Inside the ELA Classroom
Summer Edition 2019
Reading over summer vacation may not be a priority for students, but parents and teachers should make it one. Why? Summer reading is critical when we consider the students' ability to not only retain information learned, but also to grow in knowledge and critical thinking skills for the coming year. Literacy expert Julie Wood believes that it is necessary for children to read on a daily basis in order to maintain literacy skills learned in the previous school year.
Create a Reading Challenge
One teacher suggests creating a game or contest to help encourage students to read over the break. Encourage students to keep a log of books read. When school starts, students share their completed log with the new teacher. Students who return the reading log will participate in a pizza or ice cream party.
Build Up Anticipation
Another suggestion - get their students hooked on a book series close to the end of the school year. Read the first book in a series aloud to the class and build up excitement and anticipation for the next book in the series. When school lets out for the summer, encourage students to go to their local library or bookstore and pick up the next book in the series.
Suggest Audio Books
If students have a hard time reading, suggest they read a few books over the summer to help build their reading skills. At the same time, find books that are also available on audiotape. This can help encourage students to keep reading even if they don't particularly like it. A book on tape still opens up the world of adventure and gives students a boost in literacy skills.
The Great American Read - Goodreads
Summer Reading List - Common Sense Media
2019 ALSC Summer Reading List (Association for Library Service to Children)
Summer Reading - Barnes & Noble
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Summer Reading Lists for Kids Ages 6-14 - Imagination Soup
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- Nonfiction & Fiction Articles with Question Sets
- Nonfiction & Fiction Articles Only
Help you students maintain the reading gains we have seen this school year by encouraging students complete the Summer Reading Packets.
Pledge to fight summer slide with Lexile Find a Book! First, encourage students to submit ar Summer Reading Pledge and download the Summer Reading Log to track reading.
Students can search the database of over 300,000 titles for books within their Lexile range. Enter the child's Lexile measure, and then narrow the search by selecting topics of interest. Use Find a Book to check the availability of books at local libraries or purchase titles from major booksellers.
When school starts again, share the reading log with the new teacher(s) and celebrate the students' dedication to reading.
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Summer Literacy Ideas for High School Students
High school students have packed schedules during the summer. Research shows that students (include high school students) lose up to two months of curriculum content. As we think about students’ performance on standardized test scores and GPA, literacy becomes increasingly important. See below for several options for students to focus on literacy without ruining the summer jobs, sports, parties, family vacations, or time with friends.
1. Encourage your student to sign up for Goodreads
For the teen who is “too mature” to sign up for your local library’s summer reading programs, literary social media sites like Goodreads are a great platform to track reading, share thoughts about books — thereby practicing writing skills — and find new books to read in the future. Students can use the site for personal use and fun: they might discover some great books, and will definitely find a wonderful literary community!
2. Create an Instagram account or blog to document their summer reading journey
Literary-specific sites are not the only platforms to share reading experiences. Instagram is full of young readers, posting artsy pictures of their favorite books, making recommendations, and connecting with other readers across the world. Literary blogs function the same way: for a generation fluent in the art of digital communication, parents should take advantage of the opportunities available on social media, and encourage their teens to incorporate their reading experiences with their social experiences. It’s an exciting new way for readers to share their excitement for literature, and inspire others!
3. Suggest students turn summer gathering into a book trivia event
Students could discuss books that were made into movies, and hold a movie night when they finished reading the book. For music lovers, the students could develop playlists or write songs to correspond with the novels they read.
5. Encourage your teen to tutor a younger child
One of the best ways to learn is to teach. Many parents of elementary or middle school kids are often looking for a high school student to tutor their child in a difficult subject. Sometimes parents feel uncomfortable teaching the subject themselves, or feel that their child would respond better to an outside influence — especially a cool older kid. High school students could earn money and review content in subjects that interested them. They will gain a unique understanding of the subject when forced to break it down into comprehensive steps.
