P.E.P. TALK Promising Educational Practices

Fall, 1999 Providing Instructional Assistance to the Teachers of Mildly Handicapped Students

"Estelle Wild, Executive Director, Learning Disabi lit ies Programs "1500 Biscayne Blvd. "Room 407W "305-995-1295 " "Denise M. Gudwin, Educational Specialist, Learning Disabilities Programs " # 8181 "305-270-8699 Ext. 237 "

A NOTE FROM ESTELLE WILD

AA warm andA warm and personal welcome to each of you.A warm and personal welcome to each of you. How

excitingexciting to exciting to behold a new century and the next

millennium.millennium. millennium. The state and our districtmillennium. The state and our district are focused on

improvingimproving the aimproving the acadimproving the academic achievement of all children.

TheThe number oneThe number one initiative ofThe number one initiative of the Division of Exceptional

StudentStudent Education is the improvement ofStudent Education is the improvement of FCAT scores

andand reading achievements of our mildlyand reading achievements of our mildly hanand reading achievements of our mildly handicapped

ESEESE students. To that end, aESE students. To that end, a �CurriculumESE students. To that end, a �Curriculum Materials �

ListList corresponding to the ComprehensiveList corresponding to the Comprehensive ReadingList corresponding to the Comprehensive Reading Plan

willwill be sent towill be sent to the ESE Department at each school to

help you when ordering materials for your classroom.

OnOn Monday, October 18 th, CEC once again CEC once again hosted the

ESEESE Week Reception at theESE Week Reception at the SESE Week Reception at the Sheraton Biscayne Bay

Hotel,Hotel, 495 BrickellHotel, 495 Brickell Ave. You had theHotel, 495 Brickell Ave. You had the opportunity during

thethe social function frothe social function from 5 the social function from 5 to 7 p.m. to partake of

deliciousdelicious food and visit with exhdelicious food and visit with exhibitodelicious food and visit with exhibitors displaying the

latlatestlatest matlatest materials. The program from 7 to 8 p.m.

featuredfeatured our own Ron Feltofeatured our own Ron Felton,featured our own Ron Felton, newly promoted to

AssistantAssistant Superintendent of ESE, as theAssistant Superintendent of ESE, as the keAssistant Superintendent of ESE, as the keynote

speaspeaker.speaker. speaker. I hope you were able to join us for an

excitingexciting eduexciting educatexciting educational and fun evening and the chance

to win fabulous door prizes.

AAsAs this school year unfolds I wish for al of you the

fulfillmentfulfillment tfulfillment that the classroom challenge can provide,

and pledge my continued support for your efforts.

A NOTE FROM DENISE GUDWIN

WelcWelcomeWelcome Welcome to the 1999-2000 School Year, a year of

spectacularspectacular achievements. spectacular achievements. We are very excited about

ththethe Besthe Best Practices Training, and the FCAT/FCAT

WritWritesWrites Training that will take place this year for Writes Training that will take place this year for ouWrites Training that will take place this year for our

LD/VELD/VE teachers, alsoLD/VE teachers, also knownLD/VE teachers, also known as Teachers of Mildly

HandicappedHandicapped Students. Handicapped Students. MaHandicapped Students. Many of you will be able to

participateparticipate inparticipate in staff developmentparticipate in staff development this year and it is our

hopehope that you learn something newhope that you learn something new and then gohope that you learn something new and then go back

and teach your colleagues, continuing the training.

ManyMany of you will visit the Teacher IdeMany of you will visit the Teacher IdeaMany of you will visit the Teacher Idea Center this

yearyear at Ruth Owens Kruse Edyear at Ruth Owens Kruse Educat ionyear at Ruth Owens Kruse Educat ional Center. Did

youyou know that over 250you know that over 250 teachers part icipated inyou know that over 250 teachers participated in some

typetype of inservice training at the Teacher Idea Center

last year? Welast year? We hope to meet with manylast year? We hope to meet with many more of you

thisthis year, and hope that you will come out this year, and hope that you will come out and vithis year, and hope that you will come out and visit

us, whether it is to participateus, whether it is to participate inus, whether it is to participate in an inservice training

oror to schedule a time to visit and get new ideas or

refresh old ones.

