In Language Arts my students will learn about the different fiction and non fiction pieces through shared read and their own independent reading. Our reading sessions will be organized around time for mini-lessons, group work, partner work and independent reading.
During the 10 minute mini-lessons, students will gather at the rug, and I will read aloud a book, stopping to learn vocabulary, search for features, work on a reading strategy or responding to the reading.
After the mini-lessons, students will work during 15 minute periods either in a literary circle, a guided reading group with me, read with a partner or independent work. All the students will know what their work will be during those time periods, and will have a specific assignment to complete.
If working in a literary circle, all the members of the circle will read the same book, and each of them will have a specific role to fulfill.
If working in a guided reading group with me, we will establish a conversation about a book, or a short story, and we will close read and work on specific skills that the students in my group need more practice on.
If working with a partner, the two students will read the same book, and will utilize different reading tools to help each other practice fluency and work on comprehension.
If working independently, the student will read his/her book of choice from the monthly box and complete some written work about the book.
All this work will be done in 15 minute rotations.
Our writing sessions will be distributed throughout the day to cover different areas of writing:
Work on a writing journal using different prompts throughout the day.
Work on short prompts related to mindfulness, goal setting or reflection on daily learning.
Genre writing units in the main areas of informational, opinion, poetry, and narrative writing.