Literacy

Developing knowledgeable, literate citizens is the number one goal of my academic program.  Throughout the year, students will learn how to select texts for different purposes, discuss literary elements, and think within texts, beyond texts, and about texts.

I run a Reading Workshop where students are be responsible for tasks that engage them in reading.  In addition to writing weekly letters, students will perform inquiries that relate to the weekly topics taught as a whole class.  Students will be given a lot of choice in which activities they will complete to show their learning.  Various groups will meet on a regular basis to complete the workshop.  Some groups consisting of all types of readers will choose a novel that they would like to read and discuss.  Others will be called together to work on a targeted skill.  This dynamic approach to reading gives learners multiple opportunities to learn valuable skills and then apply them.

Writer's workshop will run in the same way.  My teaching will focus on elements of writing, and students will have a choice in what they write about. 

This year, I'll also be introducing a routine called The Daily 5.  This management system allows for maximum reading and writing practice throughout the day.  The Daily 5 are: reading to self, reading to someone, listening to reading, working on writing, and word work.  During this block, I'll work with small groups on leveled reading and developmental spelling.

There are lots of things you can do at home to help your child develop the literacy skills necessary to become a responsible citizen.  When selecting reading material for your child at home, see the link titled "Selecting Texts."  Encourage your child to read more about the theme topics discussed in class (see Science and Social Studies links).  Researching at the library and on the internet is real reading and should be encouraged!  Talk about reading at home.  Ask your kids what they are reading and discuss the elements with them.  Find connections between other texts, including those which you are reading.  Between researching, discussing reading, and reading for pleasure, your child should spend 20 minutes per night participating in literacy activities.  Word games count, too!  20 minutes of reading per night does not necessarily mean that your child is in a chair with a book in hand.  There are many ways to participate in literacy learning! 

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