Inside the ELA Classroom
September 2018
Charles F. Kettering, an American inventor, engineer, businessman and holder of 186 patents says, "High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation." We as Coweta County School System are committed to providing "high-level, engaging work for all learners."
The district has two SMART goals for this year's academic emphasis, and one of them relates to Enligh Language Arts (ELA)!
SMART Goal: During the 2018-19 school year, increase by 5% (48% to 53%) the percentage of students scoring proficient and distinguished on the ELA Milestones EOG and EOC (grades 3 - 12) assessments.
- Elementary - 230
- Middle - 239
- High - 184
- Total - approx. 636
The goal has been set. Let's get on target to reach it. How will your students measure up?
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A Writing Strategy That Works ...
In writing, TAPE is simply a way of clarifying what you’re doing before you do it—or a way to help writers." What do you think?
Writing Strategy that pulls in Reading
Remember these sites for FREE nonfiction reading material.
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When using any strategy, teachers should (1) ensure students understand why the strategy is useful, and (2) describe explicitly how the strategy should be used. Demonstrate, model, and follow-up with independent practice opportunities.
Add Up Facts to Determine the Main Idea
STRATEGY Focus on one section. Read several paragraphs and list the facts that seem to connect. Explain in your own summary what was read. As students continue to read and collect facts - revise the main idea.
Prompts
What did you learn after reading the paragraphs?
What are three facts that fit together?
How do they fit?
What do the facts have in common?
Go back and reread.
List three facts that fit together.
Put that into your own words.
That's the topic; what is the main idea?
*click on the graphic for video support
Serravallo, J. (2015). Reading Strategies Book: Your Everything guide to developing Skilled Readers . Heinemann.
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Read, Cover, Remember, Retell
STRATEGY Read as much as you can cover with one hand (or a sticky note or index card). Cover the text read. Remember what you read. Say what you remember. Repeat.
According to the author, this strategy focus on summarizing/retelling, and monitoring for meaning. It works for students at any level. When researching students copy down information without understanding it. This strategy forces students to put what they read in their own words.
PROMPTS
Read. Now Cover.
Share what you read.
Take a peek. What would you change.
Do you need help? Uncover the text and reread.
Think as you read. Make sure you "get" it.
*Click on the graphic for a video support
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V.I.P. Comprehension Strategy
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Scan and Plan
STRATEGY
First have students scan the text and see how the information is organized. (Make sure they recognize the text features.) Develop a plan for how they will read the information. Read the information according to the plan.
Nonfiction text can appear busy and may overwhelm students. There are words in several places, surrounded by pictures, diagrams, maps, and timelines. It may help students to take a minute and scan the text and decide the order to attack the material. After students followed the plan they set, have them debrief to determine if the plan was successful to help them comprehend the material.
PROMPTS
What is first? Why?
Did you look at all the visuals first? If so, why? If not, why not?
Read the text. Did you plan help?
Will you read other text in the same order?
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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
~Nelson Mandela
Website: https://curriculum.cowetaschools.org/
Phone: 770-254-2810
Twitter: @PBakerEducates