Good variety of genres Skills and strategies are organized well. Sequential, organized, but needs to be updated for the Common Core Adherence to the RTII model Encouraging students to read independently and choose books at their level Variety of text styles utilized Integration of writing and spelling to reading program Great Books Reading Olympics

Still working on these adjustments Grade level team got together and created more critical thinking reading responses. They expect the students to be able to cite evidence from the text to support their answers. USING THE SAME MATERIALS, BUT CHANGING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE WRITTEN RESPONSE (citing evidence)…also using materials from the Common Core…plenty of research on their own Teaching lessons outside of reading series to target areas of need

Harcourt Trophies Program for Reading, Writing and Grammar Harcourt Writing is very weak and scattered, so we have created our own lessons that focus on the 6 traits of writing. We also use an Authors Workshop approach to teaching writing. Reading Harcourt…skills organized, theme approach Writing- related to Harcourt, but using state standards Grammar…Harcourt Our reading program has integrated writing and grammar (Harcourt Trophies) Writing program is not PSSA/Common Core appropriate

Mostly a holistic approach. However a little of both approaches are used. Authors Workshop fuses everything together.

Writing Process 6 traits of writing Authors Workshop Private pieces Learning the different types of essays, narrative, persuasive, expository Teaching voice, content, organization, etc….no set curriculum, but plenty of research (writingfix.com) Variety of topics and styles are taught independently We work outside of the series to address three modes tested in PSSA

Texts That Are Being Used Harcourt anthologies RAZ kids During Daily 5, the children listen to leveled books. The site is set up to the child’s level or within 1 or 2 levels Children use the highlighter to cite evidence and help them answer comprehension questions. Take quizzes Higher level questions Lots of response activities Choose their own book - a lot to choose from Also use RAZ kids for Guided reading Daily 5 reading books Harcourt Trophies Novels used in RTII

Assessments DIBELS Harcourt Theme Tests RAZ Kids Quizzes DIBELS and DAZE, along with holistic tests after each theme in Harcourt Holistic tests from Harcourt modified by school district

Technology They use technology often Interwrite boards daily for various activities. RAZ kids (desktop computers, I pads, and laptop) Video clips for background knowledge I pad Apps Vocabulary power points each week I use A to Z for online books and activities and rwadworks.org to obtain reading selections. I use more technology for math!!!!!

Poetry Weekly poetry is worked into the curriculum. Poetry is used for decoding practice, comprehension, fluency, figurative language Using figurative language (moth unit) and present poetry books for Open house! Not enough Supplemented by the individual teacher

Nonfiction Guided Reading Read alouds with Science and Social Studies themes. Non-fiction choices offered during Daily 5 Using a lot of nonfiction, using articles from readworks.org and reading a to z….text features/citing direct quotes and comparing articles. Major focus this year. Part of the reading series Part of science and social studies instruction

Cross-curricular Units Lower Grades: Many units are cross-curricular, containing many reading, writing, science and social studies activities. Dinosaurs Matter Native Americans Oceans Endangered animals Upper Grades: Not really done

Elements Of The Language Arts Curriculum That Make It Rigorous Teachers add their own ideas to make it rigorous Rigor added in RTII