6th Grade Reading Curriculum Jan Jackson

Textbook Our book is Literature: Language and Literacy, published by Prentice Hall. The text will be supplemented with novel studies.

Reading Requirements Our curriculum requires students to read sixteen grade- appropriate books during the school year. Students should independently read four books each quarter. Two programs provide incentives to help students meet this requirement: Reading Counts and Do the Dewey.

SRI To determine each student’s reading level, the SRI is administered. This computerized, diagnostic assessment deals primarily with comprehension and determines the lexile level of the student. The lexile will be used when choosing books for Do the Dewey.

Do the Dewey Students must read eight fiction and eight nonfiction books this year. Each book should be in the student’s lexile range and have a Reading Counts test (no book reports). The student may use only two books in a series on the Dewey. The Dewey sheet is on page 23 in the agenda.

Do the Dewey Do the Dewey will be checked for a test grade on October 7. Students should have four books completed. Please check page 23 in the student agenda to see how many Reading Counts tests your child has passed.

What is Reading Counts? A computerized reading management system Enhances the curriculum Motivates students at all reading levels Develops critical thinking skills Boosts scores on reading tests, including performance based assessments Students must score 70% or above on each test. If the score is below 70%, the students may take the test again after waiting at least one day.

Grade Determination Grades are calculated as follows: Daily Grades 25% Reading Logs 20% Skills Checks 20% Test Grades (Dewey) 35%

Will my child be required to complete outside reading for homework? Yes, students are required to read at least100 minutes each week, record the total on the reading log, and have it signed by a parent/guardian. The reading log is checked every Friday in class.

When will my child be allowed to go to the Media Center? We go to the media center every Wednesday. Students may also go in the mornings before homeroom, 8:00 – 8:20. Students are allowed to check out five books at a time.

Georgia Standards of Excellence We follow the Georgia Standards of Excellence for English Language Arts (ELA).

What is the format for the class? We will use the textbook for short stories, poetry, and nonfiction selections. We will read two novels and one biography this year. Students will be required to keep a notebook in which they will keep all of their reading materials.

I do send Reading Reminders each week to all of my parents. Also, check my website for information regarding my class. Please contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.