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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
The flip side of the reading coin is reading comprehension.
This can occur alongside students learning how to read. The fourth grade Close
Reader provides grade level reading selections for young readers to
start exercising their reading comprehension muscles. 30 guided lessons
introduce 4th grade students to different reading samples like folktales,
informational texts, fiction pieces, poetry, and advertisements. Each
selection starts with background information and then the guided reading
selection. Students will be asked to identify and articulate meaning and
what is happening in the text. Advancing this skill by citing their text
sources. Questions start to flex that critical thinking muscle and guide
students into deeper reading understanding. There is designated vocabulary
development throughout. The pacing is left to the student, but you can aim
for one lesson a week allowing the student to work with the selected text
for a whole week. There is no answer key or teacher support that aligns with
the close reader in the elementary levels. Instead, this would allow for great
discussion time over what the student is reading and responding to. Space is
provided for student responses. 154 pgs, pb. ~Rebecca
Supplement your 4th grade reader with reading
comprehension and guided reading with the Close Reader or add practice
for 4th grade ELA skills (spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and
writing) with the Reader’s Notebooks. You as teacher are equipped with
minimal guidance and answers to the student reader’s notebooks with the Teacher’s
Edition. Adding something so simple as guided reading equips students to
understand the ‘why’ behind learning how to read. Both the Close Reader and the
Reader’s Notebook contain 30 lessons, and these can be used independently of
each other. ~Rebecca
