BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
SEPTEMBER 20, 2012
Language Arts in 6th Grade
Welcome to Room 418 – Mrs. O’Hare
Check out our “Where I’m From” poems, written by students as we explore how our life experiences
affects how we interpret text.1/3 period – Back Wall
Period 4/7 - in hallway across from roomPeriod 5 – On cabinets
Back Again – Scholastic Book ClubsA great way to fill your child’s library with classic and new
children’s literature. A great way to fill our classroom library also!
Realtime – All grades available weekly on Realtime
New this year…
Trip to McCarter Theater to see “A Christmas Carol”
No Spring field trip planned as of yet, looking for Science and Social Studies trip.
New units of study reflecting Common Core Curriculum Standards (national)
Teacher Web Page – Check mine out!
The Workshop Format…
Allows students to choose – what they read and what they write
Provides direct instruction modeled by the teacher
Gives students extended time to practice the taught strategies
Allows teachers to conference one on one or in small groups with students
Assesses formatively, allowing teachers to plan instruction based on the student’s needs
Fosters independence and confidence in readers and writers
Writing Workshop
Students write every day in the classroomStudents follow the steps of the writing process to
produce a number of finished pieces throughout the year
Students explore different genres of writingWriting instruction encourages students to study
mentor texts, often texts shared in Reader’s WorkshopSpelling, grammar and mechanics are taught within the
workshopThroughout middle school, writers will add to their
“Writer’s Toolbox” to produce increasingly more complex and mature pieces of writing in a variety of genres
Assessment in Writer’s Workshop
Assessment will be ongoing and formativeCompletion and quality of Writers Notebook“Writing as a Process” gradesGraded final product Graded Word Work assignments (Spelling,
usage, vocabulary)
Overview of this Year in 6th Grade Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop UnitsLaunching Writers Workshop – Personal NarrativeRealistic Fiction – Big Dreams, Tall AmbitionsInformational Writing/Research – Real Life
Mysteries Personal/Persuasive EssayBiographical SketchLiterary EssayTest PrepIndependent Project – Writing about History
Before Reading Workshop…
Teachers chose ”good books” that all students would read, regardless of ability or interest
Books were taught specifically, not generallyStudents demonstrated their comprehension by
answering questions in study packets and defining vocabulary words
Students read round robin, at differing fluency levelsStudents were tested on the material they had
“learned” with “right” answers.Yes, that was the way we learned but… did we enjoy
it?
Reader’s Workshop
Allows students to choose books at their level and interest, to read independently
Teaches reading strategies directly by modeling on a shared text, then sending students off to practice in their own reading
Gives students extended time to read independentlyAllows teachers to conference with individual or small groups
of studentsAllows students to interact with text to create their own
meaningBuilds a community of readers who share, think about,
recommend and respect booksEncourages students to think “big” when reading.Fosters an excitement and love for reading
Every day in Reader’s Workshop
Read AloudMini – Lesson: short, strategic and focusedIndependent reading time – in a perfect
world, 25 minutesTeacher confers with individual or small
groups during independent readingShare – students come together to celebrate
reading successHomework – Independent reading and
responding at home
Assessment in Reader’s Workshop
Assessment will be ongoing and formativeCompletion and quality of Reader’s Response
JournalAssessments reflecting the use of taught
strategiesGraded Word Work
Overview of this Year in 6th Grade Reading Workshop
Reading Workshop UnitsLaunching Readers WorkshopCharacters and Other Story ElementsMystery Book ClubsExpository Non-Fiction – Navigation and Perseverance Narrative Non-Fiction: Life StoriesInterpretation – Developing Analytical Reading
PracticesTest Prep/NJ ASKHistorical Fiction Book Clubs
3 Things You Should Know About Me
I love kids
I understand that all kids are unique
I am a team player
Thanks for Coming!
Any questions?
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