Research Based fun Learning Strategies

Tips for Home: Great for Every Family and Every Kid

April 22, 2010

Today I attended Research-Based Comprehensive Reading Intervention for Individuals Who Use AAC online, provided by Dynavox Pinnacle series, and Karen Erickson, PhD, Center for Literacy and Disability Studies.

I wanted to share two ideas she uses and that I have used but forgotten how great they work!! Below each strategy I have highlighted the areas that this strategy will help strengthen for a student.

I am suggesting these for home as they are quick activities that can be done in 10-20 minutes and can be easily differentiated to any child’s learning level, but benefit all kids at all ages.


DIRECT READING- THINKING ACTIVITY -DRTA (Stauffer):
- Students look at title or picture, or read first paragraph or two and predict what might happen in the story.
- Student/ Adult READS to a predetermined stopping place
- Students PROVE the accuracy of their predications and modify or make new predictions.
o Use the text and reference the book when proving or disproving if their theory is correct.

Learning Tools this Develops:
- Expanding on and recalling prior knowledge
- Reading Comprehension
- Brainstorming
- Researching
- Applying meaning to print


GUESS THE COVERED WORD (K. Erickson):
1. Give the student the beginning of a sentence that they might hear or use frequently “I ate all the __________”, have student guess what word you might be thinking or might fit. If they guess any foods (or item in the category or that fits), they have done a great job!
2. Give the student the same sentence with the first letter given to them, such as “I ate all the c_____.” Now the students need to use the C as a clue and guess foods that start with a C.
3. Give the student the same sentence with the beginning and ending sound or beginning and middle sound depending on child’s level.


Learning Tools this Develops:
- Expanding on and recalling prior knowledge
- Phonemic awareness
- Understanding text purpose, sequencing, and structure.
- Brainstorming
- Using text for purpopse.



P.S. Don't forget about the great links here and on Sheri Lenzo's Website that kids can use at home as well!!!

April Update

TEACHER ASSIGNMENTS: 2010/2011
We are aware that everyone is anxiously waiting to know who their child’s teacher will be next year. In order to ensure that class size, student’s needs, space needs, and parent concerns are all addressed we encourage you to FILL OUT THE PLACEMENT FORM that was sent home last week.
We will try and get information to you as soon as possible.

If you need to request another one please let Lori Krikau now asap.


Evening of Celebration: MAY 20th
5:30- 6:30 PM
DATE CHANGED!
An Evening to Celebrate the Hard Work of our Students!
Who’s Invited: Parents and Students of Ms. Rose
Where and When: Art Room
What: Students will chose work to put on display and show off!
What to Bring: A dish to Pass
Please RSVP by May 12th

SUMMER PLANNING:
➢ You will receive summer packets of curriculum and goals to work on over the summer related to the 10/11 year!
➢ Please call or email if you have questions now regarding these items, packets won’t come home till end of May.
New Updates on our Blog: CHECK THEM OUT!
http://holmesschoolrockstars.blogspot.com/
Upcoming Dates:
April 23rd: INSTITUTE DAY
MAY 20TH: NIGHT OF CELEBRATION

Pokey VS Shelly

I am sad to report that our class turtle Pokey lost a sad defeat to Ms. Bernstein's class turtle Shelley. Pokey lived up to his name and didn't make it to the finish line.
Fun was had by all and we cheered Pokey on!


HAVE A WONDERFUL SPRING BREAK!

March 15, 2010

Turtle Race
Our class turtle Pokey will be racing Ms. Bernstein’s turtle on March 25th in the afternoon. We have been training Pokey and graphing how far he goes.

Bowling Field Trip: Adaptive PE Students
March 25th from 9-11 am Mr. Gann is having a bowling Field Trip at Circle Lanes. Cost is $5.00. Please return permission slip by March 21st.

Evening of Celebration: April 29th
An Evening to Celebrate the Hard Work of our Students!
Who’s Invited: Parents and Students of Ms. Rose
Where and When: Art Room
What: Students will chose work to put on display and show off!
What to Bring: A dish to Pass
Please RSVP by April 16th

PRESENTER ON AUTISM
The Special Education Department will be sponsoring the "Just Give Him the Whale: Using Passions, Areas of Expertise and Strengths to Support Students with Autism".
Date: Saturday, March 20th
Location: Holmes Elementary School
Presenter: Dr. Paula Kluth, Author and Autism Specialist
Time: 9:00 - 12 Noon
Childcare will be provided for children ages pre-school through 5th grade. If you will need childcare, please include names(s) and age(s)
when registering for workshop. You can register by:
email - dstewart@op97.org
phone - 708-524-3030
New Updates on our Blog: CHECK THEM OUT!
http://holmesschoolrockstars.blogspot.com/

Upcoming Dates:
IAA/ ISAT testing Done.
March 25th: Bowling Field Trip in the AM (APE students)
March 25th: TURTLE RACE Pokey vs. Shelly
SPRING BREAK: March 28th- April 2nd