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Academics
Each day we cover four areas in Language Arts, Guided Reading, Word Study, Independent Reading and Writer’s Workshop. We do Math everyday and switch between History and Science.
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Guided Reading: This begins with a whole class lesson on a specific reading strategy. Students then read an assigned text to practice the skill. While students are reading, I either circulate through the classroom observing and guiding individual students, or I pull a small group of students to work on the skill in more depth. The session ends with students sharing how they used the new strategy.
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Word Study: This is the time the class gets direct instruction and practice in spelling, grammar and handwriting and vocabulary.
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Independent Reading: This session usually begins with me reading something out loud to the class and discussing the use of one of more reading strategies. Then, students choose a book to read on their own. While students are silently reading, I hold individual reading conferences. I usually conference with each student once a week. This portion ends with a few students sharing a portion of their book with the class and the reading strategies they used.
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Writers Workshop: This session often begins with a short Read Aloud so the class can analyze what specific things good authors do. Each month lessons are given on how to write a specific genre (type of writing). Students are expected to finish at least one piece of writing in the type of genre we are studying. In addition, students should have time to pursue their own creative writing. I hold periodic writing conferences with each student to guide and encourage them as they begin to see themselves as writer. This is also another opportunity for me to pull small groups for additional writing skills lessons
- .Math begins with two skill review drills. One is a timed math facts test The purpose of this is to help students recall the math facts quickly so their mind is free to focus on the lesson at hand. The second review we call The Daily Four. Each day I choose four problems from past lessons and we do them as a review. On Fridays I choose four problems from the week’s reviews and give a quiz. This keeps new skills fresh in students’ minds and let’s me know if some students need more instruction on a particular skill. The rest of the math hour is devoted to teaching and practicing new skills.
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The last period of the day is History or Science. We will usually be studying either a History unit or a Science unit. This way we can focus more class time on one area to get a deeper understanding.
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Homework Passes
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Homework Pass: A Homework Pass can be purchased from the student store or I give them out for special occasions, such as birthdays or holidays. There are two ways to use a homework pass. It can be used for one day’s DEAR reading and journal entry. The student needs to put their name on the pass and the date of the entry they are skipping because of the pass. The pass is folded and put in the journal with that week’s other entries. A pass can also be used for the spelling pages. PLEASE NOTE: the homework pass does not excuse the student from taking the test on Friday, so they must still study the words. They just do not have to do any of the practice pages. When the spelling pages are collected, the student turns in the homework pass instead.
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Assignment Bin
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Assignment Bin: Each assignment is given a number and written on the Assignment Chart on the wall. There are two corresponding file folders for each number in the file bin.. In one folder are extra worksheets for students who were absent, and the other folder is to turn in the completed work. This helps students keep track of both class work and homework assignments.
Tickets and the Student Store
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Tickets and Student Store: Each week students earn tickets for completing homework. Students loose a ticket if they are off task or unprepared for class; that is, they don’t have a pen or pencil, binder etc. About twice a month I open the Student Store. Here students can spend their tickets on items such as pens, pencils, erasers, small toys and candy.
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