Homerooms are splitting for reading and all five classes will receive instruction as a homeroom in basic English/grammar skills from Ms. Barrett (ELA specialist for Orenda).   Ms. DeLarosa (writing specialist) will be working on writing skills with all fifth graders as well.  In addition, spelling will take place in homeroom.

The eight Shenendehowa elementary schools are all basing their reading instruction on the Harcourt Reading Series, called Trophies. We will continue to use this series for the core of our reading, spelling and specific English/Writing lessons.

This "reading series" is aligned both with the district's Shenendehowa's Essential Content and Competencies and the state standards to help prep our students for their yearly adventure, the NYS English Language Arts Assessment . We will also be using novels to supplement our reading instruction as fifth graders transition to longer texts. 

· Some of the activities that may be included in your students ELA instruction:

· Reading various genres and forms of stories

· Working on writing mechanics and grammar (mini lessons)

· Silent reading at both school and home

·Learning vocabulary linked with each story we read

· Writing responses (including comprehension questions, critical thinking and analysis)

· Reading trade/chapter books and differentiated "little books" linked to each theme or story in Trophies (these leveled books aid each student in becoming more fluent and confident readers)

· Comparing/Contrasting articles, finding the main idea, and identifying point of view

· Oral presentations (formal and informal)

· Literature circles and book reports

· Listening Activities involving note taking skills and summarizing what students hear

· Writer’s Workshop, including independent writing, brainstorming and editing

· Reading Series Trophies by Harcourt, and activities to go with each story

· NYS English Language Arts Assessment  test in early May

· Please click here for spelling words

· Spelling words are available for practice at spellingcity.com   

· 20-25 words each week, following spelling patterns

· Write legibly all upper and lowercase manuscript and cursive  letters.

· Context clue practice (sentences)

· Pretest, corrections, and post test

· Reinforce concepts and skills using the spelling workbook and other word lists

· Post-test-end of the week

· Rehearsal/Review Games (Sparkle)

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This page is maintained in accordance with Shenendehowa's web publishing guidelines by B. Skinner,  J. Beyer, M. Corrigan,  K. Craig. and R. Jess.