Goblins on the Prowl

In English Language Arts (ELA), all classes launched our first read aloud, Goblins on the Prowl, by Bruce Coville. Read aloud is a critical component in a balanced literacy approach to ELA instruction. "The single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading is reading aloud to students... reading aloud should be emphasized not only in the home but also in the classroom, continuously throughout grades K--12." (Becoming a Nation of Readers, p. 23 & 51)  While there are numerous research-based benefits to reading aloud, I've (O'Neill) listed my favorite below.

Listening to a teacher aloud throughout the grades benefits and builds...

• ...students' syntactic development (Lane and Wright 2007; Mokhari and Thompson 2006)
• ...vocabulary acquisition (Beck and McKeown 2001; Routman 2003; McGee and Schickedanz 2007)
• ...comprehension and fluency(Teal 2003; Richardson 2000; Kraemer, McCabe, and Sinatra 2012; Trelease 2013)
• ...understanding of text types and structures (Donovan, Milewicz, and Smolkin 2003)
• ...affords students the opportunity to become more culturally sensitive (Morgan 2009; Routman 2003; Verden 2012)
• ...deepens emotional intelligence (Bauer and Strang 2002)

Homework:

Reminders:

• Bring back paperwork.  Thank you to families who have already returned all their paperwork! 
• Gym shoes:  Students must have gym shoes in order to play on the playground. 

Classroom Supplies:

• Click Supply List for the 5th grade supply list

Thank you,

5th Grade Team