What to Expect in Reader's Workshop

Reader's Workshop is a collaborative model for students to observe, participate, then practice independently. Most lessons will consist of a short teacher-led lesson, time to work together on the skill for the day, and then time for students to read independently to practice their skills. 

Our Reading Units consist of:

• Sharing Our Ideas

• Synthesizing Ideas Across Texts

• Thinking Deeply About Characters

• Understanding Perspectives (Nonfiction)

• Interpreting Themes

What to expect in Writer's Workshop

In Language Arts Class, I will be using a Writing Workshop model to teach writing skills, grammar and word study. Each day will begin with a mini-lesson or read aloud that will set the purpose for our goal or objective for Language Arts class for the day. Students will then have time to work independently on that skill while I conference with students both individually and in small groups.  Finally, we end class by coming back together as a whole class to sum up what was learned that day and revisit our daily objective. 

Along with studying word patterns and vocabulary terms, and learning the parts of speech, students will be doing a lot of writing in my classroom! Students will use the Writing Process to produce narratives, opinion pieces, informative/ explanatory texts, research projects and responses to various types of literature. Through brainstorming, drafting, revising, editing and publishing their written work, students will learn that writing a strong piece takes time and thoughtful effort.

Our Writing Units consist of:

• Launching /Narrative

• Informational and Research

• Literary Analysis 

• One-Scene Plays (Narrative) and Poetry

What to expect in Social Studies

In Social Studies, we will use Project Based Learning for students to develop a deeper understanding of American history. Students can expect to learn about a topic and continue to research on their own to build a project. This will happen both individually and as groups. We will incorporate resources from the Amistad Commission. The purpose of the Amistad Commission is to ensure "... that the Department of Education and public schools of New Jersey implement materials and texts which integrate the history and contributions of African-Americans and the descendants of the African Diaspora." 

Our Social Studies Units consist of:

• Geography and Colonial New Jersey

• New Jersey and the American Revolution

• National History Day

• America's Constitutional Government

• Forging a New Version of Freedom and Liberty

Websites

NewsELA: NewsELA is a website students can search various different nonfiction articles to read, annotate, and answer various types of questions.

Edpuzzle: This is a great way for students to reinforce the skills they are learning in school, at home! Edpuzzle is a website where students can rewatch videos from class, which are embedded with questions and short response boxes. 

AbcYa: This website allows students to practice grammar and phonics skills in an engaging way.

MrNussBaum: Students can explore the fourth grade language arts activities found on Mr. NussBaum's interactive site.

OurBoox: For a student that loves to write, setting up an account on Ourboox will allow  your child to create their own ebooks with illustrations, too!

Brains On: This is a great website to work on listening skills.  When students are on the go, have a long car ride ahead, or just have 20-30 minutes of free time, streaming a podcast can keep them entertained while teaching them something new! Brains On has a site and can also be found on the Podcast App. 

Kids National Geographic: Students can research nonfiction topics and images online.

Time For Kids: Students can read about current events online.

Wonderopolis: Has your child ever wondered what a botanist does, where the Tigris River is, or how to toss pizza dough? On Wonderopolis, students can search the many wonders of the world and find answers to the random questions that may be running through their heads!

Kiddle: This is a kid friendly search engine.

TCRWP-Parents: Here is a list of literacy resources for parents to explore composed by Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University.

TCRWP-Students: Here is a list of literacy resources for students to explore composed by Teachers College Reading and Writing Project at Columbia University.

If you have any questions please email me at rmcnally@weehawken.k12.nj.us or call the school's office 201- 422- 6140.