II wish you a most productive year. Remember: �If we

succeedsucceed in givingsucceed in giving the lsucceed in giving the love of learning, the learning

itself is sure to follow. �

ItIt wasIt was wonderfIt was wonderful to see you at the Council for

ExceptionalExceptional Children ESE Week RExceptional Children ESE Week RecepExceptional Children ESE Week Reception Monday,

OctoberOctober 18, 1999October 18, 1999 at the Sheraton Biscayne BayOctober 18, 1999 at the Sheraton Biscayne Bay Hotel.

� EVERY DAY QUOTES �A monthly list of quotes to use in the

classroom

RESEARCH THE AUTHORS OF THESE AND OTHER QUOTES. WHO ARE/WERE THESE PEOPLE? WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

WHAT DOES ANONYMOUS MEAN?

� To read without reflecting is like eatingwithout digesting. �

Edmund Burke

� Conversation is the laboratory andworkshop of the student. �

Ralph Waldo Emerson

� An Unusual amount of common sense issometimes called wisdom. �

Anonymous

� I get quiet joy from the observation ofanyone who does his job well. �

William Feather

� If you would be remembered, do onething superbly well. �

Saunders Norvell

� It takes less time to do a thing right thanit does to explain why you did it wrong. �

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

� In traveling, a man must carryknowledge with him if he would bring

home knowledge. �Dr. Johnson

� Whoever gossips to you will gossipabout you. �

Spanish proverb

� This world is but canvas to ourimaginations. �

Henry David Thoreau

� Which can say more than this rich praise- that you alone are you. �

William Shakespeare

THIS MONTH �S SHARING IDEA

COMES FROM

Dr. Joann Rivera

VE TEACHER

Grade K-5

At Holmes Elementary School

� Colored Coded Spelling �

Subject: Spelling

GradeGrade Level: Appro Appropr Appropriate for Intermediate

Elementary and Secondary School Students.

Materials Needed:

1.1. Construction1. Construction paper1. Construction paper cards (Teacher cuts out

in the shape of an index card.)

2. Crayons.

ActiviActivity: Students use a light color crayon to

writewrite vowels on the card. Studentswrite vowels on the card. Students use dawrite vowels on the card. Students use dark

crayonscrayons to write thecrayons to write the consonants. crayons to write the consonants. After spelling

wordswords arewords are written using the colorwords are written using the color code, students

practice their words with a partner.

AsAssessment/Evaluation: Tea Teacher Observation

Log.

Comments: Highlighting: Highlighting the: Highlighting the vowels may help

somesome some chsome children remember their spelling words

when writing independently.

' d ' d ' d

THANK YOU,

JOANN RIVERA,

FOR SHARING ONE OF YOUR

GREAT IDEAS WITH US!

' d ' d ' d

DO YOUR STUDENTS HAVE A

LIBRARY CARD?

ItIt is Library Card signIt is Library Card sign upIt is Library Card sign up month. You canpossiblypossibly plan a field trippossibly plan a field trip to possibly plan a field trip to the Public Library inyouryour area. Encourage yyour area. Encourage your cyour area. Encourage your children to get theirownown library card.own library card. JUown library card. JUST READ! This may assistyour students in reading at home.

CallCall 305-375-BOOK to find a libraryCall 305-375-BOOK to find a library branch nearyou.

