Language Arts

Our goal is to read and write with comprehension and skill, using a variety of materials and styles, setting goals and evaluating progress. Targets for the beginning of school include comprehension of important ideas and details, summarization, inference, and essential vocabulary. Baseline assessments will take place within the first three weeks.

Language arts and reading grades are in first and fifth periods. Spelling is in seventh period. Curriculum integration is practiced in all areas. An expectation is to read and write for 30 minutes each, per day. If homework entails reading or writing, that is figured into the time.

Reading and Writing

FYI--Please allow your child to log on to this site: Freerice.com

This Web site allows kids to test their vocabulary skills in a multiple choice format, and for each correct answer, 20 grains of rice are added to a bowl. The rice is distributed to those in need of food at various places around the world. The United Nation's World Food Program is the organization benefiting from Freerice.com visitors.

I think this is a great site to use all summer. I'm signing on and challenging my students to earn more rice than I will. Have fun!

There are no more R@SH papers due this year.

The Read Aloud for this quarter is called A Boy No More .

We are currently working on a Newberry Project. Each student has checked out a book which won the Newberry book award. This needs to be read by the end of the month, so we can go on with the work involved. A packet with a rubric and due date will be received on or before Friday. The due date is May 2.

Passport to Reading is an enrichment activity which is due at the end of the year. Ask your child about this. Each student is expected to attempt to earn the gold medal in this event. Silver and Bronze medals will also be awarded. However, there is an unlimited supply of Gold, so each person can " go home with the gold." The due date is June 6.

Our writing assessment is integrated with our Social Studies unit of work. CAUSES OF CONFLICT will begin the first week in May. Expectations will be research, organization, rough draft, editing, and a final persuasive draft. Enrichment will be offered for those who finish early. The due date is May 23.

Whenever there is an assignment, it will be expected to be returned the next day unless otherwise noted. Please keep all your work for the quarter at home in case a problem occurs.

Independent reading for enjoyment is the key to becoming a better reader and writer. A book in hand is expected each day, preferably one from the library. Students in room 206 will use many reading sources , write for several reasons, and present to the whole class in various manners.

This year, Daybooks are being used as a tool to increase learning in all the literacy areas. These belong to the children, and can be written in as they learn. If they bring them home to complete an assignment, they need to return them to school the next day.