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Reading Teachers Chatboard

Title 1 Reading Middle School

by jules

Sep 19, 2010

I am teaching 7th & 8th grade Title 1 Reading. The classes are mixed with both grades. I need some ideas! Class sizes range from 14 students up to 20 students at a time. These are the students who failed their state reading test in the spring. My class takes the place of one of their electives, so most of them do not want to be there! Any ideas...See More

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Pam I am also teaching Title I reading, and my classes are all seventh grade. This is my first year in this position, although I'm a seasoned teacher. My classes range from 18-30 students, and we have become a title school, so ALL students have reading. My classes were arranged by results from the NWEA spring testing, and from the fall results, I know ...See More

Sep 26, 2010

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Reading ...Help me!

by Genay Rancorn

Sep 19, 2010

If you give a student a passage to read, then give them a test on it two days later without access to the text, aren't you assessing RECALL only. I was taught that you teaching comprehension strategies and then allow students to use put those into practice.

This is not done at the private school that I am now in The text is old Scott Fore...See More

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Mae in Texas I agree with Teri. You are assessing recall. Mae

Sep 24, 2010

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Sara On 9/19/10, Genay Rancorn wrote: > If you give a student a passage to read, then give them a > test on it two days later without access to the text, > aren't you assessing RECALL only. I was taught that you > teaching comprehension strategies and then allow students > to use put those into practice. > > This is not done at the ...See MoreOn 9/19/10, Genay Rancorn wrote: > If you give a student a passage to read, then give them a > test on it two days later without access to the text, > aren't you assessing RECALL only. I was taught that you > teaching comprehension strategies and then allow students > to use put those into practice. > > This is not done at the private school that I am now in The > text is old Scott Foresman. I discussed it with our > principal and she wondered what the TE says to do (allow > students to reread the text as they are taking the comp. > test or not) The TE says nothing. What should I do to help > the school with this?

I'd agree and fully that a test two days after a passage is read is testing recall - perhaps as well as comprehension - but two days after reading a passage even if well understood at the time is too long. Kids forget things espcially about reading passages - these reading passages are usually not very interesting reading...

That answered what else are you asking? Does your principal think these tests 'teach' comprehension? Tests are tests - a test based on a reading passage does not teach comprehension in and of itself. It tests comprehension - even if read immediately afterwards, it does demand some recall as well.

What's wanted? That students improve their comprehension of reading? How well do your students decode? A lot of comprehension issues lie in the simple struggle to decode the words.

I'd suggest having your principal read the book "Mosaic of Thought" - sounds like she doesn't know much about comprehending reading.

And I wouldn't use a text if I wanted to foster comprehension of reading. The text alone shuts kids down. Give them instructions on putting something together, give a label from a soup can and ask them to read it and explain it - real exercises awaken the brain to comprehending reading rather than mouthing the words. Scatter poetry through the year - nothing helps with comprehension like poetry because it can mean a million different things all at the same time.

Those passages and the follow-up tests lead kids to believe there's only one right answer and then they waste time and brain energy figuring out what the one right answer is. Comprehension of written material isn't a one right answer thing - it's just that we make simple tests that try to suggest that it is.

Sep 29, 2010

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Pros and Cons of 6 traits

by Deana Smith

Sep 22, 2010

I am an education major and have an assignment to write a paper based on the pros and cons of the 6 traits of writing. I would love some feedback on what you feel as seasoned teachers works in the classroom and what does not. Thank you for your time!

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love it but.... the time required to teach is an addition block out of the already over booked day

On 9/22/10, Deana Smith wrote: > I am an education major and have an assignment to write a > paper based on the pros and cons of the 6 traits of > writing. I would love some feedback on what you feel as > seasoned teachers works in the classroom ...See More

Oct 3, 2010

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Teri On 10/03/10, love it but.... wrote: > the time required to teach is an addition block out of the > already over booked day > I don't see how/why it would take anymore time to use 6 traits-- it's just a method of teaching writing. Whether you use 6 traits or not, you would still teach writing??? When I taught writing, I loved 6 traits. It r...See More

Oct 3, 2010

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Phonemic Awareness Inventory

by Me2

Sep 22, 2010

Does anyone know where I can get a phonemic awareness inventory / assessment online? Specifically grades 2 -4?

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Kenny [link removed]!

Oct 1, 2010

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Writing Class Ideas

by LR

Sep 23, 2010

I am teaching a writing class that is supposed to get students ready for the 10th grade writing test in the spring. We are only three weeks in and I am going crazy! We have to teach them to write a five paragraph essay, grammar, and vocabulary everyday. It is getting really boring, and even I am bored. I have tried searching for ideas on the intern...See More

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Robin On 9/23/10, LR wrote: > I am teaching a writing class that is supposed to get > students ready for the 10th grade writing test in the > spring. We are only three weeks in and I am going crazy! We > have to teach them to write a five paragraph essay, > grammar, and vocabulary everyday. It is getting really > boring, and even I am b...See More

Sep 26, 2010

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Diane I tried to find the program you mentioned, "Bring Vocabulary to > Life" but all I could find was "Bringing Words to Life" by Isabel Beck. Is yours a textbook?

