K-5 Presentation English Language Arts Literacy Fall 2015 North Plainfield Public School District 1 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Welcome 2(c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Today we will… O Tell you about our district’s English Language Arts and Literacy Programs O Dolch Sight Words O DRA O Words Their Way O Independent Reading O Good Habits Great Readers/Writers 3 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Dolch Sight Words O These are high-frequency words. O These are sight words. O What does that mean? O Your child should immediately recognize the words. O These words appear in many of the stories and books for children in pre-k through 3 rd grade. 4 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Let’s take a look thetoanda Iyouitin saidforuplook isgowelittle downcanseenot onemymebig comeblueredwhere Pre-Primer List, sample 5 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

How can you help? 6 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff Take the children on trips to the library. Get library cards. Look for other ways to teach children the magic of language, words, and stories. Point out words to children wherever you go -- to the grocery, to the pharmacy, to the gas station. Make flashcards. Read the words with your child. Play word games. Enjoy language.

DRA O This is a reading and comprehension assessment. O Your child meets with a teacher. The teacher gives the child a book. The student looks at the pictures, looks at the words, reads the story and answers some questions. O We do this so that we understand how your child is developing as a reader. 7 The Cat © 2015 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Our DRA Simulation (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff8

How can you help? 9 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff Steps You Can Take To Improve Your Children's Education Read Together Children who read at home with their parents/guardians/grandparents perform better in school. Show your kids how much you value reading by keeping good books, magazines, and newspapers in the house. Let them see you read. Let children read to you, and talk about the books. What was the book about? Why did a character act that way? What will he or she do next? Tell stories to your children about their families and their culture. Encourage your children to write notes to grandparents and other relatives.

Words Their Way O Word sorts O Word families O How does this help your child? 10

How can you help? 11 O Let’s do a sort. O Let’s look at some Words Their Way materials you may see. O Your child’s weekly homework. (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Independent Reading 12 Why is reading important? Why is independent reading important? Our goals for students are: To enjoy reading, to be able to read with our support, and to be able to read without our assistance. This is what’s being done in our classes.

How can you help? 13 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff Look for books that relate to kids' interests. Look for Just Right books as per his/her reading level. Encourage exploration of new interests through reading about unfamiliar subjects. For example, if a child is interested in cowboys, look for books that talk about the days of the Wild West, what cowboys are like today, or historical fiction set in the 19th century.

(c) Fall 2015 HB and staff 14 Wordless books with imaginative illustrations can be fun even for kids who know how to read. Looking at pictures and creating a story develops imagination and broad thinking. And don't forget the books and stories you loved as a child. Chances are, you had good reasons to love them — and your kids will, too.

Good Habits Great Readers/Writers 15 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff This is what it looks like in our classes. This is how it includes Independent Reading.

How can you help? 16 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff O Through reading aloud, providing print materials, and promoting positive attitudes about reading and writing, you can have a powerful impact on children's literacy and learning. O Reading well is at the heart of all learning. Children who can't read well, can't learn. Help make a difference for a child.

Thank you … O To the staff for working with our students. O To the principals and vice principals for supporting this work. O To Dr. McLaughlin and Ms. Vella for supporting literacy education in our district. O For being interested in your child’s education. O For helping your child learn. O For coming here today. 17 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

We look forward to… O Educating your child. O Continuing our work together. O A wonderful school year. O We invite you to be in contact with us. Dr. Hope Blecher, District Supervisor English Language Arts Literacy Ms. Michelle Vella, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction North Plainfield Public School District 18 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff

Enjoy your day 19 (c) Fall 2015 HB and staff