Area 4 ALT Program

2008-2009 Tip of the Week #4 (second semester)

Hey everyone!  The Tip this week is still focused on Vocabulary.  Be sure to check this one out and see all the thinking required.  Mr. Bloom would be thrilled to see this strategy I found in Janet Allen's book. (connecting, justifying, synthesizing, categorizing, etc).  In the actual Tip document you will find 2 examples - Math and English.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Have a great week.

Sheree
Download Semester 2 Tip of the Week #4

Download Frequent Contact

News and Notes from Debby 1/20/09

January is the time I always felt I could buckle down and accomplish a lot.  My new year's resolutions usually have to do with getting organized and taking stock of where the kids are and what I can do to move them forward.   
Thanks to Sheree for the inspiration for this! This week's notes are reinterating the importance of teaching vocabulary - we found a good method to organize vocabulary instruction to share.  Take a look at the six steps, the powerpoints and the activities for fresh ideas.  I know there are several of you out there who do a smash up job integrating vocabulary.  If you have some activities that have really worked with you be sure to let everyone know.  Perhaps you can share them at the next team meeting and you are invited to share them with me too!!  
I like to try to learn new vocabulary too - and I try to remember research says a person has to use a word 7 times in context before it becomes part of his/her vocabulary.  So if you hear me throwing out unusual words, be patient.  I am practicing.  Words are fun!
Debby

Download News and Notes 1-20-09

Download 6 Step Process to Building Academic Vocabulary

Download Teaching+Vocabulary

2008-2009 Tip of the Week #3 (second semester)

Hey everyone!  I am continuing my focus on information dealing with Building Academic Vocabulary. The Tip of the Week explains further the Six Step Process for Building Academic Vocabulary developed by Robert Marzano and Debra Pickering . I included a video link that briefly explains the Six Step Process.

The Tip of the Week is "Talking a Mile a Minute".  I also found some "Possible" Power Points that could be used. The only thing you have to do is to subsitutute the words. Check it out.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sheree

Download Semester 2 Tip of the Week #3

Download RocksTalkaMileaMinute_1013200823813  

 

News and Notes from Debby 1/12/09

We all have teaching strategies we have incorporated into our lessons over time - we don't even have to plan on using them, they come naturally.  It is nice to remember that most of these common teaching strategies are based on solid research and remind ourselves to use them often.   It is also important to think out of the box about using these strategies - try them in different subject areas or use them in differnt ways.  For example: If you usually use activiating strategies as a whole group activity in language arts, try using them as an individual activity, perhaps as part of a math or science journal.  

Most everyone has heard of using a KWL chart while brainstorming - but how about as a base for Informational writing?  Or use it to provide a purpose for reading to aid in comprehension?

These strategies come from a Learning Focus book aimed at remedial students - so they are very important to use.  But the research is based upon ALL students - from remedial to accelerated - and the strategies can be differentiated to accomidate the wide range of students you have in your class.  

Enjoy!
Debby

Download News and Notes 1-12-09

 

2008-2009 Tip of the Week #2 (second semester)

 Hey everyone!  Hope you had a great first week!  I know it is always hard after 2 weeks off!  The Tip this week highlights 3 vocabulary strategies - Survival of the Fittest, Vocabugame, and Free Association. I also review the Six Step Process for Teaching Academic Vocabulary. Take and look and see what you think.  Always feel free to take an idea and ADAPT!   Sheree

Download Semester 2 Tip #2 Building Academic Vocabulary

Download App 16_E_survival fittest

News and Notes from Debby 1/5/09

  

Happy New Year!

Download News and Notes 1-5-09

2008-2009 Tip of the Week # 1 (second semester)

Happy New Year to everyone!  :)

Just wanted to share with you many ideas of making connections with your students the first week back.  Remember it is not just about you getting to know your students but getting students to know each other.  Remember these can be short activities - we just need to do them!

"Although ice breakers can seem frivolous, they are an important first step to getting student buy-in.  Unless a student is emotionally connected to school, they will lack motivation to learn. Fostering feelings of trust and acceptance is difficult, if not impossible, when students don't know each others' names. "

Sheree

Download Semester 2 Tip of the Week #1 -Building Relationships with Ice Breakers