Assessments on the Grade Level Pages

Can we just say how much we <HEART> the new online curriculum grade level pages?  Again, they are a work in progress, so you may see tweaks here and there.  Have a suggestion?  Let us know!

Take a look under the "Assessments" heading for your grade level page.  They are organized to go right along with the Assessment Schedule.  Doesn't it just make your heart happy to have it all in one, organized, easy-to-find place?

This example was taken from the Kindergarten Page:

Just take it all in for a minute....

Yep, it's the little things!  

2014-2015 LNW Calendar

Literacy the Nixa Way

Our LNW Calendar is ready for you to view!  It is conveniently located on the right sidebar of the LNW blog for you to access at any time.  Under "LINKS", simply choose "Calendar".  This will show you the monthly calendar view of the schedule.  In this calendar, you will also find a link to the "Master Schedule" which lists each teacher's name beside the LNW date.  

Based on the LNW feedback from last year, the first LNW session will be a full day, the second LNW session is a half day, and the final LNW session is a full day.  You will have time to collaborate with teachers from other buildings during our LNW sessions.  We have also implemented the suggestion for classroom observations and coaching.  Each ELA teacher will schedule at least one observation time for an instructional specialist to visit their classroom.  Teachers will sign up for these observations during the first LNW session.

The meeting times for LNW are below.  All ELC, K, and 1st grade meetings will be held at High Pointe in Room 316. All 2nd-6th grade meetings will be held at FAC in Room 219 (upstairs).

	FULL DAY SESSION	MORNING SESSION	AFTERNOON SESSION
Inman and Summit JTSD 5/6	7:30-2:30	7:30-10:30	11:30-2:30
Century, ELC, Espy, High Pointe, JTSD, Mathews, Summit 4th ELC-K-1 2-4	8:45-3:45 8:30-3:30	8:45-11:45 8:30-11:30	12:30-3:30 12:30-3:30

Subs for LNW 2014-2015

We have collected a lot of valuable feedback from staff regarding LNW and are making several changes for next year based on some fantastic suggestions. 

Next year, we will have one full day and one half day LNW PD during the fall semester and one full day LNW PD during the spring semester.  In addition, we will be scheduling classroom observations (this was a great teacher suggestion!) to work with individual teachers, which will not require scheduling substitutes. J  Another suggestion we are implementing is combining LNW sessions with multiple buildings for an increased opportunity for collaboration.

One thing we would like to do in order to address some substitute issues is to have teachers fill out the Google form below.  We will begin our first LNW session first part of September, so we need to get feedback before then.  We will leave the form up over the summer and through the first couple of teacher work days in August.  We will send a reminder in August as well. 

LNW SUB REQUEST FORM

Information on Spelling and Yellow Cards for the 2014-2015 School Year

Spelling 

We will post spelling lists on grade-level pages, but we will no longer use pre-test/post-test rote memorization for spelling.  Our spelling focus will be on word work, language, vocabulary, and application in writing. 

Yellow Cards

The yellow card data collection will remain the same for the 2014-2015 school year as it was this year.  Our goal is to have something that is consistent and digital-friendly for all grade level teachers in place of paper yellow cards for the 2015-2016 school year.  If you would like to serve on an ad-hoc committee to help develop this, email Dr. Kopp.

Using Informational Books in the Classroom: Letting the Facts (and Research) Speak for Itself

Click on the picture for a great article on informational texts.  

Thanks Matt McNeece for sharing this research with us.

Here Is Just a Tidbit from the Article:

Why Use Informational Text?

The evidence from everyday experience suggests that informational books:

• satisfy and broaden curiousity
• provide breadth and depth of information
• offer accurate information
• provide models for informational writing
• challenge readers to read critically
• help present familiar things in new ways
• promote exploration
• simulate direct experience
• connects readers and reading to the real world

Calling All Nixerest Fans!

Don't you just LOVE Nixerest?  Nixa is so full of talent...and that includes YOU! Send us pictures or videos of your favorite ideas and we will spotlight them right here on the LNW blog!

We are dedicating all of JUNE to NIXEREST!!!  

Check out Shannon Stewart's "Summary Staches"!

A summary you say?

I "gist" "mustache" you a question!

Who and what?

When, where, why, how?

Problem/Solution? 

20 Word Gist

ELA Resources on Twitter

If you are active on Twitter, Josh Bennett has shared some great ELA resources he likes to use.  Check out these accounts to engage in virtual collaboration with educational professionals globally.  There are great conversations and great resources to be found at:

• #ELAchat 
• #4thchat
• #5thchat
• #6thchat
• #elemchat