South Middle School Professional Development
November 20, 2013
How did our work impact your child’s learning?
If you have 2 minutes…read this:
South Middle School staff was engaged in professional learning focused on the
following topics:
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An overview of close reading
Close reading strategy called Again and Again
Close reading strategy called Tough Questions
Time to reflect and share strategy learning with teammates
Background information about Universal Constructs
If you have 5 minutes…read this:
South Middle School staff was engaged in professional learning focused on the
following topics:

An overview of close reading
o Close attention to the text
o Close attention to the relevant experience, thought, and memory of
the reader
o Close attention to the responses and interpretation of other readers
o Close attention to the interactions among those elements
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Close reading strategy called Again and Again
o If something is repeated again and again within a text it is likely
important to the understanding of the text.
o This strategy teaches students to be mindful of repetitious material
within a text. Students should ask themselves, Why does this happen
again and again? Determining the answer to the question will help
students improve their understanding of the text.
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Close reading strategy called Tough Questions
o This strategy helps students become aware of questions that will
likely be asked in texts. These questions are complex and make the
reader think, What does this question make me wonder about?
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Time to reflect and share strategy learning with teammates
Background information about Universal Constructs
o Habits necessary for future success in college, careers, and citizenship
 Critical Thinking
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Complex Communication
Creativity
Collaboration
Flexibility and Adaptability
Productivity and Accountability
Resources:
For more information, please visit the district website at:
https://www.waukee.k12.ia.us/our-district/school-improvement/