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News from the TOSAs
March was a busy month for the teachers on special assignment. J/K-5 teachers gave their students a district wide narrative assessment and scored those assessments with the teachers. Using those results, the TOSAs are working with teachers to help their students overcome areas of need as well as helping students accelerate their writing. Here are some areas where TOSAs can support teachers and their students with writing:
- Using mentor texts to help students write stronger leads and stronger endings;
- How to get students to correctly punctuate quotes without worksheets;
- Getting students to really use checklists to revise writing;
- Using flashdrafts to accelerate student writing;
- Combining storytelling, story structure, and partner work to lift the level of narrative writing.
Mentor Texts
The mentor texts have arrived and the TOSAs will be sharing them at faculty meetings. Located in the professional section of each elementary school’s library, these selections are only for teachers to check out. Want to get a head start on what is available? Be sure to check out our own curriculum website. Go to the District website (www.lvusd.org) and, under Teachers, click on CC Curriculum K-5. Under Mentor Texts, click Writer’s Workshop and you will see many choices of mentor texts that can be used to teach Common Core lessons. Be sure to check this site often as the TOSAs will be adding information on a regular basis.
New Suggestions for Read Alouds
Every teacher knows the power of a great read aloud. Looking for some new suggestions? Try these:
El Deafo by Cece Bell, 2014
Looking for a great memoir for upper elementary students? This funny perceptive graphic novel about growing up hearing impaired is also an unforgettable book about growing up, and all the super and super-embarrassing moments along the way. Your students will be spellbound from beginning to end.
Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Almost True Stories of Growing up Scieszka by Jon Scieszka. 2008
These short, short stories will keep your class begging for more as they laugh their way through these true stories about growing up. This book will charm even your most reluctant reader. For upper elementary.
Nathaniel Willy, Scared Silly by Judith Mathews and Fay Robinson. 1994
Eeeeeek! One night when Gramma shuts Nathaniel Willy's bedroom door, there's a terrible squeak. Could it be a ghost? Yow-ow! cries Nathaniel Willy, scared silly. To comfort him, Gramma fetches the cat--setting off a chain of noisy events that will have young readers tickled silly! If your primary students loved the rhythm of Tikki, Tikki, Timbo, they will love Nathaniel Willy, Scared Silly.
I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen. 2011
A bear almost gives up his search for his missing hat until he remembers something important. Best suited for primary students.
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