SRA Training for the Elementary Staff

August is a busy month for teachers but it got busier on Tuesday for many of us. We had the opportunity to train all day with an experienced SRA user. We now know how to screen the reader to find their appropriate reading level. We practiced the script that is read to the child and we can test and document progress so we have a record of what the student is accomplishing. SRA will be used in Groton for our at risk readers. Our classroom teachers will be following SRA methodology to increase skills in children whose reading data shows that they are in need of a supplemental curriculum.

Curriculum Mapping

Groton classroom teachers have used various methods to “map” their curriculum. Mapping curriculum is much like creating the road map for a state. Each county is a different lesson taught throughout the year and when you put them together it makes a map of a complete state (your childs’ classes).
Our teachers in the high school, junior high and elementary are in the process of getting the maps put together. This is not an easy task. Whether you use excel spread sheet or Tech Paths, each month and all activities used in a classroom
are written and aligned with the state standards.
We hope to have a good framework in place by fall. Now you know what your kids’ teachers will be doing this summer! Perhaps they can bring their tablets to the pool to map curriculum.

Parent - Teacher Involvement

Janice Jones is a professional from the SD Parent Resource Network who speaks to parents and teachers about parent-teacher involvement in education. We had the pleasure to host a Parent Night at the elementary. Janice had captivating stories to tell about her life and family that helped us understand how critical a role a parent plays in the education of their children.
The following day the entire staff spent the morning with Janice for local in-service. She spoke to educators about our role in including parents in the education process. All high school
, junior high, elementary and para professional staff attended.

National Laptop Institute

Another exciting opportunity is headed our way this summer. The 3rd Annual National Laptop Institute is hosted in Mitchell again this year. I was not able to attend last year. I was too busy taking care of a sick gall bladder. Yuck.....but I will not miss the event this year! It is a 3 day event in early June and the Who's Who of technology list is very long. I can't wait to go rub elbows with the "Digital People". :)

Nancy Cutler will be attending!
I will publish an updated list later.

Wayne Callender Insight

I was not one of the fortunate ones to have the opportunity to travel to Pierre last week and attend the one day workshop put on by Wayne Callender but from what I hear I will need to seek him out in the future. He has much experience in the RtI process and from reports brought back to our school he has a very interesting structure for the process. I believe it is very similar to what Brandon Valley has adopted. It may be something we need to pursue in the future. Teachers attending Wayne Callender were:

Emily Peterson
Anne Zoellner
Joel Guthmiller
Cara Dennert
Janel Lone
Linda Locken
Lance Hawkins
DeAnn Sweeter
Julie Milbrandt
Mary Johnson
Diane Kurtz

Wayne Callender is blogging too! http://www.sradirectinstruction.com/blog/?tag=wayne-callendar

Getting to the Core!

Groton Area Elementary teachers took part in a Core training experience this winter. Peeling apples was not part of the class but getting to the core of reading was. Several teachers took the training last year as part of the RtI Pilot Project. You might call this Core Training Part II. Teachers who have completed the Core Training process include:

Renee Swisher
Emily Peterson
Ann Gibbs
Bonnie Schimmel
Anne Zoellner
Carol Knecht
Holly Imrie
Kristi Anderson
DeAnn Sweeter
Joel Guthmiller
Janel Lone
Lance Hawkins
Julie Erdmann
Cindy Fadness
Nancy Cutler
Susan Foster
Roxanna Uttermark

If I have missed anyone I will repost!

A Nose for Reading

The elementary and high school staff are partnering to finish out this year with two book talks. Professional book talks are a great way to visit and share with fellow staff members. One of the books we are reading includes

A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby K. Payne.
The staff members joining in this book talk are:

Cara Dennert
Kristen Gonsoir
Chris Nyberg
Jodi Sternhagen
Ann Gibbs

The other book is Never Work Harder Than Your Students and Other Principles of Great Teaching
byRobyn Jackson

Kristi Anderson
Adam Franken
Carol Knecht
DeAnn Sweeter
Deb Winburn
Nancy Cutler

Given the nature of the reading I am sure there will be "lively" discussion in both groups.