Skyhawk Staff Update
Layton Elementary, Feb. 10, 2020
Three Literacy Practices That Work
Morphology
Morphemes are the smallest meaning-carrying units in language. In reworked, for example, there are three morphemes: re- meaning “again,” work meaning “purposeful effort,” and -ed signaling the past. Research indicates that morphology instruction fosters decoding, spelling, and vocabulary development (Goodwin & Ahn, 2013).P (Prefix): find the prefix and identify its meaning
S (Suffix): find the suffix and identify its meaning
T (Total): put the meanings of the units together to gain the word’s meaning
Motivation to Read
Choice: Options in content exploration or presentation
Collaboration: working together, i.e., partner reading, peer-editing; or complex projects
Self-Efficacy Supports: Helping students develop reading goals, regardless of ability
Thematic Units: developing expertise through working on projects with a big idea and supporting concepts
Interactive Writing
Vocabulary: "Look Up the List"
We have long known that this practice doesn’t build vocabulary as well as techniques that actively engage students in discussing and relating new words to known words, for example through semantic mapping (Bos & Anders, 1990). As Charlene Cobb and Camille Blachowicz (2014) document, research has revealed so many effective techniques for teaching vocabulary that a big challenge now is deciding among them.
Giving Kids Prizes for Reading
Weekly Spelling Tests
Unsupported Independent Reading
Taking Away Recess
These Practices Also Waste Precious Time:
- When a teacher takes time to write on the white board for students to copy
- When a teacher takes time to pass out papers, or collect them
- When a teacher repeats exactly what a student just said, or even worse, repeats himself several times
- When a teacher loses time in transitioning from one activity to another
- When a teacher does not have an effective system that minimizes the effect of students leaving class for the restroom or the office
- When a teacher does not have a system for absent students to catch up with the classwork missed
Calendar
- 10 - 4th grade out - no SPIRE, SEM, preps, etc.
- 11 - 5th grade out till after lunch, back for SPIRE, SEM, preps, etc.
- 11 - JSSC, 7:45 am
- 14 - Battle of the Books Meeting, 1:30 pm
- 15 - NASP State Archery Tournament, Meet at school at 7:15 for the bus; flight at 9: am
- 17 - President's Day, No School
- 18 - NetSmartz Assemblies: 9-9:30 K-2; 9:35-10:05, 3-6.
- 19 - Lexia PLC Visit: 6th Grade, 9:05-9:55; 2nd Grade - 9:55-10:45; 3rd Grade, 10:45-11:35; Lunch; 1st Grade, 12:05-12:55; Kinder, 12:55-1:45; 5th Grade, 1:45-2:35; 4th Grade, 2:35-3:25. This helps us meet our obligation to the grant and assures you know how to use Lexia
- 19 - Faculty Meeting: Haley Thomas, Kayla Taylor, and SEL Committee Activity
- 19 - Key Leader #8
- 20 - Battle of the Books (schedule forthcoming)
- 20 - Amazing Shake Final Round, 1-3:30 pm
- 21 - Amazing Shake Final Assembly, 9 am
- 21 - House Lunch????
- 22 - Building Open, 8-3:30
- 28 - House Lunch ???
March
- 2 - Community Council - Writing the Plan, 4 pm
- 4 - Faculty Meeting, 7:30-8:30 (changed)
- 4 - Key Leader #9 (changed)
- 6 - Battle of the Books Assembly, 9 am
- 7 - Building Open, 8-3:30
- 10 - Classic Fun Center, PTA Night, 6-8 pm
- 11 - LCES, 7 am-1:45 pm
- 12 - 5th grade Program for Parents. 6 pm
- 13 - District Book Battle for 3rd and 4th
- 13 - House Meeting
- 17 - DSD Amazing Shake
- 19 - Mosquito Abatement, 4th Grade, 9:30-10:30
- 20 - District Battle of the Books for 5th/6th grades
- 20 - Author Assembly - Dan Wells, 9 am
- 21 - Building Open, 8-3:30