4 Blocks: Language Arts Working With Words Guided Reading Self Selected Reading Writing
Working with Words Block “In the Working with Words Block, children learn to read and spell high frequency words and the patterns that allow them to decode and spell lots of other words.” -P.M. Cunningham
Working with Words On the back Be a mind reader Rounding up the rhymes Word families Making words Decoding
Guided Reading Block “The purposes of this block are to expose children to a wide range of literature, teach comprehension strategies, and teach children how to read material that becomes increasingly harder.” -P.M. Cunningham
Guided Reading Block Picture walks Predictions Graphic Organizers Acting out stories Choral, Echo, Shared and Paired reading Small group reading ERT (everyone read to…) “Book Clubs:” students are grouped by ability and given texted to read at their level
Self Selected Reading Block “Self-Selected Reading is that part of a balanced literacy program during which children get to choose what they want to read and to what parts of their reading they want to respond. Opportunities are provided for children to share and respond to what is read. Teachers hold individual conferences with children about their books.” - P.M. Cunningham
Self Selected Reading Block Teacher reads aloud various stories for enjoyment. Variety of levels are provided for students to choose from. Variety of fiction and non-fiction are provided. Conferencing takes place with teacher to ensure comprehension is taking place. Students share what they read about.
Writing Block “One way children learn to read is by writing. Their own writing is sometimes the first thing they can read!” -P.M. Cunningham
Writing Block Lessons are modeled for the students to teach a variety of skills from how to pick a topic, sentence structure and editing work. Children write daily! Children will conference with the teacher about their own writing. Children share their work with their classmates.