We are currently testing all of our students in grades 2-5 with the Star Reader Test before the holiday break.
During the week of January 11, 2009 the elementary will begin retesting all of the students in grades 2, 3, 4, & 5 with the NWEA Tests in reading and math. These results will help us evaluate our progress and it will help us decide what changes, if any, we must do in order for our students to reach their full potential during the 2009-10 school year. In addition, we will test all of our first graders with the NWEA tests.
We will do Dibels Testing during the week of January 18th and 25th. (The Dibels Test checks for - Initial Sounds Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, Phonemic Segmentation Fluency, Nonsense Word Fluency, Oral Reading Fluency, Retell Fluency, and Word Use Fluency.)
By comparing the results of these tests we should have a good handle on the progress our students are making in reading. We will use this information to adjust the individual needs of our students for the rest of the year.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
December 2009, Newsletter
It’s hard to believe that we are on the cusp of the holiday season. Where has the time gone?
I want to start my article by saying thank you. Thank you to all of the parents, staff and community members that played a role in getting the referendum passed. The staff and students are excited to start a new chapter in the Central Elementary School history books. Thank you for showing your support of our schools, students, and staff.
Mid January will signal the end of the second quarter. The half way mark if you will. At the mid-point of the year it is time to take a pulse on students learning. Not only will report cards be coming home, but we will embark on another round of NWEA testing, DIBELS testing and STAR Reading. All designed to help us pin point your child’s needs. I am very anxious to see the data that we collect from our students this time around for many reasons, but one very specific reason. The teachers have been working very hard this year under the direction of Jody Rodine to implement Guided Reading. Guided reading is a strategy that helps students become good readers. The teacher provides support for small groups of readers as they learn to use various reading strategies (context clues, letter and sound relationships, word structure,
and so forth). Although guided reading has been traditionally associated with primary grades it can be modified and used successfully in all grade levels. For example, older students may need to learn new strategies to understand how to read an information book in a way that is going to give them access to the information they are seeking.
Our teachers have been meeting every Wednesday morning at 7:oo AM since the beginning of the year with one goal in mind. Learn how to effectively use Guided Reading in their classrooms. From what I have seen and from what I have been hearing they are doing a great job of using this new tool to take students to new levels.
Be sure to keep your eye open for more information on how your child is doing. Once you know where they are I ask that you ask yourself the same question our teachers ask themselves. What can I do to take them to the next level?
I want to start my article by saying thank you. Thank you to all of the parents, staff and community members that played a role in getting the referendum passed. The staff and students are excited to start a new chapter in the Central Elementary School history books. Thank you for showing your support of our schools, students, and staff.
Mid January will signal the end of the second quarter. The half way mark if you will. At the mid-point of the year it is time to take a pulse on students learning. Not only will report cards be coming home, but we will embark on another round of NWEA testing, DIBELS testing and STAR Reading. All designed to help us pin point your child’s needs. I am very anxious to see the data that we collect from our students this time around for many reasons, but one very specific reason. The teachers have been working very hard this year under the direction of Jody Rodine to implement Guided Reading. Guided reading is a strategy that helps students become good readers. The teacher provides support for small groups of readers as they learn to use various reading strategies (context clues, letter and sound relationships, word structure,
and so forth). Although guided reading has been traditionally associated with primary grades it can be modified and used successfully in all grade levels. For example, older students may need to learn new strategies to understand how to read an information book in a way that is going to give them access to the information they are seeking.
Our teachers have been meeting every Wednesday morning at 7:oo AM since the beginning of the year with one goal in mind. Learn how to effectively use Guided Reading in their classrooms. From what I have seen and from what I have been hearing they are doing a great job of using this new tool to take students to new levels.
Be sure to keep your eye open for more information on how your child is doing. Once you know where they are I ask that you ask yourself the same question our teachers ask themselves. What can I do to take them to the next level?
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