Skyhawk Staff Update
Layton Elementary, Feb. 3, 2020
Working on Literacy
Literacy is the key to success for our students. How can we use what we know about our success with CMI to help kids engage and immerse themselves in literacy? Your efforts are paying dividends!
Click here: Drawing on Reading Science
This is an article to help you understand the newest research on reading, along with the absolutes that all experts agree on. There may be some controversial ideas in here! Proceed with care and curiosity! You'll love these insights.
Truth #1 - Explicit Phonics Instruction is OK
Children can learn to understand how written letters relate to sounds–to decode text–through explicit phonics instruction (Castles, Rastle, & Nation, 2018). They should receive explicit instruction that teaches the sounds that letters and combinations of letters represent, and the relationships of spelling patterns and pronunciations. Teachers need to be explicit in such instructing; this isn't the place for being a "guide on the side."
Truth #2 - Immerse Readers in Text
The key factor in helping young children transition from decoding text to becoming fluent readers is lots of reading practice with varied texts (Stanovich & West, 1989). Teachers should make books and other texts readily available in different parts of the classroom. But "independent reading" shouldn't supplant direct reading instruction.
Truth #3 - Don't Overteach Comprehension Strategies
Explicit strategies designed to improve reading comprehension cannot, on their own, compensate for lack of vocabulary or content knowledge on a particular subject (Willingham, 2009). It's fine for teachers to teach a few comprehension strategies (like making predictions) to students, but they shouldn't overdo it.
STEAM Club Instructors Needed
Mondays in March and April, 3;304:30, except Spring Break; please fill out the Microsoft Form below to sign up to help.
Calendar
Calendar
February
- 3 - Lesson Study, 3rd Grade, Noon-3:30 pm
- 5 - School Spelling Bee, 9:15
- 5-6 - Parent Conferences (Appointments Wednesday, Dinner @ 5:00 - 5:30 by PTA; Appointments till 5:00 pm on Thursday, Dinner, 5:00-5:30; Open House, 5:30-7:30 pm.
- 8 - Building open, 8-3:30
- 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 (I think!! - Heather??)
- 17 - President's Day, No School
- 18 - Lexia PLC Visit
- 19 - Faculty Meeting: Haley Thomas, Kayla Taylor, and SEL Committee Activity
- 20 - Amazing Shake Final Round
- 21 - Amazing Shake Final Assembly, 9 am