The Ontario College of Teachers is finally offering more up-to-date subjects in the AQ catalogue.
Check it out! http://www.oct.ca/additional_qualifications/default.aspx?lang=en-CA
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Nonfiction Writing
Five tips for successful exposition.
TIP #1: STAY ON TOPIC ( a very narrow topic)
Activity: Graphic Organizer (model for the class)
* write a topic for the centre bubble
* write subtopics in the branching bubbles
* select one of the branching bubbles and start a new web
* keep going until you have a narrow topic
TIP#2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT DETAILS (meat and bones)
Activity: An outline of a person (copy for each student)
* convince the class why their favourite celebrity, athlete, or role model is the best at what they do
* fill in the outline with supporting details
* share their work with the class
TIP#3: SKIP THE EXTRAS
Activity: Cut up sentence strips in an envelop
* use news stories, but add some additional sentences that are related, but don't belong
* students can work in groups to identify the extraneous information
TIP#4: USE SEVERAL SOURCES
Activity: Interview family members
* talk to family members about an important event
* the children record the different responses
* the student then writes a single paragraph that incorporates their various interviews
* discuss with the class how people remember things differently, but how combining the memories results in a richer piece of writing
TIP#5: OFFER A CONCLUSION
Activity: Teacher prepared yes-or-no questions (Do you think the Pioneer children were happy with their homemade toys?)
* students are required to make inferences about the topics they are studying
* work in small discussion groups and share responses with the class (Why did groups answer the way they did?)
* talk about how we go from facts to conclusions
-Hannah Trierweiler (Instructor Nov./Dec. 2007)
TIP #1: STAY ON TOPIC ( a very narrow topic)
Activity: Graphic Organizer (model for the class)
* write a topic for the centre bubble
* write subtopics in the branching bubbles
* select one of the branching bubbles and start a new web
* keep going until you have a narrow topic
TIP#2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT DETAILS (meat and bones)
Activity: An outline of a person (copy for each student)
* convince the class why their favourite celebrity, athlete, or role model is the best at what they do
* fill in the outline with supporting details
* share their work with the class
TIP#3: SKIP THE EXTRAS
Activity: Cut up sentence strips in an envelop
* use news stories, but add some additional sentences that are related, but don't belong
* students can work in groups to identify the extraneous information
TIP#4: USE SEVERAL SOURCES
Activity: Interview family members
* talk to family members about an important event
* the children record the different responses
* the student then writes a single paragraph that incorporates their various interviews
* discuss with the class how people remember things differently, but how combining the memories results in a richer piece of writing
TIP#5: OFFER A CONCLUSION
Activity: Teacher prepared yes-or-no questions (Do you think the Pioneer children were happy with their homemade toys?)
* students are required to make inferences about the topics they are studying
* work in small discussion groups and share responses with the class (Why did groups answer the way they did?)
* talk about how we go from facts to conclusions
-Hannah Trierweiler (Instructor Nov./Dec. 2007)
Write To Read
Write To Read is for students in Grades 4 and 5.
Amazing prizes to be won!
Contest Theme: "In The News"
Contest Deadline: February, 2008.
For complete contest rules and regulations, please visit: www.worldlit.ca or check out the fax I sent to your school on Dec.3, 2007.
Amazing prizes to be won!
Contest Theme: "In The News"
Contest Deadline: February, 2008.
For complete contest rules and regulations, please visit: www.worldlit.ca or check out the fax I sent to your school on Dec.3, 2007.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Why Can't I Skip My Twenty Minutes of Reading Tonight?
Let's figure it out - - mathematically!
Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Students B reads only 4 minutes a night... or not at all!
Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 min. x 5 times a week = 20 minutes
Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.
Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.
Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year. Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.
By the end of the 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain these same reading habits, Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days, and Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 whole school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?
Some questions to ponder:
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful in school... and in life?
(shared on mailring by Emmy Ellis; source unknown)
Thanks Betty-Ann!
Student A reads 20 minutes five nights of every week;
Students B reads only 4 minutes a night... or not at all!
Step 1: Multiply minutes a night x 5 times each week.
Student A reads 20 min. x 5 times a week = 100 mins./week
Student B reads 4 min. x 5 times a week = 20 minutes
Step 2: Multiply minutes a week x 4 weeks each month.
