CCE Staff News
November 8, 2019
Points of Pride
Why Is Everyone Having to Learn about Phonics: Please Read
I want to be very clear here and not leave anything in the gray area. I tried to answer with the facts I currently have and I want to be very explicit about my answers so there is no confusion. My purpose is to be honest and upfront so that we all know where we are going as a building and a state.
One other thing. Phonics is good for ALL students...not just dyslexic students. It's not just research-based. It's evidence-based.
Q: Aren't we already teaching structured literacy?
A: Unless you are using Sonday, you are not teaching structured literacy. The state has definite requirements and a checklist of resources and we do not own any of them in this building. Allison's work does a lot to help us get closer and West Virginia's explicit phonics lessons get us closer, but we aren't there.
Q: Is this adding another thing to my plate?
A: Depends on how you look at it. Personally, I felt more empowered as a teacher with phonics than I did when I didn't have it. It made teaching reading easier for me. Obviously, you have to take time away from certain things for this to be effective, but if we commit to it in K-2, we should see much more solid reading and spelling scores in 3rd-5th.
Q: Why do I have to learn about phonics when I'm in the upper grades?
A: The state is mandating training for all K-6th-grade teachers in order for their school to be accredited. We all need this information, and it will impact how everyone is teaching the core and during Tier 2.
This may be my soapbox, but I know what a structured phonics program looks, feels and sounds like. I've seen the difference it makes with students and it's powerful.
Please see the slides below to learn a little more about the direction the State is going.
School Calendar
Thursday, Nov. 14th: 4th Grade Music Program
Wednesday, Nov. 20th: Food Night at Sombreros
November 27th-29th No School for Fall Break
Monday, December 2nd-Saturday, December 7th: Book Fair
Tuesday, December 3rd:
- Grand Event 4:00pm-7:00 pm
- Family Bingo Night 5:00 pm-6:30 pm
Thursday, December 5th: 2nd Grade Music Program
Saturday, December 7th: Winter Wonderland 9:00-12:00
Thursday, December 12th:
- Spelling Bee @ 2 pm
- Food Night: Papa Murphys
Thursday, December 19th:
- Kinder-2nd Grade Winter Party: 9:00-9:30
- 3rd-5th Grade Winter Party: 10:00-10:30
- Half-Day of School: Dismissal at 12:10
Friday, December 20th-Sunday, January 5th: Winter Break
Kelley's Calendar:
STUDENT SOLUTION FORM: REMEMBER TO SAVE AS THE STUDENTS NAME BEFORE TYPING INTO THE DOCUMENT
New November Good News Calls Form!
2019-2020 Beginning of the Year Folder
Below you will find the link to said Google Folder. We would highly recommend that you bookmark this link so that you will have easy access to all it contains at all times. Additionally, we will NOT be printing out any of these documents for your staff binder or your classroom. So please feel free to print only the documents you want to print. (let's save some trees friends)
Final Note - there are a couple documents we are still working on - extra programs for example - so please be patient with these items. Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1K_FWwthP3LvfHPSZHfheYdysoALztcSL?usp=sharing