ELAConnections
BEGINNING OF SCHOOL VIDEOS
by Cindy Blevins on 08/26/17
· Change the World by Making Your Bed (6.00--my favorite!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OoCaGsz94&feature=youtu.be
· Create Your Best Year Ever (2.46): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7r7YY_EO0A
· Believe with Will Smith (4.0) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q__aQFmhig
· Never Give Up with John Cene (5.05) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnCunDK0tSw and his speech: (3.29) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eAGxiA4p2Q
· Apple Perspective: See Things Differently (2.54): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ1SDXbij8Y
· Apple: New Beginnings (3.37) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJAGqDYmW1o
· Giving is the Best Communication (3.21): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x_Fl3NQVd4
· Too Quick To Judge (3.20): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzn_AKN67oI
· The Power of Words (5.01): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVY4DeAvnfI
· A Brand New Ending (5.18): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ufWg6FKms&feature=youtu.be
· Gatorade Commercial: The Secret to Victory, Defeat (01.08): https://www.google.com/search?q=gatorade+the+secret+to+victory&ie=&oe=
· What Students Really Need to Hear (6.40): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O7v4EJjx-g&feature=youtu.be
CLASSROOM RULES IN ONE WORD
by Cindy Blevins on 08/18/17
NEWEST TEKS UPDATE FROM TEA, 8/10/17
by Cindy Blevins on 08/10/17
New Kindergarten–Grade 8 English and Spanish Language Arts and Reading TEKS, Adopted 2017
In May 2017, the SBOE gave final approval to revised English and Spanish language arts and reading Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for K–8 to be implemented in the 2019-2020 school year. The new K–8 English and Spanish language arts and reading TEKS are now posted on the TEKS review and revision webpages for each language. Additional resources, including revised vertical alignment and side-by-side documents, will also be developed and posted to the TEKS review and revision webpages soon.
English Learners Language Arts (ELLA), Grades 7 and 8 The new Spanish language arts and reading TEKS include English as a second language TEKS for grades 7 and 8, English for Language Learners, Grade 7 and English for Language Learners, Grade 8. The ELLA TEKS may be substituted for the TEKS for English language arts and reading in the corresponding grade levels: English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 7 and English Language Arts and Reading, Grade 8. The ELLA TEKS are included in the Spanish language arts and reading TEKS available on the TEA website.
English Language Arts and Reading TEKS Review webpage: http://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Curriculum_Standards/TEKS_Texas_Essential_Knowledge_and_Skills_(TEKS)_Review/English_Language_Arts_and_Reading_TEKS_Review/
Spanish and English as a Second Language Arts and Reading TEKS Review webpage: http://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Curriculum_Standards/TEKS_Texas_Essential_Knowledge_and_Skills_(TEKS)_Review/Spanish_Language_Arts_and_Reading_and_English_as_a_Second_Language_TEKS_Review/
NEWEST TEKS UPDATE FROM TEA, 4/20/17
by Cindy Blevins on 04/20/17
NEW TEKS UPDATE (April, 2017) for K-8
April 18-21, 2017 — SBOE public hearing and second reading and final adoption for elementary and middle school TEKS
May 2017 — Preliminary TEKS documents available
Summer 2017 — Revised TEKS filed as adopted with the Texas Register
2019-2020 — Implementation of the K-8 ELA TEKS
NEW TEKS UPDATE (April, 2017) for ENGLISH I-IV
The SBOE postponed first reading and filing authorization for proposed revisions to the English and Spanish language arts and reading TEKS for high school until the April 2017 meeting.
April 18-21, 2017 — SBOE public hearing and first reading and filing authorization for high school TEKS
May 2017 — Official public comment period begins
June 20-23, 2017 — SBOE public hearing and second reading and final adoption for high school TEKS
2020-2021 — Implementation of the high school ELA TEKS
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED TEKS CHANGES
· Integrate Figure 19 expectations into general student expectations for each grade level and course
· Streamline TEKS
· Better align TEKS for English and Spanish, Kindergarten-Grade 6
· Add a new English Learners Language Arts (ELLA) course for grade 7 and grade 8
· Add a new English Language Development and Acquisition (ELDA) course for high school
· Organize TEKS around seven strands
PROPOSED STRANDS
1. Developing and sustaining foundational language skills
a. Oral language
b. Beginning reading and writing
c. Vocabulary
d. Fluency
e. Self-sustained reading
2. Comprehension skills
3. Response skills
4. Multiple genres
a. Literary elements
b. Genres
5. Author’s craft
6. Composition
a. Writing process
b. Genres
7. Inquiry and research
Two versions of proposed TEKS currently available:
1. Rule text version
3-5: file:///C:/Users/Cynthia/Downloads/ELAR_Grades%203-5_Final%20Recommendations_April_color%20coded.pdf
2. Vertical alignment version file:///C:/Users/Cynthia/Documents/Cindy%20Education/Cindy's%20H-Drive/TEKS/2017%20ELA%20TEKS/Ap2017/ELA%20Vertical%20Alignment%20Doc_February%202017_approved%20first%20reading.pdf
CREATIVE TEST PREP!
by Cindy Blevins on 02/25/17
Traditional test prep can be a recipe for disaster for
teachers and students. This is not how you want to approach the big test day
with your students. Since the brain likes novelty, incorporate it into your
test prep. It basically freaks out your students’ brains and causes them to
listen instead of turning you off.
Some ways to do this:
- Incorporate a theme into your test prep (Olympics theme, Music theme, Racing theme, etc.).
- If applicable, dress the part. Dress up in your “race car” attire.
- Play related music as students enter your room.
- Decorate your room according to your theme.
- Allow students to practice passages in teams. I have found this produces much more productive talk than individual work, and it is much more beneficial overall.
- To go over passages, play a game related to your theme. Teams compete against each other to review the answers. A team must give the correct answer AND support for the answer (or explain their answer). If an incorrect answer is given, the turn passes to the next team. If a team answers correctly, their “race car” is moved down the “track.” The first team to reach the end of the track wins—let them leave first when the bell rings or come up with another great reward. This is more engaging, even with older students, because it is different from traditional test prep.
- To review the writing rubric, have students “score” the lyrics to popular songs (as appropriate). You will be surprised at what a great review this is!
Are you getting the idea? Basically, get creative and have
fun with it! Your students will enter the test with a better attitude, and you
will go home each day feeling accomplished as a teacher.
If you teach 8th grade reading, www.ELAConnections.com has done all
the creative work for you. Check out AIR: Adventures in Reading. You can use
this before the main test or use parts of it for the retests.
Happy test prep!!