Tips for Home
Working together to
make a difference for
our children…
Overview of Parent Tips Power Point
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Required assessments for the school year
Tips for home
Reading strategies
Local Library
Suggested book list
Writing assessment for seventh grade
Pillar and writing
Big 6
Technology sites
Self-help books
EOGs, CFAs, and PAs
What in the world are these?
• The End of Grade (EOG) test is given at
the end of the school year in May.
• This test is used to assess the students on
what they have learned in reading that
year, and how well they have learned the
curriculum in the tested subjects.
PA’s
• PA’s or Predictive Assessments, are given
approximately every 9 weeks in the IredellStatesville School System.
• These tests see how much the student
has learned at that point, and also helps to
show what area the student needs to work
on.
CFA’s
• CFA’s or Classroom Formal Assessments,
are tests that are given monthly to assess
the student on the objective that has been
covered in class during that period of time.
• All ELA teachers in the same grade level
give the same test to the students.
2009-2010 EOG Dates
• Monday, May 17th = Reading EOG
• Tuesday, May 18th = Calculator Active
Math EOG
• Wednesday, May 19th = Calculator Inactive
Math EOG
Tips for Home
• Choosing good books (levels, high
interest, seasonal)
• Reading with your child.
• Play reading related games.
• Let your child see you reading.
• Set aside certain times for reading:
D-E-A-R (Drop Everything And Read).
• Show students a “need” to read.
More Tips…
• Middle school students are thinking about
what they will do in their lives--college,
careers, and more. Read books that
introduce opportunities and experiences
(high interest level).
• Model stopping reflecting on what you
read and/or asking questions
• Brain Gym= http://www.braingym.org/
For example…
• “Read Around Day”
• Take a variety of high interest books and place them in the middle of
the circle/table.
• When I say, "go"! They have to select a book and read until I say stop.
Usually it's about 3-4 minutes.
• Then they send their book to the next person. This continues until
everyone has read the books at that table.
• They don't have to start at the beginning; they can just look at
pictures, or use the index to find something that interests them.
• Interview each person on what they learned, or what they liked.
• They love it, and they hate it. They want to read more of at least one
book and they can't because it has rotated around. ~Science Teacher
Marsha
http://www.middleweb.com/MWLISTCONT/MSLreading1.html
Reading Strategies
• Make a connection with the text
• Make predictions
• Stop periodically to reflect on what
you’ve read
• Stop and visualize/picture
• Reread
• Adjust your reading rate
Continued Strategies
• When your child is reading, encourage
him/her to take notes.
• Write down unfamiliar words – look up
• Set aside a place for your child to work
• Be involved
• Mozart – certain music relaxes the mind
• QAR Stoplight Strategy
Iredell County Library
• Library cards are free to all Iredell County residents age
five and over.
Driving Directions from SMS:
1.Head north on Clegg
2.Turn left at E Broad St/NC-2321
3.Turn right at N Bost St
4.Turn left at Davie Ave/US-21/US-64
5.Slight right at NC-90/E Water St
6.Turn right at N Tradd St – library on the left
• 201 N Tradd St. - Statesville
More…Iredell County Library
• http://www.iredell.lib.nc.us/librarycard.htm
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 9.00pm
Friday & Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00pm
Sunday
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
• On-going FREE community events
Girl Talk is going on now!
• Library contact #: (704) 878-3090
Suggested Student Book List
• Having trouble getting your child to read at
home?
• Here are some titles we suggest to ignite
your child’s passion for reading!!
Artemis Fowl
by Eoin Colfer
Twelve-year-old millionaire,
genius, and criminal mastermind
Artemis Fowl finds himself in over
his head after he kidnaps a
dangerous fairy.
Double Dutch
by Sharon Draper
Three eighth-grade friends, preparing
for the International Double Dutch
Championship jump rope
competition in their home town of
Cincinnati, Ohio, cope with Randy's
missing father, Delia's inability to
read, and Yo Yo's encounter with
the class bullies.
Payback
by Paul Langan
Bluford freshman Tyray Hobbs,
the class bully and tormentor of
Darrell Mercer, is determined to
get revenge on Darrell, the only
boy who ever stood up to Tyray.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
In the city of Ember, twelve-year-old
Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day
to be a Messenger to run to new
places in her decaying but beloved
city, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown
Regions.
Holes by Louis Sachar
As further evidence of his family's
bad fortune which they attribute to
a curse on a distant relative, Stanley
Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional
camp in the Texas desert where he finds
his first real friend, a treasure, and a new
sense of himself.
Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko
Eleven-year-old Ant, stuck in a family that
she does not like, copes by pretending that
her "real" parents are coming to rescue her,
by loving her dog Pistachio, by volunteering
at the zoo, and by bending the truth and telling lies.
Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island
in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has
to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition
to life with his autistic sister.
Beat the Turtle Drum by Constance Greene
A young girl learns to cope with her feelings about her
sister's accidental death
Tears of a Tiger by Sharon Draper
The death of high school basketball
star Rob Washington in an automobile
accident affects the lives of his close
friend Andy, who was driving the car,
and many others in the school.
A Child Called IT by David Pelzer
David Pelzer, victim of one of the
worst child abuse cases in the history
of California, tells the story of how he
survived his mother's brutality and
triumphed over his past.
Book List for Parents/Guardians
• Homework Without Tears: A Parent’s Guide for
Motivating Children To Do Homework and to Succeed in
School by, Lee Canter and Lee Hausner, PH.D.
– Focuses on “The Seven Most Common Homework Problems”
and provides straightforward solutions.
• Home Sweet Homework: A Parent’s Guide to StressFree Homework and Studying Strategies That Work by
Sharon Marshall Lockett
– Includes commonly asked questions and specific suggestions for
helping your student study.
• Study Smart: Hands-On, Nuts-and-Bolts Techniques for
Earning Higher Grades by Theordore Silver, M.D, J.D.
– Discusses different learning styles and how they relate to
studying. Provides tutorials for studying.
More Books for parents/guardians…
• The Homework Solution: Getting Kids to do
Their Homework. The Proven 4-Week Method
to End Homework Struggles for Good! By Linda
Agler Sonna, Ph.D.
– Gives suggestions for structuring homework time and
suggestions for improving communication with your
student.
• Seven Secrets of How to Study: Mapping Your
Strategy for Better Grades. Teach Yourself How
to Earn an A+ in 12 Hours by, Dr. Stephen Jones
– Discusses specific study strategies, time
management, and understanding your textbook.
New Writing Assessment (7th Grade)
• ISS is a pilot district
• Four writing samples taken during the
school year:
– Two on-demand
– Two content-specific
• 21st century technology – typing
entries into a word program.
Brainstorming Pillar and Writing
Brainstorming Pillar:
Introduction
Main Idea/Argument #1
Details
Main Idea/Argument #2
Details
Main/Idea Argument #3
Details
Conclusion
Writing Process!
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Brainstorming: collecting and organizing ideas, words, and phrases
that could be used in the piece.
1st Rough Draft: the first attempt at writing, with the main focus on
“content”.
Peer-Revision: small groups of students read each other’s first drafts
and comment of the “content” of the writing, according to a specific
feed-back strategy.
2nd Draft: the second attempt at writing the piece, which focuses on
finishing the “content” while also paying close attention to grammar
and structure.
Peer-Editing: small groups of students read each other’s second
drafts and comment on grammar and structure.
Teacher/Student Conference: Happens throughout the process, and
allows the student and teacher to share ideas and meet one-on-one
on how the progress is going.
Final Draft: the final draft of the piece is typed and ready to be
formally assessed.
Big6 Process
What is it?
It is a process (series of steps) that will help students solve a
problem or do a task.
Why do it?
This process will prepare students for future research projects
including the NC Graduation Project.
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem)
What is my current task?
What are some topics or questions I need to answer?
What information will I need?
2. Information Seeking Strategies
2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Select the best sources
What are all the possible sources to check?
What are the best sources of information for this task?
3. Location and Access
3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources
Where can I find these sources?
Where can I find the information in the source?
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
What information do I expect to find in this source?
What information from the source is useful?
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
How will I organize my information?
How should I present my information?
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
Did I do what was required?
Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?
The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For
more information, visit: www.big6.com
Web Based Technology
Castle Learning
• Reading and math skills
• Licensed interactive program – student
log-in required
Destiny Library Search
• Online card catalog
• Public List and My List
• Students can check due dates and fines
Web Resources Suggestions
• Partnership for Family Involvement:
• www.ed.gov/PFIE
– Includes a section on homework, encouraging
your student to read, and frequently asked
questions about education
• Schwablearning.org
– Includes many resources for parents
regarding education.
Questions…
Sixth Grade Language A = Keeley Ward
kward@iss.k12.nc.us
Media Specialist = Sharon Gibson
sgibson@iss.k12.nc.us
See NorthView’s Website
for more teacher contact information