==============ForFor those of youFor those of you who are membersFor those of you who are members of professionalorganizations,organizations, you are quite aware of the benefitsyouyou receive you receive fromyou receive from your membership. Newsletters,profeprofesprofessionalprofessional journals, camaraderie with peers,informativeinformative meetings, exciting cinformative meetings, exciting confinformative meetings, exciting conferences... theseareare all part of belonging to a proare all part of belonging to a profeare all part of belonging to a professionalorganization.organization. Two of our favorite organization. Two of our favorite oorganization. Two of our favorite organizationsfeaturedfeatured this month arefeatured this month are the Councilfeatured this month are the Council for ExceptionalChildrenChildren (CEC, Chapter 121)Children (CEC, Chapter 121) and theChildren (CEC, Chapter 121) and the InternationalReading Association (Dade Reading Council).

ForFor information or joining in on thFor information or joining in on the lFor information or joining in on the local fun,contact: CEC, Chapter 121Robin BartlemanPhone: �Rising to New Heights �www.

Dade Reading CouncilCarol Brott Mail Code 0861-Colonial Drive Elem.Phone: 305-238-2392 �Brighten Your Life with Reading... �www.dadereading.com National Council for Exceptional Children1920 Association DriveReston, Virginia 20191Phone: 888-232-7733www.cec.sped.org

International Reading Association800 Barksdale RoadP.O. Box 8139Newark, DE 19714-8139Phone: 800-628-8508 ext. 249 to join

www.reading.org

MONTHLY CALENDAR

YouYou canYou can use the narrowYou can use the narrow bulletin board above thechalkboardchalkboard by keeping a perpetual linearchalkboard by keeping a perpetual linear monthlycalendar.

LabelsLabels above the numbersLabels above the numbers can unclude class andschoolschool happenings, holidays,school happenings, holidays, interesting events,school happenings, holidays, interesting events, testdates,dates, birthddates, birthdays,dates, birthdays, and projects due. Make yourlabelslabels in the shape of favolabels in the shape of favorite labels in the shape of favorite characters of abookbook you are reading, in the shape ofbook you are reading, in the shape of anbook you are reading, in the shape of an arrow,oror use other shapes of interest to you and yourstudents.

BookReportDue

!“September 1 2 3 4 5

ONOMATOPOEI Words that imitate the sounds they represent...

Have fun with these words!

CreateCreate stories, comic strips,Create stories, comic strips, Create stories, comic strips, and poems.EncourageEncourage oral retelling to fEncourage oral retelling to fol lowEncourage oral retelling to follow the writingactivity.bang whack buzz chime smack clickcrackle croak zoomding dong boom clanggrowl tick-tock fizzgurgle sizzle purrhiss thump moohum swish thudsnap sniff quackpop plop jingle

OPEN HOUSE IDEA

AsAs aAs a fAs a follow-up on letter writing, have yourstudentsstudents write their parents a letter, tellinstudents write their parents a letter, telling thstudents write their parents a letter, telling themaboutabout your class.about your class. Give these to the parents whoattend.attend. Then give the pareattend. Then give the parentattend. Then give the parents a few minutes towritewrite their son/daughter a little note or letter,

whichwhich will be savedwhich will be saved for independentwhich will be saved for independent reading timethe following day.

FUN MATH FACTS

"� WWhWhenWhen you know inches, you can findmillimeters, i f you multiply by 25.

"� WhenWhen youWhen you know feet, youWhen you know feet, you can find centimeters,if you multiply by 30.

"� WhenWhen you know yards, you can find meters, ifyou multiply by 0.9.

"� WhenWhen you knowWhen you know miles, you canWhen you know miles, you can find kilometers,if you multiply by 1.6.

"� WhenWhen you know millimeters, you can findinches, if you multiply by 0.04.

"� WhenWhen you know centimeters, you can findinches, if you multiply by 0.4.

"� WhenWhen you know meters, you can find yards, ifyou multiply by 1.1.

"� WhenWhen you know kilometers,When you know kilometers, you can findWhen you know kilometers, you can find miles,if you multiply by 0.6.

