• Read Aloud / Modeling Writing
• Shared Reading & Writing
• Guided Reading & Writing
• Independent Reading & Writing
• Word / Sentence Study

* 5 P’s of Reading Instruction:

1. Phonetic awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Comprehension

Culture of / Families:

• Importance of Rules, Citizenship & Laws
• Native American Life
• History of Mayflower Voyage, Pilgrim Life, etc.
• Family Traditions & Holidays
• American History – Abraham Lincoln / George Washington, etc.
• Black History – Dr. King, Harriet Tubman, Others
• Origin & Significance of the American Flag

• Review mastering of addition and subtraction and strategies involved
• Adding and subtracting three-digit numbers with and without grouping
• Read, write, count and compare money
• Time scale on Am and PM and understanding the concept of time

• Scientific and vocabulary building
• Properties of water, oceans and plants
• Light, heat and sound energy
• Connect dots from past to present

• All genres of literature are explored through the use of basal readers and various other literature sources and class novel study
• Reading comprehension focuses on reading fluency, thinking critically, drawing conclusions and story structure
• Weekly spelling units are taught phonetically and continue to build word recognition, vocabulary, and patterning
• Dictionary and thesaurus skills are utilized with in the spelling program
• Writing units include exploration and written expression of narrative, informational, persuasive, and fiction pieces
• The writing process highlights sentence structure, capitalization, punctuation, paragraph writing and proofreading
• Cursive handwriting is reviewed and refined throughout the year
• Book reports incorporate the development of all language art skills

• Map skills and geographical terms
• The seven regions of the United States
• Identification of the United States, its states, and the capitals
• Awareness of different cultures in the United States
• Understanding of tall tales associated with each region
• Understanding of the Underground Railroad
• Amish traditions and ways of life

With explicit instruction and ample opportunity for practice, we approach writing instruction as a necessary skill for success in life. Writing focuses on the writing we read in life; fiction, non-fiction, persuasive, poems, reviews, instructional, narratives, research, and for an audience of readers, not just the teacher. Writing about subjects important to them, students cycle through the writing process by rehearsing, drafting, revising, editing and publishing their works.

• Literacy is explored with the use of a basal series and is reinforced through novel studies
• Reading comprehension further develops with literary genres, plot, conflict, characterization, making predictions, figurative language, author’s purpose and making inferences
• Student writing includes imaginative and personal narratives, reader response journals, descriptive writing, friendly letters and expository writing
• The writing process is used to brainstorm, collect information, proofread and edit work
• Weekly spelling units enhance knowledge of phonetics, patterns, dictionary skills and vocabulary
• Cursive writing is refined
• Writing instruction is individualized for each student
• Sentence structure, capitalization, parts of speech and punctuation continue to develop
• Summer reading is assigned to provide continue growth to the reader and writer

• The scientific method
• Solar System
• Lego Mindstorm robots
• Self-led labs with write up observation