5th & 6th SPELLING GROUP HOMEWORK
Students were pre-assessed on spelling skills and then assigned a group to begin instruction based on their needs. We have six different spelling groups to start the year. Dorene is teaching Groups 4, and 8 while Levi is teaching group 5, and 7.
GROUP 3
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GROUP 4
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GROUP 5
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GROUP 6
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GROUP 7
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GROUP 8
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Independent Choice Reading time
Independent reading time is very important for students in upper elementary. They need to build their stamina and be able to read for extended periods of time. Independent reading center is a center that ALL of our students complete each day and some complete this twice a day. For independent reading, the students read books of their choice while applying the reading skills from our reading mini-lessons. Students may read fiction, non-fiction, e-books and audible books with a follow along book in their hand. Newsela has non-fiction articles that are on countless topics for student choice as well.
REAd 9 books and No More Reading LOGS for the YEAR!
Once students meet their 9 book challenge and pass these books with 70% or better on A.R. , they are no longer required to do the reading log homework. Students continue to read for enjoyment and instead fill-out the 9-Book Club sheet each week- which has no summaries required.
We ask students to read a book a month minimum at their "Just-Right-Level". In this way, students should be reading a minimum of three books a trimester for a total of 9 books by the end of the year by themselves. We work with each family to help you set goals and find books that are interesting as well as challenging enough to keep your student growing as a reader.
Students will be sharing their books with other students in the form of Class Blog, Written projects, Book Commercial or Cool Book Card.
We ask students to read a book a month minimum at their "Just-Right-Level". In this way, students should be reading a minimum of three books a trimester for a total of 9 books by the end of the year by themselves. We work with each family to help you set goals and find books that are interesting as well as challenging enough to keep your student growing as a reader.
Students will be sharing their books with other students in the form of Class Blog, Written projects, Book Commercial or Cool Book Card.
Guided Reading Groups
The informational text reading center is a very important addition to our reading center rotations. Through this reading center, we are able to expose our students to a variety of informational topics and a variety of different types of informational text. I use this center to both target our students’ interests and to integrate science and social studies into reading. Over the years, we have collected a library of books that align with our science and social studies topics. When we introduce a new topic, we pull out the books that match that topic and place them in the center. Students often read articles on our social studies or science theme and take a quiz for comprehension as well.
Partner reading is also a great center to have the students partner read grade level passages that target specific skills. We have found that our students who read a grade level below really benefit from reading grade level text with a partner in this format. They support each other and both students are exposed to more complex text.
One thing that we have noticed instantly increases engagement and motivation is making activities hands-on. But, this is not always easy with upper elementary skills and standards. To implement a bit of hands-on practice, we use reading sorts and reading graphic organizers to support comprehension and discussion. At this teacher led station, students are introduced to new skills and practice these reading skills as a group.
Structured skill practice is at the last center where students can work with a partner to practice a pre-taught skill. This can be a reading, phonics, grammar or vocabulary skill that is standards based.
Partner reading is also a great center to have the students partner read grade level passages that target specific skills. We have found that our students who read a grade level below really benefit from reading grade level text with a partner in this format. They support each other and both students are exposed to more complex text.
One thing that we have noticed instantly increases engagement and motivation is making activities hands-on. But, this is not always easy with upper elementary skills and standards. To implement a bit of hands-on practice, we use reading sorts and reading graphic organizers to support comprehension and discussion. At this teacher led station, students are introduced to new skills and practice these reading skills as a group.
Structured skill practice is at the last center where students can work with a partner to practice a pre-taught skill. This can be a reading, phonics, grammar or vocabulary skill that is standards based.
Literature Study
A huge part of being a teacher of kiddos between the ages of 10 and 12 is the task of cultivating a love for reading. Upper elementary students are usually placed squarely in one of two categories — “I LOVE to read!” and “I HATE to read!” We spend the better part of our year trying to move students into the “I love to read” camp and novel studies are a great way to do that.
Typically, we like to use novel studies as a read aloud opportunity and let our kiddos read every now and then. This keeps us all on the same page (pun intended) and allows all of our students to engage in discussions. Many of our favorite novels are perfect at-home reads as well!
We try to select language rich, quality books that have a great message, that are tied to a theme in class, and/or introduce an invaluable reading strategy that is elevated through the choice of that book.
Students practice reading responses daily in writing about these novels and answer questions with evidence from the text. Our discussions about books that are at grade level or higher help students to be lifelong readers that enjoy novels. Students start to realize that finishing a whole novel is not only do-able but can be really fun! We usually read 4-5 novels together as a class each year.
Typically, we like to use novel studies as a read aloud opportunity and let our kiddos read every now and then. This keeps us all on the same page (pun intended) and allows all of our students to engage in discussions. Many of our favorite novels are perfect at-home reads as well!
We try to select language rich, quality books that have a great message, that are tied to a theme in class, and/or introduce an invaluable reading strategy that is elevated through the choice of that book.
Students practice reading responses daily in writing about these novels and answer questions with evidence from the text. Our discussions about books that are at grade level or higher help students to be lifelong readers that enjoy novels. Students start to realize that finishing a whole novel is not only do-able but can be really fun! We usually read 4-5 novels together as a class each year.
DAILY ELA Homework EXPECTATIONS
Take home what you need! Do the work! Bring it back!
- Read a minimum of 20 minutes each day
- Complete a daily Reading Log and turn it in each Friday with parent signature
- Write assignments in agenda--organization is an important tool for academic success
- Show agenda to your parents each night for signature
- Come to school prepared: books, binder, supplies, and homework
create Good study habits
- Find a good place to study away from all distractions. (Not by the T.V.)
- Have a good light over your working area.
- Maintain supplies: paper, pencils, ruler, whiteboard pens, compass, protractor, dictionary.
- Have a set time for doing homework each day; maybe 30 minutes after you get home from school, or after dinner.
- Know what your homework IS by writing it in your agenda.
- Ask your teacher about anything you don't understand BEFORE you go home.