Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2013!  The first semester has ended.  Report cards will be sent home with students on Friday, January 4, 2013.

Benchmark
The winter benchmark window is now open.  AIMSWEB assessments should be completed by January 31, 2013.  This is for ALL students in grades K-5.

The window for Acuity benchmarking in elementary schools is January 28-Feb. 8, 2013.

WESTEST Writing Assessment
Elementary is scheduled for  April 8-19, 2013.  Please be mindful that April 12 and April 19 are OSE days to be used for make up by school closure due to inclement weather.  April 15 is ISE Day.  Remember this when scheduling.

WESTEST Dates
May 6-10, 2013.  Make Up Dates are May 13-17, 2013.   

Spelling Bee
The Wayne County Spelling Bee will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Spring Valley High School.  The bee will begin at 9:30 a.m.  Spellers should arrive no later than 9:15 for registration which begins at 9:00 a.m.  In case of school closing or delay the bee will be held on January 19, 2013.

Early Release
School will be released two hours early on Friday, January 18, 2013 for staff meeting.

Holiday
School will not be in session on Monday, January 21, 2013 Martin Luther King Day.

Upcoming Professional Development
Jan. 22-Common Core Webinar for 4th and 5th grade teachers.  3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Central Office
Jan. 23-Common Core Webinar for KG teachers.  3:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m.  Central Office
Jan. 24-Common Core Webinar for 1st grade teachers.  3:30-4:45 p.m.  Central Office
Jan. 26-FOSS Science Kit Training sponsored by East Lynn Elementary.  9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Contact Margaret Williamson at East Lynn Elementary for information.
Jan. 29-Common Core Training for Elementary Principals  SVHS VoTech  9:00-3:00 p.m.

Dates to Remember
Feb. 4-Midterm ends
Feb. 11-Midterms Go Home
Feb. 18-ISE Day
Feb. 19-Common Core Webinar for 2nd and 3rd grade teachers  3:30-4:45 p.m.  Central Office
RESA 2 Math Field Day-March 8, 2013  Southern Community College
West Virginia Young Writer's Competition-Essays due to Central Office on Feb. 8.

Holiday Events

Please note the following events at the elementary schools.  This will be updated as received.

Happy Holidays!

Ceredo Elementary

Winter Carnival  December 7, 2012

Christmas Program December 17, 2012
K-3  1:00 p.m.

Christmas Program December 18, 2012
4-5  1:00 p.m.

Reading Resource Materials

Please check out these sites for reading support.

Florida Center for Reading Research

www.fcrr.org

The Florida Center for Reading Research was established in January, 2002. It is jointly administered at Florida State University by the Learning Systems Institute and the
College of Arts and Sciences.

The Center’s Four Part Mission:

• To conduct basic research on reading, reading growth, reading assessment, and reading instruction that will contribute to the scientific knowledge of reading and benefit students in Florida and throughout the nation.


• To disseminate information about research-based practices related to literacy instruction and assessment for children in pre-school through 12th grade.


• To conduct applied research that will have an immediate impact on policy and practices related to literacy instruction in Florida.


• To provide technical assistance to Florida’s schools and to the State Department of Education for the improvement of literacy outcomes in students from pre-K through 12th grade.

This site provides lessons and activities for both core reading and interventions.

Dr. Anita Archer's Videos using explicit teaching techniques:

http://www.scoe.org/pub/htdocs/archer-videos.html

About Dr. Archer: Anita Archer, Ph.D., recipient of eight outstanding educator awards, has taught elementary and middle school students and has been a faculty member at San Diego State University, the University of Washington, and the University of Oregon. She currently serves as an educational consultant to school districts on effective instruction, classroom management, language arts instruction, and study skills instruction. She is a nationally known presenter and has authored training and curriculum materials, chapters, and books. Among her works are the acclaimed REWARDS reading program and the Tough Kid Video Series.