MOTIVATING IDEAS

"� YouYou may want to show your You may want to show your stuYou may want to show your students adecorateddecorated notebook which you have entitldecorated notebook which you have entitleddecorated notebook which you have entitled, �Great �Great Things We �ve Done. � In this notebookyouyou can record instances when you �ve heardyou can record instances when you �ve heard orseenseen your students saying or doing somseen your students saying or doing somethi seen your students saying or doing somethingcommendable.commendable. You can keecommendable. You can keep this commendable. You can keep this book in aprominentprominent place so that students can read it.TThThisThis is a way to help improve students �citizenship.

"� EncourageEncourage each chi ld to complete an iEncourage each child to complete an inteEncourage each chi ld to complete an interestinventory.inventory. Use these interest inventories to helpselectselect books for your Reading Area. Each week,featurefeature a hobby or topic. Introduce several feature a hobby or topic. Introduce several ofeature a hobby or topic. Introduce several ofthethe boothe bookthe books. Read aloud, stopping at aninterestinginteresting point. interesting point. You can also just showinteresting point. You can also just show someofof the pof the picof the pictures of the books, makingpredictions.predictions. Also invite your studentspredictions. Also invite your students to suggest

interestinginteresting books about the featured topicinteresting books about the featured topic thatthey �vethey �ve read and encourage themthey �ve read and encourage them they �ve read and encourage them to sharepersonalpersonal experiences. This will personal experiences. This will asspersonal experiences. This will assist inencouragingencouraging independeencouraging independentencouraging independent reading with yourstudents.

ADDING ENTHUSIASM TO YOUR

INDEPENDENT READING TIME

MakeMake Independent Reading PillowsMake Independent Reading Pillows with your students.EachEach sEach student illustrates a favorite book on a 12 x 12whitewhite cotton or feltwhite cotton or felt square. On another fabric square,havehave the child write his/herhave the child write his/her name and the titlehave the child write his/her name and the title of thebook.book. Volunteers can then book. Volunteers can then sew ebook. Volunteers can then sew each pillow and stuffthem.them. them. Your children will love to cuddle up withthem. Your children will love to cuddle up with their �book pillow � while reading independently.

COMPREHENSIVE READING PLAN

TTheThe major components for you to include inThe major components for you to include in youThe major components for you to include in yourplanning for your 1 1/2 - 2 hour reading block are:

"� OpeningOpening Routine/Read Aloud (a wonderful wayto start your reading block)

"� WorkingWorking withWorking with Words (A time to tie in phonics,hands-onhands-on activities, spellinhands-on activi ties, spellinghands-on activities, spelling, and vocabularybuilding)

"� TeacherTeacher Directed, (Using grade level text toexposeexpose your students to grade level instruction)

"� Guided Reading (reading at their instructionallevel)

"� IndependentIndependent Reading (see two idIndependent Reading (see two ideIndependent Reading (see two ideas on thispage!)

"� EffectiveEffective Writing (rEffective Writing (remeEffective Writing (remember, it must bemodeled first, for optimum results)

DOES YOUR CLASSROOM DISPLAY A PRINT-RICH ENVIRONMENT?

"� EnvironmentalEnvironmental Print (cuEnvironmental Print (cut oEnvironmental Print (cut out words fromnewspapers,newspapers, cerealnewspapers, cereal boxes, advertisements, food,anything with print on it!)

"� Word Walls"� Labels Around the Room

"� Charts for Shared Reading, Reference"� Baskets of Books, Magazines"� Narrative Planners/Story Frames"� Vivid Verbs"� Said is Dead - Words to Use Instead "� Transition Words"� UseUse of Overhead/Charts/BoaUse of Overhead/Charts/BoarUse of Overhead/Charts/Boards to model

effective writing"� Books, Books, Books and More Books!

If you don �t have some of the above items, youmay want to add them to your room!

WO RD W ALL AD DITION S:

OCTOBER NEWS

AddAdd to Add to your WORD WALL witAdd to your WORD WALL with

constconstruction construction paper cut out construction paper cut out iconstruction paper cut out in

HALLOWEENHALLOWEEN shapes - ghost, witch �s hat,

bat,bat, pumpkin.bat, pumpkin. Write yourbat, pumpkin. Write your October words

onon these fun shapes. Add these � BREW

OFOF WORDS � OF WORDS � to your existing WordOF WORDS � to your existing Word Wall,

withwith a picture of awith a picture of a witch stirring a special

brew!

