Vocabulary Word Cluster HOW TO

Boy, do the students love these!

Our class alternates between the Spelling Book one week and six Academic Vocabulary Words the next week which are selected from our Reading, Writing and Social Studies lessons. For example, past words have been expedition, plot and headline. You will be able to find each week's vocabulary words in the Homework session each week.

The students need to fill out each category on the Vocabulary Cluster sheet: part of speech, synonym, definition and illustration in the same box, and the sentence using the vocabulary word.

Three sentences must be compound sentences using the vocabulary word. Compound sentences are two complete sentences combined with a conjunction and a comma.

Here is a how to...

The explorer's expedition was set to leave in April, but they were delayed until June.

Homework and Class Expectations!

The amount of homework in my class will vary, but students are required to read thirty minutes every night, Monday through Thursday, and write in their reading log.  Reading is one of the most important things they can do to ensure success in school.  It helps with Language Arts, Social Studies, and, yes, even math.  Those pesky word problems are still around in middle school and high school math not to mention the AIMS test.

What, when, why and how of reading.

Let me start with why.  Why should you read?  Hopefully because you like it, but if that doesn't work for you then how about it will make you more successful in school which will make you more successful in life. 

How and when?  Get a book about something you like, find a quiet spot and read for as long as you can.  Start with ten minutes if that is all you can do.  Try and extend the time to at least thirty minutes of reading. 

What to read?  Explore different genres like fantasy, adventure, mystery, non-fiction or read up on subjects that interest you.


A new post soon with recommendations of what to read.