Reading

“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island.”

- Walt Disney

Reading is the cornerstone to academic success. With this in mind, our classroom embraces literacy. Our classroom library has hundreds of books that each student may use in his/her book tubs or check out to take home. Each day we have Teacher Read and independent reading filled with student-selected books at their "just right" reading level. Nonfiction reading is abundant as well with Weekly Reader, Internet sites, science and social studies selections along with the nonfiction books in our classroom library.

To say that I spend a lot of money each year on books for our classroom library is an understatement... just ask Mr. Standlee! Nearly every day, the students hear me say, "I bought this book for our classroom library! I think you are going to love it and here's why...!" I want to help students develop a passion for reading.

 The following resources are used:

• Student/Teacher Reading Conferences - goals/strengths discussed
• Teacher Read
• Independent Reading - student selected "just right" books
• Listening Stations
• RazKids
• Weekly Reader
• Benchmark Book Room Collection
• Making Meaning
• Reading Strategies
• Daily Five / CAFE
• Scholastic Book Orders - monthly

Assessment used:

• Anecdotal reading notes in Conferring Binder
• DRAs
• DAZE
• Sight Words
• Benchmark Assessments
• DIBELS
• Kent School District Assessments

Washington State EARLs:

1.   The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.

2.   The student understands the meaning of what is read.

3.   The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.

4.   The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

Common Core
We are working toward district implementation of the Common Core Standards. This year, we will be adding Functional Reading to replace Washington State EALR #1.