ideas for stragies and bulletin boards -- need help!

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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 I have not seen any of the kids scores yet; we just tested them for this year yesterday.

I took one reading course in grad school and it was taught by an adjunct sub -- kind of a rip off -- bc the professor quit at the last minute. My teaching experience lies more in teaching literature and writing, but I love reading and really want to be able to help these kids!

I am wondering if any of you have any ideas where to begin.I do have one copy of the "Reader's Handbook" and could possibly copy lessons from that if need be. I am at a real loss.

Also needing ideas to decorate the bulletin board outside my classroom. ...See More

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OP Meant to ask, what is ARP? I have heard of STAR, but am not sure if I can access that.

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 Teach...See More

Sep 27, 2010

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Mae in Texas ARP is the Accelerated Reading Program (I am not a fan of ARP). The STAR test is by the same company. I figured if you had the ARP program on your school computers, you might have the STAR. It's a quick computer generated test. Get your hands on those Lexile levels! That's what you need. Behavior can be tough with a group like that. I had a group o...See More

Sep 27, 2010

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thanks Mae again! from OP Tomorrow hopefully will have time to hunt down the lexiles.... no one is making it easy to find stuff at my school, LOL. (or cry OL)

I now have a myriad of books in the room, including texts that many 1st or 2nd graders could tackle. So I am really digging the idea you threw out about partnered readers. Any ideas on how to structure the di...See More

Sep 29, 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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