Aquarian is adopting a new curriculum this year called Wit & Wisdom. We will be using it for everything literacy (reading, writing, vocabulary, etc.). This curriculum has been piloted by our fifth grade classrooms during the 21-22 school year and the rest of the school is excited to get started with it!
Wit & Wisdom is a comprehensive Grades K–8 English curriculum. The approach is integrated and text-based: daily reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary study is based on—and draws on evidence from—exceptional texts. By reading books they love and engaging meaningfully in their learning, students develop the knowledge and skills they need to be successful readers, critical thinkers, and effective communicators who love to learn and can succeed in college and careers.
Every Wit & Wisdom text students encounter is authentic and of the highest quality. Students will read books they love to build knowledge of important topics and master literacy skills. The texts are wide-ranging and varied, including a careful balance of literary, informational, and fine-art texts.
Every module, or unit of study, in each grade focuses on a topic essential for building background knowledge, vocabulary, and writing skills. Essential topics strategically reoccur, empowering students to deepen understanding of core knowledge across Grades K–8.
Students practice reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in an integrated way, with every strand of the standards woven throughout each module. This integrated approach enables students to be more successful as they activate and build on their developing background and vocabulary knowledge of the module topic while learning skills in other areas.
In addition to the Aquarian Library, we will have a library in the classroom for students to use. Students must "check out" books from my room and return them in a timely manner, just like a real library book. If you have books that you no longer use at home that may be of interest to other students, please consider donating them to my classroom library.
Reading a little each day is an integral part to improving reading skills. It is my expectation that your child is reading at home most nights for ~20 minutes and reads 20 books over the course of the year (more coming on the 20 book challenge later). I highly encourage parents to read with and to their children. Shared reading can improve your students comprehension and vocabulary as they are able to discuss and ask questions as you read along with them. The ultimate goal is not only to read, but to enjoy it!
2022-2023 Battle of the Books List
iReady (Found through Clever Portal)
Favorite Books for Fourth Graders