Class Information

Literacy Block

We are required to have a Literacy Block of 120 minutes per day. That time is meant to deal with all aspects of language arts including reading, writing, and spelling. However, all of the components are fluid and embedded within independent activities we do in each component of balanced literacy.

Interactive Read Aloud

For about 15 minutes per day, I will conduct a read aloud. This read aloud may lead directly into the reading activity for the day and will contain shared thoughts. For example, if we are studying similes, I would stop to point those out within what I read and review examples of concepts we have already learned as we find them.

Reading Workshop

Between 45-60 minutes per day, we will do what formally might have gone with guided reading groups. In workshop, I will typically conduct a 10-15 minilesson about the reading strategy or skill of focus. After we discuss that from the read aloud, a previous example, or even a video or website, the class will start independent reading. During independent reading, several things will occur. Those at their seats will have a response to their book that goes with the skill focus. I will conference with some students and then use the balance of the time to see small groups reading and working through a skill in a book group. The idea is that students read on their own at their level learning fluency, stamina, and comprehension skills while following their interests AND in groups at their level with more interaction and more focus on skills that group needs.

Word Study

Word Study has replaced spelling, however, the two are nearly identical. Our difference is that we have adopted the book Words Their Way as a guide. After conducting an inventory, students are placed at a level where they can grow in their understanding of spelling. Instead of learning a list of words each week, they are learning to recognize different rules. Each day, all we will do is sort those words into those rules and learn to recognize other words that follow those rules in what we read. As the year progresses, we will also transition to vocabulary study.

Shared Reading

For around 30 minutes a day, shared reading occurs where the content areas of Social Studies and Science (or another source of whole group reading) uses content on grade level to share a different subject and expose all students to the level of reading expected. Shared reading presents a great opportunity to use the reading skills learned throughout the literacy block in nonfiction pieces.