Welcome

Parent Information Night

2013-2014

About Mrs. Gorski• Originally from Schenectady, NY.

• Graduated Utica College in 2005

• Masters from Syracuse University in 2006

• Played intercollegiate basketball & water polo

• Taught 4th & 5th grade in New York

• Taught 1 year at Lawrence School in Broadview Heights

• 2nd year at Hilltop

• Professional Development: Guided Reading, Curriculum Mapping, Units of Study, Writing Workshop, Assertive Discipline

• Married in 2006

• 2 children (Dominick 2 and Alexandra 3 months)

Comprehensive Literacy Framework

Students have a 80 minute Literacy block. Daily framework is flexible allowing for variations in

content, groupings, direct instruction, small group and independent activities.

Students participate in read-alouds with mini-lessons followed by 5 daily choices of read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, work on writing, or work on words while teachers conduct reading conferences or small group guided reading groups.

Goal: develop independent readers who question text, think critically, and make informed decisions as they seek meaning from the texts read

Allows for close observation of process and progress toward Common Core State Standards

Meets the needs of ALL learners as we meet students at instructional levels and move them forward in their ability

Comprehensive Literacy Framework

1st month of school: Set culture, assess students and learn about students as readers and writers.

HOMEWORK: DAILY READING CARD (YELLOW CARD) 20 minutes each night

FLUENCY- repeated or paired reading and sign on back of YELLOW CARD both due MONDAYS

Spelling- 1st month weekly tests and after assessments students will be in spelling groups focusing on patterns of words.

Blogs, projects, responses, graphic organizers, WEEKLY AUTHOR’S CHAIR

25 Books Standard

• http://www.beachwoodschools.org/25BookStandard.aspx

Comprehensive Literacy Framework

WRITING WORKSHOP: Units of Study by Lucy Calkins- focus on Narrative, Argumentative and Informational text

Goal: Students will develop writing strategies and skills, learn about writer’s craft, and use writing as a tool for learning and communication. They will write for sustained periods, explore different genres and formats and write for a variety of purposes and audiences.

Instruction will include mini-lesson, shared writing, guided and independent practice utilizing the 6+1 traits of writing (IDEAS, ORGANIZATION, VOICE, WORD CHOICE, SENTENCE FLUENCY, CONVENTIONS) and individual conferences.

Comprehensive Literacy Framework

LANGUAGE and WORD STUDY:

Goal: Students will explore the intricacies of language across multiple genres including literature, informational texts, and poetry. They will investigate the meaning and structure of words and the conventions and forms of written language.

WEEKLY Word study according to patterns as identified on the Developmental Spelling Assessment.

Language Arts cont.

• Spelling - Counts on tests and final copy of any writing assignment

- Integrated into writing rather than a separate subject - Application into everyday

writing• Handwriting is reviewed but not

explicitly taught in fourth grade• Grammar integrated through reading

and writing workshop

Comprehensive Literacy Framework

ASSESSMENTS: AIMSWEB (fluency and MAZE comprehension

tests Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) Developmental Spelling Assessment (DSA) STAR reading assessment from

ACCELERATED Reader (done in library as an added measure)

Short Cycle assessments (1X quarter) Pre and Post Writing Assessments for each

strand in Common Core Writing Standards (Narrative, Persuasive, Informational)

Interest Surveys Formative Assessments (Entrance and Exit

slips)

GRADES

HOMEWORK• Homework is like the Three Bears

– Some say there is too little– Some say there is too much– Some say it is just right

“If homework serves a good purpose and parents reinforce completion of tasks, students benefit by higher grades, better habits, and more positive attitudes towards school and learning.”- U.S. Dept. of ED

State Mandated Testing

• Ohio Achievement Assessment

- Reading and Math- Given WEEK of April 28, 2014Please try NOT to schedule any appointments this week!!

Other Information Book Club

-- Each month fiction/non-fiction emphasis--checks made out to SCHOLASTIC

http://www.beachwoodschools.org/AliciaGorski.aspx

BUCKEYE CHILDREN’S BOOK AWARDhttp://www.bcbookaward.info/

WE’RE OFF TO A GREAT YEAR!

Please be sure to visit our Unified Arts Staff