Hats off to reading

My group and I are a little lost wondering how we get the infomation about the hats off to reading assignment since we haven't talked about in class at all and it says that the plan is due next Monday. We would really like to have the information on it along with the info on the Family night stuff, so that we can work on these assigments and get them do before they are due. Thanks so much.

Hats of to Reading

I was wondering what needs to be done for the hats off to reading because we didn't talk about it in class and its due on monday??

Certain Time?

Is there a certain time that the CMP needs to be posted to Taskstream Monday?

Early Childhood Conference

We werewondering what needs to be done to receive the "extra credit" for the Early Childhood Conference. Do we just need to monitor rooms and assist in directing traffic or do we present something and if so, what? We know this conference is a month away but since we won't be able to attend the Hats Off To Reading due to Outreach to Teach we need to gain the extra points and prepare early.

Tracy and Ashley

A Good Read

I just finished reading Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin and I have to say it is a must read. Greg Mortenson is a living example of someone who possesses the philosophical perspective of a social reconstructivist. Three Cups of Tea is the story of a failed American mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, who ends up in an impoverished Pakistan village. (There is an adult version of the book, a young adult version of the book, and a picture book all available.) Moved by the kindness of the inhabitants he makes a promise to return and build a school for the uneducated children of the Karakoram village. As of today he has built 78 schools.

Mortenson describes a situation where he is trying to get funding for the school project and sends out 580 letters to celebrities. He only receives $100.00 from Tom Brokaw but somehow a group of elementary school children from River Falls, Wisconsin hear about his project. These elementary students begin collecting pennies for the project which they named Pennies for Peace and donate $623.40 which then inspires adults to begin making donations.

This is what social reconstructionism looks likes in a classroom or a school. It is children making a difference one penny at a time.Visit http://www.threecupsoftea.com/ to learn more about this incredible story of social reconstructivism in action. What a great way to teach children about the LIFESKILLS of caring, perseverance, problem solving, initiative, etc.

CMP

I have a question for everyone about the CMP. I don't really understand what it is asking for. Could anyone better explain to me what is expected?

Reading Addition

Do you want to make yourself marketable? Consider getting the reading addition added to your license. The addition will allow you to teach Title I Reading or teach in a reading resource classroom. It will also help you to be better prepared to teach in a K-6 classroom. Please check out the link and seriously consider working towards PNC's Reading Addition.

http://www.pnc.edu/ed/ReadingLicense/index.htm

Please contact Dr. Fontaine at cfontaine@pnc.edu if you have any questions.

Spring Into Education

Don't forget tomorrow, Thursday, March 19th is the Spring into Education event from 11:30-1:30 in LSF 02. Block 5 you are responsible for bringing drinks to share, pop, juice, water, etc. We will be also having fried chicken, sub sandwiches, and lots of side dishes and desserts. Please respond to this post that you will be there and what you will be bringing.

Reader's Theater -- Tips for an Effective Performance

Congratulations to the entire class -- our Melodramatic Monday rehearsal went very smoothly and I hope that you received constructive feedback from our PNC evaluators! Here are some general tips to consider as you practice and refine your performance this week before going into the schools on Monday:

• Remember, the essence of the performance is on your voice. The minimal use of props and staging today was very appropriate for this. Consider wearing similar, plain clothing, too.
• Use your voices by projecting up and out! If you are sitting in a chair, then sit up straight. Many of you had wonderful voice changes to show different characters. It's really okay to over-act, exaggerate! Make eye contact so that your voice doesn't get lost in the script.
• Speaking of scripts, is there a creative and efficient way for your groups to handle the script? Think about the presentation -- would using the same-colored folder or binder eliminate the distraction of flipping pages?
• One of the most important uses of Reader's Theater is to promote fluency. You are modeling this for the teachers and the children, so practice, practice, practice! Is there a spot in the script for a choral or partner reading? This would also be a dramatic touch!
• Finally, don't forget to connect this performance with your big idea! Many of the groups did this in a very natural and authentic way.

What audience feedback did you receive that was especially helpful? How will your Learning Club be revising/polishing/rehearsing this week to prepare for Monday's performances?

Readers Theater Rehearsal 3-16

Did anyone see it?

Did anyone else see the news reel on the Yahoo home page about the last photograph of Lincoln found? The article was too long to post on the blog but it is interesting. I guess the picture was found by a great great grandson of Ulysses S. Grant.

Reader's Theater Assignments

The school/classroom/times for your Reader's Theater performances are posted in the Reader's Theater Resources section. Keep checking for updates if your group is not yet listed. Remember to bring your evaluations for our live audience on March 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Free download of the Cat In The Hat

Again, I found this in NEA Today.

