We are really getting going with our reading and writing stations. Station work allows me to meet with small groups and individual students to assess, teach, and practice the skills needed on the appropriate reading levels. Station work can be completed independently, with a partner, and in some cases on the Chrome book (which allows students to have material read TO them. :)
This week's reading focus is literary non-fiction. Literary non-fiction mostly consists of biographical type books that are written more like stories. I have some mentor texts that we will look at this week. One of the stations allows students to choose from 5 stories each day to read and respond to. I am assessing with DRAs for students who scored below reading level on the ISIP September testing.
In writing we are continuing to focus on the parts of a sentence and the format of a sentence. Students are learning about subjects and predicates and what makes up the two parts of the sentence. We are beginning our second narrative. We apply what we learn in mini lessons into our writing. Last week's narrative will only be graded on focus, capitalization, and the use of at least 4 adjectives. I will have these ready for you to see when we have our fall conferences. Be on the look out for a sign up in the next week or so. I'll have times available on conference day as well as some afternoons before or after conference day for those of you who will be traveling for the long weekend.
HOMEWORK: Please continue to read with your child or allow him/her to read aloud to you in situations where fluency is low. Students should be reading 20 minutes a night in addition to any math homework they receive.