1. 1 Language Arts Language Arts 2013-2014 Mrs. Buchanan

2. 2013-2014 is a transition year for us here at MRIS. This is our last year for giving the TCAP Test. Starting in 2014-2015, 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. 2013-2014 TCAP Test TN State Standards Paper/pencil test Multiple Choice Online Writing Test 2014-2015 PARCC Test Common Core State Standards All testing online Assessments that go beyond multiple choice

3. 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….

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

5. 5  English/Writing – 30%  Reading – 40%  Spelling/Vocabulary – 20%  Homework Completion – 10% 93-100 A 85-92B 75-84C 70-74D Below 70 F

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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. 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

10. 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!

11. 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ §Alpha Attack http://www.gamequarium.com/alphattack/ alphattack.htm §Free Typing Games http://www.freetypinggame.net/default.asp §Timed Typing Test http://www.typingtest.com/

12. 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. 13 The End The End Do not hesitate to call, send a brief email, 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!