Article of the Week
What it is:
Articles of the Week were developed using strategies originally created by Kelly Gallagher and have been modified by Vale Middle School to best meet the needs of all students. Articles of the week will be utilized in reading class and are a great way for students to read and interact with informational text that is not only interesting, but current.
Assignment:
When reading the Article of the Week, students are asked to use close reading strategies practiced in class. This requires students to read each article three times, making meaningful annotations with each read. Students will then answer the scaffolded questions at the end of each article, which are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
Due Dates:
Articles of the Week will be assigned most Fridays. The assignment (annotations and scaffolded questions) will be due the following Thursday.
Novels
Throughout the year, students will read several novels that explore many types of literature. These include: Fiction, Science Fiction, Biography, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Quotations, and Children’s Literature. In addition, students will explore Newberry Award Winners, read Short Stories, and look at some “classic” literature. Assessment is based on reading questions, summaries, assignments, projects, presentations and/or discussions.
Below is a list of some of the possible novels and pieces we may read:
- Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
- Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
- 10 Tales of Christmas by Lynne G. Miller
- Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Reader's Workshop
What it is:
- Students choose texts at their independent reading level
- Students receive mini-lessons on a specific literary elements or reading strategies
- Students are given independent reading time in which they will look for and analyze the literary elements taught during the mini-lessons
- Students will complete an exercise or quick-write that requires them to reflect on the topic of the mini-lesson in relation to the novel they are reading
PASS Program
What it is:
- Personalized reading practice program
- Students learn independently at their own pace
- Enhances comprehension, vocabulary, fluency, word analysis, and study skills
- Reinforces specific skills in which students struggle: finding details, drawing conclusions, sequencing, identifying fact and opinion, comparing and contrasting, getting the main idea, making inferences, and using word study/phonics.
- Increases students' knowledge base using a variety of fiction and nonfiction selections at their own reading level
