2011-2012

Course Expectations for Reading

In reading class, novels and supplementary materials are used to teach several research-based strategies to students in order to improve reading comprehension of both fiction and non-fiction texts. The strategies include: making sensory images; questioning; main ideas; summarizing; making inferences; developing schema; and monitoring themselves to be sure students understand what they are reading. Story parts, such as setting, characters, plot, problems, resolutions, and theme are also covered. Reading fluency (pronouncing words correctly, reading with expression at an appropriate rate of speed) is practiced, and vocabulary is emphasized.

Students are expected to:

participate in class
write in reading response journals (quizzes are included in this category)
Read for at least 15 minutes for homework. The book may be one that the student is reading for Independent Reading or English Language Arts

This class is Pass/Fail.

All of the groups work on similar strategies and objectives, just at a different pace and at a different depth.

Grade 6 (C period)
Grade 6 (G period)
Grade 7 (F period)
Grade 8 (A period)
Grade 8 (E period)

C period

We are working on a podcast! It is up on our website. . Students are doing the podcast in reader's theater format, which allows them to read from the script rather than memorizing it. The script is a folktale from Norway. The students re-wrote parts of the script to adjust for the numbers of boy and girls in the class. Reading fluency is improved after repeated readings, and the class has shown improvement in this area as well. Stay tuned for future podcasts from all of our groups!

Next, we'll be reading The Hunger Games. This is a well-loved novel and it has only been available for a relatively short time. It was written by

Suzanne Collins. Many students saw the movie but enjoyed the book more! W hile reading this book, we will learn about and practice QAR, or Question and Response. a strategy called questioning. Students will practice learning to become aware of the questions they have as they read. QAR is a test taking strategy, as well.

G period

The sixth grade G period class has just finished a podcast, reading a folktale from Tanzinia called "The Calabash Kids." It is on our website--give it a listen! This is great fluency practice!

Next up--reading The Hunger Games, a wildly popular novel written by Suzanna Collins. We will use this book to continue to learn about the 'asking questions' reading strategy, which means asking questions of yourself about what you are reading. It is a good test-taking strategy as well, and is based on extensive research. The strategy is called QAR, which means question answer relationship.

F period

The seventh grade students have been working on a podcast, reading a folktale from Vietnam called "The Crystal Heart."Watch for it on the website. It should be up during April vacation. This is great fluency practice!

Next, we will be reading "The Hunger Games, a wildly popular novel. We will use this book to continue to learn about the 'asking questions' reading strategy, which means asking questions of yourself about what you are reading. It is a good test-taking strategy as well, and is based on extensive research. The strategy is called QAR, which means question answer relationship.

A and E periods

Both grade 8 groups have been reading Catching Fire, the sequel to The Hunger Games , by Suzanne Collins. It is a futuristic book about two young people and their adventures in the Hunger Games, an arena in which they must prove their strength and bravery, with a theme of how people must work together. Catching Fire is the second in a trilogy. Be sure to read the final book, Mockingjay. We are all enjoying these exciting books, and many of us saw the new movie but liked the book better.

We will use this book to continue to learn about the 'asking questions' reading strategy, which means asking questions of yourself about what you are reading. It is a good test-taking strategy as well, and is based on extensive research. The strategy is called QAR, which means question answer relationship.