BELLE VERNON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

GENERAL SYLLABUS OUTLINE

**This syllabus is subject to change**

Course Name:

Title I Reading

Grade:

4

1.)

Course Description:

This class is a supplemental reading class for Title I reading students.  Students are seen both

in and out of their reading class.  These students will receive additional assistance with their reading

materials during this class time.  They have direct instruction in content reading, specific reading skills,

study skills, and test preparation.

2.)

Learning Standards:

1.1

Learning to Read Independently

1.2

Learning to Read Critically in all Content Areas

1.3

Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Literature

1.4

Types of Writing

1.5

Quality of Writing

1.6

Speaking and Listening

1.7

Characteristics and Functions of the English Language

1.8

Research

3.)

Student Objectives:

1.1.3     Learning to Read Independently

v

[Before Reading] [i] Identify the purposes and types of text (e.g., literature, information)

before reading.

v

Preview the text formats (e.g., title, headings, chapters and table of contents).

v

[During Reading] [u] Use knowledge of phonics, word analysis (e.g., root words, prefixes,

and suffixes), syllabications, picture and context clues to decode and understand new

words during reading.

v

Read text using self-monitoring comprehension strategies (e.g., predict, revise predictions,

reread, use text organization including headings, graphics, and charts, and adjust reading

rate).

v

Acquire a reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly using words (e.g., antonyms,

synonyms, categories of words).  Use a dictionary when appropriate.

v

Understand the meaning of and use correctly new vocabulary learned in various subject

areas.

v

[After Reading] [d] Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of both

fiction and nonfiction text.

v

Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in reading.

1.1.5     Learning to Read Independently

v

[Before Reading] [e] Establish the purpose for reading a type of text (literature, information)

before reading.

v

Select texts for a particular purpose using the format of the text as a guide.

v

[During Reading] [u] Use knowledge of phonics, syllabications, prefixes, suffixes, the

dictionary or context clues to decode and understand new words during reading.  Use

these words accurately in writing and speaking.

v

Identify the basic ideas and facts in text using strategies [such as] (e.g., prior knowledge,

illustrations and headings) and information from other sources to make predictions about

text.

v

Acquire reading vocabulary by correctly identifying and using words [related as] (e.g.,

synonyms, homophones and homographs, and words with roots, suffixes, and/or

prefixes).  Use a dictionary or related reference.

v

Identify, understand the meaning of, and correctly key vocabulary from various subject

areas.

v

[After Reading] [d] Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of both

fiction and nonfiction text.

v

Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in reading.

1.2.3     Reading Critically in All Content Areas

v

Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all

academic areas.

v

Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of material produced.

v

Produce work in at least one literary genre that follows the conventions of the genre.

1.2.5     Reading Critically in All Content Areas

v

Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all

academic areas.

v

Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of material produced.

v

Produce work in at least one literary genre that follow the conventions of the genre.

1.3.3     Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Literature

v

Read and understand works of literature.

v

Identify literary elements in stories describing characters, setting, and plot.

v

Identify literary devices in stories (e.g., rhyme, rhythm, personification).

v

Identify the structures in poetry (e.g., pattern books, predictable books, [and] nursery

rhymes.

v

Identify the structures in drama (e.g., dialogue, story enactment, acts [and] scenes).

v

Read and respond to nonfiction and fiction[,] including poetry and drama.

1.3.5     Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Literature

v

Read and understand works of literature.

v

Compare the use of literary elements within and among texts[,] including characters,

setting, plot, theme[,] and point of view.

v

Describe how the author use literary devices to convey meaning.

v

Identify and respond to the effects of sound and structure in poetry (e.g., alliteration,

rhyme, verse form).

v

Analyze drama as information source, entertainment, persuasion, or transmitter of

culture.

1.4.3     Types of Writing

v

Write narrative pieces (e.g., stories, poems, [and] plays).

v

Write informal pieces (e.g., descriptions, letters, reports, [and] instructions)[,] using

illustrations when relevant.

v

Write an opinion and support it with facts.

1.4.5     Types of Writing

v

Write poems, plays and multi-paragraph stories.

v

Write multi-paragraph informational pieces (e.g., essays, descriptions, letters, reports,

[and] instructions).

v

Write persuasive pieces with a clearly stated position or opinion and supporting detail,

citing sources when needed.

1.5.3     Quality of Writing

v

Write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task, and audience.

v

Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.

v

Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.

v

Write with an awareness of the stylistic aspects of composition.

v

Revise writing to improve detail and order by identifying missing information and determining

[if] whether ideas follow logically.

v

Edit writing using the conventions of language.

v

Present and/or defend written work for publication when appropriate.

1.5.5     Quality of Writing

v

Write with sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task and audience.

v

Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.

v

Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.

v

Write with an understanding of the stylistic aspects of composition.

v

Revise writing to improve organization and word choice; check the logic, order of ideas

and precision of vocabulary.

v

Edit writing using the conventions of language.

v

Present and/or defend written work for publication when appropriate.

1.6.3     Speaking and Listening

v

Listen to others.

v

Listen to a selection of literature (fiction and/or nonfiction).

v

Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.

v

Contribute to discussions.

v

Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.

v

Use media for learning purposes.

1.6.5     Speaking and Listening

v

Listen to others.

v

Listen to a selection of literature (fiction and/or nonfiction).

v

Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.

v

Contribute to discussions.

v

Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.

v

Use media for learning purposes.

1.7.3     Characteristics and Functions of the English Language

v

Identify words from other languages that are commonly used in English words.

v

Identify variations in the dialogues of literary characters and relate them to differences in

occupation or geographical location.

1.7.5     Characteristics and Functions of the English Language

v

Identify words from other languages that are commonly used English words.  Use a

dictionary to find the meanings and origins of these words.

v

Identify differences in formal and informal speech (e.g., dialect, slang, [and] jargon).

v

Identify word meanings that have changed over time (e.g., cool, mouse).

1.8.3     Research

v

Select a topic for research.

v

Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.

v

Organize and present the main ideas from [the] research.

1.8.5     Research

v

Select and refine a topic for research.

v

Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.

v

Organize and present the main ideas from [the] research.

4.)

Course Text:

The following materials are used as needed:

v  Houghton-Mifflin

v  Soar to Success

v  Lightspan Adventure/Playstations

v  PSSA related materials

v  etc. etc. etc…

v  Teacher made materials

v  Varied commercial materials

5.)

Major Units or Themes:  (Include the following)

v     Align with classroom themes and/or units

6.)

Teaching Methods:

v     Direct Instruction

v     Learning Stations

v     Computer Aided Instruction

v     Collaborative Learning

v     Teacher Modeling

v     Cooperative Learning

v     Learning Games

v     Small Group Instruction

7.)

Assessment:

v     Pretest (September)

1.  Vocabulary

2.  Comprehension

3.  Writing

v     Benchmark (January)

1.  Vocabulary

2.  Comprehension

3.  Writing

v      Posttest (May)

1.  Vocabulary

2.  Comprehension

3.  Writing

v     Classroom Teacher/Student Survey

v     Gates MacGinitie Standardized Test