Reading
Reading - Mrs.Savard - 1st 6 weeks - We will begin the year reading the historical fiction book Johnny Texas written by Carol Hoff. Since 4th grade Social Studies is the study of Texas this year, past and present, I chose this book for cross curricular purposes which will reinforce Social Studies vocabulary and comprehension. The book is about a family's move from Germany to Texas which describes their adventures, trials, and tribulations as well. I also plan on the students completing some "creative writing" with parts of the book as we read it.
Throughout the year, the students will also be reading from their monthly Scholastic Storyworks' magazine purchased by our wonderful PTA. This magazine features all genres while teaching the following skills: main idea and supporting details, text evidence, inferences, vocabulary, grammar, informational/opinion writing, paired reading (compare/contrast) and summarizing.
The first nonfiction story, "Our World Turned to Water" is about surviving the Louisiana Flood of 2016. At some point, the students will compare/contrast this devastating flood to other floods in the USA.
Vocabulary for this story:
current
demolished
gratitude
grave (grave danger)
mobilize
recedes
salvage
submerged
torrents
tributaries
Please have your child choose a personal book from home to bring to school for independent reading. I have lots of books in my room which they can choose to read.
Of course, they can check out a library book from our school library.
For homework, I would like for all my students to read at home every night. This should be a book that they can read independently. They can choose to read from Mrs. Kelley's Social Studies and/or Science newspapers as well. Use this as an opportunity to discuss/summarize what your child has read each evening as well as to reinforce new vocabulary.
Reading at home and school will certainly help with the expository and narrative writing process in 4th grade this year.
.
Throughout the year, the students will also be reading from their monthly Scholastic Storyworks' magazine purchased by our wonderful PTA. This magazine features all genres while teaching the following skills: main idea and supporting details, text evidence, inferences, vocabulary, grammar, informational/opinion writing, paired reading (compare/contrast) and summarizing.
The first nonfiction story, "Our World Turned to Water" is about surviving the Louisiana Flood of 2016. At some point, the students will compare/contrast this devastating flood to other floods in the USA.
Vocabulary for this story:
current
demolished
gratitude
grave (grave danger)
mobilize
recedes
salvage
submerged
torrents
tributaries
Please have your child choose a personal book from home to bring to school for independent reading. I have lots of books in my room which they can choose to read.
Of course, they can check out a library book from our school library.
For homework, I would like for all my students to read at home every night. This should be a book that they can read independently. They can choose to read from Mrs. Kelley's Social Studies and/or Science newspapers as well. Use this as an opportunity to discuss/summarize what your child has read each evening as well as to reinforce new vocabulary.
Reading at home and school will certainly help with the expository and narrative writing process in 4th grade this year.
.
Storyworks' vocabulary - Vocabulary Texas History I will be teaching these words using context clues. It's so important for your child to reread for clues to figure out what these words mean. |
Homework:
The students should be reading for at least 30 minutes each evening from their fiction and nonfiction library books. Since they are beginning a new Book-It contract to read two books for January, they will be completing "short" vocabulary/comprehension activities using graphic organizers. Continue to ask your child to give a short summary of what they read each evening. (somebody, wanted, but, so, then) The students understand this strategy to summarize what they read. Always generate discussions about what they have read during the day and the as well. Ask higher level thinking questions during these discussions. A reminder: All the students return and check out books from the school library every other Wednesday. Please encourage your child to bring library books to be checked back in to the library. |