Middle School Reading

Welcome to Middle School Reading!

In middle school, students begin to develop sophisticated reading skills that allow them to critically analyze literature and master the content of the curriculum in ELA,  social studies, science, and math. Students transition from learning to read, to reading to learn, so reading becomes a powerful tool to find information, make sense of complex material, and to enjoy literature and popular media. Middle-school instruction focuses on refining and strengthening existing reading skills. Key components in of reading in an ELA class include:

• Strategic reading: Students will learn when to skim and when to read and study thoroughly. Reading with a purpose, annotating, and rereading for understanding are important strategic skills that are utilized in every ELA classroom.  

• Comprehension: Determining the deeper meaning of a text will strengthen understanding. Students will connect new information to other knowledge and personal experience, draw conclusions, and critically evaluate a text  to understand what they are reading.

• Vocabulary: Learning vocabulary is more than memorizing definitions in a content area.  It is using new words correctly in writing, speaking, and reading and breaking words apart using knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and base words to expand vocabulary.

• Speed: Reading at a conversational pace and with accuracy is necessary for a student to comprehend what they read and for them to complete homework in a reasonable amount of time. To build speed and accuracy, a child needs to read text at a level that is not challenging for him or her to comprehend.

• Writing skills: Written responses to reading can greatly enhance comprehension. Comprehension improves when students practice answering specific questions, research new topics, and provide supporting text evidence for their opinions and conclusions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:
 

What is iReady?

At CGBMS, we use a universal screening assessment called iReady.  Universal screening is conducted three times a year to identify or predict students who may struggle with reading or math skills. It is conducted with all students at a grade level, and followed by additional testing if needed. The  iReady system also provides an individualized instructional path for each student based on their universal screening score.  Students can practice skills in areas of need or be exposed to advanced lessons.
 

What does the term Lexile mean?

 The term Lexile refers to a scientific method of measuring both reading ability and the text complexity of reading materials on the same scale.  When a student’s lexile level is determined by  iReady, it is referring to their reading ability level.  A teacher at CGBMS might use a Lexile score to help a student choose a book at a level that aligns to his or her reading ability or Lexile. Every grade level has a lexile range.

What is meant by Response to Intervention or RTI?

RTI is a multi-tier approach to identify and support students with learning needs. It starts with high-quality instruction and universal screening. Struggling learners are provided with interventions (additional instruction targeting a deficient skill) Each student’s progress is monitored to assess growth and decisions about the intensity and length of the intervention are based on each student's response to the additional instruction.

(http://www.rtinetwork.org/learn/what/whatisrti)
 

What types of interventions could a student need in the area of reading?

• Phonemic awareness and the teaching of phonics

• Decoding and word studies, including the learning of a sight vocabulary

• Language development, to include vocabulary development

• The explicit teaching of comprehension strategies

• The development of fluent reading by reading and rereading familiar texts

 

Please feel free to contact me before or after school by phone or email if you have any questions.

Mary Anderson, Middle School Reading Specialist
920-668-8518 ext. 263
manderson@cgbrockets.com