iACT Announcements - Week of 1/28
Upcoming Dates
*January 28th - January 30; All MAP tests completed
* February 5th - 4th Grade Writing Benchmark. Many staff heading to TCEA!
* February 6th - New Teacher Meeting @ Central Office (3:45 p.m.)
Tier 1 for ELLs
F.I.S.T. Reading
* First sentence is read.
* Indicate a question based on first sentence.
* Search for the answer.
* Tie question and answer together through paraphrasing.
Four Step Paraphrase
* Write a topic sentence or question
* Read the selection
* Choose 10 key words from selection
* Write supporting statements with words.
T.O.W.E.R. Writing
* Think
* Order ideas
* Write
* Edit
* Rewrite
Tips for Supporting EL Students
* Provide a picture or other non-linguistic representation to accompany vocabulary.
* Allow EL students to utilize native language to understand terms/vocabulary {Google Translate is an awesome resources
The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies
If you’ve struggled to find effective ways to develop students’ speaking and listening skills, here’s a great list of 15 strategies for structuring a class discussion to make it more engaging, more organized, more equitable, and more academically challenging - http://bit.ly/2CLBgoH
Finding Balance in a Digital World
We use digital media every day, from texting, streaming TV shows, and gaming all the way to using voice assistants or ordering our food online. For today's kids, it's a lot more than just "screen time." So how can we help students balance their online and offline lives? It starts with recognizing just how much media we use.This is a lesson plan from Common Sense Media that’s written for Grade 6, but could be adapted for upper grades, as well - http://bit.ly/2CwlU7a

* Write supporting statements with words.
T.O.W.E.R. Writing
* Think
* Order ideas
* Write
* Edit
* Rewrite
Tips for Supporting EL Students
* Provide a picture or other non-linguistic representation to accompany vocabulary.
* Allow EL students to utilize native language to understand terms/vocabulary {Google Translate is an awesome resources
The Big List of Class Discussion Strategies
If you’ve struggled to find effective ways to develop students’ speaking and listening skills, here’s a great list of 15 strategies for structuring a class discussion to make it more engaging, more organized, more equitable, and more academically challenging - http://bit.ly/2CLBgoH
Finding Balance in a Digital World
We use digital media every day, from texting, streaming TV shows, and gaming all the way to using voice assistants or ordering our food online. For today's kids, it's a lot more than just "screen time." So how can we help students balance their online and offline lives? It starts with recognizing just how much media we use.This is a lesson plan from Common Sense Media that’s written for Grade 6, but could be adapted for upper grades, as well - http://bit.ly/2CwlU7a
Seven Keys to Effective Feedback
Who would dispute the idea that feedback is a good thing? Both common sense and research make it clear: Formative assessment, consisting of lots of feedback and opportunities to use that feedback, enhances performance and achievement. See this ASCD article for what feedback IS and ISN’T - http://bit.ly/2UcqsqD