Overview of Reading Units
Kenowa Hills is using the MAISA program for language arts where each student will be reading selections and working at their own level! The unit that we are currently studying is highlighted in red!
Reading Unit 1
Our first reading unit is "Launching Strong Reading Habits". Students will learn strategies to create strong reading habits to make reading the best it can be. Students will learn how to choose "right fit" books and improve their reading stamina. Students will also participate in collaborative talk with a partner as they share what they are reading.
Reading Unit 2
Our second reading unit is "Understanding Characters". Students will read a variety of fictional texts at their level and learn strategies that help them connect with the characters at a deeper level. Readers will learn to empathize with the characters, envision the characters and scenes much like a movie, and make predictions based on patterns in the characters' behaviors. Students will grow theories about their characters and explore how the stories and characters relate to real life. In the end, readers will celebrate the lessons the characters learned that apply to their own lives!
Reading Unit 3
Our third reading unit focuses on informational reading! As they read, students will see the importance of previewing the text, using text features to predict how information is organized, and think about subtitles as they study pages of expository text. Students learn to recognize various text structures (descriptive, main idea/details, sequential, comparison, cause-effect, problem/solution) to synthesize when reading informational text. Students will learn note taking strategies to organize the information they've read.
Reading Unit 4
Our fourth reading unit is "Mixed Genre Series Clubs". Student will belong to "Book Clubs" where they read and discuss books in a series that is at their level. After reading at least two books in the series, students will make cross text comparisons. They will learn to notice plot patterns across the series, the interactions of characters within the series, and how various themes or "life lessons" are developed.
Reading Unit 5
Our fifth reading unit, “Informational Research”, combines reading and writing. Students will learn research strategies to build background knowledge, take notes and organize information, work collaboratively, and use technology to present their findings to teach others.
Overview of Writing Units
Writing Unit 1
Our first writing unit is “Launch with True Stories". As a class, we will read several personal narratives examining the structure and craft of this genre. Students will then apply what they have learned to construct their own personal narratives. Students will use the writing process as they brainstorm people and places that have had a significant influence in their lives. They will create drafts and use revising/editing strategies to improve the quality of their writing. Technology standards are integrated into writing and students use their Chromebooks to publish final copies.
Writing Unit 2
Our second writing unit is "Persuasive Essays". Third graders have strong opinions about their world and this unit is geared to teach students how their voices can be heard through persuasive writing. In a study of mentor texts, third graders will learn how opinion writers structure their essays in order to convince their readers to make changes. Students build multi-paragraph persuasive essays that include a strong claim with reasons and convincing evidence.
Writing Unit 3
Our third writing unit is “Personal Expertise". Students chose a topic that interests them and that they know a lot about. They learn how to organize their information into subtopics, each of which will become a separate chapter! Students analyze their information to determine which text structure best fits each subtopic - main idea/details, sequential, compare/contrast, or cause-effect! They also learn to write an introduction and conclusion. Their final piece will be at least 5 chapters long and include various text features!
Writing Unit 4
Our fourth writing unit, “Informational Writing”, combines reading and writing. Students will learn research strategies to build background knowledge, take notes and organize information, work collaboratively, and use technology to present their findings to teach others.