Dive into Lit: ELA 4th (2023-2024)
Class
Candace Rydell
Short description: Welcome to Diving into Lit (3-4)! Students are reading to learn content during this stage instead of learning the process of reading, or simply exposure to literature, as in younger grades. Learning Language Arts through Literature will be the basis for our curriculum. Biblical truths will also be taught. Students will use time together to interactively explore text, expanding on reading strategies and using text features to understand literature and grammar and the writing process. Active listening, speaking, and critical thinking are developed as vocabulary and language are explored. Making new connections is fun!
Preparation of home study assignments will provide skill building practice and will assist in gleaning the maximum Co-op experience while sharing together in class. We will build skills through games, technology, and group activities. Feedback will be offered as students participate and grow at their individual level in lieu of letter grades. Parents can follow syllabus to stay on track with weekly lessons. Ample opportunity is provided to practice cursive writing introduced in last year's study (LLATL Yellow). Encouragement in using these new skills in other subject areas will help speed growth.
Mellow Yellow Education is the online platform for this course. This syllabus is posted in the Welcome tab. Occasionally there may be announcements and updates, but nothing will need to be submitted for grading. No access code is needed for this class. Simply go to www.mellowyelloweducation.com and click ”Student Portal” on the top menu and watch the video to walk through how to create an account and sign in. Click the icon for “Dive into Lit (ELA 3/4)” with a photo of the orange textbook. A mail icon at the top toolbar will allow you to privately email me at anytime. If you have a blended family, you will need to add extra contact information to Active or MYE accounts. These platforms self-populate email addresses once registered, and most info for class will be posted through these formats. I do not have clearance to change that info in your accounts.
My goal this year is to provide your precious child with the tools to grow and develop academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially while you are away (and to have fun, too!). I have been teaching in a variety of classrooms for 30+ years, so if you or your child has a need, let me know. I may be able to help. I’m so happy to partner with you in your child’s education this year!
Materials needed weekly: backpack, scissors, glue stick, markers, binder/folder with tab dividers & paper, student text and current novel
Texts: Learning Language Arts through Literature, 3rd edition: Yellow student book and Teacher’s Edition
- The Boxcar Children, by Gertrude Chandler Warner
- Wilbur and Orville Wright, by Augusta Stevenson
- Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin By His Good Mouse Amos by Robert Lawson
