We're Moving!

We are moving!!!  We are combining the "CIA Matters" and "LNW" blogs to our district's Schoolwires website, which will be a quick and easy way to get information, resources, and ideas in one convenient location!  You can still view archived posts from the new site, so don't worry!  :-)

Please visit our new site HERE!

2015-2016 LNW Sign Up NOW OPEN!

Thank you for completing the survey to help us meet LNW needs for next year.  The 2015-2016 LNW calendar has been set and you can register to attend below.

As we enter our third year of "Literacy the Nixa Way" (LNW) professional development, perhaps the biggest change is that attending LNW sessions is optional for teachers who have fully implemented reader's and writer's workshop.  All teachers are encouraged to attend two regular sessions (calendar linked above).  First year teachers and new-to-Nixa teachers are required to attend all four LNW sessions.  Second year teachers are highly encouraged to attend all four sessions.

There will be two LNW sessions offered this year. The first session will focus on Reading Workshop. The second session will focus on Writing Workshop. Each training session will be one full day and if you choose to attend, a substitute will be provided for you.

To register for one or both of the sessions, complete the Google form HERE.  Registration will CLOSE on Friday, August 21st at 4:00 PM.

• All PreK-1 sessions will be held at High Pointe Elementary from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm in Room 316 (Dr. Cindy Owens).  
• All 2-6 sessions will be held at Faught Administration Center in the Community Room from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.

LNW YEAR #3 - What the Sessions Will Look Like - Survey

As we prepare to enter our third year of LNW, we are excited that reading and writing workshop is in full swing in all classrooms.  For next year, the scheduling of LNW PD sessions will look a little different.  Perhaps the biggest change for next year will be that attending LNW sessions will be optional. 

There will be two LNW sessions offered to teachers next year.  (First year teachers will receive additional training.)  The first session will take place at the end of October/beginning of November.  This session will focus on Reading Workshop.  The second session will take place in February/March and will focus on Writing Workshop.  Each training session will be one full day and if you choose to attend, a substitute will be provided for you.

In order for us to prepare a schedule of sessions, we need an idea of how many teachers are interested in each of the sessions.  If you are interested in attending one or both LNW sessions for next year, please complete THIS SURVEY.  Specific details will be available at the beginning of next year. 

Text Dependent Question Examples for Literary Texts

Here are some sample text dependent generic questions for discussing literary texts with individuals, small groups, and the whole class.  This is not a complete list, by any means, but the questions can serve as an example and help you phrase more questions for the Reading Literature Standards.

Key Ideas and Details - Standards 1, 2, and 3

• Retell what the story is about so far.
• Describe the characters, setting.
• What do you know about the characters, setting, problem from this text?
• Explain the problem.
• How does the main character change?
• Why did the character act the way he did?
• How did the main character interact with the other characters?
• Compare the way two characters viewed or reacted to a situation.
• Who is the narrator?
• What is the message the author wants you to get from this text?  How do you know?
• What did the character do to cause/solve the problem?
• What lesson did ______ learn?
• How does the setting impact the story?

Craft and Structure - Standards 4, 5, and 6

• What does this word mean based on the context?
• What words let you know how the author feels about _______?
• Where is an example of a metaphor, simile, figurative language, etc.?  Why did the author use that device?
• Identify the text type.
• What characteristics of this genre are present?
• Why do you think the author chose this genre?
• How does the narrator's point of view affect the way the events are told in this story?
• How does this version of the story compare to other versions you have read?
• Why did the author choose these words when describing _______?
• What is the tone of this story?

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas - Standards 7, 8, and 9

• How do the illustrations contribute to your understanding of this story?
• How does this story compare to _______?
• How are character 1 and character 2 the same?  Different?
• What is the narrator's point of view of the events?
• How does the narrator's point of view influence how the events in this story are described?

Text Dependent Question Examples for Informational Text

Here are some sample text dependent generic questions for discussing informational texts with individuals, small groups, and the whole class.  This is not a complete list, by any means, but the questions can serve as an example and help you know how to phrase questions for the Reading Standards for informational text.

Key Ideas and Details - Standards 1, 2, and 3

• What is the main idea of the text?
• What details has the author included?
• What details support the main idea?
• Summarize what you've learned about the topic in this section.
• What do you think caused _______ to happen?  How do you know?
• Explain how _______ and _______ are related.
• Who is providing the information in this article?
• What is the message the author wants you to get from this text?
• Explain how two or more ideas in this text are related.

Craft and Structure - Standards 4, 5, and 6

• What does this word mean based on the context?  Tell us how you figured that out the meaning.
• What are the most important words the author has used to describe this topic? 
• What structure is used in this text?
• How does the narrator's point of view impact the selection of details included in this text?
• Why do you think the author chose this structure (description, compare & contrast, order & sequence/chronology, problem & solution, or cause & effect)?  See chart below for more information.
• How is this article related to other articles you've read on similar topics?
• Why do you think the author included these details?
• What stands out about the ways this is written?
• Based on the order of the words in this sentence, what do you think is most important?
• Which details do you think are most important?  Why?

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas - Standards 7, 8, and 9

• How do the text features contribute to your understanding of this text?
• How does the (graph, chart, diagram, etc.) help you understand the text?
• How does this paragraph fit with the rest of the text?
• Did the author include enough detail to support his main idea?
• Did the author leave out any important information you still wonder about?
• Choose a point the author makes in the text.  How does the author use reasons and evidence to support the point?
• Think about the two texts on this topic.  How does the perspective of each author differ?  Do you agree more with one than the other?  Why?

GREAT Online Resources for Short Passages and Short Video Clips

Here are some great websites for short passages and videos that teachers have shared with us the past two years:

• www.discoveryeducation.com - short videos for grades K-6, great for practicing audio passages
• www.readworks.org/books/passages - literary and informational reading passages with question sets for grades 2-6
• teacher.depaul.edu - fiction and nonfiction passages with questions provided
• www.timeforkids.com - current news articles and some wonderful resources for inspiring opinion writing
• www.newsela.com - current events that you can change the lexile level to differentiate instruction, great for practicing audio passages, best for grades 4-6
• tweentribune.com - from the Smithsonian, current news articles with pictures that you can change the lexile level to differentiate instruction for grades K-6
• www.mrnussbaum.com - printable or online passages with comprehension questions for grades 2-6
• gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm - more than 100 biographies of famous people for grades 3-5
• www.poetry4kids.com and www.gigglepoetry.com - funny poems by Kenn Nesbitt and others to use as texts for comprehension, good for language standards
• www.readinga-z.com - this is a paid site with short passages and some wonderful NEW close reading packs with multiple passage sets, even though this is a paid site, they always have a free tryout period in the fall, grades K-6
• http://www.dogonews.com - offers a wide variety of kids news articles and videos, great for practicing audio passages, grades K-6

UALR Center for Literacy Is on Facebook

Did you know you can like UALR Center for Literacy on facebook? 

 By doing so, you will get updates from Linda Dorn 

on many literacy related topics.