ABOUT MY READING/VOCABULARY/WRITING CLASSES
Reading Classes:
What will we be reading this year?
8th grade--possibilities for whole-class reading include the novels A Long Walk to Water and Sarny; The Diary of Anne Frank (the play); selections from Scope magazine; the novel To Kill a Mockingbird or the play Romeo and Juliet; and poetry and short stories from the Literature textbook.
7th grade--works read by the whole class will include Hatchet; The Breadwinner; selections from Scope magazine; poetry and short stories from the Literature textbook. 7th grade will also be doing an Archdiocesan Reading Assessment which involves critical reading and persuasive writing as well as a presentation to the class.
6th grade--works read by the whole class will include Number the Stars; Friedrich; Maniac Magee; and short stories and poetry from the Storytime textbooks. I also have multiple copies of many novels in my classroom library which may be used by small groups within the class, suited to the interests and skill levels of the small groups.
Of course, if I happen to discover a terrific new book and get a class set of copies, the above list could change . . . If you discover a great book you think middle schoolers would enjoy, I'd love to hear about it . . . and if you ever want to know what our classroom could use, I welcome gently used books or gift cards with which to obtain more books!
Reading Classes:
- In my middle school reading classes, I will be using a guided reading approach to teaching reading. We will be using Fountas & Pinnell benchmark testing to determine individual student needs as well as continuing to use the STAR reading test; testing will also help us to measure student progress. I will be teaching and modeling strategies to use before, during, and after reading. Strategies are taught and practiced in whole-class lessons, small group mini-lessons, and individual conferences. Benchmark testing, Star Reading and AR tests, and formal and informal classroom assessment will monitor student progress.
- Classes will often involve working in small groups; while I am working with one group, others may be working on independent reading, vocabulary, or writing. Many writing assignments will also be based on reading and help measure higher-level reading comprehension.
- Some days we will focus on the Wordly Wise 3000 vocabulary text and on direct vocabulary instruction and practice. Other days, vocabulary work may be one of the reading workshop activities.
- The Wordly Wise app enables students to listen to words pronounced and presented, print flash cards of the words, and do practice and review activities at home.
- Early in the year we will review the Six + 1 Writing Traits and what each trait means in terms of student writing. Writing done throughout the year will be assessed based on the six traits.
- We will be using a Writer's Workshop format for much of our writing instruction. This will involved focused mini-lessons, individual conferencing, keeping a writer's notebook, and lots of writing practice. Much of our writing will relate to what we are reading in reading class time.
- Formal writing assignments will be handed in either on Google Classroom or in a shared folder more often than as hard copy. Students will have the opportunity to revise and edit formal writing assignments, so I will expect them to be best-quality work and will assess them on all 6 + 1 Traits. Grades on formal writing will also count more heavily than quick-writes, which may be done in class time and will count as daily work.
- Some writing assignments will not be linked to our reading class. For example, in both 6th and 8th grades, one of our formal writing assignments will be the civic oration speech. Sometimes we will assign a composition which is an entry for a writing contest.
What will we be reading this year?
8th grade--possibilities for whole-class reading include the novels A Long Walk to Water and Sarny; The Diary of Anne Frank (the play); selections from Scope magazine; the novel To Kill a Mockingbird or the play Romeo and Juliet; and poetry and short stories from the Literature textbook.
7th grade--works read by the whole class will include Hatchet; The Breadwinner; selections from Scope magazine; poetry and short stories from the Literature textbook. 7th grade will also be doing an Archdiocesan Reading Assessment which involves critical reading and persuasive writing as well as a presentation to the class.
6th grade--works read by the whole class will include Number the Stars; Friedrich; Maniac Magee; and short stories and poetry from the Storytime textbooks. I also have multiple copies of many novels in my classroom library which may be used by small groups within the class, suited to the interests and skill levels of the small groups.
Of course, if I happen to discover a terrific new book and get a class set of copies, the above list could change . . . If you discover a great book you think middle schoolers would enjoy, I'd love to hear about it . . . and if you ever want to know what our classroom could use, I welcome gently used books or gift cards with which to obtain more books!