Reading: We will be using a reading workshop model combined with a Weekly 5. Students are taught a skill during our whole group mini-lesson prior to breaking out into small groups. These small groups will rotate Monday through Friday and will consist of: *Guided reading with me - this is a time I will be working on targeted reading and or comprehension skills in a small group setting *Listening Center - students will listen to a text that is related to something that we are learning about in class. They will be expected to respond to the literature given a specific prompt. *Word Work - an activity reinforcing greek/latin root meanings as well as high frequency word practice *Skills Practice - an activity will be given over a previously taught skill *Media Center - students must have a book to read at all times. They will have a designated day each week during reader's workshop to visit the media center. The students will have a selection of AR books in our classroom that relate to the topics we are studying. I also have a large selection of books in our classroom library. *Reading and Responding to Literature - students will read silently and respond in their journal. Students are also allowed to take AR tests at this time.
The Accelerated Reader Program is an integral part of our reading program. This program measures student comprehension on a book they have read in their pre-determined range. Nothing will help students read better than practicing reading every single day! The goal for the year is 70 points with 80% accuracy. They will have time to read every day at school and for homework.
Writing/Grammar: Writing and grammar skills will be taught through mini-lessons. I will be using many mentor texts to show how authors use writing and grammar skills. This allows children to make connections to the skill as opposed to using a skill in isolation. I will also conference with students to check to make sure they are using the skills taught in their daily writings. We will be doing a LOT of writing this year! Your child's writing grade will consist of Grade level Performance Assessments on a given prompt in the areas of ideas, organization, style, and conventions. Other considerations for this grade will be skills practice and formative assessments (grammar and mechanics).
Word Study/Spelling: The components of the word study program will be comprised of high frequency spelling words, handwriting, and vocabulary. We will alternate Spelling/Word Study units and Wordly Wise. We will start out spending two weeks on these units in the beginning of the year and will transition into one week units.
Math: Our math workshop will work similar to our reading and writing workshop. I will have a whole group skill lesson each day. Then the students will break into small groups. The small groups will consist of: a guided math group, partner math games, math literature, math manipulatives, review/study of math facts, and skills practice.
Students will also be keeping a math journal for problem solving and math vocabulary.
Multiplication Facts: We will have a multiplication timed test once a week in which each student will have 4 minutes to complete a mixture of 100 multiplication facts. The students will be allowed to chew gum during the time test. I will collect and grade the timed test. Once they have been graded, the students will graph their progress. The score will be entered into the grade book as one "Multiplication Timed Test" grade. As your child increases their score throughout the nine weeks, that score will be replaced with the higher score. If your child is not progressing on their time test, additional homework time will need to be spent studying those facts. Units of study include: * Place Value to the Millions: Number Sense *Addition/Subtraction (4-5 Digits) *Multiplication (4 digit by 2 digit) *Long Division (with 1&2 digit divisor) *Using Models (in all operations) *Fractions *Decimals *Measurement *Geometry *Algebra (expressions & equations) Social Studies: Units of study include: *Native American Cultures *European Exploration in North America *Colonial America *The Road to the Revolution *Revolutionary War *The New Nation *Westward Expansion *Reform Movement *Economics/Personal Finance
Science: Units of study include: *Water and Weather *Solar System *Phases of the Moon *Light *Sound *Simple Machines *Ecosystems, Food Chains, and Food Webs *Adaption, Survival, and Extinction