Each day students arrive to reading class, they will have the opportunity to participate in whole group and small group reading lessons. The lessons focus on skills such as comprehension, fluency, word attack strategies, phonics and more!
Making Predictions - good readers make a "guess" to see what will happen next in a story
Making Connections - good readers think of what happened in the story that reminded them of something that happened in their own life - "This book reminds me of..."
Making Inferences - good readers use clues in the story to better understand the story.
Visualizing - good readers make mental images in their mind while reading. "In my mind I see _____________________." *Tip - draw a picture of your visual! Then compare your picture with the one in the book!
Using Schema - good readers think about what they already know. Then add to their schema by thinking about what they just learned. For example; "What do you know about ______? After reading, what did you learn that's new about _________?"
Asking & Answering Questions - good readers ask questions before, during & after reading a story
Retelling a Story - good readers practice retelling a story. Students use the "5 Finger Retell" strategy to remember important details of a story.
Characters/Setting
Beginning
Middle
End
Problem/Solution
7. Sharing your Opinion - Good readers state their opinion about what they've read. They use supporting reasons to support their idea. "I liked/disliked this book because _________________."
The students will work on reviewing and practicing the skills they learn in independent literacy stations that include:
Listening Center - This center involves students going on a chrome books or cassette tape independently. The students will listen to a story of their choice and complete a response sheet once they've listened to the story. Students may listen to the story multiple times to check for understanding.
Read to Self Center - Each student has an individual "book bag." Each month, students will choose a variety of books to keep in their book bag. These books will be read independently during this center time. Once students read the entirety of the book, they will complete a response sheet. Choices include:
"Book Review" - students rate the book on a scale from 1 star - 5 stars. Students should provide an explanation for their rating. Students will then provide the title, summary, and illustration of their favorite part. Students are encouraged to label pictures and give as much detail as possible (2 - 3 sentences).
Word Work Center - Students will practice high-frequency/RED words of the week. Choices include:
"Rainbow Writing" - students write all of the words with pencil. Students then trace each word with 5 colors or more.
"Roll and Write" - students write each of the words. Each word will be assigned a number. Students roll a dice and have to write that particular word. Students RACE to see which word will be written first *six times. Students must complete entire sheet.
"Type it!" - students must write each word. Then students practice "typing" on a keyboard saying letter names out loud in correct order-sequence. Students then read words three times each, then color a star for each time they've read the word.
"Dough it!" - students will choose a high frequency word of the week to build with play dough. Once the student builds that particular word, they are encouraged to trace each letter from top to bottom saying the letter names aloud. Students should do this three times to support memorization of the spelling. Once this is complete, students must place the word in a sentence using conventions.
"Hidden Words!" - students will write each high frequency word using a white crayon. Students will then reveal their "hidden word" by coloring over the word with a marker!
"Build It!" - students will build high frequency words with connecting cubes.
Phonics Center - students will practice phonics skills of the week by reading passages and highlighting target sound. Students must highlight where they see the consonant doubled after a short vowel at the end of a word. Students will then answer comprehension questions about the passage they've read. This will enhance their ability to answer questions about a short story. Students should respond with only complete sentences and check for "C.O.P.S." (capitalization, organization/finger spaces, punctuation, spelling).
Writing Center - The writing center includes eight choices for independent writing. Students should write four or more sentences and check for "C.O.P.S." Writing topics include:
Opinion
Letter
Informational
Persuasive
"Photo Writing" *Descriptive/Narrative Writing
Guided Reading/Comprehension Center - Students go to the "Meet with Teacher" center two to three times a week. During this small group center, students will read a book with the teacher and each child will have a copy of the book. Students will read at their own pace while the teacher checks in with each child. Focus areas include comprehension skills, fluency with oral reading, and decoding strategies.
Strategies for Reading a Story
Analyze the illustrations - go on a "picture walk" prior to reading to get an idea of what you are going to read
Read the words - decoding/sounding out unfamiliar words
Retelling the story using your own clues - Tell the events of the story in order using key details such as character names and vocabulary from the story. Tell about the main idea in detail. "What happened first, next, and last?"
Asking and answering questions - "Who is the main character?" "What is the setting?" *takes place before, during, and after the story
Make predictions - "I predict that.........."
Make connections - "When I read _________, it reminded me of ___________."