Student A reads 400 minutes a month.
Student B reads 80 minutes a month.
Step 3: Multiply minutes a month x 9 months/school year
Student A reads 3600 min. in a school year.
Student B reads 720 min. in a school year.
Student A practices reading the equivalent of ten whole school days a year. Student B gets the equivalent of only two school days of reading practice.
By the end of the 6th grade if Student A and Student B maintain these same reading habits, Student A will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days, and Student B will have read the equivalent of only 12 whole school days.
One would expect the gap of information retained will have widened considerably and so, undoubtedly, will school performance. How do you think Student B will feel about him/herself as a student?
Some questions to ponder:
Which student would you expect to read better?
Which student would you expect to know more?
Which student would you expect to write better?
Which student would you expect to have a better vocabulary?
Which student would you expect to be more successful in school... and in life?
(shared on mailring by Emmy Ellis; source unknown)
Thanks Betty-Ann!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Strategies for Book Selection During Independent Reading
FIT
F is for finding a book that looks interesting.
I is for investigation to see whether the book is too hard or too easy.
T is for trying the book or trading it in for another.
I PICK
I choose a book.
Purpose - Why do I want to read it?
Interest - Does it interest me?
Comprehend - Am I understanding what I am reading?
Know - I know most of the words.
F is for finding a book that looks interesting.
I is for investigation to see whether the book is too hard or too easy.
T is for trying the book or trading it in for another.
I PICK
I choose a book.
Purpose - Why do I want to read it?
Interest - Does it interest me?
Comprehend - Am I understanding what I am reading?
Know - I know most of the words.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Six Nations Remembrance Day Writing Contest
Six Nations Public Library Remembrance Day Writing Contest (Open to all ages)
Students should create a poem or prose no longer than 1 page.
This may be hand written or typed.
Students are encouraged to decorate their page with art or graphics.
Rules:
* Have a Remembrance Day or Veterans theme
* 1 page in length (maximum)
* 1/2 inch margins (minimum)
* Author name, school and grade should be lightly written on the reverse in pencil.
All Finalists will be posted at the Six Nations Public Library
The top winners will receive a Book Gift Certificate
All entries must be ready for pick up in the afternoon of Mon., Nov. 5th or you can drop them off at the library.
Students should create a poem or prose no longer than 1 page.
This may be hand written or typed.
Students are encouraged to decorate their page with art or graphics.
Rules:
* Have a Remembrance Day or Veterans theme
* 1 page in length (maximum)
* 1/2 inch margins (minimum)
* Author name, school and grade should be lightly written on the reverse in pencil.
All Finalists will be posted at the Six Nations Public Library
The top winners will receive a Book Gift Certificate
All entries must be ready for pick up in the afternoon of Mon., Nov. 5th or you can drop them off at the library.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Teaching Effective Interrupting
GAG Technique
Get the person's attention.
Apologize for interrupting.
Give the reason for interrupting.
Interrupting appropriately is an important life skill that often needs to be explicitly taught to children.
Get the person's attention.
Apologize for interrupting.
Give the reason for interrupting.
Interrupting appropriately is an important life skill that often needs to be explicitly taught to children.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Book Week is November 17-24th
The Magic of Books
Visit http://www.bookweek.ca/ to find out more information about how you can celebrate the magic of books in your school or library. Your class or school can celebrate with a kit for $14.95. Download the form at www.bookweek.ca/bookweekkit.htm Also, the Imperial Oil Foundation is having a writing contest for grades 2-6. More information and contest details can be found at www.bookweek.ca/writingcontest.html . Writing contest entries must be received no later than December 15, 2007.
In addition, I did apply for an author visit for the schools that showed an interest. Thank you for your continued support, assistance and flexibility during this process.
Special Thanks to Vanessa at Jamieson
Visit http://www.bookweek.ca/ to find out more information about how you can celebrate the magic of books in your school or library. Your class or school can celebrate with a kit for $14.95. Download the form at www.bookweek.ca/bookweekkit.htm Also, the Imperial Oil Foundation is having a writing contest for grades 2-6. More information and contest details can be found at www.bookweek.ca/writingcontest.html . Writing contest entries must be received no later than December 15, 2007.
