6-8 ELA 2/10/09

GRMS: ELA Monthly Meeting 2/9/09

Topics : Spelling Bee, Vocab Contest, ELA Consultant, Mapper, Brunette Reading Award, Grammar Programs, Poetry Bam
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1. Spelling Bees: HUGE thank you to Donna for Spelling Bee work

2. Vocab Challenge: Sharon Mathews- vocab challenge—still wants to do but it will be done a bit differently this year—stay tuned for details

3. ELA Consultant: Mary Burns contracted for 3 days in April – individual coaching model to be used. We need to let Mary know what we are doing in class re literacy and technology. She will come in and collaborate with you a la Pam Buffington- We would like Mary to help us know what is out there for applications.
We think the following items might be useful prior to sign up:

a. Menu of options for in- class literacy and tech integration
b. Grammar and vocab are two high need areas for classes
c. Support with informational text (MEA expectations for this year)

4. Jim Brunette Reading Award

Jim Brunette loved words and books. In his honor and in keeping with the spirit of the award, we recommend the following :

a. Personal Reading ONLY= books only. Graphic novels (Like Bone series) count 1 per quarter- other books should be chapter books. National Reading Standards recommend - 4 books per quarter or 16 books per year. Some students read very long books (Harry Potter and Twilight) so those books might count for two books. Bottom line, encourage and honor ongoing, self- selected, personal reading for pleasure

b. Change to school-wide competition (instead of team / class) challenge ourselves as a school

c. Team Reading teachers will get the Team pages totals. Team reading teachers will email page totals to Todd at the end of the quarter (LA Essentials class totals will go to Team Reading teachers)

d. In -class directed reading does not get counted—that is more an assigned reading

Plaque will be hung in the library at the end of the year

5. Grammar Series: money is available to purchase books. Diagramming sentences is starting in the 6th grade!! Results have been positive—still investigating what is good for kids vs what is good for teachers. Debra will look into the resource that she found and we need to let Howie know our needs and place the order with him.

We agreed that the book series we are piloting this year( Thinking Through Grammar) is a great resource, but it is not what we want to order for student use. Perhaps, Mary Burns can help us identify a resource

6. Mapper: diary maps should be done by the end of June. Summer work is to be about grade level master maps. 4 hours per month are available for pay. Keep your timesheets and turn them in for payment.

7. Poetry Bam: Raye Ann will be in touch on matters related to the Bam .
Stay tuned for details.

Next meeting March 16@ 2:20