Reading Block
Reading A Rainbow of Wonderful Stories!

Escaping Into So Many Wonderful Stories

   This year in third grade, we will be following the Lucy Calkin's Reading Workshop Units of Study. After having the opportunity to attend a Reading Workshop Institute over the summer, I feel strongly that this approach to reading will help blossom our third graders into strong readers and thinkers.
   During the first 20 days, we will work together to create the foundation for our Reading Workshop so that our reading block is a productive 45 minutes of thinking more deeply about the stories we hold in our hands. Once the first 20 days is completed, the students will begin an in-depth unit on character study within the books they are reading in class and at home. 

                                 
  Aside from our reading block each morning, the students will also be reading quality picture books in writing class. We use these wonderful stories as models when learning new ways to become powerful authors. Reading and writing is integrated into everything we do in the third grade at St. Peter's. The students leave us with a passion for wonderful stories and an excitement for being able to share their written ideas with others.  
*** Parents:
  The third grade AR goal has changed this year. Each student will be reading in class and at home daily. They should be finishing at least two books a week once they become more comfortable with the Reading Workshop and independent reading time. I will work closely with each child to insure that they are taking AR tests once a book is finished.
  We take STAR Reading Assessments quarterly. This gives me an idea of the type of books that are appropriate for your child's reading level. If I notice that your child is choosing books that are not challenging his/her reading abilities, I will help them find a better choice.  We will also be working with Ms. Parsons to make sure that the books they check out during library time are "just-right" for them as a reader.

* Please make sure that you are reading with your child at night. Students at this age still benefit from having an adult read aloud with them. It not only gives them an opportunity to have a great reading model, it allows them to discuss the book while it unfolds. A child can never be too old to escape into a wonderful story with his/her parents. :)