Tips for Home

Working together to make a difference for

our children…

Overview of Parent Tips Power Point

• Required assessments for the school year

• Tips for home

• Reading strategies

• Local Library

• Suggested book list

• Writing assessment for seventh grade

• Pillar and writing

• Big 6

• Technology sites

• Self-help books

EOGs, CFAs, and PAsWhat in the world are these?

• The End of Grade (EOG) test is given at the end of the school year in May.

• This test is used to assess the students on what they have learned in reading that year, and how well they have learned the curriculum in the tested subjects.

PA’s

• PA’s or Predictive Assessments, are given approximately every 9 weeks in the Iredell-Statesville School System.

• These tests see how much the student has learned at that point, and also helps to show what area the student needs to work on.

CFA’s

• CFA’s or Classroom Formal Assessments, are tests that are given monthly to assess the student on the objective that has been covered in class during that period of time.

• All ELA teachers in the same grade level give the same test to the students.

2009-2010 EOG Dates

• Monday, May 17th = Reading EOG

• Tuesday, May 18th = Calculator Active Math EOG

• Wednesday, May 19th = Calculator Inactive Math EOG

Tips for Home• Choosing good books (levels, high

interest, seasonal)

• Reading with your child.

• Play reading related games.

• Let your child see you reading.

• Set aside certain times for reading:

D-E-A-R (Drop Everything And Read).

• Show students a “need” to read.

More Tips…• Middle school students are thinking about

what they will do in their lives--college, careers, and more. Read books that introduce opportunities and experiences (high interest level).

• Model stopping reflecting on what you read and/or asking questions

• Brain Gym= http://www.braingym.org/

For example…• “Read Around Day”• Take a variety of high interest books and place them in the middle of

the circle/table.• When I say, "go"! They have to select a book and read until I say

stop. Usually it's about 3-4 minutes. • Then they send their book to the next person. This continues until

everyone has read the books at that table. • They don't have to start at the beginning; they can just look at

pictures, or use the index to find something that interests them. • Interview each person on what they learned, or what they liked. • They love it, and they hate it. They want to read more of at least one

book and they can't because it has rotated around. ~Science Teacher Marsha

http://www.middleweb.com/MWLISTCONT/MSLreading1.html

Reading Strategies

• Make a connection with the text

• Make predictions

• Stop periodically to reflect on what you’ve read

• Stop and visualize/picture

• Reread

• Adjust your reading rate

Continued Strategies• When your child is reading, encourage

him/her to take notes.

• Write down unfamiliar words – look up

• Set aside a place for your child to work

• Be involved

• Mozart – certain music relaxes the mind

• QAR Stoplight Strategy

Iredell County Library• Library cards are free to all Iredell County residents age

five and over.

Driving Directions from SMS: 1.Head north on Clegg 2.Turn left at E Broad St/NC-23213.Turn right at N Bost St4.Turn left at Davie Ave/US-21/US-645.Slight right at NC-90/E Water St6.Turn right at N Tradd St – library on the left

• 201 N Tradd St. - Statesville

More…Iredell County Library• http://www.iredell.lib.nc.us/librarycard.htm

Monday-Thursday 9:00 am to 9.00pm Friday & Saturday 9:00 am to 6:00pm Sunday 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

• On-going FREE community events

Girl Talk is going on now!

• Library contact #: (704) 878-3090

Suggested Student Book List

• Having trouble getting your child to read at home?

• Here are some titles we suggest to ignite your child’s passion for reading!!

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer Twelve-year-old millionaire, genius, and criminal mastermind Artemis Fowl finds himself in over his head after he kidnaps a dangerous fairy.

Double Dutch by Sharon DraperThree eighth-grade friends, preparing for the International Double Dutch Championship jump rope competition in their home town of Cincinnati, Ohio, cope with Randy's missing father, Delia's inability to read, and Yo Yo's encounter with the class bullies.

Payback by Paul LanganBluford freshman Tyray Hobbs, the class bully and tormentor of Darrell Mercer, is determined toget revenge on Darrell, the only

boy who ever stood up to Tyray.

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrauIn the city of Ember, twelve-year-old Lina trades jobs on Assignment Day to be a Messenger to run to new places in her decaying but belovedcity, perhaps even to glimpse Unknown Regions.

Holes by Louis SacharAs further evidence of his family's bad fortune which they attribute to a curse on a distant relative, Stanley Yelnats is sent to a hellish correctional camp in the Texas desert where he findshis first real friend, a treasure, and a new sense of himself.

