Tips for
Understanding
Working together to
make a difference for our
children…
Content for this Power Point
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Required assessments
Tips for home
Reading strategies
Local Library
Suggested book list
New writing assessment
Pillar and writing
Big 6
Technology sites
Self-help books
CFAs, PAs, and EOGs
What in the world are these?
• The Reading EOG (End of Grade 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 this year,
and how well they have learned the reading
curriculum.
PA’s
• PA’s or Predictive Assessments, are given
approximately every 9 weeks in the IredellStatesville School System.
• These tests see how much the students have
learned, and also help to show gaps where
students must improve.
CFA’s
• CFA’s or Common Formative 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 Language A teachers in the same grade
level give the same test to the students.
Reading Tips for Home
• Choosing good books (levels, high interest,
seasonal)
• Read 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 your child 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 and reflecting on what you
read and/or asking questions
• Use Brain Gym
One game you could try…
• “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 them up
• Set aside a place for your child to work.
• Be involved.
• Mozart – certain music relaxes the mind
Utilize the Iredell County Library
• Library cards are free to all Iredell County
residents age five and over.
• 201 N Tradd St. - Statesville
More about the
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
• If you have a library card, you have Internet
access to their foreign language computer
program, MANGO
• On-going FREE community events
• Library contact #: (704) 878-3090
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
• Our system and others in the state are still
piloting an online writing across the
curriculum moodle program.
• This year the sixth graders will be taking
two writing assessments: one on-demand
and one content specific.
• The seventh graders will take a total of four
writing assessments: two on demand and
two content specific
Brainstorming Pillar and Writing
• See my student resources section on my
webpage to get a better understanding of the
graphic organizer used, the pillar, to help
students organize their thoughts before writing.
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
• Work on reading skills/NCSCOS essentials
• Licensed interactive program – student log-in required
Destiny Library Search
• Online card catalog
• Lexile search
• Public List and My List
• Students can check due dates and fines
Technology 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.
Level One
Language A Teacher
Mrs. Ward
kward@iss.k12.nc.us
(704) 873-7354
Planning 1:30-3pm