book, any connections they see between books, things they wonder about, or things they have figured out as they have read. Their letters are due weekly (always on the same day of the week for each student)
Each student has a weekly 1:1 check-in to talk about anything reading related. We touch base about what they are reading and may talk about anything else we are doing during our reading block.
Students are also a part of small flexible reading groups. These groups may be based on reading level or centered around a specific skill. These groups provide additional instructional opportunities in a small group setting.
Finally, during our reading block, we have Word Study. Word Study is similar to traditional spelling but with special attention to letter patterns in the words. Word study focuses on uncovering patterns in how words are spelled as opposed to memorizing the spelling of a specific list of words. Students will have a Word Study packet each week. The activities in this packet will remain mostly the same throughout the year, but the words (and their spelling patterns) will change.
Throughout the year, our reading will focus on 6 comprehension strategies:
- Noticing
- Picturing
- Connecting
- Wondering
- Guessing
- Figuring Out
In addition to these 6 elements that will permeate the year, we will have focused mini-units of study on:
- Characterization
- Non-fiction Texts
- Colonial Times
- Fantasy
- Fables
- Poetry
- Biographies
- Author Studies
- Literature Studies