Language Arts
We are using the Lucy Calkin's Readers Workshop format in Language Arts. It is a research-based approach that addresses the needs of all students. Each day begins with a focus lesson, where a specific strategy or skill is explicitly modeled. Then, students read independently to practice what they've learned.
During independent reading, students are reading “just-right” books that are matched to their individual abilities and interests. Students confer with me during independent reading to ensure that they are successful in their practice OR to provide 1:1 instruction around particular needs. Sometimes, we will work in small groups to focus on a specific strategy that multiple students would benefit from.
Finally, we share the work that was completed to summarize the important understandings of the lesson. The structured nature of Readers Workshop builds a predictable routine and guarantees opportunities for differentiated instruction and intervention.
We also use the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Language Arts Series ~ Treasures which combines Spelling, Grammar, and Reading in one program. Students have their own User name and password to access the website.
Most weeks, we will have a new spelling list. Students are responsible for completing at least ONE Spelling activity by Friday, and there will be a Spelling test. Students are encouraged to visit the website, SpellingCity.com to practice their weekly words. This is an excellent site that contains our Spelling lists used throughout the year. Students can learn, review, and play various spelling games. There is even an option to print out handwriting sheets to help improve cursive writing using Spelling words.
Throughout the year, students will be engaged in writing lessons and activities that will focus on narrative, expository, explanatory, persuasive, and descriptive writing.
Check out the following resources that students can use to increase their reading comprehension:
http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/ - Students can search for a book title to read a summary, find the Lexile level and Guided Reading level.
www.newsela.com - Students have a User Name & Password. They can read nonfiction articles based on their Lexile Level. Then, they can take online assessments to assess their comprehension.
www.raz-kids.com - Selected students have access to this site. They can listen to stories, read them independently and take online assessments to track their progress.
www.readworks.org - This site has various reading passages and assessments that can be printed out. They are organized by grade and Lexile level. You'll have to register to the site (for free) to gain access.
www.lexile.com - This site allows you to figure out a book's Lexile level or helps you to find books according to various levels. It's a great resource!
www.paperrater.com - Submit your writing to check grammar, spelling, vocabulary level and much more.
Book Review sites: