5th Period Intensive Language Arts

In this class, our main text is Inside, published by Cengage Learning. This text allows the students to practice reading fiction and informational text. For fictional types of text, students learn to make predictions, follow the plot of a story, and learn how characters, setting, and story events influence each other. For informational types of text, students learn how to use text features to help improve comprehension, set a purpose for reading, and use context clues to figure out word meanings.

We will also utilize various programs and resources to help the students improve their writing, grammar, language and vocabulary skills.

Reading Plus is a computer-based program wherein students practice reading informational and fictional text on their own reading level. I have found this program to be highly-effective in improving students' reading comprehension, vocabulary, and reading speed. The reading comprehension portion of the program meets the students at their individual level of fluency and comprehension. As the students complete the weekly assignments, the program continually assesses the students' skills and presents them with text at the speed and comprehension level that is "just right" for them. Additionally, the vocabulary component of the program aids the students in building their word knowledge. As the students master the comprehension and vocabulary skills at one level, gradually, they move up to the next level, and are presented with more difficult text, comprehension questions, and vocabulary. Their speed of reading is also gradually increased as they show mastery of lower-level text.

Reading Plus Assignments: Using the Reading Plus website, students are responsible for completing 4 See Readers (Reading Assignments), and 4 Read-Arounds (Vocabulary Assignments) each week. (These are assigned on Monday, and are due on the following Sunday at midnight.)

Homework: If students do not finish the weekly Reading Plus assignments at school, they are responsible for completing them outside of class. Occasionally, students may have unfinished vocabulary or writing assignments that will need to be completed as homework.