Drop in to Literacy: Common Core Comprehension & Writing Grades 4-5

This ongoing course focuses on teaching learners the skills necessary to be successful on ELA assessments. I will be using various state tests from archived examinations. These could include Common Core assessments or standardized entrance exam tests. Depending on the learners abilities, the material will be for students in grades four through six. 

In the relaxed environment of a reading and writing comprehension class, learners can develop their test-taking skills for English Language Arts (ELA) while effectively managing any anxieties associated with exams. The course is designed to provide a supportive atmosphere where students can feel comfortable expressing their concerns and asking questions without fear of judgment. Through engaging activities, such as group discussions, interactive exercises, and mock tests, learners will be able to enhance their reading and writing abilities, as well as gain valuable insight into effective test-taking strategies. By focusing on specific techniques for identifying key information, understanding complex texts, and crafting well-structured written responses, students will be better prepared to tackle ELA tests confidently. Additionally, the relaxed setting of the class will help alleviate any test-taking anxieties, allowing learners to perform at their best and achieve the academic success they desire.

Skills we practice:
Identifying a central or main idea
Using textual evidence to support the identification of literary elements
Define vocabulary terms using context clues
Analyze multiple choice questions 
Answer short response questions with grammatical accuracy
Work on essay writing strategies: brainstorming, planning, organizing, thesis sentence, building body paragraphs, and summarizing conclusion paragraph
Build an argument and write a counterclaim