Field Observation Report #4

Rachel Ross 

RICA Domain: 4- Vocabulary, Academic Language, and Background Knowledge

RICA Competency: Role in Reading Development and Factors That Affect Their Development

Grade Level: 4^th and 5^th Grade

Any Additional Descriptions: Combination class

Instruction

The Language Arts lessons were centered on novels the class read together.  The 4^th Grade students read, “Island of the Blue Dolphins,” and the 5^th Grade students read, “The Sign of the Beaver.”  The students read through the chapters together, Mr. S worked with each grade level and the students took turns to read out loud.  As the class read their novels, students were completing assignments and creating a binder.  For each chapter, they defined the vocabulary words, wrote a short summary, answered comprehension questions, and drew a picture of an important event.  The students are given a list of vocabulary words and they use dictionaries to look up the definition.  During the reading, Mr. S will stop when they come across some of the vocabulary words.

Instructional Setting

Defining the vocabulary words of the novels contributes to the students’ background knowledge and learning of reading comprehension.  For example, the main characters of both novels are living off of the land and use different tools to complete their daily tasks.  When the students first learn the terms that define different tools or environmental factors, they are able to better the things the characters are doing and experiencing.