Hello all,

My name is Mr. Joshua Melvin, and I will be teaching you English Language Arts this year.  Our class will use the Reading Apprenticeship framework so that students (apprentice readers) will learn from their more knowledgeable peers and their teacher (master reader).

By modeling my reading, thinking about what we do when reading, and explaining what we do when we read to our partners, we will help students build up a list of strategies that they can use to become better readers.  Many of these will match up with strategies from the CAFE menu used in K-5.

This week, students will be introducing themselves, creating class lists of norms, and learning about the rules, policies, and supplies needed for this class.

Monday: Students will fill out cards with their names, adjectives to describe themselves, and pictures about their interests.  Mr. Melvin will use these cards to randomly call on students, to ensure all students are participating in class discussions.

Tuesday: Students will begin brainstorming a list of classroom norms, or expectations, for each other.  These are in addition to our school rules and policies and will help to keep the environment safe for learning and comfortable for sharing.

Wednesday: Students will revise their list of norms by combining norms that are similar.  We will also practice “active listening” and talking to the class, not the teacher.  These are expectations for all students in the class.  Discussions are not between one student and the teacher, but the whole class should participate and be addressed by the speaker.

Thursday: We will finalize and publish our norms, go over the class syllabus and supply list.  We will also begin checking out books from Mr. Melvin’ classroom library.  Students will be required to have a book from home, from Mr. Melvin’s library, from the school or public library, or an ebook to read in each of their classes every day.  If you choose to borrow a book, you are responsible for its’ condition and may be asked to pay for it or replace it. HW: Get all supplies required, have parents sign syllabus, find a text that you are good at reading and either bring it in, or email a picture to Mr. Melvin.

Friday-Monday: Students have a long weekend, but should accomplish their homework before they return on Tuesday.

If you have questions, please comment on my blog or email melvinj@dearbornschools.org.