Reader's Workshop
Unit 2: Character Study
Our second unit in reading has begun. Through the month of October and most
of November, we will be focusing on the characters in our fictional stories.
We will be paying special attention to the relationships that characters have
with others and what these relationships teach us about the characters.
Throughout this unit students will continue to read, discuss their ideas with
others, and record their thoughts on their post it notes, snjs", and in their
notebooks (reading letters and/or book responses).
Some students are taking up their independent reading time to shop for books
when it is NOT their shopping day. Please make sure that your child has TWO
independent "just right" reading books in their reading bags at all times.
One of the books is what they are currently reading and the other is their
next book to read. Once they have started the next book they are to shop on
their shopping day or find a new book at home, public library, etc......
Reading Log: read 30-40 minutes Sunday through Thursday. Please make
sure you have been checking to see if your child has been reading and
filling in the reading log on a daily basis. Also make sure a parent or
guardian marks their initials on a daily basis, it is an important part of
their reading grade. This is to get your child to improve on their reading
strategies.
The students are also responsible for completing a recommendation card for
EACH book that is completed and attached to the reading log. Each star that
they receive for completing a book the students are to write a recommendation
for that book. They are to be attached to the reading log which will be
collected on Friday. The format for recommendations should be in
their reading bags.
The Reading Log for week 8 with focused and quality "stop n jots"
are due Friday 11/13/09. The reading log is to be kept in their reading
bags. The students are to complete 1-3 "stop n jots" each night when reading
their independent reading books. They are to keep their "stop n jots" in
their independent reading books until Thursday.
On November 12th the students are to categorize their 10-30 "snj" in their
"stop n jot" notebooks and brought to school on Friday, November 13th.
Parents please make sure your child is keeping up with their "stop n jots"
per independent reading session. By completing their "stop n jots" it will
ensure that their reading grades would not be affected. They are to continue
jotting down what they are thinking while they are reading. We have
discussed in class the many different topics that can be included in their
"stop n jots". These topics will be needed for reading instructional time on
a daily basis. (clarifying, visualizing, summarizing, connections,
predicting, reaction and questioning/wondering)
REMEMBER:Their first reading list is due on Friday, November 13th. The
students are to include at least 5 chapter books that they have completed in
the first marking period.(include amount of pages for each book and their
Time for Kids Magazine). This is to be kept in their reading bags. If they
don't read 5 chapter books the amount of pages will be put into
consideration.
Students who leave from class for TAG, Math Prime, Verbal, instrumental, etc.
are required to ask classmate or homework buddy what they have missed. This is
to be completed for homework.
The following are software that you may be interested in exploring:
Reader Rabbit Encarta