Reading Curriculum

Our curriculum is based on the New York State Standards and the District's Essential Contents and Competencies.

The reading program in the 6th grade is extensive. Students will read literature from the sixth grade reading list developed by the reading curriculum committee. Novels will be read as a class and in small groups through literature circles. Skills and journal writing will be an important part of literature study. Students will be assessed through tests, oral presentations, group projects and written work.

The reading program is divided into several components, including but not limited to:

Silent Reading: Students are responsible for independently reading books of their own choice throughout the year. They must keep track of the minutes they read on a quarterly reading log. They are required to read a minimum of 20 hours of independent reading per quarter. These reading logs must be signed by parents, teachers, or study hall monitors. Students will hand in reading logs at the end of the quarter for a grade. Classroom novels will not count towards the 20 hours of outside reading. Students will be given the opportunity to enjoy an activity of sustained reading on a weekly basis.

    Approximately once per quarter students will be responsible for reading an assigned genre as part of their independent reading. They will complete a book project on the book that they choose to represent that genre. The teacher must approve books chosen. Book projects will be completed at home with a small amount of time at school provided in order to get started. These books will count toward the 20-hour outside reading.

Comprehension: Comprehension is a major component in 6th grade. As a result of reading and comprehending a wide variety of genres, students will:

• read, analyze, and interpret literature;
• determine the meaning of words in written text;
• summarize a variety of written texts;
• perceive relationships and recognize outcomes;
• analyze information, in order to make inferences and generalizations;
• and recognize points of view, propaganda, and statements of fact and opinion.

Study of Genres: Students will be exposed to a variety of reading genres throughout the school year. Such genres include: mystery, adventure/survival, science fiction, fiction, nonfiction, biography, poetry, fantasy, mythology, and historical fiction.

Novels: Students will be reading a variety of novels throughout the year. Some of the novels include, but are not limited to: Number the Stars, Bridge to Terebithia, The Cay, First Test, and Island of the Blue Dolphins.

**The reading program within the MN classroom follows that of the 6th grade curriculum; however, I work hard on individualizing the program so that it meets the needs of each student to help them progress.

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