Encouraging Academic Discussion
Have you heard a teacher use the phrase, “Your child talks too much in class?” Try thinking of those words as a good thing. Gone are the days where we expect our students to passively learn while the teacher does all of the talking.
This year our school-wide instructional goal is to increase student opportunities for discussion in the classroom. Students will learn to develop their own thinking and come up with their own conclusions. We want to help students build their critical thinking skills, including the ability to evaluate, argue, question, reason, and justify.
As a staff we are building the foundation for rich, meaningful student discussions.
Some examples of what your child may experience at school are:
Guidelines: Teachers explicitly teach students norms for discussion. These norms help create a safe environment where everyone’s ideas are respected and valued.
Strategic grouping: Teachers use a variety of groupings (i.e. partners, groups) to ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate.
Higher level questions: Teachers are carefully planning lessons to ensure they are asking higher level questions. These questions require students to analyze, evaluate, justify, or create.
Roles: Students are asked to take on a certain role in a discussion. This allows students to practice specific discussion and/or comprehension skills. For example, a student may be asked to be a “summarizer” or a “predictor” during a discussion.
Language stems: Language stems are suggested sentence starters that help students express themselves. As students become more comfortable with academic discussions the less they need the stems. For example, a “summarizer” may have the following sentence stem, “So I am hearing the group say….”
Talking is the representation of thinking. Language is how we process and retain information. The more students engage in discussions the more they are able to negotiate meaning, clarify understanding, and process information at a deeper level. Students will become more confident in their opinions and ideas when they can practice discussions in a safe, structured environment.
You can support our school wide focus by encouraging discussions at home. Everyday there are teachable moments:
• “Tell me two things that went well at school today and one that didn’t.”
• “Tell me more about that…”
• “Give me an example of a rule at school that is fair, and one one that isn’t. How would you change that rule if you were in charge?"
• “Tell me about a teacher who made learning the most fun for you at school today.”
• “I hear you talking a lot about _________ (person). Tell me what you like about them.”
• “You seem very interested in __________________ (activity, show, book, etc). Tell me what you like about that.”
• “What makes you say that?”
• “Can you give me another example?”
Attendance
Help Your Child Succeed in School:
Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early
School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
Did you know?
- Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
- Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
- Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
- Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
What you can do
- Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
- Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
- Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.
- Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before schools starts to help her transition.
- Don't let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
- If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
- Develop back-up plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor, or another parent.
- Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.
When Do Absences Become a Problem?
- Chronic Absence = 18 or more days
- Warning Signs = 10 to 17 days
- Good Attendance = 9 or fewer absences
- Note: These numbers assume a 180-day school year.
(For more on school readiness, visit attendanceworks.org and reachoutandread.org)
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
October
14: No School
14-16: Art in the Burbs at Tigard High School
17-21: PSO Book Fair
20: No School, Fall Conferences
21: No School, Fall Conferences
21: Advanced Band to play with TuHS at Football Game
24: PSO Scrip Order Due
27: Picture Re-take Day
November
1: Wash. DC Trip Informational Meeting, 7pm in the Library
3: Dessert & Jazz Night, 7pm in the Commons
9: Last Day of Quarter 1
10: No School, Teacher Workday
11: No School, Veteran's Day
14: PSO Scrip Order Due
Fall Conferences
Thursday, October 20
8:00am-11:30am (teacher lunch break 11:30am-1:00pm)
1:00pm-4:30pm (teacher dinner break 4:30p-5:30p)
5:30pm-8:00pm (child care available)
Friday, October 21
8:00am-11:30am
7th & 8th Grade students: Grade level teams will host families on a DROP-IN basis. Elective teachers and PE/Health teachers are also available on a drop-in basis.
6th Grade Students: Conferences are arranged by teacher teams. If you have not received a conference appointment or letter, please contact your child's homeroom teacher. Sixth graders who attend Math classes outside the homeroom teacm, may drop in with the appropriate Math teacher during all conference hours.
Maps will be available in the lobby on conference days to help you locate the staff members you need to see. Please plan on attending the session most convenient for you and your student. However, past experience suggests that the evening time between 5:30-8:00 becomes crowded and may require longer waits for parents and students. Please come during the other available times if you are able. Be sure to bring your son or daughter!
Child Care Available: Thursday, 10/20 from 5:30-8:00pm
Need to renew your Free/Reduced Application?
Free/Reduced Status expired on 9/30/16 and new or renewal applications need to be submitted by 10/13/16. Applications can be picked up in the main office or in the Commons.
Tigard Library Used Book Sale
Attention book lovers, gift givers, and bargain hunters:
The Friends of the Tigard Public Library will be having a Used Book Sale on Friday, October 14, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday, October 15, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Sunday, October 16, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Burgess Community Meeting Room of the Tigard Public Library at 13500 SW Hall Blvd. Available items will include books, CD’s and DVD’s. Proceeds will be used to support library programs, projects and materials. For more information, please visit the Friends’ website: www.tigardlibraryfriends.org
Note that children’s books range in price from 20 to 50 cents, and a coupon for a free paperback book is available at the library’s circulation desk.
Picture Retakes
Did you miss picture day? Need to retake your photo? Picture Retake Day is Thur, Oct 27th, 8a-9a in the MPR.
If you are retaking your photos, please bring your original picture packet with you. If you missed the original picture day, picture packets can be picked up in the Main Office.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip
DON’T MISS OUT!
8th grade students:
Experience our Nation’s Heritage
2017 Washington DC trip
Come for an informational meeting
Twality Library
November 1, 2012, 6:00 PM
Destinations include: Washington DC
Gettysburg, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Amish Countryside
New York, NY
Any questions? Contact Sarah Waddell
