In this small-group class, students will receive language arts instruction in a round table meeting setting, with student discussion guiding our lessons around a teacher-supplied mentor text. Students can expect to listen to rich fiction and nonfiction read-alouds, as well as read age-appropriate supportive texts with guidance and support. Students will also develop their comprehension and critical thinking skills as they participate in independent or shared writing in response to stories read. 

Students will receive comprehensive language arts instruction in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. All of these areas will be addressed each class, with the primary focus of each lesson adjusted to meet student needs. Student needs will be determined using a variety of diagnostic assessments, including the Phonological Awareness Screening Test (PAST), Heggerty Phonemic Awareness assessment, Handwriting Without Tears diagnostic, and various reading comprehension tools. Fundamental skills lessons will follow Orton-Gillingham concepts, components, and processes.

Small group lessons will feature instructional games, real literature and informational texts, specific skill-based learning activities, and digital texts for independent reading.

Weekly Topics:
Week 1 (Week of September 9): Text-to-Self Connections, Fiction
Week 2 (Week of September 16): Text-to-Text Connections, Fiction
Week 3 (Week of September 23): Informational Text
Week 4 (Week of September 30): Hybrid Text