Technical Assistance: The Anita Archer videos are also available as podcasts from iTunes. If you are interested in downloading the videos from iTunes as QuickTime movies, please see these instructions for Locating and Making Copies of iTunes Video Files (pdf).

Other Anita Archer Resources

Explicit Instruction, by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes
Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching is a new book, published in 2010, that was co-authored by Dr. Archer. It is a practical and accessible resource that gives special and general education teachers the tools to implement explicit instruction in any grade level or content area. Learn more at the Explicit Instruction website.

Additional  Anita Archer Resources

Explicit Instruction, by Anita Archer and Charles Hughes
Explicit Instruction: Effective and Efficient Teaching is a new book, published in 2010, that was co-authored by Dr. Archer. It is a practical and accessible resource that gives special and general education teachers the tools to implement explicit instruction in any grade level or content area. Learn more at the Explicit Instruction website.

DVDs of Strategic Approach to Literacy Series
Lesson set DVDs of Dr. Anita Archer’s Strategic Approach to Literacy trainings are available for purchase (these are not the same as the video series above). Designed for self-study, inservice follow-up, para-educator training, and parent/board member support, these edited trainings by Dr. Archer encompass the key aspects of teaching beginning reading. The series focuses on seven topics related to beginning reading and includes demonstrations from five grade levels. Each lesson has discussion questions and resources for further study. Download a copy of the order form (pdf) or call (707) 524-2839 for information.

Materials from Anita Archer’s 2012 Workshops
Bridging to the Common Core Standards, K-6 (pdf)
Getting Them All Engaged, Active Participation in Grades K-6 (pdf)
Scaffolding Comprehension of Informational Text, Grades 6-12 (pdf)
Handout: Graphic Organizers (pdf)

Materials from Anita Archer’s 2011 Workshops
Enhancing Core Reading-Language Arts Instruction, K-6
Presentation Slides (pdf)
Handout of Examples (pdf)

Building Adolescent Literacy in the Common Core
Presentation Slides (pdf)
Handout of Examples (pdf)
NCAC Curriculum Enhancement Report: Background Knowledge (pdf)

Materials from Anita Archer’s 2010 Workshops
Improving Instruction in Every Classroom, K-12
Explicit Instruction Presentation Slides (pdf)
Explicit Instruction Charts (pdf)
Observing Instruction Handout (pdf)

Writing in the Primary Grades
Model of Writing Instruction Presentation Slides (pdf)
Writing Foundations Presentation Slides (pdf)
Application to California Reading/Language Arts Frameworks (pdf)
Article: How Spelling Supports Reading, by Louisa Moats (pdf)
Article: Want to Improve Children's Writing, by Steve Graham (pdf)
Primary Writing, Written Product Examples (pdf)
Writing Foundation Examples (pdf)

IPad Apps and Websites

Just wanted to pass on these IPad Apps for Teachers and some websites you might find useful.

 

Apps

• Dragon
• Red Stamp
• Chicktionary
• Lino
• Flashcardiet
• Popplet Lite
• Penguins
• Era of Dino
• History Maps
• History Pin
• NASA
• Instagram
• Scan
• Skype
• Ted

Check out these websites:
For Inspiration and News:  Ted 
http://www.ted.com/  

Teaching:

http://www.educreations.com/

Research: Google

http://www.google.com/mobile/

Basic Math: Math Quizzer

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mathquizzer/ id293618952?mt=8

Social Studies: Today in History Lite

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/today-in-history-lite/id312028719?mt=8

StoryTelling: Puppet Pals

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puppet-pals-hd/id342076546?mt=8

Toontastic

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic/id404693282

Projects: Project Noah

http://www.projectnoah.org/

Science: Science 360

http://science360.gov/

Music: Virtuosio Piano

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/virtuoso-piano-free-3/id391994966?mt=8

Free Books

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/free-books-23-469-classics/id364612911?mt=8

How Stuff Works

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/howstuffworks/id401986544?mt=8


 

Transforming Elementary Classroom Webinars

The WVDE Office of Early Learning has prepared a series of webinars titled "Transforming Elementary Classrooms-Extending the Work of Teacher Leadership Institutes."

