1 Language Arts Language Arts Mrs. Buchanan

is a transition year for us here at MRIS. This is our last year for giving the TCAP Test. Starting in , all students will be taking the PARCC Test as we move totally to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This year we feel as though we have a foot in each world. We must prepare for TCAP but have the students ready to fully engage with the CCSS during the following year TCAP Test TN State Standards Paper/pencil test Multiple Choice Online Writing Test PARCC Test Common Core State Standards All testing online Assessments that go beyond multiple choice

3 In LA class, students are expected to:  Set individualized goals  Use accountable talk in the learning community  Be diligent about daily at home reading (AR book) and other homework assignments  Often work independently to complete assignments  Come to class ready to learn and prepared with all materials needed Expectations….

Language Arts Components Components ReadingEnglish/WritingSpelling/Vocab. Reading Workshop Grammar Usage Writing Content Mechanics Vocab. Workshop

5  English/Writing – 30%  Reading – 40%  Spelling/Vocabulary – 20%  Homework Completion – 10% A 85-92B 75-84C 70-74D Below 70 F

6 Reading Genres - Choices Realistic Fiction: Bridge to Teribithia, Phillip Hall Likes Me, Walk Two Moons, The Secret Garden Mystery: True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Westing Game, The Egypt Game, Dovey Coe, Hoot Overcoming Obstacles: So Be It, Al Capone Does My Shirts, Rules, Small Steps Survival: My Side of the Mountain, Julie of the Wolves, The Terrible Wave, Hatchet Traditional Literature: fables, legends, folktales, myths, tall tales

Genre Requirements §Teacher introduces new genre with discussion of genre characteristics and “Book Talks” about available choices – student choice within structure §Timeline – usually 2 weeks (same book read at school and at home) §When finished reading, take AR test (70 or higher to pass), color earned quilt patch upon teacher approval §Choose a second book from same genre. Student should always have a book to read. 7

Reading 40 books this year is a goal set for all students! Encourage your child to “stretch” himself/herself as a reader and read more books than in any previous year. Page count requirements – differentiated according to placement level All students should read his/her AR book at least 20 minutes each night. Additional reading time is provided during E & I on “green” days. 40 Book Challenge Celebration - held at the end of the year for those students who achieve this very impressive goal.

9 Science Fiction #___ Newbery Honor #___ Multicultural #___ Animal Story # ___ Traditional Literature #___ Multicultural #___ Teacher Choice #___ Sports Fiction #___ Newbery Honor #___ Animal Story #___ Multicultural #___ Hist. Fiction WWII #___ Hist. Fiction Civil War #___ Mystery #___ Poetry #___ Mystery #___ Poetry #___ Documentary Novel #___ Overcoming Obstacles #___ Graphic Novel #___ Free Choice #______ Free Choice #____ Free Choice #______ Fantasy #______ Biography # ______ Survival #______ Free Choice #______ Biography #______ Nonfiction #___ Realistic Fiction #___ Nonfiction #___ 40 Book Challenge

TCAP Writing Assessment §Test date – Week of Feb. 3rd §5 th Grade – narrative, opinion, expository §Timed Writing – 60 minutes The students will encounter a reading stimulus and prompt that they are required to read before they begin to write. A reading stimulus can be a work of fiction or an informational piece. The students will have to utilize information from the reading stimulus to write their response. Text evidence is huge!

Writing/Typing Practice at Home This year students will be required to type their responses to the writing assessment prompt. Please help your child improve his/her keyboarding skills by using one of the suggested sites below. §Dance Mat Typing §Alpha Attack alphattack.htm §Free Typing Games §Timed Typing Test

12 Parent Involvement Please help your child get to school with his/her AR book! Daily Spelling/Vocabulary Practice – spellingcity.com Monitor your child’s at home reading – at least 20 min. daily Help your child organize time and tasks for genre deadlines, projects, etc. Remind students that our library day is Wednesday – bring library book to return or renew. Help student remember to return signed Friday folder on Monday. Check MRIS website for LA information: School Wires Check grades online regularly.

13 The End The End Do not hesitate to call, send a brief , or set up a conference if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for taking the time to come tonight! Together we can help your child have a successful year in 5 th grade language arts!