Read 180 is a research based, replacement language arts curriculum for fourth and fifth grade students who struggle with reading comprehension.

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1 September 2, 2014 Dear Parents, I am excited to welcome your student to my Read 180/System 44 class! This document will provide you some insight into what Read 180 is all about, how it will help your child, and what the expectations are in the Read 180 classroom by answering some frequently asked questions. Please read through these FAQs and review them with your child. Should you have any questions, please contact me at the address given at the end of this form. Thank you! What is Read 180? Read 180 is a research based, replacement language arts curriculum for fourth and fifth grade students who struggle with reading comprehension. What is System 44? System 44 is a research based program that uses both small group instruction and technology to hone in on student gaps in the area of phonics and decoding. Some students participate in System 44 for phonics and Read 180 for comprehension. This is referred to as the integrated model. How is Read 180 different from the regular classroom? Read 180 provides a separate environment that intensely focuses on reading comprehension strategies. This is done in a small group setting with a highly trained teacher and aide support that together are able to provide more one on one attention to students. In addition, all text read within the Read 180 classroom is tailored to the student s independent reading level. Finally, the software component of Read 180 is completely individualized to each student.

2 What will my child miss from their classroom when they go to Read 180? Read 180 aligns with language arts time in the general classroom and completely replaces language arts curriculum. The program is built around all of the new common core language arts standards for the grade level, and also encompasses social studies and science standards as well. It does not replace social studies and science however, as these curricular areas will still be covered in your child s homeroom. What happens in the Read 180 classroom? Students participate in 100 minutes of instruction that revolves around reading and writing. There is a short period at the beginning and end of each class that is dedicated to whole group instruction, classroom community building, and celebrating goals and successes. Between these two periods, there are 3 rotations that students participate in daily: o Small group rotation: The teacher and no more than 5 students work in a small group setting. Here, students focus on close reading of a text and a honing and using a variety of comprehension strategies. o Independent reading and writing rotation: Students read a book of their choosing and complete the corresponding comprehension questions and project. Each book is worth points and has a summative quiz at the end. Students set goals revolving around the number of points they can achieve. o Software rotation: Students log onto the Read 180 software, or the system 44 software depending on their need. Read 180 students will progress through high interest, nonfiction articles, learn and review new vocabulary, spelling words, comprehension strategies, and writing strategies. System 44 students will focus on sounds and spellings using the 44 sounds within the English language. What about homework? Students are responsible to read a book for 25 minutes each night. If they are already reading an AR book for their classroom for 20 minutes, I

3 ask that they add on 5 more minutes. When complete, they must fill out their nightly reading log and have it signed off by a parent. In addition, students will have a nightly skill review sheet that reviews what we are working on in the classroom. Upon returning to school, I will check all homework for completion and accuracy. Unfinished or incomplete homework will be completed at recess. What books will my child read? I have two classroom libraries. One is intended for classroom use only during the independent reading rotation, and the other is my take home library. Students may borrow a chapter book to read at home for their nightly reading log. All books are leveled and students are expected to read books that are in their independent reading range. In addition, each Read 180 class will complete a class book in the spring. Fourth graders will read Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, and fifth graders will read Hatchet by Robert Paulsen. In addition to these books, children will read an average of books at their independent reading level. Does Read 180 work? Yes! Every year I am amazed and excited by the growth that students make in the Read 180 setting. I see increases in self-esteem and overall confidence, as well as increased reading and writing ability. Of course, every student is different and as such, all students progress differently. Does your classroom need anything? Just like any other classroom on campus, Read 180 goes through a lot of supplies. If you are looking to donate supplies, we would greatly appreciate pencils, erasers, tissues, sticky notes, highlighters, Clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and old portable CD players (we use these for audio books). Is there anything else I need to know? o Students enrolled in Read 180 will be working extremely hard and setting personal goals. Encourage them to persevere and work hard! o Attendance is important! Ensuring your child is at school and on time will help them succeed.

4 o I ask that students respect Read 180 time by using the restroom before school and at recess. Using the restroom during Read 180 time will cost tickets. Earned tickets can be turned in for prizes from the prize box, so it is good to hang on to them! o Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to class rather than asking for drinks from the fountain. Again, this optimizes time spent in Read 180. o There will be a great deal of fun and celebrating held in the Read 180 classroom as the kids meet and exceed their goals! Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this list of frequently asked questions. Should you have any more questions, please me at the below address. Respectfully, Mrs. Caldwell ccaldwell@murrieta.k12.ca.us (951) x2560 (voic ) Please return this portion of the page only. Keep my and the rest of this page for your reference. Student s name: Parent s Name: Parent (for newsletters and communication): Parent Phone: What is the best way to reach you? Please sign that you have reviewed the FAQs:

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