In the table of contents, I notice the topics are the same ones we teach already in fourth grade. (Maybe more in depth for research.) As far as spiraling, informational reading is done throughout the year. We do these things now, just in a different order.
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Mary Blackburn
4/29/2013 07:05:23 am
The topics in Calkins Reading are similar to what is being taught in Fourth grade at this time. The research project is one item that will spiral, as would the review of text structures and analysis of resources. Nonfiction is repeating, with change in the usage of or topics to be reviewed. Research projects appear twice within the academic year, nonfiction being predominate throughout the year. The order of what has been done previously will change with a few additions or changes.
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kendall bennett
4/29/2013 01:36:47 pm
I agree with Mary that the units of study are similar to that of fourth grade already. We love teaching reading and writing of nonfiction, so as a team, we are really looking forward to the spiral and more indepth look at nonfiction. We like to build our student's backgrounds about the real world around them before we jump into historical fiction. The kids are able to understand and have more productive conversations when they have a strong content background. I like for units 3-4 is a great time to plan some of your larger science and social studies units so that the students are ready for unit 5 shortly before spring break.
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Danielle Jones
4/29/2013 07:29:28 am
I have noticed that the units of study are fairly similar but sometimes more detailed. I like that there is a specific emphasis on things like Historical fiction and social issues. In the past, we have tried to fit those things into the plan rather than making them the focus. Everything spirals often as the teacher is expected to continuously reincorporate learned information for the different genres.
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Lauren Baer
4/29/2013 08:24:49 am
I am glad that there is time in Unit 1 to set-up the "reading life" of the student, as this will tie into Daily 5 and Cafe well. The focus will shift into more holistic, spiraling topics throughout the year than what I do now, but I am excited about the focus on analyzing and critiquing while reading and the fact that we will be hitting nonfiction hard at the beginning of the year.
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Lindsey Arnall
4/30/2013 03:20:47 am
Looking at the overview of the year, the one thing I notice right off is the amount of non-fiction reading that will be taking place. Currently, non-fiction reading happens in my room more frequently during Science and Social Studies time focusing on content. Once we transition to Common Core, more time will be spent using non-fiction throughout reading, writing, and theme.
Reading accountability at home is discussed many times throughout this overview. My grade level team and I have discussed ways to promote reading at home, and still struggle with ways that will encourage students to read at home and be honest about what they are actually accomplishing.
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Betty Teel
5/1/2013 12:06:56 pm
Although all the subjects and genres look familiar the depth and the fact that we now have a structure is different. There is a plan of action. Nothing will be left to chance, because we will be focused on certain concepts during particular times of the year. The sequence makes sense also. For instance we look closely at nonfiction text structures before delving into nonfiction research.
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Kara Kennedy
5/6/2013 12:54:12 am
I think we all agree that there will be much more nonfiction used. This will be a big change I think as far as independent reading goes, as well as the way that our classroom libraries are organized. The units of study are similar to what we are already doing, so that part should be an easy transition.
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Alyssa Blake
5/18/2013 02:54:22 am
Yes to lots nonfiction and to nonfiction early! This goes tight along with the MRI suggestion that students be reading, evaluating and critically analyzing nonfiction text upwards of 70% of the school year. I'm interested to see how these units can align with social studies and science content as we work across the curriculum to best utilize our instructional time. The social issues book clubs will also help students to further apply critical ans analytic thinking as well as interpretation skills at a deeper and more completed level. I like the order of these units to support student growth.