> I follow a vocabulary program called "Bring Vocabulary to > Life". Stdents seem to respond to words that they select > themselves from the context of reading. I, too, a...See More

Sep 26, 2010

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Please Complete Survey For Dissertation

by Evonne

Sep 23, 2010

Friends, Family and Others, I have finally made it to the point that I am able to send out my survey for my dissertation. Please forward this link to any high school certified English/Language Arts Teachers and/or Reading Teachers you know in Florida and Georgia. I need to get as many teachers as possible to complete my survey. I really appreciate ...See More

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ideas for stragies and bulletin boards -- need help!

by tnbelle

Sep 24, 2010

I just got a job teaching ELA, but it is unique class -- called an 'extension' class for 'support' for struggling readers. I teach MS.

I had little in the way of texts to work with until today -- I have managed to scxrounge up enough books now for even my lowest level readers to at least have something to read. There is no curriculum, and...See More

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ideas for stragies and bulletin boards -- need help!

by tnbelle

Sep 24, 2010

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pearly It sounds like you're teaching students who can really benefit from READ 180 or System 44. We're into the 4th year of READ 180 on my campus, 2nd for System 44, and we've seen excellent progress with both of those programs. They're hideously expensive, but they work for many students.

Meanwhile, you might want to check out Remedia material...See MoreIt sounds like you're teaching students who can really benefit from READ 180 or System 44. We're into the 4th year of READ 180 on my campus, 2nd for System 44, and we've seen excellent progress with both of those programs. They're hideously expensive, but they work for many students.

Meanwhile, you might want to check out Remedia materials. They have something called Skill Cards that have really helped my kids with test taking skills.

On 9/27/10, OP wrote: > Thanks Mae! I was KMFC that somebody would finally reply to my > pleading post. > > I believe that the kids had their lexiles assessed in their > regular LA classes the other day -- I am not sure what test was > used. The most baffling thing is that we do not have access to > their reading scores (dra's I think) from elementary school, > though they do exist! Our principal seems to never know anything > about these scores or who to ask to get them -- this in a district > that is big on everything related to the "data" data data..... but > I digress. Only one person apparently has the password to get to > the scores, and she is on FMLA till November. I will see about > getting alternate testing done. I will have to just do it in nmy > classroom without telling anyone, I suppose. > > Thank you for your suggestions. You are correct; the class with > the lowest group are mostly sped, an I am guessing we are talking > below the third grade reading level. Sadly, some of these kids' > parents are already calling to make sure they are getting the > support they need in reading. We are supposed to be starting Read > 180 and System 44 with our students, but this has not happened > yet. Don't have the funding complete yet or something or other.... > Do you have any experience with either of these programs? > > I am going to print out your post tomorrow when I have access to a > printer. I will start looking for these books right away. > Strategies are what I need. As for motivators, I would love to > hear any further suggestions. I have some behavior problems in my > lowest class (no surprise their) and could really use help with > them as well. So far I have spent most of my time on classroom > mgmt, redoing seating charts, fielding kids back and forth from > guidance to deal with their social issues, etc. I am exhausted by > the end of the day and could use some motivation myself sometimes! > > Thank you thank you thank you again. Trying to get psyched up for > another day tomorrow. > > > NewCTteach > > > On 9/27/10, Mae in Texas wrote: >> The first thing you need is to assess reading levels. Chances >> are you won't have an assessment kit in your MS building. See >> if you can borrow one from an elementary school. Look for the >> DRA kit or Teacher's College kit (two of the best). If your >> building has ARP, you might have the STAR test. If you do - >> take your kids to the computer lab and have them take the >> test (you will have to make sure their names are in and all >> that). This will give you a reading level as well as an >> independent reading range. It's a great place to start. I'm >> guessing your struggling readers will mostly range in 3rd-5th >> reading levels. Lower than that are probably in SPED. It's >> important that you get these kids into books. Read out loud >> to them. Book talk. Take them to the library (your new >> favorite place). Make reading important and exciting. I >> suggest that you get a copy of Strategies that Work by Harvey >> and Goudvis and pour over it -quickly. These kids need to >> learn reading strategies. Also read The Book Whisperer. These >> kids need: direct instruction, lots and lots of independent >> reading time on their independent reading level, and guided >> reading on their instructional level. They will also most >> likely need motivation. Reading aloud great books that are a >> bit above their level can make a huge difference. Read >> something like The Hunger Games. Good luck. Mae

