Language Arts includes reading, guided reading, spelling, vocabulary, and writing. Our
instruction will be similar each cycle so that you and your child can become familiar with the
routine. This makes it easier for them to be successful because they will know what to expect.
Please keep in mind that this is plan but as with all plans, the schedule may change if our
schedule in interrupted for some reason. Please refer to the Homework book or our class blog
Cycle at a Glance Day 1 • Introduce the skill (characters & setting, fact & opinion, author’s purpose etc.) • Introduce vocabulary words 1-­‐4 – the Vocab list will come home but should stay in the home folder! • Spelling pretest and introduction of the pattern (Spelling list will come home but should stay in the home folder! • Spelling homework – 3 times each unless Day 1 is a Friday and then it will be day 2. • Reading Homework – Read 15 minutes Day 2 • Introduce Vocabulary words 5-­‐10 • Listen to the Main story on CD. Complete story Trifold with Comprehension questions. Go over as a class. • Reading Homework – Read 15 minutes • Spelling homework – 3 times each only when Day 1 is a Friday. Day 3 • Review Vocabulary words with reading in text books. • Reread the Anthology Story aloud in class and discuss important parts. Then, answer the Think Critically questions in partners. Go over answers as a group. • Journal writing – Answer Think Critically question #5 in journals using a RADD format. • Reading Homework – Read 15 minutes Day 4 • Read Companion Text – a companion text is a shorter story in the anthology that relates to the main story in some way but is generally a different genre. • Answer Comparing Texts questions – Questions that require students to compare the two stories, the story to themselves, and the story to the world. • Guided Reading Groups • Independent work from the practice book • Vocabulary Homework – Crossword Puzzle -­‐use the vocabulary list in the home folder as a word bank. Review for the test on day 5. • Reading Homework – Read 15 minutes Day 5 • Vocabulary Test • Guided Reading Groups • Continue independent work • Spelling review game • Reading Homework – Read Anthology Story aloud and have a parent complete the Reading Survey • Spelling – ABC order Day 6 • Comprehension Test – main anthology story • Skill test – even lessons only • Grammar test • Guided Reading Groups • Complete independent work • Spelling Test • Reading Homework – Read 15 minutes Writing Writing will vary from cycle to cycle. Some pieces will be finished quickly and other will take some time to complete. All writing assignments will follow the same step-­‐
by-­‐step process: • Prewriting Activity -­‐ Brainstorming or Graphic organizer to get ideas flowing • Rough Draft – students will work independently to write a rough draft based on the prewriting activity. Students will do their best with spelling, capitalization, punctuation, organization, grammar, etc. This is the draft I will grade as it is their work. It will come home with a rubric so you can see how your child is doing. • Conferencing – I will meet with each student to discuss his or her piece. We will work together to fix any errors, add style or simply make it more readable. • Final Draft – The perfect draft. This will either be written on typed depending on the project. Writing portfolios – Final drafts will not be coming home this year. Some will be displayed in the hallways but most of them will be saved for portfolios. Writing Portfolios will come at the very end of the year. This will be a folder with all of their finished pieces, a table of contents and even a dedication page. It will showcase how your child will grow as a writer this year! Spelling Spelling pretest will be given each day1. Challenge words will be assigned if your child gets 13/15 or above on the pretest the. You will see the words circled on the list. If you feel like the challenge list isn’t really challenging your child or that the regular list is too difficult we can make some adaptations. Please let me know. All of our spelling lists are available on SpellingCity.com. You can use the games to practice the words or even take a practice test. To go directly to our lists use the web address: www.spellingcity.com\blsmith