What’s New in Language Arts?

As a teacher, I’m always trying to be more effective in my teaching.  Participation in a recent graduate class has shaped my thinking about teaching reading and how I can motivate students to read.  I will implement many changes this year.   The research says that for students to improve in reading they need to read at least 2 hours a week.  It’s very much like practicing an instrument; the more you practice the more your skills improve.  We will continue to read class novels, but students will also find that they have more choice about what they are reading.  They will be held accountable for their reading choices through reading conferences with me and through Accelerated Reading tests.  It is my hope that students will enjoy reading more and become better readers this year.

All 5^th – 8^th graders will be graded weekly on their reading participation; you will be able to chart your child’s progress through School Maestro.  I will commit to giving students 1 hour of classroom reading time each week.  They will need to commit to reading for another hour at home.  Parents will need to sign a “practice slip” similar to the band requirement; this will be due on Mondays.  Do not schedule this reading just before bedtime; it is homework.  In addition they will need to occasionally take Accelerated Reading tests on some of the books they choose to read.  The requirements are charted below:

Grade level     Weekly reading at home       Quarterly Accelerated Reading points

5^th grade                   60 minutes                                              5 AR points

6^th                             60 minutes                                              6 AR points

7^th                             60 minutes                                              7 AR points

8^th                             60 minutes                                              8 AR points

Library: Students will have access to the classroom library daily.  They will also be able to use the school library on Wednesdays.  Thanks to Rebecca Krick for managing these middle school library opportunities.

Spelling tests will be given on Wednesday this year.  Homework will be assigned weekly except for those students who had a perfect test the week before.  Homework will include writing the word in a clear sentence and repeating the word in cursive 3 times.  Students will not be completing the workbook pages as homework this year.  Spelling homework is due on Mondays.

Writing classes meet twice a week.  Students must have spiral journal and complete at least 2 pages of meaningful writing per week.

Grammar will continue as in previous years.  Sixth – 8^th grade students will have a hard-cover text book that will need a book cover as protection.  Fifth graders will have a Language workbook.

  I am looking forward to having a great year with your children as we explore how we LIVE out Acts 17:28 which says,

“ In Him we live, and move and exist… We are his children.”

Please contact me at cwygmans@fremontchristian.org or 924-2740 ext 13 if I can help you or your child.

Cathy Wygmans