Language Arts Internet Resources for 4th Grade Teachers and Students
Our goal for this presentation is to help others learn new and exciting ways to help make reading and writing more interesting for the student. We find it very sad when children are making low scores on these subjects because of the way it is being taught. We wanted to find web sites and new resources that teachers can access without any problem, because we know how precious their time is. As a team, we have each expressed how excited we are on finding so many resources that are right at the teachers’ fingertips. We hope that our goal is those of others. We should all have one goal and that is to teach the children with every possible resource that can be found. Our focus for this resource kit is grades 3-5 (general) with the main focus on 4th grade. We think that students need to be interested in reading and writing when they leave the 4th grade. This grade level tells the way that the student will perform the rest of their education path.Language Arts Internet Resources for 4th Grade Teachers and Students
The following are links to some of the best Language Arts resources for teachers and students on the web. These sites comply with the National Standards for Language Arts for Grades 3-5. They have been divided into two main categories within the area of Language Arts: Reading and Writing.
Writing
Details
The student will develop the structural and creative skills necessary to
produce
written language that can be read and interpreted by various audiences.
Reading
Details
The student will develop the reading skills necessary for word recognition,
comprehension, interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of
the
written text.
Viewing and Representing
Details
The student will use, read, and view media/technology and analyze content
and
concepts accurately.
Speaking and Listening
Details
The student will express ideas clearly and effectively in a variety of
oral
contexts and apply active listening skills in the analysis and evaluation
of
spoken ideas.
Last Updated on 9/1/99
Language Arts Grades 3-5
Writing: Grades 3-5
Content Standard: The student will develop
the structural and creative skills necessary to produce written language
that can
be read and interpreted by various audiences.
Goal Statement: Writing is a life-long
interactive process that is used to communicate with a variety of audiences
and for a
variety of purposes, adapting language
conventions appropriately according to context. Writing is an act of discovery,
a means of
personal growth, and a tool for clarifying
knowledge. To accomplish writing tasks more effectively, students need
exposure to a
variety of strategies, such as those included
in the stages of the writing process in order to approach writing systematically.
Learning Expectations:
Write to acquire
knowledge, clarify thinking, improve study skills, gain confidence, and
promote lifelong communication.
Write frequently
for a variety of purposes such as narration, description, and personal,
creative expression.
Begin to identify
and write for a variety of audiences.
Use elements
of the writing process as appropriate to the writing task.
Practice a variety
of prewriting activities to generate and organize ideas.
Use appropriate
organizational strategies to develop writing, including main ideas and
supporting details.
Demonstrate effective
writing style by the use of vivid words, varied sentences, and appropriate
transitions.
Begin to evaluate
and revise writing to focus on purpose, organization, transition and audience.
Recognize and
demonstrate appropriate use of standard English: usage, mechanics, spelling,
and sentence structure.
Begin to identify
and use resources to revise and edit writing.
Continue to respond
actively and imaginatively to literature.
Develop an understanding
of and respect for multicultural and ethnic diversity in language.
Reading: Grades 3-5
Content Standard: The student will develop
the reading skills necessary for word recognition, comprehension, interpretation,
analysis, evaluation, and appreciation
of the written text.
Goal Statement: Reading is a lifelong process
which builds on language development. Students must apply a wide range
of
strategies to enhance the reading process.
They improve their comprehension of printed information and gain knowledge
of
themselves as world citizens through varied
experiences with literature. As students respond to texts individually
and share in
literary communities, they become critical
readers and experience increased comprehension and personal satisfaction.
Learning Expectations:
Experience and
develop interest in literature which includes multicultural, gender, and
ethnic diversity.
Apply a variety
of reading strategies.
Extend reading
vocabulary utilizing sight words, phonetic and structural analysis, and
context.
Improve comprehension
by interpreting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written text.
Use comprehension
strategies to enhance understanding, to make predictions, and to respond
to literature.
Read orally to
develop fluency, expression, accuracy, and confidence.
Read independently
for a variety of purposes.
Utilize sources
of information including technological tools.
Develop study
skills to facilitate learning.
Develop skills
in making inferences and recognizing unstated assumptions.
Identify literary
genres.
Identify and
interpret figurative language.
Standards for the English Language Arts
Sponsored by NCTE and IRA
The vision guiding these standards is that all students must have the
opportunities and resources to develop the language skills they need to
pursue life's goals and to participate fully as informed, productive members
of
society. These standards assume that literacy growth begins before children
enter school as they experience and experiment with literacy activities--reading
and writing, and associating spoken words with their graphic representations.
Recognizing this fact, these standards encourage the development of
curriculum and instruction that make productive use of the emerging literacy
abilities that children bring to school. Furthermore, the standards provide
ample room for the innovation and creativity essential to teaching and
learning.
They are not prescriptions for particular curriculum or instruction.
Although we present these standards as a list, we want to emphasize that
they
are not distinct and separable; they are, in fact, interrelated and should
be
considered as a whole.
1. Students read a wide range of print and
nonprint texts to build an understanding of
texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the
United States and the world; to acquire new
information; to respond to the needs and
demands of society and the workplace; and for
personal fulfillment. Among these texts are
fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary
works.
2. Students read a wide range of literature from
many periods in many genres to build an
understanding of the many dimensions (e.g.,
philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human
experience.
3. Students apply a wide range of strategies to
comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and
appreciate texts. They draw on their prior
experience, their interactions with other
readers and writers, their knowledge of word
meaning and of other texts, their word
identification strategies, and their
understanding of textual features (e.g.,
sound-letter correspondence, sentence
structure, context, graphics).
4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written,
and visual language (e.g., conventions, style,
vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a
variety of audiences and for different purposes.
5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as
they write and use different writing process
elements appropriately to communicate with
different audiences for a variety of purposes.
