General: It is no secret that Reading, ELA/Grammar, Writing, Spelling, and Vocabulary go hand in hand. That is why there will often be times when we are using a concept we have learned in one of the subject areas to also improve our skills in another subject area. In addition, we incorporate what we have learned in Reading and Writing to help us in other subject areas like: Science, Social Studies, Math and even Specials.
**Please refer to the "Rubric Sheet" handed out in class. It will be explained and handed out during the first week of school. It will be found in your child's accordion folder.
Vocabulary: Vocab quizzes are combined with grammar quizzes each week for a total of 20 questions (12 vocab, 8 grammar).
Lunger's Homeroom: quizzes on D days
Marmion's Homeroom: quizzes on C days
Spelling: Spelling words are assigned each week, with homework. The test is the following week. There will be 15 spelling words and 1 bonus word.
Lunger's Homeroom: tests on D days
Marmion's Homeroom: test on C days
Writing: Throughout the year we will develop our writing skills. Students will be expected to complete assignments in complete sentences and use paragraph(s) when necessary. In addition to focusing on writing skills, we will also be writing for 3 different reasons: to entertain, to persuade, and to inform.
Most of the assessments for writing will be in the form of a written assignment that the student's will produce.
Reading: Throughout the year we will read a series of passages, both informational (non fiction) and literature (fiction and nonfiction) based. In addition, we will be reading a few chapter books. We will develop good reading skills through a process called, "Close Reading." We are beginning the year by learning how to infer and realizing that a lot of what we read requires us to use referencing skills. We will continue to practice reading comprehension skills, as well. Special focus will be spent on identifying the "parts of a story," which will be beneficial in our writing, as well.
Assessments vary throughout the year. There will (tentatively) be 2 more book report projects this year.
Why the chapter book in class?
It is important for the students to be reading daily, most certainly at the 4th grade level. That is why I am asking the students to have a chapter book (at their reading level) with them, in class, daily. We will be taking time (15-20 minutes) each day for silent reading. The purpose of this is to make the students more independent in their reading and to build up reading stamina. There seems to be quite the reluctance when it comes to reading independently, and I'm hoping that this daily activity will "open the students eyes" to the wonderful world of reading. I encourage you to do the same at home, when time allows.