But while reading up on the value of this type of text and putting it to the test alongside a traditional novel, I see that they can be very valuable as independent reading choices. The Adventures of TDA: Chapter Three show the use of small group instruction and conferring within guided practice of the thinking work associated with close reading and analysis. In 2015-2016, Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 math and english language arts, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. She also enjoys writing and performing bush poetry. As we transition to a hybrid model, we need to consider one of the necessary interactions that could be missing from our instruction. The scene then takes a sharp turn with a worm’s eye view making the reader feel as threatened as scared as the two joking boys who are about to experience a real problem. The breakout room feature in Zoom is a great way to incorporate the student-to-student interaction that is a quicker than the slow chat. I’m still thinking of ways to keep the kids not only coming but engaged and actively participating and will continue to share as I learn, but I wanted you to see how novelty and some competition can help us achieve our goals. A Close Work at Why We Teach Analysis summarizes some of the basics around close reading and analysis. As we learn and grow in our practice, more may be added to this post. You might say Dad’s words are concerned, full of advice, and trying to relate to his son, Jordan. What we see (the picture of this man) and what we don’t see but hear arguing with his mother (the father) tells us that this son is disconnected from an absentee father and we will want to pay attention to how this impacts this character. One has to wonder if this parent is now eating their words, after realizing the school has been keeping parents in the dark about their children’s health and safety for years. ... children at the carnival. Each component addresses specific criteria. In just one page we are experiencing both the excitement and dread of going back to school. Did you notice the conflict between Genesis and her “friends” or her internal struggle? Feel free to make a copy for yourself of the anchor chart and strategies for navigating graphic novels found here! Dec 27, 2019 - Printable Super Bowl Squares - 100 Square Grid Office Pool The second session was spent looking at the challenges of PSSA prompts and how the Close Reading Framework we’ve adopted, as recommended by the Bucks County IU, along with the use of a Close Reading Menu can assist in providing instructional support for teachers and students as they grapple with this challenging work. The idea is for readers to be active readers who zoom in on elements that authors use to do things like develop characters and themes in order to look for patterns. It’s no wonder our kids are confused by the PSSA questions. When looking at these patterns, you might think more about Dad’s character. Carolyn Stanford Taylor, State Superintendent . It is certainly not meant to be tackled all in one sitting. Students can continue to experience opportunities for visuals and repetition while exploring relationships and connections. According to research, vocabulary is a strong predictor of reading comprehension. This final session took a deep dive into how the learning progressions for our units and for TDA are similarly designed and serve similar purposes. Then answer questions 1–8 . I recently attended a webinar with the Aim Institute for Learning and Research. Students can also justify verbally or in writing why they chose the order that they did. Coming next we will compare strategies for traditional texts with graphic novels. “Mr. Hearing new words in context is one of the best ways for kids to learn and remember new words. The Family’s First Prodigy” there is an importance of supporting Read this excerpt to get the gist while keeping in mind the lenses for close reading (blue post-its) on the menu. In the passages “Wonder Children,” and “Maria Anna Mozart! Two years ago three of the instructional coaches went to a training at the Bucks County Intermediate Unit that was meant for coaches and leaders to turn around in the district. During the actual trainings, teachers left each session with tools and homework to practice the work back in the classroom before returning for the next session. Word walls are another way to visualize using the parts of speech. I enjoy making them…it’s like crafting for me. Did you notice the actions of Genesis and the girls with her? In short, the PSSA test writers have written questions that require students to solve all the answer choices in order to answer the question. In 2015-2016, Pennsylvania used the Pennsylvania System of State Assessments (PSSA) to test students in grades 3 through 8 math and english language arts, and in grades 4 and 8 in science. Parents, please make sure you know what your kids are contributing. The next post will focus on the reading strategies that both graphic novels and traditional text share. Did you notice the relationship between Genesis and the other girls or even a possible relationship between Genesis and her father? Learning Progressions are meant to inform instruction and allow for differentiation based on strengths and needs of individual students. This is followed by a series of eye level views that create a sense of feeling part of the scene and joking among friends. These chats and discussions then led to more participation on our Jamboard that opened even more discussion. What’s the Deal with All These Sticky Notes? Now look at the menu again. “I’m beginning to wonder if PSSA ever gets it right,” Woodson told supervisors. What is great about Jamboard is that the tools are very limited which allows the focus to be more on the word work and less on the many bells and whistles a student would need to navigate through in other applications. Through direct instruction across content areas, students can access 300-400 words each year, but what they need to acquire in order to be successful is 2500-3000 words each year! We used the same framework for close reading but a different close reading menu based on the kinds of elements that pop up in our standards and eligible content as well as our learning progressions and bands of text complexity for reading nonfiction and informational text. In the TDA trainings a couple years ago, we learned that the strategies and anchor charts in our units can be translated into lenses for close reading. Read this excerpt to get the gist while keeping in mind the lenses for close reading (blue post-its) on the menu. Since then the world of graphic novels has exploded and kids who generally don’t like to read gravitate toward them. The remainder of the words needed each year will come from the use of intentional independent word-learning strategies that also require direct instruction as well as indirect language experiences met through teacher and student talk, read aloud, and the structured independent reading already achieved in a reading and writing workshop. Readers can determine a lot about characters, struggles, mood, atmosphere, etc. TENNIS, PSSA AND SCHOOL SPORT BEGINS TOMORROW ... all children within grade groups are taught the fundamental skills of balancing, running, jumping, catching, hopping, throwing, skipping, leaping and kicking through engaging physical activities led by their teachers. What’s the Deal with All These Sticky Notes shows how the work of close reading can be used within the independent portion of the workshop, but it requires a lot of teacher modeling. One of the complaints is the scribbling some students will want to do. The progressions for TDA are broken down into three underlying components: Reading Comprehension, Analysis, and Essay Writing. Today's front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer features several Parents United members including our own Robin Roberts on why her children are opting out of the PSSA tests which begin this week. On this page it’s the first day of school. Did you notice the conflict between Jordan and his mom and his internal struggle? This may occur at anytime throughout the year. I noticed this year, with my after school Reading Clinic being virtual, that kids were still coming, but I was getting smaller numbers and the active participation was a challenge compared to in-person learning of the past. There are three approaches to choosing words. How to Find the Time to Work on TDA shows teachers how to fold in the work of close reading and analysis by using our reading worksop units and the learning progressions. Since I was already using my advertising skills and it was working…I started to add in some gamification to help with attendance too…enter Battle of the Teachers! Secondly, like many novels and even informational text, the same thinking about reading work can still be applied and practiced, but I will leave that to another post…Coming Soon! to explain their thinking or can continue to use live discussion using breakout rooms in Zoom. Active Reading Beyond ELA shows that this work can also be practiced in other content areas that use nonfiction and informational text. Each night the kids in clinic were dying to know who was winning, and I would post updates in Schoology. The National Resolution on High Stakes Testing, … Test scores, perhaps unsurprisingly, rank low compared to state averages, with just 22% demonstrating language arts proficiency (compared with Pennsylvania’s 63%) and 7% demonstrating math proficiency (compared … The student-to-student interaction often done through turn and talk and partnerships was a huge part of our instructional practice prior to March 2020, but it may have gotten lost as we were thrown so quickly into remote instruction. There may be multiple interpretations so like many things there is not always one right answer. There is a lot of concern that graphic novels are not as valuable as traditional text and are easy reading, otherwise known as a bag of chips. Christian living resources and Bible study to encourage your walk with Jesus Christ. Jamboards can be used to share thinking and collaborate using a common text. Using Jamboard students can move synonyms for overused antonyms (fast/slow) onto the gradient in the order of intensity according to them. PSSA Testing: This is our monthly reminder that the students will be taking the PSSA tests in Reading and Math (grades 3-5) April 13th thru April 23rd and Science (grade 4) between April 27th and May 1st. Each shot serves a purpose. Before writing an informational writing or a realistic fiction piece, readers can study a mentor text for the moves authors make when crafting this type of text. Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) is the annual standards-based assessment of what a student should know and be able to do at varying levels in reading, writing, science and math and identifies strengths and weakness of student achievement. PSSA Grade 7 English Language Arts Item and Scoring Sampler—September 2016 6 PSSA ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS GRADE 7 PASSAGE 1 Read the following passage about sleep . These strategies can be used by graphic novel readers to focus reading and set a path for studying craft, identifying what patterns they are seeing, and determining what the patterns show to develop the plot, characters, themes, or even effect on reader. I wonder what wonderful things the mystery prize box will hold for the ... * Fri 26/2 - PSSA Swimming * Wed 3/3 - P&C Meeting * Fri 5/3 - Schools Clean Up Day * 12/3 - Western Region Swimming . Watch each video, explore some of the supporting resources under it, and try the work out in your classroom before moving onto the next video. Close Reading Glasses (recommended to be copied on 11×17 size paper). Use evidence from, In the passages “Wonder Children,” and “Maria Anna Mozart! I recommend that this post be used in a similar way. These strategies are more specific to graphic novels than traditional text and are good to have in your toolbox when conferring with readers who are enjoying this type of text. Any picture will do, but here are some examples! More information and ideas to come using Jamboard! Get Your ZZZZZs! Once students are able to provide a baseline by rating their familiarity or knowledge of each word, the systematic direct instruction can begin through work with word meaning and relationships that use visuals as well as repetition. Thank you so much to the parents/carers that have already ... they wonder about the story or the text and they are always using their imagination.” ... Summer PSSA starts . First, my kids get a kick out of my over the top reminders and announcements. Readers can then use those patterns to come to a new understanding. One way to use the guidelines is to utilize a shared text such as a mentor text, read aloud, or vocabulary for a particular content area unit. The Paedodontic Society of South Africa (PSSA) focuses on dentistry for children, performed by dentists with a special affinity and skill for working with children. Her rhyming picture book ‘Forest Wonder’ has won the Children’s Picture Book Softcover Fiction section of the 2016 International Book Awards in the US and placed Second in … If anyone has some great ideas to share, please do! There is specific vocabulary associated with graphic novels that differs from traditional text. It’s call “Teachers Using JAMBOARDS.”. Which lenses (blue post-its) did you notice? A discussion question can be posted and students can respond, read the responses of others and respond to them as well. President Barack Obama addressed students across America from Wakefield High School to discuss the importance of education. In my practice, this is one of the most common presenting complaints when a parent brings a child … First of all, if kids who don’t like to read are reading, what’s the issue? I remember a time when my middle schoolers were told that graphic novels were like a bag of chips. In fact, it's the only way we can be sure she'll be learning, because her school is more or less abandoning teaching for a large portion of the next two weeks to focus on administering the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) tests. The SF 8th Grade Center is a hidden crown jewel to be discovered. Just remember that whatever you do, provide opportunities for students to think, speak, and write. The idea of working towards a prize was motivating for sure, but what I noticed was it opened the floodgates to some very thoughtful conversations and chats. This publication is available from: Office of Student Assessment . Now let’s look at the graphic novel, Class Act by Jerry Craft. This could even be it’s own partner or small group activity. For those who teach ELA, let me present Scarborough’s Reading Rope. From there you can create many opportunities for students to visualize and learn through repetition. There is the option of the slow chat which is a discussion in the learning platform (Schoology for secondary teachers and Google Classroom for elementary). Since I always brought snacks to in person sessions (a student favorite) I decided to use the money I normally invested into a variety of gift cards. Students move each word to the appropriate category. Notice the absence of color of the students around the friends who are seeing each other for the first time after a long break. The strategies included in this writing lend themselves to intentional instruction that can be used in any subject area and aid in the acquisition of 300-400 words each year. Avoiding the Panic Associated with TDA shows the value of doing the work yourself in order to better support students. The Adventures of TDA: Chapter One shows what is discovered and where to go next when examining preassessment data from TDA. This time look at the dad’s words to Jordan. Another option is Jamboard which is a Google App and collaborative whiteboard space. interest is writing children’s poems and stories. When word lists are not already provided, we can fall on the tiered approach and the guidelines. There are innumerable reasons why a child might be struggling academically at school. And they’ve written Directions that are impossible to follow. Be inspired with daily articles featuring marriage help, parenting advice, movie reviews and more! Authors may use some element more than others; therefore, a menu provides differentiation for readers to determine what they are noticing in the independent reading they have chosen. Tues 9 Mar . TDA: Students Take on the Images shows more student work and thinking! Again this can be worked on as a whole class, in small groups, or partnerships. And as always, I am here to support Bensalem teachers. One example from a seventh grade chat they initiated on their own. Like any kind of reading, small group and conferring can be opportunities to coach into navigating and making meaning of graphic novels for those who are choosing them. not only looks at the transition to more challenging texts but the diversity in thinking that must be celebrated so kids know they can make inferences and come to new understandings without the worry of “being right”. Fostering Engagement through Reflective Practice. We know he is a caring father because he invests his time in building a positive relationship. Recently we have heard news of more and more parents taking a stand against standardized testing, acting in what they believe to be the best interests of their children… Stranger words are words the students never heard of before; acquaintance words students have heard of but don’t know what they mean; friend words are words the students know; and BFF words are words the students not only know but uses regularly in speaking and writing. Graphic novels may not be your cup of tea, but if they are what kids are reading, let’s use them to engage kids and teach comprehension strategies. The math just doesn’t add up! Students were given a point for showing up, a point for each thoughtful answer to a question in chat, and two points for posting live on our Jamboard which we used for discussions. Choose from thousands of designs or create your own today! by asking not only what do I see but what don’t I see. Fostering Engagement through Reflective Practice. This is a companion to the graphic novel, New Kid by the same author. But the question I get more often is how can the students do the work of the units of study if they are reading graphic novels? It’s wonderful to see all the protests around the country against standardized testing. Pennsylvania System of School Assessment . It might be a good idea to give them a minute to get the scribbling out of their system on a blank frame or incorporate drawing at times. Vocabulary Activity Templates for Jamboard, There is a great Facebook page with lots of how to ideas and troubleshooting for any subject area. Start with a text that you are using as a mentor text, read aloud, or shared reading. Listen, Learn, Trust, and Expect reminds us that over-scaffolding can lead to more problems not less. ssroom Library: What Are Your Marketing Tools? Our aim is to provide optimal oral health for all Infants, children, adolescents and persons with special needs. notified if your child will be receiving this support. But doing so for a second year is the wrong move. If there is something specific you would like to see more of, leave a comment or shoot me an email. While more and more kids were showing up, we all know that that is not enough. Both novels feature three middle school aged boys as they navigate the struggles of adolescence. This is similar to the shades of meaning we often use in reading a writing. So far we have explored the strategies for navigating graphic novels in order to improve comprehension and even specific strategies that can be used for analysis that is specific to graphic novels. Text Dependent Analysis: A Training on Steroids! Jamboard is a great tool for students to use when previewing vocabulary words in a virtual setting. Pull the words that you would like to have students explore and begin with the preview to determine the needs. Parents who are completing their child’s High School Expression of Interest process this term for high school entry in Term 1, 2022 are encouraged to visit schoolfinder.education.nsw.gov.au from 18 February 2021 to confirm local high school options for their designated … Here is a typical menu of the kinds of lenses that lend themselves to close reading in order to think deeply and come to new understandings. TDA: Starting with Images provides a way to get started using pictures. This week we sent out a survey to all parents asking for their thoughts about their child/children as learners and the school as a whole. At the end of the week a name is randomly selected! In the virtual setting students can use tools such as Screencastify, Loom, Flipgrid, etc. Approaching Analysis with Non-Traditional Text, At the Corner of Active Engagement and Analysis, What’s the Deal with All These Sticky Notes, specific strategies that can be used for analysis, Virtual Teaching Techniques for Vocabulary, Jamboard for Student-to-Student Interactions, Student-to-Student Interactions in a Blended Learning Classroom. While President Obama discussed the roles of parents, teachers, and the government, he explains the role of students in the education system. In this excerpt from a chat, I asked them to look through a particular lens for our text and they were responding what they were noticing along the way. Any strategy in The Reading Strategies Book or The Writing Strategies Book can be turned into a Jamboard for a small group collaborative space for guided practice with you. Skipping the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) and Keystone Exams in the spring made sense, the group said. This strategy has readers examine the passage of time by determining the type of camera and why the creator chose it for the scene. Creators use color, much like authors use word choice, to evoke a feeling, mood, or atmosphere. Using and teaching kids this lingo will be helpful when they read and/ or talk about the text. The type of shot is examined when considering the distance of the subject from the camera in a panel. The Adventures of TDA: Chapter Four focuses on organizing the close reading and making a claim before writing. Reading graphic novels includes a close reading of the pictures along with any text. There are lots of great ways to use Jamboards for the whole class, small groups, and even partnership collaboration. Mentor sentences are most useful when students can share their thinking and build on ideas with peers. At the Corner of Active Engagement and Analysis reminds us how valuable student discussion is for doing this work. This preview shows page 45 - 47 out of 68 pages. Fifteen minutes later, Mom yells up the stairs “Get up!” They have consistently achieved top scores in PSSA Math and Science. It is through this same joy that I believe children need a quality education that will provide a framework for the person they will grow into. The depth, breadth, and fluency of vocabulary interacts with other strands including academic vocabulary. The more points you earn, the more entries you get in a drawing at the end of the week for a $10 gift card. The Power of Modeling: From Sticky Notes to Reader’s Notebooks, Increasing Engagement in Virtual Learning. The Adventures of TDA: Chapter Five focuses on using a structure for writing. This can also be done in a Jamboard using the add text and add image tools. The assumption is that graphic novels are just bags of chips and do not lend themselves to the deep thinking about big ideas including character and theme, so I decided to put that notion to test. Print this list, courtesy of Hyde Park Central School District, and post it on your fridge or bulletin board where you and your child will see it regularly. Menu Home; ... that kids were still coming, but I was getting smaller numbers and the active participation was a challenge compared to in-person learning of the past. Whether it’s to check-in on emotional state, check for understanding, or simply to get a pulse on student thinking, Jamboard is a quick way to get the info you need. Look at the actions of the girls who are going home with Genesis that day. More and more started showing up so their teacher could win bragging rights and a sweet morning treat. Like anything else in the classroom, you will need to begin using Jamboards by laying down the ground rules and establishing norms. Customizable Encouragement posters & prints from Zazzle. What pattern do you notice in those actions? What starts off as a whole class stop and jot can quickly be used to determine most popular responses to move students to a smaller discussion based on their thinking. “Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA).” Then select “Assessment Anchors” from the “Other Materials” list on the right side of the screen.] Teaching is the greatest act of optimism—Colleen Wilcox; Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of …