6. Challenge students to read from a selected list that focuses on content, not quantity
Develop a list of summer reading that will challenge your high school students in their content, not the amount of books involved. A content challenge can come in many different forms: it might simply have to do with the difficulty of the prose. It can also mean challenging the students’ point of view by venturing into new territory in terms of unfamiliar cultures and voices.
Taken from Summer Literacy Strategies: High School
-9 tips and tools to keep your high school student engaged in learning all summer long
Summer Professional Learning opportunities
ELEMENTARY
June 12 & 13, 9:00 - 3:00pm
ELA Writing Institute, Werz (3-8)
Participants will use GMAS and Assesslet data to review the CCSS District Targeted Writing Plan. Through vertical and grade level mini sessions, participating teachers will work collaboratively to develop rigorous writing lessons and units that compliment the curriculum pacing guide (scope & sequence). Registration is closed.
June 17, 9:00 - 3:00pm
English Language Arts Curriculum Mapping, Werz (K-8)
Participants will review the 2018-19 SMART Goal and participate in vertical discussions on the GSE standards, expectations, and available resources. (e.g., STAR 360°, GCA Item Bank, RAZ Plus and Vocabulary A-Z, etc.) Through vertical and horizontal discussions, teachers will work collaboratively to link suggested lessons and units to curriculum pacing guides.
June 17, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Read and Write Like a Scientist: A Structure for Embedding Literacy in Science and STEM Tasks (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers will work through reading and writing across the curriculum. The session will include a discussion on the tenants of disciplinary literacy and participation in a STEAM lesson with a central focus on reading and writing. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
June 18, 9:00 - 3:0, West GA RESA
Model ELA Classroom for Educators and Administrators (K-5)
In this professional learning session, teachers are offered hands-on experiences in guided reading, independent reading, conferring, strategy groups, and writing. The ELA Model Classroom Day will provide participants in grade bands K- 5th grades opportunities to see balanced literacy in action. Lunch will be provided. Register here. Registration costs will be covered at the school level.
June 18 & 19, 9:00 - 3:00pm
ELA Reading & LIteracy Institute, Werz (3-8)
Participants will use GMAS and STAR data to review student progress. Through vertical and grade level mini sessions, participating teachers will develop rigorous units, lessons, and assessments that encourage rigor within reading.
Registration is closed.
June 24, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Teaching Our Youngest REaders, K-2
In this professional learning session, teachers will focus on research based strategies for developing foundational skills that young children need to become proficient and independent readers. Discussion will include activities for shared reading, intentional small-group work, word study, and meaningful independent practice. Lunch will be provided. Register here. Registration costs will be covered at the school level.
July 18, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Using Lexile Levels and Text Complexity to Differentiate Learning (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers deepen understanding of the role Lexile levels play in the differentiation of learning. Participants will examine the connection between Lexile level and text complexity in order to further understand true intention of Lexile measurement information in the instructional planning and delivery process. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
July 30, 8:30 - 10:00am, Werz, SD1
Writing Workshop (Grades 3-5)
July 30, 10:30 - 12:00pm. Werz, SD1
Writing Workshop (Grades K-2)
July 30, 1:00 - 3:00pm, Werz, SD1
Phonics 101: Let's Say the Sounds
MIDDLE
June 12 & 13, 9:00 - 3:00pm
ELA Writing Institute, Werz (3-8)
Participants will use GMAS and Assesslet data to review the CCSS District Targeted Writing Plan. Through vertical and grade level mini sessions, participating teachers will work collaboratively to develop rigorous writing lessons and units that compliment the curriculum pacing guide (scope & sequence). Registration is closed.
June 17, 9:00 - 3:00pm
English Language Arts Curriculum Mapping, Werz (K-8)
Participants will review the 2018-19 SMART Goal and participate in vertical discussions on the GSE standards, expectations, and available resources. (e.g., STAR 360°, GCA Item Bank, RAZ Plus and Vocabulary A-Z, etc.) Through vertical and horizontal discussions, teachers will work collaboratively to link suggested lessons and units to curriculum pacing guides.
