From the 3/4 Classrooms

Reading Goals 

Grade 3 and 4 students’ reading development is supported through setting reading goals based on the CAFE system. CAFE is an acronym for Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency and Expanding Vocabulary. This approach supports students’ understanding of four key components of successful reading by breaking each element—comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary—into strategies that support each goal.

At the beginning of Term 2, students were supported to set a reading goal focusing on Expanding Vocabulary. 

To ‘Expand Vocabulary’ means, to know, find and use interesting words in both written expression and oral language. 

Below are strategies that students have been focusing on to support their reading goal.

Students have been exposed to direct explanation, modelling, guided practice and independent practice of these strategies in the classroom. 

Additionally, students have been using Word Jars to record new vocabulary which they come across in their independent reading and whole class reading and speaking and listening activities. These jars act as a personal collection of new words for students to incorporate in their writing and speaking. In their Word Jars, students record the interesting word, write the definition, put the word in a sentence and draw a picture.

We hope that our walking, talking dictionaries have been practicing their new vocabulary at your house! 

Team 3/4 Teachers