In This Issue:
~ IN THE READING LAB: ORANGE GROUP
~ IN THE READING LAB: YELLOW GROUP
~ Students in the Spotlight
~ Current Standards Focus:
~ HOW PARENTS CAN HELP AT HOME

IN THE READING LAB: ORANGE GROUP

We have been reading the book Riding Freedom.

The genre is historical fiction based on true events and real people. This story takes place during the 1800s so students are also learning what life in the United States was like during that time period.

As we read, students are using different reading strategies for comprehension -- predicting, questioning, monitoring and clarifying, summarizing, evaluating, and visualizing. Students keep a reading journal where they keep their thoughts, questions, predictions, and summaries.

IN THE READING LAB: YELLOW GROUP


The Yellow Group has just finished reading The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses.

We have looked at the symbolism in this story and looked at the different types of figurative language (personification, similes, metaphors, and imagery).

We have analyzed how the author uses verbs and adjectives, the different types of figurative language especially imagery, as well as sentence structure to create the mood in the story.

Next, we will do a unit on poetry to see how an author creates images, mood and tone in the poems using figurative language, sentence structure, line length, rhythm, and rhyme.

Students in the Spotlight


Students in 6th Grade are expected to read about 875,000 words per year out of school at grade level.

These Reading Lab 6th grade students have read the most words in Accelerated Reader:

Eyra J - 285,966
Adan B - 179,241
Miguel R - 148,316
Amy A - 136,548

Current Standards Focus:


1.2 Distinguish and interpret figurative language and multiple-meaning words. (both groups)


3.1 Identify the forms of fiction and describe the major characteristics of each form. (both groups)

3.2 Analyze the effects of the qualities of character (cowardice/courage, ambition/laziness) on the plot and resolution of the conflict. (Orange group)


3.4 Define how tone or meaning is conveyed in poetry through word choice, figurative language, sentence structure, line length, punctuation, rhythm, repetition, and rhyme. (Yellow Group)

3.5 Identify the speaker and recognize the difference between first- and third- person narration (e.g. autobiography compared with biography. (Orange Group)


3.7 Explain the effects of common literary devices (symbolism, imagery, metaphor) in a variety of fictional and nonfictional texts. (Both groups)

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP AT HOME

Please listen to your child read aloud each day.

Does your child read at an average speed? Or is he/she reading too fast or too slowly?

Does your child read with voice and expression?

Does your child read one word at a time, or does he/she read words in "chunks?"

Does your child self-correct mistakes as he or she is reading?

Ask your child to summarize what they have read each day.

Does your child include the important details and tells what is happening in the proper sequence of events?