Curriculum Overview

Level 1:

Students will delve into one letter each day. They will learn the letter sounds, words that begin with the letter, and how to read and write each letter. For example, when learning the letter "a," students will write the capital and lower letter on their whiteboard, make a capital "A" with apple slices, and use pipe cleaners to make the lower case "a." After students have mastered their letters, they will move on to Level 2.

Level 2:

Students will learn short and long vowels, digraphs, blends, word families, and c-v-c words. Words Their Way is an excellent teacher-directed, student centered program I use which strengthens students spelling. Students will move on to learn both the comprehension and decoding strategies needed to read independently. My reading lessons will include differentiated books and assignments. Finally, lessons will teach the student vocabulary through oral and written activities. Additionally, to improve students phonological awareness, I will be using a program called Fundations. This program provides a direct systematic and explicit approach to reading and spelling with phonics. Fundations emphasizes word study, fluency, hand writing, and spelling through a multisensory, structured approach.

Level 3:

Students will read from higher level texts and strengthen their reading comprehension. Over the course of the year, students will have the opportunity to learn and apply various authors’ styles. Students will learn the composition process of pre-write, rough draft, edit, and final draft as we employ various styles and topics of writing. Through this writing process, students will create complete sentences and detailed compositions. I will have one-on-one meetings with the students in which the students will share their writing, and we will work together to help develop their individual writing skills. Through these meetings, the students will learn strategies to strengthen their writing skills. During these meetings we will find areas of praise, and then we will individualize skills, techniques or strategies for each student.

Levels 2 and 3, Word Study:

Each week students will be given five spelling words. Additionally, in class, students will begin learning and investigating different patterns in words. This way of teaching helps children recognize the letters that make up the sounds in the words and the connection that they have with one another. During our word study unit, the children will be given words that fit into a particular pattern as well as sight words that they will be able to recognize without trying to sound out the word. We will be studying this word pattern in depth by grouping words into categories, finding words that fit into the word pattern of the week, and creating our own words within the word pattern.

At every level, learning will be both engaging and interactive! Students will be given both independent and collaborative assignments and play educational games which will further enhance their learning. If possible, it is very beneficial for students to review at home. Level 1 students can practice writing the letter of the week and drawing pictures of words that start with that letter. Level 2 and 3 students can select a spelling activity to do each week.

Optional spelling activities include:

Colorful Words: Write each of your spelling words using a different color for each letter.

Connect the Dots: Write your spelling words in dots. Then connect the dots by tracing over them with a regular pencil, colored pencil or marker.

ABC Order: Put your spelling words in ABC order. Ex: a, at, bat, be, cat, car

Vowel Circle: Write each of your spelling words. Then circle all of the vowels in your words. Don’t forget to write neatly.

Bubble Letters:

Write your spelling words in bubble letters. Afterwards, if you want you can color your words in with a crayon or colored pencil.

Choo-Choo Words: Write the entire list end-to-end as one long word (like a train). Use a different colored crayon or marker for each word: Ex: hopmopestopdrop

Delicious words: Spray a small amount of whipped cream (or anything else you can eat) on a plate and spread it out. Write your spelling words and be sure to clean up afterwards. Make sure to thank your parents for the delicious snack. Also don’t forget to make a bracha!

Exercise Time: Spell your words while you do jumping jacks or any other form of exercise.

Back Writing: Use your finger to spell out each of your spelling words, one letter at a time, on your mom or dad’s back.

While homework is encouraged, there is no mandatory homework. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead!