Sept '09 Newsletter

ACS

SEPTEMBER 2009

JEN MUNNERLYN

L I T C OACH NOTES “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”  John Coon Dana

Read a my W nd comm en W Re flecti t on ons! www .litera cybyt es.co m

Update: Implementing Lucy Calkin’s Units of Study in Grades 3-5 This month marks the start of our vertical implementation of the Units of Study in Writing for grades 3-5. Last year I worked with Marisa (g.5), Alison (g.4) and a former grade 3 teacher on plans for starting off on the “right foot” with these units. Those plans included recognizing the spiral within the program, differentiating the lessons between the levels, and testing 2 rubrics created by Janet Pohl for each grade.

Beginning this month our process for each unit will include: 1. Starting the units in each grade at roughly the same time so we can collaborate.

to share ideas about how to modify/ change the units for differentiation. 4. At the end of the unit grades 3-5 will meet as a group to debrief and discuss our work.

2. Jen demonstrating lessons and 5. The 3-5 Writing Team: Jen, Marisa, specific components such as Alison and our new member Ken, conferring while being video taped so will get together to discuss how to teachers can watch. modify lessons which are already in Atlas and to plan for each new unit. 3. Regular team meetings to “touch base” about the teaching as well as

“TURN AND TALK” DURING SHARE, GRADE 3

CELEBRATING WRITER’S NOTEBOOKS, GRADE 4

SETTLING FOR THE MINILESSON, GRADE 5

REA DI N G WO R K S H O P The teachers in grades K-3 have been working on brining Units of Study into the reading work they do every day. Our first units were developed around the theme: Readers Build Good Habits. This was a great way to start the year off with routines and structures. We are now able to have a more detailed picture and plan thanks to the guides provided in The Complete 4 series from author (and former staff developer at Teachers College) Pam Allyn. This series is a great starting place for us as we begin to bring a workshop approach in reading to our classrooms. Similarly, using the guides across the grades will ensure we are building and maintaining a vertical spiral. As we build on this from month to month, I will have more information to share which will be useful to grades 4 and 5 as they consider this giant topic next year. **Rumor has it Lucy Calkins and the folks at Teachers College will be publishing a set of Units of Study in Reading in 2011. By then we might be ready to revise and rethink our spirals.

Reading Units of Study- October (C4 Units 2/3)

KG2: Reading Stories Through Pictures/Reading For Many Purposes: Connecting Books to Play Grade 1: Developing Print Strategies/Making Wise Book Choices Grade 2: Synthesizing Word-Attack Strategies/Building Stamina: Reading Long and Strong Grade 3: Making Choices in Reading: Strategies for Comprehension/Growing an Awareness of Theme and Time: Reading Fiction THESE UNIT S AR E ON ATLAS. IF YOU ARE INTERES TED IN SEEIN G TH E DA ILY LESSONS H APPENING IN A NOTHER GRADE FEEL F REE TO GO IN A ND H AVE A LOOK.

REGI E REMI ROUTMAN NDER SESS S: ION 1.

THER E PROF HAVE BE E ESSI ONAL N 4 HAND D O EVE U TS MISS ING A . SEE JEN LOPMENT NY. :IF YO ) 2. YO U AR E U AR THE R E WELCO THE V EGIE SIT ME TO AC E C I SOM DEOS AG TO VIEW ESS ETHI AIN O ANY N INTE G AH OF R TO R E ARE WESTED. (T AD IF YO WATCH U H YOUR RITTEN I E ACCESS ARE N TH NOTE E FRO CODES BOOK NT O 3. TR .) F Y IT/ A P PLY I THRO T DO T UGH THIS : AS WE RY O RACE M ATE U ARE DISC T SOME O RIAL. PLE USSI ASE F WH MOV NG E A THIS TO USIN . WHEN W T WE G W TIME ORK WE PD DAYS E WILL TO S FOR H CLAS SROO ARE FRO HAVE MO M OU R MS. R OW E N

News to Note: IMPORTANT DATES IN SEPTEMBER

★DRA G.1-5: MOVED ★ES LA Review Team Meeting: 2:20-3:10, Sept. 4 ★RR PD SESSION #4: 2:20-3:10, Sept. 16 ★READING TEAM Meeting: 11:50-12:35, Sept. 13 ★WRITING TEAM Meeting: 12:35-1:25, Sept. 29

A Few of the New Faces In the ES at ACS! As I am working with the new teachers more and more, I thought it might be nice to profile them here for everyone to read about. I’m amazed and impressed at how they’ve each managed to jump in and take on all we’ve thrown at them. These teachers are positive, willing to learn, and focused on student learning.

Last year at this time Laura was teaching LAUR Afirst grade in Denver, Colorado.

G .1

Her Favorite Vacation Spot are either on top of a mountain somewhere (Nepal, Colorado, etc.) or on a beach reading a novel getting her feet massaged. Something which has surprised Laura about the UAE is the traffic and parking. Motto or Favorite Quote: “Let’s celebrate progress, not perfection!” She can often be heard in class saying, “Friends give friends time to think.”

LOOK FOR MORE PROFILES OF TEACHERS AND TEACHING ASSISTANTS IN MY UPCOMING NEWSLETTERS.

Last year at this time Channin was a starting a new school year in Damascus, Syria. Her Favorite Vacation Spot is Oregon because, although it’s my home, I never get tired of the beautiful mountains, beaches, waterfalls, and high deserts.

C HA N NINRE S OU R CE

Something which has surprised Channin about the UAE is the wonderful parks and public spaces Motto or Favorite Quote: “I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I’m saying.”- Oscar Wilde

FA R AH - G.2

Last year at this time Farah was a Grade 2 teacher at Gems American Academy, Abu Dhabi. Her Favorite Vacation Spot is Rio De Janeiro, Brazil because it has great beaches and friendly people! Something which has surprised Farah about ACS is how willing people are to share their time, expertise and resources. Motto or Favorite Quote: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echos are endless.” Mother Teresa