NOVEMBER NEWS

CreateCreate Turkey Word Walls!Create Turkey Word Walls! Use aCreate Turkey Word Walls! Use a pattern

forfor the body of the turkeyfor the body of the turkey. for the body of the turkey. Add a

collectioncollection of men �s ties for the most

ccolorfulcolorful feathers you �ll see this seasocolorful feathers you �ll see this seasoncolorful feathers you �ll see this season!

(Start(Start putting those old ties(Start putting those old ties to good use!)

WriteWrite yourWrite your November words onWrite your November words on sentence

strips and add to the ties.

AfterAfter ThanksgivingAfter Thanksgiving is over,After Thanksgiving is over, you can take

thethe words off of the tiethe words off of the ties and athe words off of the ties and add to your

existingexisting Word Wall. existing Word Wall. Saexisting Word Wall. Save the ties until

nextnext year to reuse againnext year to reuse again. next year to reuse again. You can also

useuse the ties for use the ties for an � I am thankful for... �

bulletin board.

MakeMake lists of words aMake lists of words and phMake lists of words and phrases with

your children. Focus on words that:

- add pizzazz

- create excitement

- describe

- arouse curiosity

- demand attention

- build suspense

ThenThen use theThen use thesThen use these words for youThen use these words for your

Halloween,Halloween, Thanksgiving,Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Holiday

writing!

FCAT IDEAS

HIGHER LEVELS OF

QUESTIONING

ToTo incrTo increasTo increase the use of higher levels of

thinkingthinking skithinking skills in your classroothinking skills in your classroom

didiscdiscussions,discussions, keep a Question Bank to

facilitatefacilitate questions. Lfacilitate questions. Lifacilitate questions. Listed below are

fivefive of the �FOCUSING ON THE FCAT

TASKTASK CARDS. � We will include five

more in the next issue.

MAIN IDEA (LA.A.2.2.1.)

"� WhatWhat is the Main Idea of this

passage?

"� Write a summary of ...

"� WhyWhy do you think this story/article

has the title, � ____? �

"� Retell a portion of the story.

CAUSE AND EFFECT (LA.E.2.2.1)

"� What caused _____to_____?

"� What effect did _____ have on ___?

"� WWhatWhat are the events thWhat are the events tha What are the events that

caused_____?

FACTS AND DETAILS (LA.A.2.2.1)

"� Who?

"� What?

"� Why?

"� Where?

"� When?

"� How?

MULTIPLEMULTIPLE REPREMULTIPLE REPRESENTMULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS OMULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS OF

INFORMATION (LA.A.2.2.8)

"� What would you infer fro What would you infer from What would you infer from the

informationinformation presenteinformation presented in tinformation presented in thinformation presented in the

graph/map/chart?

"� ReadRead/Read/referRead/refer to the caption of the

chart/graph, map on page_____.

PLOTPLOT DEVELOPLOT DEVELOPMENT/RESOLUTIOPLOT DEVELOPMENT/RESOLUTION

(LA.E.2.2.2)

"� WhatWhat problem did tWhat problem did thWhat problem did the character

face?

"� WhatWhat hWhat happWhat happens that causes the

charactercharacter to changecharacter to change fcharacter to change from the

beginning to the end of the story?

ReRememRemember,Remember, key phrases for FCAT: GO

BACKBACK TO TEXT REVISIT THE TEXT!

REVISITREVISIT THEREVISIT THE TEXT TOGETHER MODEL.