Oct 4, 2010

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OP to Pearly, MAe, etc Thanks Pearly. I do hope we can get them going. Some hideous debacle in the district -- we've gotten half of the stuff in for the program, but the other half (e.g., licenses, etc) seems to be lost in the abyss of our district's red tape. IT is maddening. I feel like I am failing kids. I have a few that are reading lower than 1st grade according to ...See MoreThanks Pearly. I do hope we can get them going. Some hideous debacle in the district -- we've gotten half of the stuff in for the program, but the other half (e.g., licenses, etc) seems to be lost in the abyss of our district's red tape. IT is maddening. I feel like I am failing kids. I have a few that are reading lower than 1st grade according to the IEPs I have gotten copies of.

I have gotten some great suggestions here, including yours. I will check it out, too. THe reading a-z link is promising; I am just reluctant to ask the administrator to shell out more bucks. They are crying poverty while we wait for the promised reading programs to materialize.

THe suggestions on pairing kids worked well Friday. I ended up having small groups read some of the lower leveled readers I have managed to scrounge up. It seemed to go well, the kids were pleased and everyone got a chance to practice.

So frustrating to wake up each day and wonder what the hay I am going to do with these kids.

Thanks again for all the responses here, Pearly and Mae especially.

OP

On 10/04/10, pearly wrote: > It sounds like you're teaching students who can really benefit from > READ 180 or System 44. We're into the 4th year of READ 180 on my > campus, 2nd for System 44, and we've seen excellent progress with > both of those programs. They're hideously expensive, but they work > for many students. > > Meanwhile, you might want to check out Remedia materials. They have > something called Skill Cards that have really helped my kids with > test taking skills. > > On 9/27/10, OP wrote: >> Thanks Mae! I was KMFC that somebody would finally reply to my >> pleading post. >> >> I believe that the kids had their lexiles assessed in their >> regular LA classes the other day -- I am not sure what test was >> used. The most baffling thing is that we do not have access to >> their reading scores (dra's I think) from elementary school, >> though they do exist! Our principal seems to never know anything >> about these scores or who to ask to get them -- this in a district >> that is big on everything related to the "data" data data..... but >> I digress. Only one person apparently has the password to get to >> the scores, and she is on FMLA till November. I will see about >> getting alternate testing done. I will have to just do it in nmy >> classroom without telling anyone, I suppose. >> >> Thank you for your suggestions. You are correct; the class with >> the lowest group are mostly sped, an I am guessing we are talking >> below the third grade reading level. Sadly, some of these kids' >> parents are already calling to make sure they are getting the >> support they need in reading. We are supposed to be starting Read >> 180 and System 44 with our students, but this has not happened >> yet. Don't have the funding complete yet or something or other.... >> Do you have any experience with either of these programs? >> >> I am going to print out your post tomorrow when I have access to a >> printer. I will start looking for these books right away. >> Strategies are what I need. As for motivators, I would love to >> hear any further suggestions. I have some behavior problems in my >> lowest class (no surprise their) and could really use help with >> them as well. So far I have spent most of my time on classroom >> mgmt, redoing seating charts, fielding kids back and forth from >> guidance to deal with their social issues, etc. I am exhausted by >> the end of the day and could use some motivation myself sometimes! >> >> Thank you thank you thank you again. Trying to get psyched up for >> another day tomorrow. >> >> >> NewCTteach >> >> >> On 9/27/10, Mae in Texas wrote: >>> The first thing you need is to assess reading levels. Chances >>> are you won't have an assessment kit in your MS building. See >>> if you can borrow one from an elementary school. Look for the >>> DRA kit or Teacher's College kit (two of the best). If your >>> building has ARP, you might have the STAR test. If you do - >>> take your kids to the computer lab and have them take the >>> test (you will have to make sure their names are in and all >>> that). This will give you a reading level as well as an >>> independent reading range. It's a great place to start. I'm >>> guessing your struggling readers will mostly range in 3rd-5th >>> reading levels. Lower than that are probably in SPED. It's >>> important that you get these kids into books. Read out loud >>> to them. Book talk. Take them to the library (your new >>> favorite place). Make reading important and exciting. I >>> suggest that you get a copy of Strategies that Work by Harvey >>> and Goudvis and pour over it -quickly. These kids need to >>> learn reading strategies. Also read The Book Whisperer. These >>> kids need: direct instruction, lots and lots of independent >>> reading time on their independent reading level, and guided >>> reading on their instructional level. They will also most >>> likely need motivation. Reading aloud great books that are a >>> bit above their level can make a huge difference. Read >>> something like The Hunger Games. Good luck. Mae

Oct 13, 2010

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