This series of webinars is designed to support teachers who have attended Teacher Leadership Institutes and their colleagues.  The content of the webinar will extend the work from the TLI.  All teachers and administrators are invited to attend.  The webinars are voluntary. Due to limited slots teachers are encouraged to come together and participate in groups.  I have registered Wayne County for each webinar.  Following is a list of the scheduled webinars.  Anyone interested in attending should come to the central office large conference room.

Webinar Schedule

October 25, 2012  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Kindergarten teachers
Transforming Elementary Classrooms

November 13, 2012 3:30-4:30 p.m.  First Grade Teachers
Transforming Elementary Classrooms

November 14, 2012 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Elementary School Administrators
Supporting Elementary School Principals as schools transition to Next Generation Standards

November 15, 2012  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Fourth/Fifth Grade Teachers
Transforming Elementary Classrooms

January 10, 2012 3:30-4:30 p.m.  K-5 Teachers

January 22, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Fourth/Fifth Grade Teachers

January 23, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Kindergarten Teachers

January 24, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m.  First Grade Teachers

February 19, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Second and Third Grade Teachers
Introduction to the Next Generation CSO's

March 21, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m. Second and Third Grade Teachers
Introduction to the Next Generation CSO's

April 9, 2013 3:30-4:30 p.m.  K-2

May 7, 2013  3:30-4:30 p.m.  Second/Third Grade 2013 TLI Participants
Sharing of information for 2013 TLI

New Beginnings

New Beginnings

The beginning of school has really flown by.  Thanks to everyone for making the beginning such a success.  We have lots of new faces in new places.  This is to update everyone on a few things.

Benchmarking

Everyone has completed the first benchmark for AIMSWEB.  The next window will open in January. 

Acuity

The testing period for the first benchmark for students in grades 3-5 will be October 22-November 2, 2012.

Important Dates

• October 9-First nine weeks ends
• October 16-Report Cards Go Home
• October 18-Elementary Parent Conference 4:00-6:30 p.m.
• October 19-ISE  Erin Gruell a nationally recognized speaker on building relationships will make two presentations.  Elementary teachers will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Spring Valley High School auditorium.  Erin will be available following the presentation for book signings.  The movie "Freedom Writers" depicted her classroom.
• November 4-Daylight Savings Time ends
• November 6-Election Day-don't forget to vote.  School will not be in session.
• November 12-Veteran 's Day-No School
• November 13-Mid-term ends
• November 16-Early Release
• November 19-23-No School, Thanksgiving Break
• November 27-Mid-terms sent home
• December 4-Elementary Math Field Day
• December 15-Bond Election, don't forget to vote.
• December 21-ISE Day, Semester ends
• December 24-January 1-No School, Christmas Break
• January 4-Report Cards go home
• January 9, 2012-Wayne County Spelling Bee

Math Field Day

The Elementary Math Field Day will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Ceredo Baptist Church which is located next to Ceredo Elementary.  Gail Maynard, coordinator will provide the placement test to schools for team selection.

Wayne County Spelling Bee

The Wayne County Spelling Bee will be held on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Spring Valley High School auditorium.  The bee will begin at 9:30 a.m.  If school is delayed or cancelled the make up day is January 10, 2013. 

Web Sites

You might want to check out these websites for ideas to use in your classroom.

Smithsonian Education
http://smithsonianeducation.org/

Education World
http://www.educationworld.com/

Discovery Education
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/

The Gateway
http://www.thegateway.org/


EdHelper
http://www.edhelper.com/

Thinkfinity
http://thinkfinity.org/welcome

PBS Teachers
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/

Teachers.net
http://teachers.net/

42explore
http://42explore.com/

A to Z Teacher Stuff
http://atozteacherstuff.com/

Teachers First
http://www.teachersfirst.com/

About.com Education
http://www.about.com/education/

Teacher Hub
http://www.teachhub.com/

Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/

The Organized Classroom
http://theorganizedclassroomblog.com/

This website by Charity Preston is wonderful!  She has materials for the common core curriculum including "I Can" statements for all grades elementary.

