Reading Workshop
Room 39 loves to read! Our daily reading block includes three major components: Foundational Skills, Informative/Literature Skills, and Independent Reading. The Informative/Literature lessons center on a shared text. During these lessons our class will ask questions about the text, discuss key vocabulary and text structures, and learn new comprehension strategies through whole group and partner practice. Lessons that focus on Foundational Skills will include topics like oral reading fluency (rate and accuracy), developing a purpose for reading, phonics and decoding skills, and vocabulary building activities. These whole group lessons will be reinforced during small group and individual conferences. As students' stamina grows, we will work toward 30-40 minutes of protected daily independent reading. During this time students will be able to select their own 'just-right' reading materials to practice and develop their skills. While students are exploring texts of their choice I will also be meeting with students individually or in small groups to conference about their texts and provide skill practice or support.
Current Focus of Instruction - September
We will begin the year by reviewing the expectations for fourth grade reading and setting goals for our Reading Workshop and Independent Reading times each day. Our first few lessons will focus on what appropriate reading looks like and sounds like, how to select "Just Right Books" among different genres, and critical thinking while we read.
Once these expectations are set, we will begin our first reading unit. Unit 1 will focus on using students' close reading skills to make inferences and answer text dependent questions. We will learn the differences between observations, evidence, and inferences. Finally, we will learn to use the RACEE strategy (restate, answer, cite evidence, explain) to thoroughly answer these questions.
Once these expectations are set, we will begin our first reading unit. Unit 1 will focus on using students' close reading skills to make inferences and answer text dependent questions. We will learn the differences between observations, evidence, and inferences. Finally, we will learn to use the RACEE strategy (restate, answer, cite evidence, explain) to thoroughly answer these questions.
Common Core I Can Statements
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.
I can use details and examples from the text to make and support inferences as I read.
I can set personal reading goals and develop my reading stamina.
I can use details and examples from the text to make and support inferences as I read.
I can set personal reading goals and develop my reading stamina.
Read, Read, Read, Read!