TOSA Tribune

Intermediate Edition
January 2009
Volume 3*Issue 5

3rd and 4th Grade Teachers

Investigations Workshop In this issue:
Investigations Information
Guess the Covered Word Verb
M.A.P. Testing and Dieting
Revised M.A.P. Checklist

Investigations:
Call for Presenters
Do you remember the 5 a.m. bus ride
to Kansas City for Investigations
Training?

I have good news for you!

Investigations is bringing the
training to US! (Although the bus ride was a
fun bonding experience!)

Nixa has the opportunity to HOST

Since we ordered new
the Midwest Investigations
Investigations, Pearson/Scott
Conference this summer, but we
Foresman will offer training on the
need YOU to make it happen.
NEW Investigations in NIXA on
Tentative date for conference:
Monday, January 26th from 4-7
July 15, 2009
p.m. in Annex C.
There will be a half-day ‘Train-the-
Trainers’ session on Thursday,
RSVP to: February 5 … subs will be
cdick@mail.nixa.k12.mo.us provided.
E-mail interest to:
Pizza or sub sandwiches will be cdick@mail.nixa.k12.mo.us
provided.
 Guess the Covered Word
It’s a Phonics Lesson and
so much more …
One of the largest obstacles on the
Communication Arts M.A.P. Test is the
fact that students have to READ the
test on their own. Guess the Covered
M.A.P. Testing Article
Word is ONE way to reinforce phonics 2009 New Year’s Resolution
in the classroom, and it’s fun! Eat Right and Exercise
How Hard Can It Be?
GLES:
R1C: Develop and apply decoding strategies to problem-solve
unknown words when reading. Preparing students for the M.A.P.
R1E: Develop vocabulary through text using context clues.
R1G: During reading, develop and utilize strategies to self-
test is like diet and exercise.
question and correct.
W2D: Use parts of speech correctly in written text. Consider I love watching The Biggest Loser. Sometimes
consistently covering a certain part of speech, say verbs. You
can easily tie a parts of speech mini-lesson into Guess the
contestants weigh in and see huge
Covered Word Verb.  accomplishments and other weeks they work
and work only to maintain or even gain weight.
“The Scale” makes them apprehensive even
Lessons/Directions can be though they’ve done everything in their power
to achieve desired results. The amount of work
accessed at: involved for the week doesn’t change, simply
http://cherylsclassroomtipsdi.blogspot.com/2008/ the fruits of their labor. At the last weigh in,
12/guess-covered-word-lessons.html
they all win … but do they keep the weight off?

Create your own lessons in Isn’t that a lot like teaching?

PowerPoint by using colored text
boxes and custom exit animation.
Smart Notebook works too. You can
simply cover and drag.
Wow! This is Guess
the Covered Word
for Character
Development! I have
to teach that too!
We consistently ‘weigh in,’ and some years we
have big gains, other years small ones, but in
the end … we are making our goals and standing
tall in the education community. We have
achieved SEVEN years of Accredited with
Distinction in Performance! SEVEN years …
that’s amazing! AND … it’s because of teachers
like you. Thank you for hanging in there …
keeping students first … and pressing on toward
the goal.
M.A.P. is closing in on us, but we’ll be ready. The
early preparation will hopefully alleviate some
of the stress … and when we ‘weigh-in,’ the
results will be worth it!
 January M.A.P. Checklist
_____ I celebrate successes with my students. Success leads to more success.

_____ I continue to build relationships with my students and the parents of my students.

_____ I gave the Benchmarks COLD … with no review beforehand.

_____ I reviewed and allowed students to correct errors on the Benchmark Tests.

_____ I gathered data from the Benchmarks and have a plan of action to better prepare for
M.A.P.

_____ I press on toward the goal … even though some days it’s harder than others.

______ I teach and assess the written curriculum AND align my teaching with the scope and
sequence.

_____ I use different levels of questioning in my lessons … higher level thinking is evident.
(I know where my Depth of Knowledge Wheel is and use it.)

_____ I use the glossary of terms provided from D.E.S.E. for math, communication arts and
science.

_____ I use the Math GLE examples for review AND do weekly cumulative assessments over
similar items for retention.

_____ I USE the Communication Arts Interpretations Document and require my students to
give TWO details from the text on constructed response items.

______ I have taught R2C, R3C and R1H so much I often dream about it in my sleep!

______ I do my best to make my lessons (that are aligned to the GLEs) FUN!

_______ As I’m reviewing with my students, I remember to Drill and Thrill … not to Drill and
Kill.

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot

keep it from themselves.
~Sir James M. Barrie
British Writer