The Common Core State Standards are requiring students give evidence and explain their answers - spoken and written. Here is a good article to give perspective on the benefits of this process. Students will be assessed on this process on the CCSS assessments - coutesy of ASCD SmartBrief.

Why teachers should ask students to explain their answers
Teachers can help students learn by asking them to explain their work -- rather than memorize and repeat answers -- researchers have found. "We know generating explanations leads to better educational outcomes generally. When children explain events, they learn more than when just getting feedback about the accuracy of their predictions," said Cristine H. Legare, an assistant psychology professor and researcher at the University of Texas at Austin. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (6/5)

Small Groups has been a topic of discussion throughout the year. Here are several articles on the topic from Maine's Choice Literacy. They will help clarify our thoughts. Enjoy:}

Here are three articles from the Choice Literacy archives with different perspectives on grouping.

 

 

Franki Sibberson considers alternatives to guided groups in the intermediate grades:

 

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=434

 

Making the Most of Small Groups with Jennifer Serravallo is a podcast featuring the author of Teaching Reading in Small Groups:

 

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=1220

 

Clare Landrigan and Tammy Mulligan provide guidance for Planning Small Groups to Teach Phonetic Skills:

 

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=999

 

3 Ways to Improve Reading Comprehension courtesy of ASCD SmartBrief

Students need to learn how to digest what they read rather than simply scan text for the answer to a question, science educator Fred Ende writes in this blog post. Ende notes many exams seek responses that allow students to "scavenge" texts, and he proposes three ideas -- including rewording questions -- to help teachers ensure students gain a deeper understanding of reading material. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education (5/9)

Here is a great resource on writing workshop:} Choice Literacy is Maine based and is free online. Enjoy!!

[For sneak peeks at our upcoming features, quotes and extra links,  follow Choice Literacy on Twitter: @ChoiceLiteracy or Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/ChoiceLiteracy or Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/choiceliteracy/]

 

 

In this feature from the Choice Literacy archives, Aimee Buckner considers the balance of Writers, Choice, and Independence in her writing workshop:

 

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=898

 

Making the Home-School Connections - courtesy of Choice Literacy

Here are some great articles on making the home-school connection.  Enjoy:}

Here are two articles from the Choice Literacy Archives to help build the home/school connection.

Heather Rader and Jennifer Taft share tips for better communication with families in Good News: Your Teacher Is Calling:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=1380

Ruth Shagoury explains how dichos (words of wisdom passed down in families) can bring home cultures and values into classrooms:

http://www.choiceliteracy.com/articles-detail-view.php?id=65

Ashley Rice has created a Pinterest Board with 60 different Family Literacy Night suggestions:

http://pinterest.com/amr161/literacy-night-ideas/

Wendy Lawrence's blog, The Family That Reads Together, is a wonderful source of warm, funny, and wise book reviews from a parent's perspective:

http://thefamilythatreadstogether.com/ 

During my last visit, the students displayed independence and learning in the centers the teachers have created! Obviously, students have learned to stay focused and on task. Bravo everyone!!

 Mrs. D demonstrating the use of the spelling center for her students.

 Mrs. D. demonstrates use of the homophone center and students follow up with independent use.

 Example of poetry collage in response to the weekly poem in grade 5 - awesome Mrs. P and students.

 Fifth grade students work in collaborative groups - responding to a slide presentation preparing students for making predictions and building prior knowledge before they read.

 Mrs. P demonstrates the slides for the presentation!

Mrs. B. reviews the features of chapter books as this group moves into reading chapter books in preparation for literature circles.

Students work at the Scrambled Sentence center as Mrs. B works with a guided reading group.

 Mrs. O meets with her students in guided reading format.  They are reading a non-fiction book and loving it!  Other students work independently around the room at centers.

 Student exemplars are displayed around the room for student reference.

 Centers are posted on the board so students know their schedule.  Mrs. O reviews the morning schedule before they begin.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CHERIE DOUGHTY FOR ALL OF HER WORK ON THE BOOK ROOM.  SHE HAS SPENT MANY HOURS OF HER OWN TIME WORKING DILIGENTLY AND QUIETLY TO COMPLETE THIS IMMENSE PROJECT.  THANK YOU ALL.

A Great Resource!

Help We Give Books and LeapFrog Give Books to YOUR School! This spring, We Give Books, LeapFrog, and readers across the United States are teaming up to read digital books and donate 150,000 printed LeapFrog books to public schools across the country. Starting March 19, 2013 and continuing through April 5, when you read online at ReadForMySchool.org, you’ll have the chance send a new book directly to a school you choose – just by reading from our free online library. Pre-register now through March 18 to receive a reminder email before the campaign launches by visiting the Read for My School program site! There are only a few days left to join the WrestleManiaReading Challenge!  Through this partnership, when students between the ages of 4 and 11 read virtually connect with WWE Superstar Reading Buddies and enter to win a trip to WrestleMania 29 or a school visit from a WWE Superstar. The WrestleMania Reading Challenge ends March 8, so visit WWEReadingSuperstar.com and sign up today! March brings the start of spring, longer days, and the chance to celebrate wildlife with National Wildlife Week (March 18–24). This year the National Wildlife Federation is paying tribute to trees and the wildlife that depend on them. Learn more about your favorite animals by reading a free book at We Give Books: explore how animals grow, watch them in their home, and learn more about their families. Read a book about animals at We Give Books today! New Books Not Your Typical Dragon Everybody knows your typical dragon breathes fire. But when Crispin tries to breathe fire on his seventh birthday, in Not Your Typical Dragon, fire doesn't come out – only whipped cream! Each time Crispin tries to breathe fire, he ends up with something different. Crispin wonders if he’ll ever find his inner fire. But when a family emergency breaks out, it takes a little dragon with not-so-typical abilities to save the day. Who Was Dr. Seuss? Ted Geisel loved to doodle from the time he was a kid. He had an offbeat, fun-loving personality. He often threw dinner parties where guests wore outrageous hats! And he donned quirky hats himself when thinking up ideas for books, like his classic The Cat in the Hat. Who Was Dr. Seuss? brings an amazingly gifted author/illustrator to life. Froggy’s Worst Playdate A play date with a girl? Froggy is horrified! What will his friends say? But when Dad bribes him with the promise of a movie outing in Froggy’s Worst Playdate, Froggy has to agree, even if he won't sit next to Frogilina. She might try to kiss him. EEWW! This could be the worst play date ever.