Notes from a Liar and Her Dog by Gennifer CholdenkoEleven-year-old Ant, stuck in a family that she does not like, copes by pretending that her "real" parents are coming to rescue her, by loving her dog Pistachio, by volunteering

at the zoo, and by bending the truth and telling lies.

Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer CholdenkoA twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when guards' families were housed there, and has to contend with his extraordinary new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister.

Beat the Turtle Drum by Constance GreeneA young girl learns to cope with her feelings about her

sister's accidental death

Tears of a Tiger by Sharon DraperThe death of high school basketball star Rob Washington in an automobile accident affects the lives of his close friend Andy, who was driving the car, and many others in the school.

A Child Called IT by David PelzerDavid Pelzer, victim of one of the worst child abuse cases in the history of California, tells the story of how he survived his mother's brutality and triumphed over his past.

Book List for Parents/Guardians• Homework Without Tears: A Parent’s Guide for

Motivating Children To Do Homework and to Succeed in School by, Lee Canter and Lee Hausner, PH.D.– Focuses on “The Seven Most Common Homework Problems”

and provides straightforward solutions.• Home Sweet Homework: A Parent’s Guide to Stress-

Free Homework and Studying Strategies That Work by Sharon Marshall Lockett– Includes commonly asked questions and specific suggestions

for helping your student study.• Study Smart: Hands-On, Nuts-and-Bolts Techniques for

Earning Higher Grades by Theordore Silver, M.D, J.D.– Discusses different learning styles and how they relate to

studying. Provides tutorials for studying.

More Books for parents/guardians…• The Homework Solution: Getting Kids to do

Their Homework. The Proven 4-Week Method to End Homework Struggles for Good! By Linda Agler Sonna, Ph.D.– Gives suggestions for structuring homework time and

suggestions for improving communication with your student.

• Seven Secrets of How to Study: Mapping Your Strategy for Better Grades. Teach Yourself How to Earn an A+ in 12 Hours by, Dr. Stephen Jones– Discusses specific study strategies, time

management, and understanding your textbook.

New Writing Assessment (7th Grade)

• ISS is a pilot district

• Four writing samples taken during the school year:– Two on-demand– Two content-specific

• 21st century technology – typing

entries into a word program.

Brainstorming Pillar and Writing

Brainstorming Pillar: Introduction

Main Idea/Argument #1

Details

Main Idea/Argument #2

Details

Main/Idea Argument #3

Details

Conclusion

Writing Process!

– Brainstorming: collecting and organizing ideas, words, and phrases that could be used in the piece.

– 1st Rough Draft: the first attempt at writing, with the main focus on “content”.

– Peer-Revision: small groups of students read each other’s first drafts and comment of the “content” of the writing, according to a specific feed-back strategy.

– 2nd Draft: the second attempt at writing the piece, which focuses on finishing the “content” while also paying close attention to grammar and structure.

– Peer-Editing: small groups of students read each other’s second drafts and comment on grammar and structure.

– Teacher/Student Conference: Happens throughout the process, and allows the student and teacher to share ideas and meet one-on-one on how the progress is going.

– Final Draft: the final draft of the piece is typed and ready to be formally assessed.

Big6 ProcessWhat is it?It is a process (series of steps) that will help students solve a problem or do a task.

Why do it?

This process will prepare students for future research projects including the NC Graduation Project.

1. Task Definition 1.1 Define the information problem 1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem) What is my current task? What are some topics or questions I need to answer? What information will I need?2. Information Seeking Strategies 2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm) 2.2 Select the best sources What are all the possible sources to check? What are the best sources of information for this task?

3. Location and Access 3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically) 3.2 Find information within sources Where can I find these sources? Where can I find the information in the source?4. Use of Information 4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch) 4.2 Extract relevant information What information do I expect to find in this source? What information from the source is useful?5. Synthesis 5.1 Organize from multiple sources 5.2 Present the information How will I organize my information? How should I present my information?6. Evaluation 6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness) 6.2 Judge the process (efficiency) Did I do what was required? Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?

The "Big6™" is copyright © (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com

Web Based TechnologyCastle Learning

• Reading and math skills

• Licensed interactive program – student log-in required

Destiny Library Search

• Online card catalog

• Public List and My List

• Students can check due dates and fines

Web Resources Suggestions• Partnership for Family Involvement:

• www.ed.gov/PFIE– Includes a section on homework, encouraging

your student to read, and frequently asked questions about education

• Schwablearning.org– Includes many resources for parents

regarding education.

Questions…

Sixth Grade Language A = Keeley Wardkward@iss.k12.nc.us

Media Specialist = Sharon Gibsonsgibson@iss.k12.nc.us

See NorthView’s Website for more teacher contact information