In addition, I did apply for an author visit for the schools that showed an interest. Thank you for your continued support, assistance and flexibility during this process.
Special Thanks to Vanessa at Jamieson
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Putting it all Together
Putting It All Together is hosting an event in Hamilton on Nov. 20th for parents and caregivers. It is FREE! This would be great to share with parents via school newsletter or post on parent information boards located at your school. Visit http://www.puttingitalltogether.ca/ and click on event schedule for more information. If you scroll down to Parent and Caregiver Community you will find information about Susan Bennett-Armistead and her presentation entitled, Beyond Bedtime Stories: Ideas for families to weave literacy into the everyday lives of young children.
Special Thanks to Dar at J.C. Hill
Special Thanks to Dar at J.C. Hill
Friday, September 28, 2007
Raptors Free Reading Program - READ TO ACHIEVE
Check it out!
The Toronto Raptors offer two excellent programs for your school to get involved in this year. TeamUp for Literacy (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-12 encourages schools to start student literacy initiatives. Reading Time-Out (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-8 is a great idea for a class to begin a read-a-thon. Sign up by Oct. 5th www.nba.com/raptors/community/read_achieve.html
Special Thanks to Judy at ECG
The Toronto Raptors offer two excellent programs for your school to get involved in this year. TeamUp for Literacy (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-12 encourages schools to start student literacy initiatives. Reading Time-Out (Oct.-Mar.) for grades 1-8 is a great idea for a class to begin a read-a-thon. Sign up by Oct. 5th www.nba.com/raptors/community/read_achieve.html
Special Thanks to Judy at ECG
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Mem Fox
Internationally acclaimed children's author and literacy expert, Mem Fox is coming to Brantford.
Date: Mon., Oct 22, 2007.
Event: Mem Fox - Hosted by the Family Literacy Committee of Brant - "Which Reading Road Shall We Travel"
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8.00 - general seating
Sanderson Centre Box Office 519-758-8090 or visit www.sandersoncentre.ca
Date: Mon., Oct 22, 2007.
Event: Mem Fox - Hosted by the Family Literacy Committee of Brant - "Which Reading Road Shall We Travel"
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $8.00 - general seating
Sanderson Centre Box Office 519-758-8090 or visit www.sandersoncentre.ca
BOOK CLUB FOR PRIMARY & JUNIOR/INTERMEDIATE TEACHERS
If you are interested in being involved in a district-wide book club with the following texts please contact Candy Browatzke by e-mail (browatzkec@inac-ainc.gc.ca) or phone 519-445-4227ASAP. The first 10 primary and junior/intermediate teachers to respond will have priority. At this time, I don't have a schedule, because I would like to have suggestions from the book club members. I am assuming we would meet once a month (a.m./p.m.) and rotate our meeting locations. Literacy Work Stations is recommended for primary teachers and Practice with Purpose is recommended for junior/intermediate teachers at a cost of $31.95.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Summer Reading Loss: Worse Than We Think
"A summer loss of three months accumulates over the elementary grade summers to become a gap of 18 months by the end of sixth grade. By middle school, summer reading loss plus an initial achievement lag at the beginning of first grade, produces a cumulative lag of two or more years in reading achievement, even when effective instruction during the school years is available." (Donna Gorden, Bureau of Education & Research, 2006)
What Can We Do?
What Can We Do?
- Send home summer reading lists, books and tips for parents.
- Encourage library visits and programs.
- READ, READ, READ!
Recommended web sites with fun reading activities:
- Kidsreads is the best place on the web for kids to find info about their favourite books, series and authors. They also have trivia games, word scrambles and awesome contests.
- www.gigglepoety.com - This site is full of funny poems kids will love to read. Others links include places where you can write your own poems and read ones written by other kids.
- Storybooks Online - Choose from a selection of a dozen stories, young, middle-aged and older children might like to read right from your computer screen.
- KidsDomain: Summer Fun
- Stories Online - Follow the news written for children.
"The single summer activity that is most strongly and consistently related to summer learning is reading". (Anne McGill Franzen & Richard Allington) For example, to maintain their reading skills a Gr. 2 student should read 4 chapter books during the summer.
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