COMPONENTS OF OUR DAY:
Reading Workshop We have our Reading Workshop early in the day for 90
minutes. Our reading program includes a balance of phonics, oral and written
language, comprehension strategies, fluency instruction, and vocabulary
development. The instructional reading program includes the following
activities:
Individual Reading Conferences
As the children read their books, they have one-on-one conferences with me.
Usually during those conferences I will:
*Ask questions about the story to make sure the children understand the book
and to clarify any difficult points.
*Have the children read aloud a favorite part of the book, giving me an
opportunity to assess the next skill to be covered (i.e. phonics, fluency,
and/or vocabulary development).
*Help the child compare and contrast the book with others on the same topic
or theme and/or others written by the same author.
*Encourage the children to celebrate some books through extended
activities such as writing, art, drama, or research.
Guided Reading Groups
In a guided reading group, two or three students with similar needs and
abilities read and discuss the same book at the same time. Each student has
a personal copy of the book, and the teacher guides the literature
discussion and strategy/skill lesson. Here we meet with students to think
critically about a book. Most of the time with the group is spent in
discussion, in appreciating and enjoying the language of literature, and in
sharing personal and group insights.
Whole Group Instruction
Students meet in a whole group to listen and participate in a read aloud
which incorporates comprehension strategies as well as word study skills.
Students have opportunities to discuss the books read aloud with their peers
and their teacher.
Writing Workshop Writing Workshop begins with a mini-lesson designed to
introduce and highlight skills, concepts, techniques, and information that
will help writers grow and develop. The children will work on writing both
fiction and non-fiction and move at their own pace with the support of their
teacher and their peers. The children will take selected pieces through the
writing process (drafting, editing, and publishing). The workshop concludes
with sharing time.
Spelling/Word Study The primary objective of our spelling program is to
develop the ability to recognize and spell words correctly within context.
Each week the students will be introduced to new strategies and ways to
recognize and use these strategies within their own writing. The children
will also have assigned spelling words to study each week.
