Literacy

READING

Over the first trimester, we will be utilizing a varaity of resources for your child to engage in reading. One of the resources we will be using is our live interactive read-alouds.

What is an iteractive read-aloud?

Video (45 sec)

Interactive read-aloud is a whole-group instructional context in which you read aloud a selected text to the whole class, occasionally and selectively pausing for conversation. Students think about, talk about, and respond to the text as a whole group or in pairs, triads, or quads. Both reader and listeners actively process the language, ideas, and meaning of the text.

We will also be having the students read on their own, so it is very important that you have a variety of book for your child to choose. These books can be picture books, chapter books, magazines, or anything that would get your child engaged in reading. We will be using EPIC! Books, a virtual book library, however, it is important for students to have physical books in their hand. Please check out Indian Trail Library's website to see how you can check out books.

Other resources that will be utilized are Storywork E-Magazines. These magazines reach a variety of genres

WRITING

The first unit of the year will focus on the narrative style of writing, focusing in fourth grade on Realistic Fiction. The unit begins by asking student to do an on-demand writing piece which will allow teachers to assess what students can do prior to teaching the unit.

Students will be taught how to generate ideas, using such methods as thinking about their every day experiences, and then rehearse their stories before they write to develop character and plot. Small group work will be integral to the unit, and center around the teachings of character and story development.