Reading+-+Language+Arts

=Reading =

__The Textbook __

 * Our reading textbook, //Storytown//, is published by Harcourt School Publishers. It's full of several wonderful selections, both fiction and nonfiction. The book is broken down into 6 main themes. Each theme contains 5 selections (2 fiction, 2 nonfiction, and one reader's theater). Each theme introduces 2 new focus skills such as author's purpose or character traits and motivations. Each story introduces ne﻿w vocabulary words as well. **

__Novels__

 * In addition to the reading textbook, we also like to switch things up throughout the year and get into a good novel. Although the selection is always subject to change as new novels come out, some we have chosen in the past include: //Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, Frindle, and Stone Fox//. **

__Looking for a book to read? __ Here are a couple links that may give you some ideas.

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You will receive several book order flyiers from Scholastic Book Clubs each month that are full of wonderful titles for young readers to enjoy at reasonable prices. Orders can be placed the traditional way of sending your payment to school with order forms or online at the link above.

=Spelling = New spelling list should come home each week with each new story we read from our reading textbook. Spelling lists usually have a couple common spelling patterns that are emphasised each week, for example the VCCV (vowel, consonant, consonant, vowel). I introduce new words on Monday, briefly discuss the patterns we see, but don't spend much more time on spelling words as other curriculum matter takes higher priority. Therefore it is very important that students take responsibility to study their words at home and be ready for the weekly test on Friday.

Each week's work list can be found at the following link which also includes games and activities students can play to practice their words.

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__4th Grade Spelling Bee __
This year's fourth grade spelling bee will be help in April. To qualify for the bee, students must pass an elimination round which takes place approximately one week prior to the bee. More information will come home as spelling bee time approaches.

**Writi ﻿<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">ng **
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">A main focus during writing class this year will be the steps of the writing process; brainstorming, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. Content will tie into the stories and themes of our reading curriculum as well as other special events that occur throughout the school year **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">. ** =**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">__Poetry / Writing Contest Opportunities__ **= <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Sometimes teachers receive information on writing contests that students have the opportunity to participate in. When this information becomes available, it will be sent home for you to review.

__**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Publishing Opportunity **__
<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Around Christmas time don't forget to check the Galena Gazette for our fourth grade publications of "What Christmas Means to Me".

=<span style="font-family: georgia,serif; font-size: 150%;">Grammar = <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">In grammar class, students will learn about the different parts of speach such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, as well as what it takes to write good sentences properly. Concepts reviewed in grammar will also be carried over to writing and reading.

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