Reading

In the integrated Language Arts program, a body of children’s literature is used with other materials, including a text book anthology, to help emphasize lifelong reading, comprehension and critical thinking as primary goals.

My goal is to improve students’ reading skills and to encourage them to be lifelong competent readers and writers. - Students will be reading from their textbook organized by themes. -These themes will be supplemented with class novels, poetry, online activities and various enrichment activities. -Students will be reading in a variety of ways; whole group, small group and independently. -Students are expected to read 20 minutes each night and respond in their Lit Record. -Students will produce written work both formal and informal in response to what they have read in and out of class.

The reading materials have been approved by the board and are on an approved book list for the district. This approved list can be viewed on the Forest Hills web site.

Assessment: A variety of assessment strategies are emphasized to determine a student’s instructional needs and academic progress. I believe in immediate feedback so tests and quizzes are graded and returned the next day. I require that students get tests signed by a parent if they receive a 59% or lower. All tests are announced in advance and posted. Extra credit is offered once during each grading period at interim time. Earning extra credit is not difficult and students have a week to complete it, so all students should take advantage of this opportunity.