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For more information about Lexiles, visit their website: are used in the new Common Core standards!We have some old and some new assessments this year. Just like last year, your child’s teacher did a running record assessment to determine their Leveled Text Level. We are using the Fountas and Pinnell text levels this year in addition to Reading A-Z levels. In addition, your child took a computerized assessment, called MAP. The MAP assessment is a guideline for growth and a tool for teachers to understand what the students know. There is no “pre-teaching” before this assessment. MAP provides another level, called the Lexile level. There are two kinds of Lexile measures: the Lexile reader measure and the Lexile text measure. Students receive a Lexile reader measure as a score that describes his or her reading ability. Books and other texts receive a Lexile text measure from a software tool called the Lexile Analyzer - it describes the book's reading demand or difficulty. Check with your child’s teacher to find out their Fountas and Pinnell level and Lexile level, and then search your books at home or the library!-4495801488440What is Balanced Literacy?Balanced Literacy is a researched approach to teaching that integrates four major components: Independent Reading: Students read a variety of texts on their independent reading level. Students respond to the text and interact with what they are reading, writing on sticky notes, or responding in a reading journal. Teachers hold individual conferences with children about their books to support their interactions with text.Supported Reading: Students read teacher-selected (instructional level) or self-selected (independent level) text. Teachers provide guidance in a variety of whole class, small group, and partner formats. Students learn effective comprehension strategies they apply to fiction and nonfiction texts. Word Work: Students explore the particulars of language across multiple genres including literature, informational texts, and poetry. They investigate the meaning and structure of words and the conventions and forms of written language through authentic text and a variety of word study strategies.Writing: Through various writing experiences, students develop writing strategies and skills, learn about the writer's craft, and use writing as a tool for learning and communication. Students write for sustained periods, compose a variety of texts, and explore different genres and formats for a range of purposes and for a variety of audiences. This year, CMS is focusing on students developing their argumentative (stating an opinion and justifying it) and informative writing (factual writing).“Critical literacy views readers as active participant in the reading process and invites them to move beyond passively accepting the text’s message to question, examine, or dispute the power relations that exist between readers and authors.”McLaughlin, M., & DeVoogd, G.L. (2004).-1143000-914400Berewick ElementaryLeveling WebsitesFountas and Pinnell Levels: (GR level or Guided Reading Level)Lexile Levels: do I know on what level my child is reading?VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1OCTOBER 2012Parent UpdateRecently, our state adopted the Common Core standards for Literacy and Math. North Carolina has also developed new Essential Standards for Science and Social Studies. These new standards are clearly written and relevant to the real world; these standards ask that we go deeper with our understanding of fewer concepts. They prepare our students for their future.For more information about Common Core: more information about NC Essential Standards: Core & Essential Standards“The new normal”When your child is reading, pull up a seat next tothem and ask them about what they are reading. Ask them to share what they have been writing down on their post-its or in their notebook. Try to help them go deeper into their books, using critical thinking questions.Examples: looks very different!38214307101840-1205865-1026160One of the biggest changes we’ve made this year is that students are actually spending most of their time READING! It is so great to visit classrooms and see students who cannot get enough of their books! We are teaching your children how to interact with their books and work on THINKING WHILE READING. Homework has changed to match what students are working on in class.What’s with all the post it notes?One of the ways students are responding to their reading is by jotting down their thoughts on post-its. This provides a small space for quick thoughts, questions and ideas. Post-its are great because your child can then stick their thoughts right on the pages in the book! Once they are finished with a book, they can take out their post-its and stick them in a notebook. Write the title of the book, and then keep all the post-its for it to track all of their thinking!Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here. Continue newsletter text here.Where did Accelerated Reader go?VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1 more information, please contactLisa Manes or Linda Schultzlisa.manes@cms.k12.nc.uslidna.schultz@cms.k12n.c.usBerewick ElementaryPaying for access to AR was a large part of the PTA’s budget. This year, that money is being used to purchase books to build classroom libraries! We decided that AR was not putting our money to good use, because it focused on earning points rather than growing a love for reading. Asking students low-level questions, AR was not preparing students to be 21st century thinkers. Also, did you know that there are websites that provide cheat codes for AR quizzes? We couldn’t believe it either! Google that, and you will see just how many websites are out there! This year, students will be rewarded for time spent reading books and we plan to include many more students as they grow into readers.OCTOBER 2012-1143000-914400 ................
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