TDA Workshop

The increased rigor in the new English Standards of Learning requires students to answer text-dependent questions. Students are required to determine the meaning of complex texts and make logical inferences. Text-dependent questions do not ask students about their prior experience or feelings on a subject, but rather rely on information from the text.

Students are expected to speak and write using evidence presented in texts, and to present analyses based on information that is found in the text. 

The scholars in Room 100 are confronting Text Dependent Analysis in their Wonders Reading and Writing Workshop. They've got some high tech tools to do just that!

 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Thank you, parents, for attending your child’s conference this week!  I enjoyed the opportunity to sit down with each of you to discuss your child’s progress and goals for the upcoming months.  

It was fun for students to self-assess and share their "apple stars" at conferences.

If you have questions or input that you believe would be beneficial to your child's success, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I appreciate and value your input and support. 

Enjoy your 3-day weekend. We are off to a great start with these fantastic fifth grade students!

A big thanks to Vickie Plant at Primary Press for the apple tag. 

One Word. 365 Days

One Word is a movement. "It's all about scrapping a list of goals that are easily forgotten. Instead One Word asks participants to choose just one word that sums up who you want to be or how you want to live. Participants choose one word that is the focus every day, all year long." 

Discover the big impact one word can make.

One word. 365 days. A changed life.

Source:  One Word

Team 1 teachers knew it would be fun to involve students in the Energy Bus/One Word project. Mrs. Robinson, our principal, joined the team and read the student edition of the book to our classes. 

After much discussion on the new school year and this project, students were challenged to choose a word. The words ranged from silly and fun to quite thought-provoking. Each student created a flip book to record his or her word.

The One Word project is giving us one more way to create a positive, productive environment at our school. Please take some time and ask your child about the word he or she chose and the reason why.

Collaborative Conversations

What are collaborative conversations? Collaborative conversations are characterized by purposeful talks focused on the text. The conversations are student led. These conversations encourage students to exchange ideas that generate new thinking and stronger understanding. 

At the beginning of the year, mini lessons teach students how to communicate with others in a respectful manner. The speech bubbles are a visual  reminder of how to share opinions, ideas, and thoughts.

A little time spent teaching students how to have respectful conversations can make a difference in cooperative learning groups.