Throughout the monrth of March, you can get a digital download of The Cat In The Hat offered by the National Education Association. Go to www.kidthing.org/nea

Thinkin' Like Lincoln

I just wanted to share this with everyone. I found this information in the NEA today-March/April 2009 issue.

Thinkin' Like Lincoln: Velvet and Steel is a teaching tool that combines character education and lifetime lessons rooted in Lincoln's laguage and legacy with compelling United States History. This sturdy, four sided booklet is a hands on tool, appropriate for elementray and middle school students that teaches children with multiple learning styles. Included is a newly discovered, authenticated letter from a Civil War solidier to his school age daughter.

Order your copy for $3.95 plus shipping and handling at www.thinkinlikelincoln.org or www.harmonyhearth.com Classroom packets of 30 are also available.

Congratulations Tracy

Let's all congratulate Tracy Wylie for being awarded The Outstanding Senior Award from the Indiana Student Education Association (ISEA). She has also be elected as the new Region 1 Representative for ISEA. The SEA club was also recognized with an Outstanding Class Project Award for their collaboration with the TRIO club in organizing a literacy night last spring. Way to go Tracy and SEA club!

Have you filled out your FAFSA?

Deadline: March 10, 2009

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) is a form that students (and their families) can complete online, and is used to calculate their eligibility for financial aid. While certain types of federal aid (Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.) can be included in a student's financial aid package regardless of when the form is filed, there is a deadline to maintain eligibility for certain Indiana aid programs (Frank O'Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholars, etc.). These State grants, which do not need to be repaid, could amount to as much as $6,012 for the 2009-2010 academic year (approximately 30% of the total cost of attending PNC), depending upon a student's need.

Last year, only 35% of PNC students filed their FAFSA before the Indiana deadline. Essentially, two-thirds of PNC students passed up "free money" from the state, relying instead upon either off-campus employment or loans that will represent a lingering debt whether they complete a degree or not.

Mid-Semester Celebration

Come celebrate making it half way through the semester!!! Let's show our support to Graham Smith, Dave Farris and Dr. Pratt other wise known as Common Denominator- Sunday night March 8, 2009 at 6:oo p.m. at Buffalo Wild Wings in Valparaiso- show starts at 7:30 p.m. in the basement.

Must Read This

Due to circumstances beyond our control the Pine Family Night has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 16, 2009.

Class on Monday, March 16, 2009 will meet at 12:30 P.M. THERE WILL BE NO A.M. CLASS. In order to give your groups time to prepare for either the Pine Family Night event or the Reader's Theatre event I am cancelling class for Monday morning, March 16, 2009. This will provide you with time to meet with your group to finalize your plans.

For Monday, March 16th please bring your evaluation form for Reader's Theatre. At 1:30 you will be presenting in front of a live audience and they will be evaluating your performance. Plan on having 30 evaluation form handouts available.

Please bring your groups plans for the Pine Family Night, post assessment (feedback form), presentation boards, and parent handout to class on April 6, 2009 for a Mock Family Night.

Please respond in the comment section so that I know you have read this post.

Classroom Management Plan

Classroom Management Plan – Create a behavior contract for a primary grade level (prek-2) and an intermediate grade level (3-6) that you will use to aid student’s in reflecting on their misbehavior, to communicate student behavior with parents, and to keep documentation of the student’s misbehavior.

Following your Read Aloud experience you may have noticed a child that would have benefitted from having a behavior contract to improve their participation/involvement in the activity. A part of the Classroom Management Plan includes samples of behavior contracts that you think would be useful to you as a future teacher.

I have included some websites you may find helpful in creating or deciding on which behavior contract you would like to use for primary and intermediate aged students to include in your classroom management plan.

http://specialed.about.com/cs/behaviordisorders/a/behavcontract.htm
http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Sample_Classroom_Behavior_Contracts
http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/interventions/behavior/behcontr.php
http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/createcontract.htm

Integrated Curriculum Plan - Contextual Factors

As we begin preparing for the Pine Family Night (March 19, 2009) it is important to have an understanding of the participants. Check out http://www.doe.state.in.us/ Under helpful links click on "School Data," type in Pine Elementary School. Gather contextual factors from this site.

Contextual Factors: Research the community, district and school factors that may affect the teaching-learning process. Write a 1-2 page narrative describing the demographics of Pine Elementary School and how this impacts your plan.

In addition please ask the Literacy Coach what she feels the families need. Place these questions in the comment section and I will forward them to Peggy Thomas, Literacy Coach.

The address for Pine School is:
1594 N 500 E
Michigan City, IN 46360-9524

We will need to be at the school at 5:15 p.m. to set up. The event will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. We will be responsible for staying after the event to tear down and clean up.