Reading
In Reading will be doing a combination of Literature Circles, Scholastic texts, and the MAISA Units for Reading which follow a Reader's Workshop structure. Please visit the Literature Circles tab to learn more about how these work and to find each group's reading schedule.
Reading at Home must be a Priority too!!
This year your child will not be required to complete a weekly reading log at home. Instead, your child will be participating in the 40 Book Challenge that is outlined on the attached sheet. With that being said, your child is still required to read at least 100 minutes at home each week (suggested 20 minutes each night) in order to fulfill the challenge requirements, earn their Accelerated Reader points and complete their weekly Reader’s Response Letters to me each Friday morning.
40 Book Challenge
This year your child will be participating in the 40 Book Challenge! This means that I am challenging your fifth grader to read 40 books across different genres by the end of the school year. I know they can do it! The purpose of this challenge is to improve your child’s reading stamina and increase their love of reading in different genres. This can be accomplished through their independent reading during Reader’s Workshop time at school and by spending at least 20 minutes reading daily at home each night. Some books, like shorter nonfiction books, can be read possibly in a day or two. Some books will obviously take longer to finish. The best way to become a better reader and to build vocabulary is to read! If a book is longer than 300 pages, it will count as two books. In order to receive credit for reading a book, students must take and pass the Accelerated Reader test on the book. If there is no test available for a particular book, a short alternative assessment will be given. Therefore, all chosen books must be at least a third grade reading level or higher.
Throughout the school year students will graph their genre choices and books read in their Reader’s Notebooks. Rather than keeping a reading log at home each week, students will be required to write me a Reader’s Response Letter each Friday morning in class to discuss what they have read throughout the week.
Parents, here are some tips to help your child rise to the challenge:
40 Book Challenge Genre Requirements:
Realistic Fiction—3
Historical Fiction—3
Fantasy—2
Science Fiction—1
Biography or Autobiography—1
Traditional Literature (Tall Tale, Fable, Myth, Fairy Tale or Legend)—1
Graphic Novel—1
Newberry Medal Winner (or Honor)—1
Mystery—1
Poetry—1
Nonfiction—5
Choice—20
Throughout the school year students will graph their genre choices and books read in their Reader’s Notebooks. Rather than keeping a reading log at home each week, students will be required to write me a Reader’s Response Letter each Friday morning in class to discuss what they have read throughout the week.
Parents, here are some tips to help your child rise to the challenge:
- Talk with your child about the books he or she reads
- Have your child read aloud to you or to a sibling
- Take them to the public library
- Set a good example by making reading a priority in your home, feel free to participate in the challenge yourself J
40 Book Challenge Genre Requirements:
Realistic Fiction—3
Historical Fiction—3
Fantasy—2
Science Fiction—1
Biography or Autobiography—1
Traditional Literature (Tall Tale, Fable, Myth, Fairy Tale or Legend)—1
Graphic Novel—1
Newberry Medal Winner (or Honor)—1
Mystery—1
Poetry—1
Nonfiction—5
Choice—20