During Language Arts this year, your child will be spending 90 minutes a day learning both reading and writing.
Our reading curriculum follows the Wonders scope and sequence. Your child experienced this program in 4th grade as well. To engage readers in the classroom we will be using novel studies to reinforce reading skills and concepts laid out in the scope and sequence. The following books will be used in the classroom as whole class reads:
George’s Secret Key to the Universe by Stephen and Lucy Hawking
Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Jacobsen
Vocabulary will be an important part of our reading curriculum as well. Students will learn about the morphology of words as well as practice the sounds and spellings of these words using our "vocabulary routine".
Lastly students will be expected to practice their reading stamina both during the day and at home by having choice in their reading material. Students will start the school year with a book of their choice and will independently read this book both in school and at home until a new book is needed, rinse and repeat. Reading one book at at a time is highly encouraged as the goal is for students to build a "healthy reading life" both in and out of a school setting as they learn to finish books from the start, find out what books they enjoy as they stretch themselves as readers, and read for longer periods of time independently.
Our writing curriculum follows the "Releasing Writers Framework" formerly known as THINK-SRSD and genres outlined within the Wonders scope and sequence. These genres include informational, evidence based persuasive, and narrative writing. The steps of the writing process will be followed using the acronym POWER to help them remember the process. Students will also become familiar with the acronym TIDE to help them organize their writing, the acronym CUPS to help them edit their writing, and the acronym ARMS to help them revise their writing. An example of each of these acronyms is shown in the POWER link above.
**Competencies will be given quarterly. Students can expect to have one reading and one writing competency a quarter at the minimum. Retakes for these competencies are allowed by following the retake procedure. Progress Checks are given throughout the quarter and are a great way to monitor and prepare for competencies.