Guiding Reading and Writer's Workshop are the approaches used to help students become independent readers and writers.
These approaches are used in combination with students reading leveled novels throughout the year that are categorized by themes. Novels are leveled based on reading level. Students also use StoryWorks magazine for high interest fiction and non-fiction works.
READING INITIATIVES:
* Reading skills~ Reading Interactive Notebook ~ Guided Reading with Novel Studies: Bullying, Informational Series, Friendship, Fantasy * Vocabulary~ Taught with Novels and through Word Study * TIC-TAC-TOE Reading~ At home/in school reading with reports due each marking period * Independent Reading~ As part of a balanced literacy program, students read silently each day in school, books of their choosing. Students practice the reading strategies taught during guided reading through journaling, and conference with teacher about their reading goals and comprehension of book.
WRITING INITIATIVES:
* Writing Skills~ Author's At Work Binders (Grammar/Types of Writing/Editing/Drafting) ~Narrative Writing ~ Informational Writing ~ Compare/Contrast Writing ~ Opinion Writing * Word Study~ Leveled word lists focuses on not just memorizing words, but on: Vocabulary, De-coding, Word and Syllable Patterns so students can learn and progress at their own pace. * Writer's Notebooks~ At home writing to encourage writing for a variety of purposes and interests. This is not graded and due each Thursday.