MONTHLY IDEAS

SomeSome of youSome of you have seen theSome of you have seen the � Poetry Tree � branch in

the TEACHER IDEA CENT TEACHER IDEA CENTER. . Here are monthly

ideasideas for you to use withideas for you to use with your trideas for you to use with your tree branch. (For

those of you whothose of you who haven �t seenthose of you who haven �t seen it yet, take a large,

barebare tree brbare tree branchbare tree branch. Spray paint it a color of your

choice. Set inchoice. Set in a bucket ofchoice. Set in a bucket of sand or plaster of paris.

PutPut the bucket in a pretty basket! You haPut the bucket in a pretty basket! You have Put the bucket in a pretty basket! You have a

great display for student work!)

September

LeavesLeaves labeled with student names are hung on the

branchesbranches to welcomebranches to welcome branches to welcome students. High school

teachers can choose one name per periodteachers can choose one name per period toteachers can choose one name per period to focus

on.

October

HangHang a �Batty Book RevHang a �Batty Book ReviewHang a �Batty Book Review � for each book read.

Use a bat shape cut out.

November

StudentsStudents draw and hang pictures of thingsStudents draw and hang pictures of things theyStudents draw and hang pictures of things they are

ththankfulthankful for. They can also write what tthankful for. They can also write what they arthankful for. They can also write what they are

thankful for.

December

WriteWrite wishes for the world onWrite wishes for the world on cWrite wishes for the world on cut-out stars and

hang them on the tree branch.

Stay tuned for January, February, March,

April, and May!

WORD STRINGING ACTIVITY

(WORKING WITH WORDS)

YouYou will need a sentence strip for each You will need a sentence strip for each stYou will need a sentence strip for each student.

FoldFold into 12 sectFold into 12 sectionsFold into 12 sections. Write the word

Thanksgiving,Thanksgiving, spacing out the letters. Cut

betweenbetween the letters so that each child will have 12

separateseparate letterseparate letter cardsseparate letter cards. Do this activity WITH the

students.students. If you have an overheastudents. If you have an overheadstudents. If you have an overhead projector, use

magneticmagnetic lettersmagnetic letters onmagnetic letters on the overhead for a motivating

visual!

WORD STRINGING ACTIVITY

� MAKING WORD S �

T H A N K S G I V I N G

1. Find the letters i n g

2. AddAdd the /k/ sound to make a new worAdd the /k/ sound to make a new wordAdd the /k/ sound to make a new word.

WhatWhat is this word? (KinWhat is this word? (King) ThWhat is this word? (King) The prince

grinned wickedly at the new king.

3. TakeTake out the k. Now add the twTake out the k. Now add the two leTake out the k. Now add the two letters

thatthat say /th/that say /th/. Youthat say /th/. You have made a new

word. The word is thing.

4. Make the word sing.

5. Now,Now, put those lettNow, put those letters bNow, put those letters back and find the

two letters that say an .

6. What letter would youWhat letter would you addWhat letter would you add to an to create

van?

7. TakeTake out the v andTake out the v and findTake out the v and find the two letters that

youyou woyou would need to make the word than.

Jose is taller than Jorge.

8. KeepKeep the and aKeep the and and aKeep the and and add the letters you need

to make the word hang?

9. NowNow make it hanging. The new

ThanksgivingThanksgiving sign is hanging in the fThanksgiving sign is hanging in the froThanksgiving sign is hanging in the front

window.

10. KeepKeep the a,Keep the a, i and n. Put back all of the other

lletters.letters. Find the two letters that say /stletters. Find the two letters that say /st/letters. Find the two letters that say /st/.

Let �s make the word stain.

11. And so on...

"� YouYou can continueYou can continue making words withYou can continue making words with letter

carcards.cards. You can give bonus points for thcards. You can give bonus points for the

ststudentsstudents who can use all of the lettestudents who can use all of the letters tstudents who can use all of the letters to

make the surprise word - Thanksgiving!

"� EncourageEncourage your students toEncourage your students to Encourage your students to make up their

own words, giving you clues.

YYes,Yes, this fits in the �Working with WYes, this fits in the �Working with WordsYes, this fits in the �Working with Words �

component of the Comprehensive Reading Plan!