4^th Grade Reading and Language Arts

Daily Routine:

1. Spelling and Wilson:  Everyday, the students partake in a spelling lesson.  This lesson allows them to understand the rules of phonics and gives them time to practice their spelling words in school.  We use the Wilson Reading System to practice spelling and phonics.  This reading program directly teaches children how to accurately read and spell words. It allows students to master individual sounds, sound segmentation and blending, and the recognition and division of syllables.  The students will be participating in this program as needed.

2. Language Arts & Writing:  Throughout the school year, the fourth graders will be studying grammar various types of writing.  They will learn about different parts of speech, such as nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections.  In order to study language arts and grammar, the students will be taught directly, and then complete either teacher constructed activities or a SMART Board activity.  Moreover, the students will frequently follow the Collins Writing Program to publish both creative and informative writing pieces.

3. Reading:  During the course of the school year, the students will be exposed to the stories, chapter books, and curriculum materials from the general education classroom.  By the end of fourth grade, they will read several leveled books chapter books from different genres.

Each child always receives a homework packet during class on Monday.  The cover sheet of the homework packet explains the assignments that the students must complete each night.  The second page always contains a reading log and the third page has their spelling words for the week.  These words are pulled from the general education spelling list or the Wilson Reading word lists.  The homework assignments usually incorporate the grammar lesson that is learned during the week, a reading comprehension assignment, a writing assignment, and a spelling assignment, and a reading log that is to be completed each week.  The homework will be adjusted if there is a short week of school.

Friday Folders

Every student has a reading and language arts Friday folder.  One side of the folder contains all of the assignments that the students complete in my class and for homework throughout the week.  These papers should be kept at home.  The opposite side of the folder holds the spelling tests and other assessments that must be signed and returned. Lastly, the paper on the front of the folder informs you of your child’s behavior and progress throughout the week in my class.

Positive Behavior Support

In order to promote a classroom environment of respect, responsibility, and cooperation during lessons, I use a behavior contract.  All students must follow their behavior contract.  For the first offense of the day, they get a warning.  After the second offense, they are removed from the activity.  Following a third offense, the student’s parents are contacted. If a child follows the behavior contract throughout the whole period,they receive a sticker on their behavior chart.  Once they complete their behavior chart, they are allowed to pick a reward from a list that they created.  Involving the students in creating the prize list enables them to choose rewards that will genuinely motivate them to work hard and behave.