1. Read Alouds 2. SSR 3. Book Reports 4. Class Novels 5. Read to Someone
Your child's fourth-grade year is pivotal to their reading development. Instead of learning to read, they will be reading to learn. Each quarter, they will have 4 books going at the same time (Read Aloud, SSR, Book Report, and a Class Novel). It is my goal for every student to read a minimum of 16 books during our time together!
1. Read Aloud -Frindle by Andrew Clements -Wonder by R.J. Palacio -Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls -Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper -My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George -Matilda by Roald Dahl -The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain -The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain -Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell -The Sign of the Beaver byElizabeth George Speare -Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
2. Self-Selected Reading (SSR) -This is a student choice, as long as it is a book and they are quietly reading (please no ebooks).
3. Book Report -Cereal Box Book Reports (Q1) -Biography Google Slides Presentation (Q2) -Step Book Book Reports (Q3) -Literacy Circles (Q4)
4. Class Novel -Charlotte's Web by E.B. White -Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor -The Big Wave by Pearl S. Buck -The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
5. Read to Someone -Kids will have opportunities to read aloud with the class and during partner read time. -TFK (Time for Kids)
Kids should be SSR reading for a minimum of 20 minutes per day. Below is some compelling evidence (please read):
According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, “Reading is the single most important skill necessary for a happy, productive and successful life.” Reading exercises our brains; improves vocabulary, writing, and language skills, broadens knowledge of the world around us; and develops concentration and imagination. Plus, children who read widely and regularly get better at reading and perform significantly better in school in all subject areas.
Research has shown that children who enjoy reading tend to read more, which makes them better readers. On the other hand, children who dislike reading or struggle with reading, tend to read less which delays and limits their reading skills and overall academic success. The good news is that families play an important role in their children’s reading success. As a parent, you can help your child become a better reader by doing the following:
Make certain your child reads independently from an appropriate level book for at least 20 minutes (or about 10 pages) per day. This is your child’s most important homework.
Read aloud to your child often. Children of all ages love a good story, plus listening to stories creates a special bond between parent and child.
Visit the public library regularly. A trip to the library can be a fun outing for everyone. As author Stephen King noted, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”
Have your child earn TV and computer time by matching the time allowed minute for minute with time spent reading (20 minutes of reading earns 20 minutes of screen time).
Turn on the closed-captioning when watching TV. Have each family member choose a character, and do voice-overs for each scene.
Make it a family practice for every family member to read for 20 to 30 minutes before going to bed each night. This can be a time the whole family looks forward to rather than viewing nightly reading as a chore.
writing
and Our writing curriculum consists of:
1. Fictional Narratives 2. Non-fiction Narratives 3. Poetry 4. Writing Prompts 5. Free Write 6. DOL (Daily Oral Language Practice) 7. Spelling and Vocabulary 8. Figurative Language 9. Cursive Handbook
For each component, we will have several projects. I must admit, poetry is my favorite type of writing, se we are going to be a little heavy there! Sorry, not sorry!
1. Fictional Narratives -State Report(Q2) -Superhero Story (Q4)
