Quotable Quote

“Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much.”

—Erastus Wiman (1834-1904)
Journalist And Businessman

Close Reading Tips

Ryan Minisman shared a timely article from Falling in Love with Close Reading by Christopher Lehman and Kate Robert

Here are 6 keys for teaching close reading that nationally known staff developers Christopher Lehman and Kate Roberts created for use in any classroom:

1. Make it engaging and joyful to make it stick

Rigor with relevance is motivating. Use pop music (yes, even Taylor Swift) to introduce and demonstrate close-reading practices. Your students will not only cheer (or groan), but they will learn skills they can apply to more challenging reading.

2. Promote process

Rather than looking for correct answers, focus your teaching on the how-tos of close reading. Share what’s going on in your head when you read closely. Next, practice it with students by asking them to share their thinking about a passage the class reads together. Then, have them practice on their own as you circulate and confer with individual readers.

3. Keep close reading in perspective

Adults read in many ways — closely, for pleasure, for background information — so close reading should only be one part of the curriculum. Use the data you have collected on your students and conversations with them to decide if close reading is what’s most needed, or if other skills or reading experiences will provide more value.

4. Avoid interruptions

In real life, close reading mostly occurs without prompting at important moments of a longer book or article. Students need time with a text before diving into a close read, so provide them with quiet, distraction-free opportunities to read closely.

5. Practice, practice, practice

Practices makes…well, no one’s perfect. But students do need to practice many times over a school year to improve as close readers.

6. Match teaching to student needs, not curricular sequences

Yes, covering the curriculum is crucial, but the curriculum isn’t accessible to students who struggle. Teach close reading in ways that meet the individual strengths and needs of readers to get maximum instructional impact. If students struggle with combining their thinking with the content of a text, ask them what they think the author is trying to say before asking complex questions about word choice, syntax, and tone.

Quotable Quote

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

New Teacher Orientation

Thirty-seven new TCS teachers assembled at the Board office Tuesday, August 16, for New Teacher Orientation.  Teachers were welcomed by Superintendent Pattie Neill.  The group reviewed the TCS mission, vision, and beliefs and were introduced to Educator Effectiveness.  Each teacher received a laptop and technology training.  These new teachers can expect the support of a mentor and New Teacher Coordinator in each school throughout the year.

Thank You

As we start this new school year, I am feeling so appreciative of so many blessings and so many people.

I am thankful for Barry Davis and the TCS Maintenance Department who have worked so hard to get buildings ready and to move three schools this summer.

I am thankful for all of our teachers for lovingly and creatively preparing their classrooms that will provide a welcoming environment for students.

I am especially thankful for our elementary teachers who have had a very small window of time for preparing their classrooms.  They have worked very late at night and on weekends to accomplish this task. 

I am thankful to the City of Trussville, the TCS Board, and Dr. Neill who have collaborated to provide so much for our schools.  

I am thankful for our gorgeous, second-to-none facilities.  It only takes a quick visit to neighboring districts to see just how fortunate we are.  

I am thankful to April Chamberlain and the tech department for the months of work that they have put into providing the technology we have all come to depend upon and appreciate.  

I am thankful to Kathy Burgin and Mandi Logan for everything they have done to get school going and to register all of our students.  They have had many nights this summer of working until 11:00 or 12:00 to get it all done. 

I am thankful for our academic coaches, Kelly McGough, Edra Perry, Jana Walls, Donna Brumlow, and Lisa Lothspeich, for planning and implementing exceptional professional learning this summer. (We are going to miss Donna and Lisa, but wish them well in their new roles.)

I am thankful for Theresa Ray for helping our staff acquire and renew their teaching certificates.  

I am thankful for our teachers for the many hours of professional learning in which they participated this summer.  

I am thankful for the Educator Effectiveness Team for working to develop a stellar plan for teacher growth.  This process took 15 months!  

I am thankful for our parents who entrust their children with us every day, knowing that we will care for them and that teachers have the knowledge and skill to make good decisions regarding children, teaching, and learning.

Thankful for another blessed school year!

Quotable Quote

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

—Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Former President Of South Africa

Summer 2016 Units of Reading Training

Kindergarten through fifth grade teachers had opportunities to delve into the Lucy Calkins Units of Reading this summer.  Reading coaches, Edra Perry and Kelly McGough, designed experiences to introduce teachers to this reading and writing workshop.  At the end of each session, teachers were asked to write a quick response to, "What stuck with you?"  Here are their responses.

 Students become more purposeful readers.

 I am very excited about teaching reading and writing workshop.

 The importance of implementing intentional mini lessons where I lecture less and students engage in their learning.

 Students will build reading stamina so they will actually read for 40 minutes during reading class.

 So excited!  Can’t wait to start the units! Love the structure of the lessons!

 I have more of a grasp of the reading workshop and I needed to see the videos.

 Affirmation of the importance of students spending ample amounts of time daily reading real books!  Great to know that Lucy Calkins supports my ideas about reading workshop!

 I love that our writing will have real purpose and will align with our reading.

 I have a better understanding of the components of a reading workshop and what it looks like in the classroom.  I also have a better understanding of how many minutes to use per component.  I realize I use teacher talk too much!

 Rotation around the room was a good refresher on student needs.  I was nice to read what peers had to say.

 I makes more sense to me now.  I am excited about reading workshop.