AIMSWEB Window

January 2-31, 2013
April 15-May 15, 2013

Thanks

Thanks to everyone for making this a successful school year.

Summer Reading

Local public libraries have wonderful summer reading programs.  Check them out!

Summer Intervention Program

Wayne County will be hosting summer reading and math intervention programs at three sites for students in grades 3 and 8.  Sites are:  Tolsia High School, Vinson Middle School and Wayne Middle School.  The program runs each Monday-Thursday from June 11,2012 and will end on July 12, 2012.  School will not be in session on June 20 and July 4.  Buses will run on main roads.  Students in grades K,1,2,4,5,6, and 7 will participate in the online summer intervention program.

Teacher Academy

The Wayne County Teacher Academy is August 1 and 2.  Teachers must sign up by May 31.

Summer Professional Reading

The West Virginia Reading Association recommends these titles for your summer professional reading:

Mindup Curriculum Brain-focused Strategies for Learning and Living -                        The Hawn Foundation                                                                                                       

Can You Hear Me Now?  Applying Brain Research and Technology to Engage Today’s Students      Lisa Nimz & Jerry Michel                                                                                    

Promoting Executive Function in the Classroom 

Elizabeth Breaux     

The End of Molasses Classes Ron Clark

You Just Can’t Say It Louder! Differentiated Strategies for Comprehending Nonfiction DebbyMurpy       

Brain-Powered Strategies to Engage All Learners   Lavonna Roth                      

How to Reach and Teach All Students Simplified Eliabeth Breaux

The Highly Engaged Classroom  Robert Marzano &Debra Pickering                                                                                       

Sticks and Stones Exposed: The Power of Our Words Dave Weber

  Opening Minds Using Language to Change Lives Peter Johnston

The  Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child

 Donalyn Miller                                                                           

 Explicit Instruction Anita Archer and Hughes     

Math and Science

Number Talks Parrish

Writing In Science In Action Fulwiler

How The Brain Learns Mathematics-Sousa   

School Starts

School starts for students on August 8, 2012.  Enjoy your summer!

                                                                                                                           

Welcome Spring!

It's hard to believe that school is almost out for the summer.

AIMSWEB

The window for the spring benchmark opens on April 16. All students in grades K-5 should complete the final benchmark in both reading and math. Final reports should be sent home to parents.

Elementary Writing Assessment

Students in grades 3-5 will take the online WESTEST 2 Writing Assessment beginning April 11, 2012. All Writing Assessments must be completed prior to April 27.

Special Olympics

Track and Field Day for Special Olympics is Friday, April 27 at Wayne High School.

UpComing Events

April 20-ISE Day

April 23-Mid-term ends

April 26-Title I/Interventionists Training

April 27-Special Olympics

April 30-Mid-terms reports sent home with students

May 2-KIDS Day for pre-school students at Wayne High School

May 7-11-WESTEST 2

May 14-18-Make Up WESTEST 2

May 8-Primary Election-No School

May 11-Relay For Life Wayne County 6:00 p.m. Wayne High School Field

May 28-Memorial Day, No School

May 29-ISE Day, Last Day for Students

Summer Critical Skills Program

Wayne County Schools will hold a summer critical skills program for students needing additional instruction in reading or math. There are two components to the program.

OnSite Program-This program is for students in third and eighth grade. The program will be held at three sites: Tolsia High School, Vinson Middle School and Wayne Middle School. Students will receive instruction from a teacher. Buses will run on main roads to the sites. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday from June 11, 2012-July 12, 2012. School will not be in session on June 20 and July 4.

Students may enroll in either reading or math.