- The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
August
9. Week 1: Lesson 1: The Boxcar Children
16. Week 2: Lesson 2
23. Week 3: Lesson 3
30. Week 4: Lesson 4
September
6. Week 5: Lesson 5
13. Week 6: Lesson 6
20. Week 7: Lesson 7
27. Week 8: Lesson 8
October
4. Week 9: Lesson 9
11. Week 10: Lesson 10
18. Week 11: Lesson 11: Wilbur & Orville Wright
25. Week 12: Lesson 12
November
1. Week 13 Lesson 13
8. Week 14: Lesson 14
15. Week 15: Lesson 15
January
10. Week 16:Lesson 16
17. Week 17: Lesson 17
24. Week 18: Lesson 18
31. Week19: Lesson 19
February
7. Week 20: Lesson 20
14. Week 21: Lesson 21: Ben and Me
21. Week 22: Lesson 22
28. Week 23: Lesson 23
March
6. Week 24: Lesson 24
13-Spring Break, No class
20. Week 25: Lesson 25
27. Week 26: Lesson 26
April
3. Week 27: Lesson 27
10. Week 28: (Grandparents Day ): Lesson 28
17. Week 29: Lesson 29
24. Week 30: Lesson 30: Sign of the Beaver
May
1. Week 31: Lesson 31 & 32
8. Week 32: Lesson 33 & 34
15. Week 33: Lesson 35 & 36: Last day!
Here is the class outline:
1. Week 1
Aug 9
Complete Lesson 1 in text Make sure you have all your books. Bring THE BOXCAR CHILDREN to class next Wednesday. |
2. Week 2
Aug 16
Complete Lesson 2 in text Read chapters 1-6 in THE BOXCAR CHILDREN |
3. Week 3
Aug 23
Complete Lesson 3 in text Read chapters 7-11 in BOXCAR CHILDREN Remember to complete Assessment #1 |
4. Week 4
Aug 30
Complete lesson 5 in text (Lesson 4 was completed in class) Be sure a parent is supervising online activity while researching |
5. Week 5
Sep 6
Complete Lesson 6 in text Bring one of your writing samples to class to share next week |
6. Week 6
Sep 13
Work through Lesson 7 this week at home. This is a fun family lesson! Bring your DIAGRAM of the space you drew to class. You do not need to bring your textbook to school this week. Bring a favorite BOOK you are reading now (or have read recently) to share with the class. Bring your mailing ADDRESS to class for pen pals! |
7. Week 7
Sep 20
Complete Lesson 8 in your text. Bring a letter to a classmate to class if you have not already done so. I'll mail them out next week! Make sure you bring your address! Bring your Day 4 assignment to class to share. Read WILBUR AND ORVILLE WRIGHT, chapters 1-5 this week. |
8. Week 8
Sep 27
Work through lesson 9 in text. Read chapters 6-10 in WILBUR & ORVILLE WRIGHT Share your paper airplane adventures with your family! |
9. Week 9
Oct 4
Complete lesson 10 in text. Be sure to practice your cursive and prepare for the Trinity spelling bee if you are able. Have a great week! |
10. Week 10
Oct 11
Complete lesson 11 in text. Practice spelling lists, pulling words from weekly writing activities. |
11. Week 11
Oct 18
Complete lesson 12 in text. Book report form will be attached to next week's lesson. If you have a favorite "Who Was/Who Is" book, bring to class next week!" |
12. Week 12
Oct 25
Students came home with a borrowed "Who Was?" book today. Print out 8 pages of "Who Was/Who Is?" file attached. (Click this tile, then click the file and open. Print.) Read book. Answer questions on pages. Color. Cut out, leaving tabs intact. Stack and staple. Bring to class next week or November 8. You may dress as your character if you would like. Complete Lesson 13 in textbook this week at home. |
13. Week 13
Nov 1
Complete Who Was/Who Is? book report and bring to class if you did not present yet. You may dress as your character if you would like. Complete Lesson 15 in text and work on research this week. |
14. Week 14
Nov 8
Complete Lesson 15 in text. Present "Who Was/Is" book report in class. Bring report from research you worked on in Lesson 15 to present in class. Next week you may bring snacks and/or your favorite board game to play during class on November 15. Please return "Who Was/Is" book borrowed in class. |
15. Week 15
Nov 13
Complete Lesson 15 and bring to class January 10, 2024 Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! |
16. Week 16
Jan 10
Complete Week 16 in text. Maps were sent home today. Your student has chosen a state or country to research and prepare a report. Collect geographical and cultural information as well as any books you will use, and bring to class next week. We will work on reports in class. Presentations will be due January 24 (in two weeks). |
17. Week 17
Jan 17
Complete Week 17 in text. Bring presentation to class to share next Wednesday, January 24. |
18. Week 18
Jan 24
WOW! These kiddos were amazing with their presentations today! Great work! Informative, visual, and yummy, creative food items. Complete week 18 in text. |
19. Week 19
Jan 31
Complete week 19 in text Bring the novel BEN AND ME to class next week |
20. Week 20
Feb 7
Complete week 20 in text Read chapters 1-5 in BEN AND ME this week. |
21. Week 21
Feb 14
Complete Lesson 21 in text this week. You may need to use online resources if your family does not receive a physical newspaper. Read chapters 6-10 in BEN AND ME. Continue finding vocabulary words and maxims as you read. |
22. Week 22
Feb 21
Complete lesson 22 in text Read chapters 11-15 in BEN AND ME Continue learning new vocabulary and maxims |
23. Week 23
Feb 28
Complete lesson 23 in text. Bring in newspaper project (from textbook) if you would like to share with classmates. Please make sure you have a copy of SIGN OF THE BEAVER. We will begin reading this novel after Spring Break. |
24. Week 24
Mar 6
Complete week 24 in text. Bring your newspaper project (from text) if you would like to share with class. Be sure to secure a copy of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER. Bring to class after Spring Break. No class March 13. See you March 20. |
25. Week 25
Mar 20
Complete week 25 in text. Bring your copy of SIGN OF THE BEAVER to class. |
26. Week 26
Mar 27
Complete week 26 in text. Bring your copy of novel each week. Read chapters 1-5 this week. |
27. Week 27
Apr 3
Complete Lesson 27 in text. Read chapters 6-10 in SIGN OF THE BEAVER. Keep track of characters and write any vocabulary words you do not know in your binder (with the definition). Comprehension and vocabulary sheets were handed out in class. |
28. Week 28
Apr 10
Complete Lesson 28 in text. Read chapters 11-15 in SIGN OF THE BEAVER. Keep track of new vocabulary and story advancement in binder. |
29. Week 29
Apr 17
Complete Lesson 29 in text. Read chapters 16-20 in SIGN OF THE BEAVER. Keep track of vocabulary in your binder. |
30. Week 30
Apr 24
Complete lesson 30 in text. Finish reading SIGN OF THE BEAVER. Keep track of vocabulary in your binder. |
31. Week 31
May 1
Complete Lesson 31 in text. Write on notebook paper or type a paragraph explaining your favorite part of THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER and what lessons Matt and Attean learned from each other. Bring to class next week. Next week is our last class. If you would like to bring snacks or a board game, you may do so May 8. |