Be Responsible 
Be Prepared Be Respectful
Welcome to Mrs. Thomas' Reading Webpage
This is my favorite four-legged friend Miles taking a break from reading.
What is a Balanced Literacy Program?
A balanced literacy program contains four very important pieces:
- Reader's Workshop
- Writer's Workshop
- Word Study
- Interactive Read-Aloud
The Workshop Format
The workshop format has come to be thought of as an organized set of language and literacy experiences designed to help students become more effective readers & writers.
The workshop model contains the following elements:
- Daily Focus Lesson (for example: Good readers read with expression or Good writers write about things they know a lot about)
- Teacher Modeling: The teacher then models reading with expression using a read-aloud book or the teacher models writing about something she/he knows a lot about.
- Independent Reading and/or Writing : In reading, the students grab their "just-right" books and read quietly for extended periods of time in order to practice their fluency, as well as enjoy reading a book that interests them at their "just-right" level. A "just-right" book is a book that is chosen by the student (with guidance from the teacher) that is not too easy and not too hard for the student to read by themselves. In writing, the students grab their writing folders and begin writing and illustrating their own books.
- Teacher Conferencing: A reading or writing conference is a genuine conversation between the teacher and student that enables the teacher to understand each student's reading & writing process. It is also a time when teachers can provide powerful, customized instruction that will help the individual student refine and extend his/her reading & writing competence.
Reader's Workshop
Students read a variety of self-selected and teacher-selected texts for extended periods of time. They construct meaning and make personal and textual connections as they learn from and about reading. Students learn effective comprehension strategies that they can apply to fiction and non-fiction texts.
Writer's Workshop
Students develop writing strategies and skills, learn about writer's craft, and use writing as a tool for learning and communication. As they write for sustained periods of time, they explore different genres and formats for a range of purposes and a variety of audiences.
Word Study
Students explore the meaning and structure of words and investigate the conventions of written language.
Interactive Read-Aloud
Reading aloud to students allows them to experience a variety of quality texts in different genres. In an interactive read-aloud, the teacher pauses at significant points in the story to share their own thinking as well as invite students to discuss their connections to the story or to make a prediction of what they think will happen next.
Grade Level Expectations & State Frameworks
The balanced literacy program at the Ellis School is designed in such a way that it is unique to each grade level. Each reading, writing, and word-study lesson has been customized to meet the grade level expectations put forth by the State of New Hampshire.
For more information regarding the Grade Level Expectations visit: GLE's
List of Reading & Writing Genres by Grade Level
The following list are suggested literary texts set forth by the State of NH GLE's. This list is not meant to be exhaustive for any given grade level. The italicized genres are those which require in depth studies at that grade level.
Kindergarten
Nursery rhymes, poetry, fairytales, fantasy, realistic fiction, songs, chants, and non-fiction
First Grade
Poetry, fairytales, fantasy, realistic fiction, songs, chants, and non-fiction
Second Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, tall tales, realistic fiction, and non-fiction
Third Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, tall tales, realistic fiction, and non-fiction
Fourth Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, and non-fiction
Fifth Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, mysteries, and non-fiction
Sixth Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, mysteries, science fiction, myths & legends, and non-fiction
Seventh Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, mysteries, science fiction, myths & legends, short stories, and non-fiction
Eighth Grade
Poetry, plays, fairytales, fantasy, fables, realistic fiction, folktales, historical fiction, mysteries, science fiction, myths & legends, short stories, epics (poems, novels, dramas) and non-fiction
Let's Talk About Books
Distinguished author and Newbery winner Katherine Paterson suggests, "It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations--something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own" (Paterson 1995).
If you have recently read a book that has inspired you and you would like to recommend it to Mrs. T, please email the title and author to me.
My favorite author this month is MoWillems.
Click here to be directed to his website with a list of his books: Favorite Author
Click here for a list of some of Mrs. T's favorite books to read-aloud: Read-Aloud Books
Click here for a list of some of Mrs. T's favorite books to read for pleasure: Favorite Books
Reading Aloud at Home
Jim Trelease, author of The New Read Aloud Handbook, says that the purpose of literature is to provide meaning in our lives. He believes that literature is the most important medium, more important than television, film, and even art, because it "brings us closest to the human heart". He states that reading aloud serves to "reassure, entertain, inform, explain, arouse curiosity and inspire our kids." (Harvey & Goudvis, 2000)
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Did you know that reading aloud is one of the best ways to help your child succeed in school? When reading aloud, keep these tips in mind:
- Everybody makes mistakes. If you make mistakes when reading aloud, your child will learn that it's okay for him/her to do so, too.
- Practice makes perfect. Find a book that you like and read it aloud by yourself until you feel comfortable.
- Involve your child in the story. Have him/her turn the pages or take turns reading one page at a time.
- Take your time and don't rush the story. Your child can tell if you're in a hurry. Reading slowly will help you to read more clearly.
- As you feel more comfortable, try changing your voice to show the characters' feelings- joy, sadness, fear. These variations can make the story more exciting for both of you!
- Remember that you are helping your child learn to enjoy reading. Try different genres of literature, such as poetry, historical fiction and comic books.
- Above all, try to relax and enjoy the time you're spending with your child.
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Comprehension Strategies
The following information comes from Stephanie Harvey & Anne Goudvis' groundbreaking book, "Strategies That Work: Teaching Comprehension to Enhance Understanding" (2000).
Proficient Readers...
Make connections between prior knowledge and the text
Readers pay more attention when they relate to the text. Readers naturally bring their prior knowledge and experience to reading, but they comprehend better when they think about the connections they make between the text, their lives, and the larger world.
Ask Questions
Questioning is the strategy that keeps readers engaged. When readers ask questions, they clarify understanding and forge ahead to make meaning. Asking questions is at the heart of thoughtful reading.
Visualize
Active readers create visual images in their mind based on the words they read in the text. The pictures they create enhance their understanding.
Draw Inferences
Inferring is at the intersection of taking what is known, garnering clues from the text, and thinking ahead to make a judgement, discern a theme, or speculate about what is to come.
Determine Important Ideas
Thoughtful readers grasp essential ideas and important information when reading. Readers must differentiate between less important ideas and key ideas that are central to the meaning of the text.
Synthesize Information
Synthesizing involves combining new information with existing knowledge to form an original idea or interpretation. Reviewing, sorting, and sifting important information can lead to new insights that change the way readers think.
Repair Understanding
If confusion disrupts meaning, readers need to stop and clarify their understanding. Readers may use a variety of strategies to "fix-up" comprehension when meaning goes awry.