Finding the Right Reading Program

I have been reading several trade magazines.  I found an excellent article in the PD sourcebook:  teachersourcebook.org titled Finding the Right Reading Program.  It had definitions of the absence of fluency and comprehension.   Lack of fluency--- can't figure out words.  Lack of comprehension-- can't make sense of the material read.  Strategies for checking:
1.  Know the signs that help identify the types of reading problems.
2.  Find an assessment-guided approach.
3.  Look for cognitive-based exercises.

This was good information for me.  

hello it's been a very busy week!

Our class made stone soup and had a storyteller come in and read the book to us.  The soup was delicious... and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Just seems like there is so much work to do.  I have been praying and asking for guidance for the students in my classroom.  I have some with multi-year delays and some severe behavior problems.  The other day I got another epiphany and the focus became clear for this class. I relayed this information to my students and told them I had been praying about the class, but I've got my flow now.  One of the students dropped to her knees and said "Jesus, help us!"  Another student shouted "Where's the switch? We need to turn her off!"  They are honest but funny. 

I have been reading trade magazines and reviewing websites.  I will be facilitating a parent workshop on how to help students prepare for the state assessments online.  Along with Robotics and Spell Read and after school grant and on and on ..........just busy and really looking forward to the Thanksgiving and Christmas break.  So to you and yours have a wonderful, restful and blessed Thanksgiving. 

Website Reviews

For my reading time this week I did website reviews.  I am using several great websites in my classroom and the class and I logged onto Study Island for the first time.  The website proves to be very challenging and useful to all of the students regardless of their learning level.  It has reading, math and science.  We will be testing on all these areas in the spring and the website is specifically aligned to the standards. 

this week's epiphany!

Hello fellow facilitators of greatness!  This week has certainly been a challenge but we have overcome.  I am reading the book of Romans 13,14,15,and finishing chapter 16.  One of the verses that stood out to me is 15:14 "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."  Paul was a master teacher.  This is also our charge, admonishing one another full of goodness and filled with all knowledge.  Holding each other up in prayer and supporting the work that we have been given to complete.  Our gifts continue to make room for us as we demonstrate the love of God to our students, parents, families, co-workers and others as God allows us to cross those precious paths.  I encourage you to finish the race with victory!