Transcript Lake Tract Elementary PLC 2013

Lake Tract Elementary
PLC 2013 - 2014
Teachers:
Rachel Contreras, Shari Douglass and
Lois Stewart
Vertical Articulation (5th - 6th grade)
BOOKS:
The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller
Integrating Literacy and Math – “Strategies
for K-6 Teachers” by Fogelberg, Skalinder,
Satz, Hiller, Bernstein & Vitantonio
Goal: To implement effective
cross-curricular strategies within
ELA and MATH curriculum.
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The Book Whisperer
Focus on creating a classroom
environment for students to
read using choice and selfreflection.
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“Providing students with the
opportunity to choose their own
books to read empowers and
encourages them. It strengthens
their self-confidence, rewards their
interests, and promotes a positive
attitude toward reading by valuing
the reader and giving him or her, a
level of control.
Independent Reading p56
Conditions for Learning p34
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Immersion
Demonstrations
Expectations
Responsibility
Employment
Approximations
Response
Engagement
Genres: pg.78
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Poetry
Traditional Literature
Realistic Fiction
Historical Fiction Fantasy
Science Fiction
Mystery
Informational
Biography, autobiography, memoir
Chapter-book choice
Teacher Reflections;
Ways “The Book Whisper” has
influenced instruction in the classroom;
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Rachel Contreras
(5th Grade – In Class Support)
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Shari Douglass (6th Grade)
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Lois Stewart (5th Grade)
Integrating Literacy and Math
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Standards “emphasize the following
practices as important to providing an
effective math curriculum:” helping
students learn to “think algebraically,”
leading to greater achievement in high
school;
Emphasizing problem solving as early as
kindergarten, so students learn to pull
problems apart and identify their essence;
Developing deep and meaningful
understanding of mathematics by helping
students talk and write about the
significance of their math learning.
* Underlying similarities of
strategies apply within ELA and
Math
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Making connections
Predicting
Asking questions
Being aware of their thinking
(metacognition)
Making inferences
Visualizing
Summarizing
Determining importance
Teacher Reflections; Ways
“Integrating Literacy and Math” has
influenced instruction in the
classroom;

Rachel Contreras
(5th Grade – In class support)

Shari Douglass (6th Grade)

Lois Stewart (5th Grade)
Rachel Contreras
5th Grade In class support…
Reflections
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Inspired by both authors of The
Ghost Whisperer and Integrating
Literacy and Math, my students have
benefited greatly;
3-4 mornings/wk they are exposed to
various genres in short
articles/selections or essays. Their
responses are not only written, but
discussions, debates and
connections are being made (more
student centered).
R. Contreras Reflections (cont).
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Morning Math Messages now often include
questions about how the student
understands a math concept. The
responses are either verbal or in sentence
form.
Peer Helpers, who tend to grasp material
quickly are challenged to ”teach” their own
peers in learning a concept.
While grading can’t be replaced, my
students are often assessed on personal
growth and improvement within a specific
area of ELA or MATH. For example, writing
formulas and explaining in “words” how
they understand the formulas has helped
struggling students to remember the
concepts more fully.
R. Contreras – Reflections (cont.)
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BOOK TALKS vs. always assessing
a written assignment encouraged
students to relax when completing in
class novels; sharing viewpoints,
concerns and lessons without the
pressure of an official grade. This
allowed students to enjoy the
reading material more.
Finally, as a tutor after school ,some
of the authors strategies for
comprehension and expression have
been successful in keeping the
students more engaged.