6. Students apply knowledge of language
structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling
and punctuation), media techniques, figurative
language, and genre to create, critique, and
discuss print and nonprint texts.
7. Students conduct research on issues and
interests by generating ideas and questions,
and by posing problems. They gather, evaluate,
and synthesize data from a variety of sources
(e.g., print and nonprint texts, artifacts,
people) to communicate their discoveries in
ways that suit their purpose and audience.
8. Students use a variety of technological and
information resources (e.g., libraries,
databases, computer networks, video) to
gather and synthesize information and to
create and communicate knowledge.
9. Students develop an understanding of and
respect for diversity in language use, patterns,
and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups,
geographic regions, and social roles.
10. Students whose first language is not English
make use of their first language to develop
competency in the English language arts and to
develop understanding of content across the
curriculum.
11. Students participate as knowledgeable,
reflective, creative, and critical members of a
variety of literacy communities.
12. Students use spoken, written, and visual
language to accomplish their own purposes
(e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and
the exchange of information).
Top
Software for
Reading and Writing
Software for Reading http://www.autoskill.com/index2.html
This is great for teachers and parents to look at for software for
their child to use to help them enhance their reading skills.
Tech Learning Software Review http://www.techlearning.com/review.html
This has reviews for educational software. You can search topics,
grade level, and software type.
Top
Kid Resources
Word Central http://www.wordcentral.com/
This site allows students to access definitions and provides other
features to aid them in their writing.
Kids on the Net creative writing tool http://trace.ntu.ac.uk/kotn/gokids.htm
This is a great hands-on site for students. It allows them to
create and submit their own writing projects, critique other writings,
and meet pen pals.
Kids Books http://schoolratings.com/bestbooks.htm
This site is good for students to find the book of their choice. It
gives ratings of the books and is easy to understand.
Books http://www.eduplace.com/kids/books
Another site that children can look for books and read a little about
the book.
Top
Diversified
Sites for both Reading and Writing
Read to Write Project http://www.rialto.k12.ca.us/curriculum/readtowrite/welcome.html
This is a neat project to have in the classroom. It gives different
ideas for the teacher to use to make both reading and writing fun.
Reading Corner http://ccpl.carr.lib.md.us/read/
This is a fun site for the teacher and student to use for reading.
It allows the teacher and student pick what book they would like to read.
Create-a-Story http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-2/lesson0025.shtml
This is a creative way for students to learn how to use characters,
settings, and plots to write stories.
Pen Pal Letters to Soldiers Overseas http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-2/lesson0030.shtml
This can be used in a number of ways. Geography can be introduced,
children can describe the area, and what they learned about the soldier.
Adjectives in Poetry http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-2/lesson0018.shtml
Students can read a poem from the book Beast Feast (Doug Florian).
The students can then associate some of the key words with adjectives.
Writing Newsletters http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0076.shtml
The teacher defines the difference between newspaper and newsletters.
Then read a book that can give them an idea and then let them make a newsletter
of their own.
Create Feature Poetry http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0074.shtml
The students listen to a poem and pick out the key words of the poem.
They must then make a poster board of those words limit of 3.
Summer Shorts http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/00-1/lesson0023.shtml
Students can create their own story by using a map. It is real
fun to do after the students have had their summer break.
Top
Reading
Alfy.com
- This website can be used to teach, learn, and communicate. Teachers can
design their own website with Lesson Builder or browse through lesson plan
archives to view helpful Language Arts lessons that they can use. Students
can use this website to access activities pertaining to Language Arts,
including brain teasers and links to other fun and educational websites.
This site also allows students and teachers to communicate with other schools
through the School Partnerships feature, and it includes a Home Page
Builder to help students and teachers design a home page for their class.
The
Reading Village - Lists software titles that are highly reviewed for
use by Language Arts teachers. Great ideas for Reading lesson plans that
can be used in the classroom. Includes discussions groups for teachers,
journal articles and research information, and much more!
Cyberguides:
Grades 4-5 - Contains good lesson plans for teachers, and includes
activities for students. Both students and teachers may evaluate this site.
Lists the standards for Language Arts.
Awarding
Winning Children's Books - Lists nearly 1,300 award winning children's
books. Books are sorted by age group. Includes a description of each book,
an option to buy the book online, and editorial and customer reviews for
each. This is great way for teachers to find age-appropriate, highly rated
books to keep in their classrooms for their students to read.
Top
Create A Story - Students use characters, settings, and plots to write original stories. It is a creative way for students to learn how to develop a story. Students can also share their stories with their peers.
Pen
Pal Letters to Soldiers Overseas - Students write letters to soldiers
overseas with correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.
Students learn three facts about the geographical area in which their pen
pal is located as well as learning about their pen pals. Students can use
this site to practice proper letter-writing while also learning about communication
and geography.
Kids
on the Net: Creative Writing -
This website is an excellent activity
for children that provides them with an opportunity to create and submit
their own writing projects, view and critique other children's stories
and poems, meet penpals and e-mail pals, participate in online projects,
and learn more about writing. There is also a link for teachers that
provides curriculum ideas and the opportunity to collaborate with other
teacher and schools in online projects.
Language
Arts Lesson Plans and Resources -
This website allows teachers to search
for lesson plans in the language arts by grade level and subtopics such
as poetry, mysteries, writing and composition. Links to National Standards
for English and Language Arts, free stuff for teachers, best sites on the
web for teachers, etc.
These resources were compiled and evaluated by the following Carson-Newman College Teacher Education students:
Rebecca Harvey - drharvey@cn.edu
Amy Reagan - arreagan@cn.edu
Susan Bryant - sebryant@cn.edu
Amy Sexton - alsexton@cn.edu
