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 room Period 5 – On cabinets Back Again – Scholastic Book Clubs A 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 classroom Students follow the steps of the writing process to produce a number of finished pieces throughout the year Students explore different genres of writing Writing instruction encourages students to study mentor texts, often texts shared in Reader’s Workshop Spelling, grammar and mechanics are taught within the workshop Throughout 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 formative Completion and quality of Writers Notebook “Writing as a Process” grades Graded final product Graded Word Work assignments (Spelling, usage, vocabulary)

Writing Workshop Units Launching Writers Workshop – Personal Narrative Realistic Fiction – Big Dreams, Tall Ambitions Informational Writing/Research – Real Life Mysteries Personal/Persuasive Essay Biographical Sketch Literary Essay Test Prep Independent 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 generally Students demonstrated their comprehension by answering questions in study packets and defining vocabulary words Students read round robin, at differing fluency levels Students 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 independently Allows teachers to conference with individual or small groups of students Allows students to interact with text to create their own meaning Builds a community of readers who share, think about, recommend and respect books Encourages students to think “big” when reading. Fosters an excitement and love for reading

Every day in Reader’s Workshop Read Aloud Mini – Lesson: short, strategic and focused Independent reading time – in a perfect world, 25 minutes Teacher confers with individual or small groups during independent reading Share – students come together to celebrate reading success Homework – Independent reading and responding at home

Assessment in Reader’s Workshop Assessment will be ongoing and formative Completion and quality of Reader’s Response Journal Assessments reflecting the use of taught strategies Graded Word Work

Reading Workshop Units Launching Readers Workshop Characters and Other Story Elements Mystery Book Clubs Expository Non-Fiction – Navigation and Perseverance Narrative Non-Fiction: Life Stories Interpretation – Developing Analytical Reading Practices Test Prep/NJ ASK Historical 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?