Reading
Reader's Workshop Curriculum
We are teaching Units of Study for Teaching Reading, a workshop curriculum. We will have a total of 4 workshop units (2 units in fiction and 2 units in nonfiction). Student reading levels will be assessed 3 times throughout the school year (Fall, Winter, Spring) using an online program, Literably. These results are used to help students find appropriate books that meet their independent level during reader's workshop.
If you would like to help your child find books at their independent reading level, the Scholastic Book Wizard is a great resource to use. Simply type in the book title/author and view the guided reading level. Or, search by guided reading level using the dropdown menu at the top of the page. For book lists and recommendations, please visit this Scholastic Parent's Page. Note that in grades 3-5, literacy programs and standards shift to reflect a mix of 50% fiction text and 50% informational text (science, social studies, arts).
Unit Guide
Unit 1: Interpreting Characters (The Heart of the Story)
Children study the complexity of characters and explore themes while developing skills such as inference and interpretation.
Unit 2: Reading the Weather, Reading the World
Children form research teams to delve into topics about extreme weather and natural disasters while developing their skills in cross-text synthesis, practicing close reading, comparing and contrasting, and evaluating sources to determine credibility.
Unit 3: Historical Fiction Clubs
Children practice reading analytically, synthesizing complicated narratives, comparing and contrasting themes, and incorporating nonfiction research into their reading.
Unit 4: Reading History (The American Revolution)
Students take on the challenge of studying history. Children study multiple points of view, support a position with reasons and evidence, tackle complex texts, and learn strategies for using new domain-specific words.
Unit 5: Test Preparation for SBAC (CAASPP) Reading
During the assessment, students will be asked to complete a variety of reading responses for fiction and nonfiction texts. This unit is meant to prepare students for the reading portion of the assessment.
Novel Studies: Tiger Rising, Number the Stars, Esperanza Rising
Assessments
- Reading responses - unit pre on-demands and post on-demands
- Novel study comprehension checks
Resources
- Online resources that help develop reading fluency and comprehension: One Minute Reader, Freckle, Khan Academy, Epic!, Newsela
- Online resources that help you level books: Scholastic Book Wizard, Lit Leveler App, Level It App
- Learner's Dictionary - online student dictionary
- Scholastic Reading Club
- Literably Reading Level Chart
- Homework: Reading Choice Boards
- Narrative Reading Rubric
- Informational Reading Rubric