Best Literacy through Ventures Curriculum By Elizabeth Reeve, MS

TimeLine for Joining Basic Literacy with Ventures Things to Keep in Mind We have 60 hours to prepare the students before the first test First semester- Units 1-5 Second semester – Units 6-10 New students join throughout the year Some students will miss class more often then others All students need to be prepared to take the exam after they complete 60 hours and show gains

Best Literacy and Ventures Timeline UNIT by UNIT Preparation Covering the Materials unit by Unit Each Unit lends itself to the Best Literacy review in different ways Pages x to xiii shows clear match up for the Best Literacy Some items take creativity when including them into the units Reviewing the Best Literacy test items each unit allows for new students and keeping the items clear throughout for all students

Units in Ventures Unit One- Personal Information (Aug-Sept) Unit two- School (Sep-Oct) Unit three- Family and Friends (Oct-Nov) Unit four – Health (Nov-Dec) Unit Five- Around Town (Dec-Jan) Unit Six- Time (Jan-Feb) Unit Seven- Shopping (Feb-March) Unit Eight- Work (March-April) Unit Nine- Daily Living (April-May) Unit Ten- Leisure (May)

Preparation : Know Students and Analyze results Questions to ask: 1) What was the original question missed? 2) How can I fit this into a lesson?

Calendar Provide a Calendar from the beginning of the year. Discuss the days and months of the year Have students keep class log and mark the days they are present on a calendar. Celebrate the Birthdays Unit One- Personal Information Birthdays of students and months Unit two- School Information about school and important dates Unit three- Family and Friends Important dates on the calendar pertaining to family and events

Food Labels Unit 1 – Personal Information Discuss lb. and favorite food Discuss meat= good time to find out who might not be able to eat certain foods Unit 2- Cafeteria and meats at school Discuss label and packing a lunch Unit 3- Family and Friends Discuss having a BBQ for the family and friends and the label

Labels on Clothing throughout the curriculum Numbers Bigger or smaller How much more or less What other lessons can be developed around this information using the different levels of curriculum? Unit 1- Personal Information What size of clothing does the student wear Unit 2- School Discuss school clothes and size of clothing Unit 3- Family and Friends Buying a clothing gift for their family member Where to get labels for clothing? Friends, some stores, and contact Thrift stores

Activity: Put a Label on It Discuss how this would be utilized at the different levels of the curriculum.

Telephone Directory Understanding Abbreviations Phys vs Doctor When it comes to understanding different terms for different titles, a direct approach instruction would be good. Take time to explain the difference to the students. Bring in examples using both terms during the lessons. I need to go see the doctor (dr.) today. While I am at the Physicians (Phys) Office, I might get medicine. Where to get Phone books? -Best Buy -Gas Stations -Contact local phone company Unit 1 – Personal Information Using the telephone directory to locate their own phone number Unit 2- School Finding the school information in the phone directory Unit 3- Family and Friends Locating information on family and friends in phone directory

Relating the Best Literacy test to Teaching Ventures Our students are eager to learn, but we must first set the ground work for them. Each step will be small, but in the end be an amazing piece of work!

Understanding Reading Passages Listening lessons within the curriculum Have the students learn to listen as they read to see if things make sense and help them pick out mistakes as they listen Make up reading passages and have the students pick out the correct word based upon what is around the word in question Teach the students the difference between plural and singular Lesson D and E is about Reading and Writing in each unit

First unit pictures Have student learn to write from the beginning. A sentence can teach a student . Allow the students to feel comfortable making mistakes and receiving feedback. When the student becomes comfortable writing, they will start to notice the mistakes. At first, they will be uncomfortable writing, but soon they will be asking for assistance. First sentence often received: I need too rit I must learn gramer this year. Soon it becomes: I want to write and learn grammar this year. Have the students write about what they see at the beginning of each unit in the ventures curriculum.

Activity: Ventures Writing – Came from Ventures Basic Utilizing the picture, describe how one might make this into a writing assignment for the students at the different levels of the curriculum?

Ventures Picture from Advanced I – Book 3 Unit 1 Utilizing the picture, describe how one might make this into a writing assignment for the students at the different levels of the curriculum? How might this help students on the Reading passages part of the test?

Reading Signs, ADS, Notices, etc. Help students pay close attention to details. Often times the students will miss a question due to not paying close attention to details.

Role Play with the Curriculum Have students fill out the blank cards and learn the vocabulary using the sign-in sheet and the appointment cards. Take turns being both the patient and doctors office.

Reading, Curriculum, and Newspaper If we don’t help the student learn to read for information, they wont be able to do the basics of our society!! Reading for information is a big part of our curriculum in all units!

What is the Material about What is the Material about ? can you find signage to use during the lesson?

Writing for Understanding

Checks, Envelopes, and Letters Basic every day living items. Allow the students to practice using these throughout the different lessons. Pen pal project- Interaction between different classes. Provide the envelopes and allow the students to write to another class. Invite the other classes to a party or participate in a coming event the class is doing. Practice making out checks for different objects in the curriculum.

Using Checks and Envelopes within the Units Unit 1- Personal Information Discuss where information goes on envelope Unit 2- School Practice sending a letter to teacher Unit 3- Family and Friends Send invitation to family and friends Unit 1- Personal Information Discuss where the address goes and other personal information Unit 2- School Practice writing checks for school Supplies Unit 3- Family and Friends Practice writing checks to family and friends for birthdays

Our students deserve Opportunity- the Basic Literacy helps make sure we are educating them for the opportunities