This is the first of four sessions.  Each session is eight weeks long with 1-2 week breaks in between.  The same workbooks, Spectrum Spelling, Reading, and Language Arts Grade 4, will be used in all four sessions.  Each Friday, I will quiz the students on the spelling words and we will then go to readinga-z.com where students will take turns selecting from leveled readers which we will read and discuss online.  Copies of the chosen readers will be shared in the classroom for printing and keeping at home, if desired.

Each class will begin with spelling starting with a review of short vowels in multisyllabic words, then proceeding through digraphs, ending blends, three letter s-blends, and long vowels a, e, and i.  The second segment of class is reading with a focus on new vocabulary and comprehension skills.  We conclude with a lesson in language arts beginning with common and proper nouns, pronouns, verbs, helping verbs, linking verbs, and more.

I often include books I have written and use additional practice activities I have designed to enrich the presentation and practice opportunities for the students.  Asking questions and discussing various viewpoints are encouraged.  Respectful behavior and responsible completion of assignments is required.

The timing of lessons is subject to change based on student master, but the plan for Session 1 is as follows:

Week 1:
Spelling - Words with Short a and e
Reading - A Morning in Maine, A Slice of Ocean Life, Grandpa's Light Show, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Common and Proper Nouns, Pronouns

Week 2:
Spelling - Words with short i, o, and u
Reading - Mysterious Lights, The Land of the Northern Lights, A Mancala Morning, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Verbs, Helping Verbs

Week 3:
Spelling - Words with scr, squ, str, and thr
Reading - It's All a Game, Birthday Breakfast, Plenty of Pancakes, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Linking Verbs, Review

Week 4:
Spelling - Words with ch and sh
Reading - Ready for a New Friend, A Big Decision, Not Just Monkeying Around, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Adjectives, Adverbs

Week 5:
Spelling - Words with Silent Letters gn, mb, tch, and wr
Reading - Monkey Training, Soccer Summer, Play Ball!, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Articles, Review

Week 6:
Spelling - Words with the long a sound
Reading - Quick Feet and a Big Heart, Scoring a Goal, Applecreek Orchard, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Prepositions, Conjunctions 

Week 7:
Spelling - Words with the long e sound
Reading - To Market, to Market, Bees in the Trees, An Apple a Day, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Review


Week 8:
Spelling - Words with the long i sound
Reading - A Long Way Home, The Wild Side of the Trail, A Friendly Hike, Student Choice from Reading A-Z online readers
Language Arts - Using What We've Learned:  An Applied Writing Project