ASB English Programs Newsletter
February 2016
Greetings, ASB English Program Teachers!
Welcome to our ASB English Programs newsletter! Each month, I will email you a link to this newsletter, so that you can stay updated on current events, activities, teaching ideas and digital resources to use in your classes. Enjoy!
Important Dates
Feb. 15 & 17 - School closed (Ski Week)
Saturday Program
Feb. 13 @ 11:15 a.m. - Fire Drill (practice)
Feb. 20 - School closed (Ski Week)
Mar. 12 - 2nd semester report cards sent home
Program News
In an effort to build bridges among classrooms, I would like to extend an offer to all teachers for me to substitute for you during a period if you would like to visit another teacher's classroom to observe or co-teach a lesson together. This collaborative teaching and classroom intervisitation model is not new to ASB and is deeply encouraged throughout our school. As a teacher, I love visiting other classrooms and learning a new technique, strategy or method that I can use to enrich my students' experiences. If you are interested in visiting another classroom or co-teaching with a colleague, please speak with me, and we will arrange the details.
Teaching Resources for your Classroom
In this section, I will share a few resources that ASB teachers use in our instruction. If you have a favorite resource you think other teachers would enjoy, please let me know, so we can share it with others. For subscription sites, I kindly ask you not to share the information with other teachers outside the ASB English Program, as this is an institutional license just for use by our educators.
Reading A-Z Photocopiable Books
Are you interested in using photocopiable, leveled books with your students? Reading A-Z books are a resource that ASB teachers use to support instruction in fluency, comprehension and vocabulary skills while working with students in small groups. We have hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books on a variety of different topics for students of all ages (preK - high school). Stop by the English Program office before or after class to take a look at this amazing resource!
Reading Websites
Starfall - Starfall is a free website used mostly by early childhood and English Language Learning educators that teaches basic reading and writing skills featuring interactive books and phonics games.
TumbleBooks - TumbleBooks are animated, talking books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they'll love. Used by elementary and middle school teachers, TumbleBooks includes access to award-winning picture books, chapter books, novels, nonfiction, National Geographic videos and games. With our school license, teachers have access to quizzes and teacher materials/lesson plans!
Username: asb
Password: books
Brain Break Websites
GoNoodle - GoNoodle is a free website that gets kids moving with interactive videos for short or long brain and body breaks that get kids up and moving. Some are stimulating (dances, songs, exercises) and others are calming, focusing activities. ASB teachers use this website before or after activities requiring sustained concentration and to refocus their classes after recess.
Cosmic Kids Yoga - Fun, free yoga adventures that practice stretching and mindfulness for kids 3 and up. It builds balance, strength, confidence and concentration. Thanks for sharing, Laura!
Enjoy the Ski Week break!
Meg