ELA
English & Language Arts
We have a brand-new reading and writing curriculum for this school year. The series is called “Reading Street”, and it incorporates reading, writing, and spelling instruction.
Reading Curriculum
The reading component includes whole class instruction, guided reading (small groups), and independent work. There will be mix of both fiction and non-fiction pieces of literature. Each student will have a textbook and a “notebook” where work is completed. Literature Circles and grade-appropriate novels will also be used.
Tests will be given at the end of each week which will include vocabulary, word analysis, reading comprehension, and a written response. Skills and strategies will be taught throughout the week. Spellingcity.com can be used to practice weekly vocabulary words, use the link below.
Writing Curriculum
The writing curriculum is based on the writer’s workshop concept. It allows students to have some choice in their writing pieces during the year. Students will work on several pieces throughout the year. These will include, but are not limited to, personal narratives, descriptive writing, persuasive essays and letters, and poetry. Students will have the ability to select their own topic within the assigned writing piece.
The class will work as a group to complete writing pieces as they take their work through the steps of the writing process. Students will work on brainstorming and prewriting. They will develop their writing through drafting. The class will practice how to revise and edit through peer evaluation and teacher modeling. Finally, students will create final copies of their work by using word processing programs to make a published piece of their writing.
Spelling Curriculum
The spelling program is a piece of the “Reading Street” program. Students will typically be given 20 words and 5 challenge words at the beginning of the week. These 25 words will be tested at the end of the week, with the challenge words counting as a bonus. Spelling City is a great website for help with studying, use the link below.
Helpful Websites
Use this site for help studying for the weekly spelling and vocabulary tests!
http://www.spellingcity.com/mrdunn28
The following are good reading websites!
http://www.bookadventure.org
http://www.kidsreads.com
http://www.teenreads.com
