ACE Literacy Newsletter
Middle School Literacy | OCT 2017 YEAR 3: VOL. 2
In this Edition:
Balanced Literacy Focus: Guided reading
Writing: Using mentor sentences
Instructional Resources: 3rd Six Weeks Instructional Calendars
Upcoming PD: ACE Writing Academy
Celebrations: Classroom contest winner & Independent Reading Launch
This month’s instructional focus in balanced literacy is guided reading. Click the link above for tips towards guided reading success:)
As we accelerate student learning, we know that we must address grade level student expectations while also targeting students' individual reading needs to close gaps. Guided reading is the best practice tool in the ACE 2x4 to address specific reading needs based on data and raise reading levels at an accelerated pace.
Listed below are our 3 goals for Guided Reading, let's spend the next few weeks perfecting this time in our block.
Step 1- Management
Independent Work Task Idea: Language to Literacy Charts!
One idea for independent work tasks are to have students complete language to literacy charts on grade level or "right fit" texts on their own!
Step 2 - Data
Checklist
Isip
Visible posting of guided reading groups
Step 3- Planning for Success
Step 4- The Lesson
During reading- Students read the text softly or silently on their own. This does not have to be in unison. Avoid 'Round Robin' reading. The teacher listens in to individual students reading and assists with problem solving and difficult words when appropriate. Students that finish before others may reread a portion of the text. The teacher makes notes about student reading as she listens in.
After reading- Teacher facilitates a discussion with students about what they have read. The teacher asks questions to assess the student understanding of the text. Teacher may ask students to talk with a partner about what they have read or have students take the book to continue reading independently after the lesson.
Step 5- Watch your students grow
Writing- Using Mentor Sentences
Why use mentor sentences?
As students compile a collection of mentor sentences, they can continue to study and imitate them as they write their own compositions.
A mentor sentence routine
Tuesday: Identify parts of speech, “In your journal, rewrite the mentor sentence exactly as it is written, but skip lines in between. Label all of the parts of speech that you know in this sentence!”
Wednesday: Revise the sentence, “Revise the mentor sentence by making it more descriptive or exciting. Try adding or changing adjectives, verbs, or specific nouns. Remember to keep the meaning of the sentence the same.”
Thursday: Rewrite the sentence, “Imitate the mentor sentence by keeping the style and structure the same, but making it your own. You should create a brand new sentence.”
Grammar Notebook
Grammar Keepers Chart
Table of Contents
Grammar notes and practice
Mentor sentences
Teacher model
Resource Spotlight
Hot off the press: 3rd Six Weeks curriculum calendars
When reviewing these calendars, pay close attention to the genre for the week. Select a great mentor text in line with the genre for the week and practice the SE’s listed for each day with that model text. Also- use the STAAR aligned question stems in the document to write your DOLs and plan your questions during your lesson!
Upcoming PD:
ACE Writing Academy #2
Saturday, Nov 11, 2017, 09:00 AM
Onesimo Hernandez Elementary School, Maple Avenue, Dallas, TX, United States
Announcements: Classroom Contest Winner!
Congratulations to our Classroom Contest Winner: Ms. Cofer, Zumwalt Middle School!
We look forward to delivering your prize of classroom library books and supplies:)
Thank you to all of the middle school literacy teachers for making this a tough competition, we had so many classrooms to choose from that embody the vision of growing life-long readers!
Celebrations: Independent Reading in Action!
As we continue to perfect this time in our block, let's take time out to celebrate what we have accomplished thus far...
Each Student Matched with a "Just Right" Book and able to articulate their reading level and goals!
Teachers Conferring!
We are on our way!
ACE Website: www.acedallasisd.com
Accelerating Campus Excellence
Email: jhealey@dallasisd.org
Website: acedallasisd.com
Location: 408 North Haskell Avenue, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972 925 3669
Twitter: @ACEDallasISD