What's Happening at Willow Creek?
Dr. Lacei Koffi, Principal - lkoffi@ems-isd.net
Enhancing Readings Skills through Audio Books
You may have considered using an audio book on a long car ride, or maybe even as you work out, but audio books are becoming increasingly more popular. In the past, listening stations for students were used primarily in the younger grades for students who were not quite reading yet. Now, there is evidence to show significant benefits for a variety of ages.
From books on CD, to books on iPods and iPads, to Playaway books, students have multiple ways to encourage them to read along with a narrator. With audio books, readers can read more complex books and books that may have a style of writing that includes a certain dialect that may be difficult to read. Once students gain exposure to the reading, they have a better understanding of the style and can carry that knowledge to other books.
Getting students hooked on a series is another benefit of audio books. Once a student has read along with the first book in a series, they are more motivated to continue in the series on their own. Consider listening together and you can stop the recording to have discussions with your child or ask them questions that help them gain better comprehension or even just to hear their thoughts.
Our library as well as the local libraries have wonderful collections of audio books. Take a look, or should I say, "Take a listen!"
Congratulations Lori Wallis and Laurie Raney!
Mrs. Wallis and Mrs. Raney submitted a $2,500 grant proposal to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation in hopes of purchasing audio books for students. On Friday, September 22, Dollar General Literacy Foundation announced Mrs. Wallis and Mrs. Raney as a 2015 General Youth Literacy Grant recipients.
Audiobooks will allow students the opportunity to read, discuss, decode, and comprehend books that may have been too complex for them in the written form alone. Their proposal was titled, "Reading With Our Eyes and Ears."
Way to Go!!
A Wrinkle in Time
The Gruffalo and Friends
James and the Giant Peach
Read to Succeed Specialty License Plates
Please remember to join PTA! Only $7 per membership!
Students can join PTA!
Grandparents can join PTA!
PTA would like to remind staff & students about their opportunity to:
*Win one of the Minion baskets or Minion plush....deadline is Oct.15th
*Earn more money towards their Winter class party if their class reaches 100% participation!
Check out Willow Creek PTA on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/Willow-Creek-PTA-126446220724882/timeline/
Dates to Remember
October 7 - National Walk to School Day
October 12 - Student Holiday/Staff Development
October 13 - Student Holiday/Staff Development
October 15 - PTA Fundraiser Pick-up 2:00pm-5:30pm
October 21 - 1st Grade Field Trip to Mainstay Farms
October 22 - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Sea Life Aquarium Grapevine
October 24 - PTA Fall Carnival EEK@Willow Creek 5:00pm-8:00pm
October 26-30 - Red Ribbon Week (Stay tuned for more details)