Renaissance Learning offered a limited attendance (and I do mean limited--they only allowed a school to register 2 people total!) seminar (in Dothan) on Accelerated Reader and other Renaissance Learning products like Accelerated Math and Math Facts in a Flash. It was extremely informational. They should offer more of these in the future and I would like us to send as many teachers as possible. You really get to collaborate with other teachers by hearing their questions and concerns about ways to effectively use AR as well as the other products we do not use at this time. (It may be 2 teachers at a time if they are limited attendance but it will be worth it!)
Keeli Osmer and I sat down and pooled our notes concerning AR. I have tried to put this into bullet points for you below. Some of these are simply thoughts to ponder as we reflect on our use of AR and our overall teaching strategies in the classroom.
*They set the tone and began the conference by showing the YouTube Video: Shift Happens (Click here to view)
*A child will continue a task only if he/she feels successful! (Personally, I think that goes for adults too!)
*Reading needs to be a successful story--ALWAYS!
*The suggested amount of reading time per day (to make a measurable jump in reading scores) is 35 min. per day. (Ponder this when considering requirements for next year!)
*Students often do not like school because we haven't changed the way we are teaching even though their brains work in different ways due to technology and the flow of information today.
*Students' attention spans are 15 min. or 1 min. per grade level up to the 15 min. A good suggestion is to strive to change activities or type of activity approx. every 15 min. to help keep students engaged.
I have asked for a quote for Math Facts in a Flash, this is a computer assessment, student practice, and bookkeeping program for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Please take a moment and click here to investigate Math Facts in a Flash. This is from the same company, Renaissance Learning, that puts out AR.
*Note the addition of Kids Know It under the Quick Links Section of this blog! Click here to investigate!
Upcoming Dates:
*Thursday, Jan. 13th, Incoming Kindergarten Open House
*Tuesday, Jan. 25th, Kindergarten 100th Day Celebration
*Friday, Jan. 28th, Second Grade Grandparent's Day Celebration
Have a great week and thank you for making TPS an awesome learning community!
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