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Independent Reading
This quarter we will be working on a Reading Genre Quilt! This reading contract is designed to increase the rigor in our reading selections and challenge our readers to go outside their "comfort zone" of realistic fiction and experience reading in new genres. This assignment will be ongoing all quarter. Look for a detailed rubric in your child's agenda. One will also be posted on the Reading page of this website. This Month's Focus: Using evidence from the story to support our ideas Genres of literature: Book clubs: Realistic Fiction Historical Fiction Workshop activities: Read Aloud Our whole class book discussion last week included vocabulary & group questioning piece from the Making Meaning series. Minilessons focused on Visualization. Short quizzes on the vocabulary & journaling activities were given on this class read aloud. No, at-home study for these activities are required. Our next class read aloud will be a novel " Edward Tulane". This book is written by Kate Decamillo, who also wrote, Because of Winn Dixie. Mini-lessons this week will focus on making generalizations & talking about Theme since these books share similar themes of loss, new friendships, and courage. Reader's Conferences : Mrs. Hays meets with each student to discuss their reading responses. We are practicing how to respond to reading prompt and share our opinions through reading letters. Guided Reading Book Clubs We are working on our book club novels - Class President & Frindle. Our focus with these books have been character studies of traits. These books have unique characters that help us learn about character traits. Guided reading activities include discussion of characterization, visualization, and "digging deeper" to make connections using a fun graphic organizer called a Literature Web. Guided Reading Discussion Circle: Students discuss a reading selection together in a small seminar. Students practice listening and sharing ideas as" reader leaders" in a "hand-off" discussion while Mrs. Hays is a quiet observer. Reader's letters and journal responses will help students organize their thinking while practicing their writing skills Reading materials we use each day: Reading journals Red Reading folder Book Box Highlighter/ Post-its 3-4 books in our book box- 1 book we are reading in class & at home & 2 other books "on deck" Homework: Read the same book from workshop that day for 30 mins at home Work on your Reading Log & questions as needed (class time is provided, but it's a good practice to have parents check rough drafts!) **** Reader's letters will be expected later in the year. Writing Workshop This month's Unit of Study : Creating a personal narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Ongoing: Reader's Letters - We work on these letters throughout the week in class. Reader's Letters are due Word Study - A contract is located in your child's Writing Journal. Word lists will be given out every Monday. One activity should be completed each day during class. If the student does not finish their work in class, it is homework. Writing materials we use each day : Writing Journal Writing folder Homework : Word Study Contract |