Online Program-Online students will participate in Ticket to Read or VMath Live. Ticket to Read is a webbased component that provides self directed practice for students without direct teacher support. Benefits include helping to motivate students to have fun while learning, increase practice time in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension as well as individualize instruction based on student need. VMath Live is a webbased mathematical resource that gives students the opportunity to practice previously taught skills, concepts, and strategies in a stimulating and motivating environment. VMathLive is organized into three different components called Practice, Prepare, and Play.

There is no cost to the program. Please see your principal for an application. All applications are due no later than May 5, 2012.

Number Talks-

Teachers check out this resource! You can boost your student's number sense in only 10 minutes a day.

Number Talks by Sherry Parrish

Additional Math Resources

"Math and Literature" Marilyn Burns

"Writing in Math Class" Marilyn Burns

"Sensible Mathematics: A Guide for School Leaders" Steve Leinwand

English/Language Arts Resources

"How the Brain Learns to Read" David Sousa

"Developing More Curious Minds" John Barrell

"Inside Words" Janet Allen

"Words, Words, Words, Teaching Vocabulary Grades 4-12" Janet Allen

"Tools for Teaching Content Literacy" Janet Allen

Teacher Leadership Institute

Eight Wayne County Elementary teachers will attend the TLI in July to begin work on the common core curriculum which is called Next Generation Content Standards and Objectives in West Virginia. These teacher leaders will work with other teachers at their grade level during next school year.

They are:

Amy Molinar, Buffalo Elementary

Nancy Null, Ceredo Elementary

Melanie Slayton, Dunlow Elementary

Krista Lambert, Fort Gay Elementary

Lorisa Thompson, Genoa Elementary

Jane McKee, Kenova Elementary

Rhonda Wellman, Lavalette Elementary

Amanda Preece, Wayne Elementary

February Updates

Important Dates to Remember:

March 5-Nine weeks ends

March 5-Last date to request second semester field trips

March 6-Young People's Concert for fifth graders

March 11-Daylight Savings Time begins

March 13-Report cards go home

March 15-Parent conference for elementary 4:00-6:30 p.m.

March 15-17-All State Chorus

March 16-Early release

March 17-Regional Spelling Bee

March 29-All County Chorus

April 2-6-Spring Break

April 11-27-Elementary WESTEST Online Writing Assessment

April 20-ISE Day

April 23-Elementary Midterm ends

April 30-Midterm reports go home

May 2-Kids Day for Pre-School Students

May 8-Primary Election, No School

May 11-Wayne County Relay for Life

May 28-Memorial Day

May 29-ISE Day

May 30-Last Day for Teachers

Pre-KG and Kg Registration

Schools are now taking pre-registration for students that will enter pre-kg and kindergarten for school year 2012-2013. If you have a child that will be four years old before September 1 they are eligible for pre-kg. Your child must be five years old before Sept. 1 to register for kindergarten. Each elementary school has registration forms. Please contact the elementary school in the district in which you live for a form.

You will be contacted by the school for an appointment for screening and complete registration.

Parents will need to provide a birth certificate (issued by the state department of vital statistics), complete immunization record and social security card at the screening.

Wayne County is a universal pre-kg county. That means that we have a space for any four year old that wants to attend one of our pre-kg programs.

Summer Critical Skills Program

Wayne County Schools will offer a free summer critical skills program for students needing additional instruction in reading and math. The dates for the program are June 11, 2012-July 12, 2012. There are two components to the program. The onsite program is for students that have completed third and eighth grade. The online program is for students in grades K-2 and 4-7.

Three sites are available for the third and eighth grade students. They are Tolsia High School, Vinson Middle School and Wayne Middle School. Students will attend each Monday-Thursday from June 11-July 12, 2012 with the exceptions of June 20 and July 4 which are holidays. Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Buses will run on the main highways from designated schools.

The online program will consist of reading and/or math instruction delivered online. Students enrolling for the online program must have access to a broadband internet connection. There is no cost for either program. Applications will be available at all elementary and middle schools.