June 17, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Read and Write Like a Scientist: A Structure for Embedding Literacy in Science and STEM Tasks (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers will work through reading and writing across the curriculum. The session will include a discussion on the tenants of disciplinary literacy and participation in a STEAM lesson with a central focus on reading and writing. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
June 25, 9:00 - 3:00, West GA RESA
Model ELA Classroom for Educators and Administrators (7th - 12th)
In this professional learning session, teachers are offered the opportunity to dig deep into reading and writing strategies for middle and high school students. The sessions is build around evidence-based strategies. Lunch will be provided. Register here. Registration costs will be covered at the school level.
July 18, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Using Lexile Levels and Text Complexity to Differentiate Learning (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers deepen understanding of the role Lexile levels play in the differentiation of learning. Participants will examine the connection between Lexile level and text complexity in order to further understand true intention of Lexile measurement information in the instructional planning and delivery process. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
HIGH
June 17, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Read and Write Like a Scientist: A Structure for Embedding Literacy in Science and STEM Tasks (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers will work through reading and writing across the curriculum. The session will include a discussion on the tenants of disciplinary literacy and participation in a STEAM lesson with a central focus on reading and writing. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
June 25, 9:00 - 3:00, West GA RESA
Model ELA Classroom for Educators and Administrators (7th - 12th)
In this professional learning session, teachers are offered the opportunity to dig deep into reading and writing strategies for middle and high school students. The sessions is build around evidence-based strategies. Lunch will be provided. Register here. Registration costs will be covered at the school level.
July 18, 9:00 - 12:00, West GA RESA
Using Lexile Levels and Text Complexity to Differentiate Learning (All grades)
In this professional learning session, teachers deepen understanding of the role Lexile levels play in the differentiation of learning. Participants will examine the connection between Lexile level and text complexity in order to further understand true intention of Lexile measurement information in the instructional planning and delivery process. Register here. There is NO registration cost.
Summer Writing Journal
75 Summer Writing Prompts (taken from www.scholastic.com/teachers/blog-posts)
200 Prompts for Argumentative Writing (The Learning Network)
Over 1,000 Writing Prompts for Students (The New York Times)
24 of the Best Writing Prompts for Middle School Students (We Are Teachers)
Why is writing important?
Writing is practical.
Every day, we need to write in order to complete our tasks, whether we are filling out a form at the doctor's office or writing an important letter. These tasks require us to write clearly, and organize information effectively.
Writing is an important element of a student's education.
Whether students are writing by hand or on the computer, many assignments and exams require students to write short answers or longer essays as a way of assessing what they have learned. As students get older, they will be expected to show more sophisticated writing skills, and to complete more sophisticated tasks through their writing. In addition, many colleges and universities require students to write essays as part of their admissions application.
Writing can be an important element of an employee's job.
Employees in many kinds of jobs are required to write on a daily basis. Perhaps they are taking phone messages and doing administrative work, or writing research reports and newspaper articles. Whatever the task, their ability to do their job well may depend on their ability to write. Many job applicants also must submit a resumé and a letter of application when applying to a new job.
Writing is an important form of communication.
Writing letters and emails is a common way of keeping in touch with our friends, relatives, and professional colleagues. Writing is frequently the final stage in communication when we want to leave no room for doubt, which is why we write and sign contracts, leases, and treaties when we make important decisions.
Writing can be an important outlet.
Many people find writing to be therapeutic, and a helpful way to express feelings that cannot be expressed so easily by speaking.
Creative Writing
Write Like a Journalist
Review It!
Did you try the new sandwich shop on the corner? Did you see the newest Pixar movie in 3D? Did you explore the animal habitat at the zoo? Encourage students to record their thoughts and experiences. Kids can add things such as menus, ticket stubs, museum tour maps, autographs and hiking trail pictures to accompany the event reviews.
Turn the Day into a Play
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Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
~Nelson Mandela
Email: paula.baker@cowetaschools.net
Website: http://curriculum.cowetaschools.org/
Phone: 770-254-2810
Twitter: @PBakerEducates