Above & Beyond

    Today I was reminded of a fabulous video cartoon that I first saw at TLI (WVa Teacher Leadership Institute for the Common Core) in the summer of 2011.  It demonstrates the new mindset and problem solving strategies we are gearing our young learners toward.  As you view this clip, try to think about your own life and how we approach tasks like robots and with a "one way" mindset.  If we think Above & Beyond, amazing things can happen!!

Is your child reading skill appropriate books?

    As we have a wide range of reading abilities in every classroom, we as teachers use a tool that you as parents can also use at home.  There are a few scales to rate books on in terms of reading level and age appropriate.  The App "Book Retriever" allows you to scan or type the title of any children's book to see what its rating is.  Upon knowing your child's levels, you can make sure how difficult or easy your children's books are.

 

Book Retriever App

Leveled Reading Systems

What Are the Differences Between Leveled Reading Systems?

Grade Level Equivalent
The Grade Level Equivalent indicates the readability of the text by grade. It is a reflection of the grade level at which a student reading on grade could read the book independently. For instance, a student who is in the first month of fourth grade and reading on-grade would be well matched to a book with a Reading Level of 4.1. Each grade level has a range of .1 to .9.

Guided Reading Level
This detailed, alphabetic system has several levels within each grade level. For example, grade 2 is equivalent to guided reading levels J through M.  Each book is carefully evaluated prior to being leveled, and teacher input is taken into consideration in the leveling process.

The Lexile Framework® for Reading
The Lexile Framework, an even finer numerical filter, assesses a book’s difficulty and helps match reader ability and text difficulty based on the numeric Lexile scale. This system from educational measurement company MetaMetrics targets books on the right reading level for the child’s ability. It is based on an algorithm that simultaneously measures vocabulary and sentence length.  If a book is best shared as a read-aloud, it is in the Adult Directed, or AD, category. A book is a Nonconforming Text, or NC, if its vocabulary and sentence length are complex compared to the subject matter. An NC book is one that is suitable for advanced readers who need age-appropriate material. Beginning Readers, or BR, are those books at a Lexile measure of zero or below.  There is a free database at Lexile.com.

DRA
Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) is a reading assessment tool intended to identify the independent reading level for students in grades K–8.

 (Leveled Reading Systems, Explained:  Understanding the differences between leveled reading systems and choosing a system to use, plus how to make a leveled book list and what to do if a book isn't leveled,  By  Ruth Manna, Website:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/leveled-reading-systems-explained )

Common Core for Parents

 

     In West Virginia, we have named our state's documents with Next Generation Common Core Standards (NxG CSOs).  These new objectives allow teachers to require students to learn more age appropriate skills and get a deep understanding of the required skills.  This should, hopefully keep all of our students on the same playing field nationally and eventually globally.

    

 

3 Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State Standards 

Summer Vacation

     The last day of school has come and gone.  Summer sports and family vacations are in full swing. 
     As the weather has started out to be pretty rainy and stormy, I am sure it will clear up with sun and heat very soon. 
     Enjoy the summer as I post videos and activities for you to continue learning at home so you are in ship shape when school resumes! Have a safe, fun summer!!!