 I love that we are swinging the pendulum back to a whole language perspective.  I am excited about the whole concept of reading workshop.

 Components of balanced literacy can be customized to support diverse students.

 I feel less overwhelmed after this introduction. Thanks for making the kit more teacher friendly.

 I cannot wait to work on improving my conferencing.

 Love the sticky notes for the Anchor Charts.  I love the questions, etc., stickys that we will use in our read alouds.

 I love how Lucy gives exactly what to say.

 Students should read and read a lot at first and don’t have them respond to their reading at first but do later on….

 Reading workshop- I understand much better now!

 Excited about trying something new!

 Look forward to trying Unit 1- using a familiar text, mini lesson, teaching point and engagement.

 Looking forward to implementing this new program!

 Loved the kit and unit 1 and video!  Very good overview of Unit 1 and reading development strategies.

 I will be more organized and prepared for reader’s workshop.

 Loved the sticky notes and books!  Also the explicit instruction for the teacher!

 Loved the strategies that are taught to build good readers.  Love the partner activities.

 I think the kiddos will love this!  I am so happy that we had this PD.

 Reading workshop is very organized.

 Plan ahead, get organized, get kids excited about reading!

 I need to get organized.

 From the beginning kids know they are readers!

 This new reading really enhances student writing.

 I like having sticky notes and anchor chart notes.

 I now know the components of Reading workshop.

 I liked the mini lessons and time allotted for independent practice.

 Book Clubs will be interesting to try.

 I like the daily schedule.

 Creates a love and enjoyment for reading.

 I like having the standards for each session.

 I like that is follows a set lesson plan for instruction.

 I need to get organized, I can integrate this with Open Court in the reading block.

 I need to be prepared and get organized.

 I love the chart sticky notes.

 Love the read aloud, sticky notes, and anchor charts, I cannot wait to use Lucy for reading!

 I like this because I can teach this starting on day 1.

 Thanks for the Ralph Tells a Story!

 Students need their own book bags.

 My students will need time to read.  

 It was a good refresher on the reader’s workshop.

 Yes!  The 1st unit is on good habits and stamina!  Very friendly with “Daily 5” frame.

 Excited to use this and see how it goes with Daily 5.

 We need common vocabulary and comprehensive assessments.

Many thanks to Edra and Kelly for designing outstanding professional learning for teachers.  Many thanks to our teachers for their engagement and enthusiasm as we learn and work together to increase rigor in reading and writing.  Our students will rise to our expectations.  

Math Support for Second Grade Teachers

Second grade teachers worked with math coaches Lisa Lothspeich and Jana Walls today, reviewing Unit 1 of their math curriculum guides.  

HTHS Leadership Team Meets

During a summer leadership team meeting, the HTHS Leadership Team reviewed the TCS Continuous Improvement Plan and the 15-16 HTHS Continuous Improvement Plan for the purpose of creating an updated plan for 16-17.  The Leadership Team will take the entire HTHS faculty through a similar exercise for the purpose of determining the most important goals and action steps for continuing improvement during the 16-17 school year.  Academic excellence, individualized instruction, a comprehensive assessment plan, a plan for integrating technology, effective mentoring of new teachers, and exemplary professional development are goals the group will consider for their plan of improvement.  

The HTHS Leadership Team reviewed details regarding their new plan for Husky Hour which will provide an hour each day for students to have lunch, obtain intervention, tutoring, and enrichment, participate in various academic and service clubs, work on projects, and receive guidance and advice from counselors.  

New Teacher Mentors Receive Training

When school starts in a few days, TCS will welcome thirty-five new teachers to our district.  Of the thirty-five, only four are brand new to teaching.  Three are former TCS teachers who are returning to us this year.  Several of our new hires have many years of experience.  But you can bet that these teachers will appreciate the support they can expect from administrators, new teacher coordinators, and their mentors.

TCS has created a New Teacher Orientation Plan, based on our continuous improvement goal to "Recruit, hire, mentor, and continuously support the learning of the most effective personnel."  The goals of the plan are:

Objectives for New Teacher Orientation and Support

• To retain effective teachers, to provide a positive work environment, and to achieve success in teaching
• To clarify the district’s beliefs, purpose, vision, and expectations
• To provide intensive coaching, feedback, modeling, and supervision
• To provide opportunities for networking, sharing experiences, and reflecting
• To nurture a learning community that will produce teacher and student learning
• To differentiate the type and amount of support to new teachers based on their needs

New Teacher Coordinators for 16-17:

• Cahaba Elementary - Rachel Osborn
• Magnolia Elementary- Lauren Long and Tracy Bingham
• Paine Elementary - Tygar Evans
• HTMS - Leigh Stovall
• HTMS - Dawn Kilgore and Erin Piper

Mentors will provide ongoing support for new teachers that includes participation in walkthroughs, peer observations, and regular feedback.  New teacher coordinators will plan monthly meetings to provide focused professional learning for the new teachers.

Yesterday, mentors met to receive training at the central office.  The commitment of our mentors and the support of new teachers will affect each new teacher and her students for years to come.  These mentors are committing to make a positive difference in the future.

Each school will design and implement New Teacher Orientation at their buildings August 11.  District orientation for new teachers is August 16 at the central office.

 

Quotable Quote

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ”

—Thomas Edison (1847-1931)
Inventor, Businessman