Community News
Newsletter
Inside
this ISSUE:
NEWS FROM read 180.........3
Teacher Talk......................7
Differentiation
Factor................................9
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
ACADEMIC OFFICER............13
––––––––––––––––––––
Featured
in this ISSUE:
Sherri hunter.......... COVEr
The Outstanding
Educator & All-Star
Awards...............................4
new! REad 180
community web site.........5
Scholastic
Assessments....................11
22
winter
2009
A Conversation With 2009
READ 180 Outstanding
Educator Honorable
Mention Sherri Hunter
®
Sherri Hunter, READ 180 Teacher
C. Douglas Killough Lewisville H.S.
North in Lewisville, Texas
Sherri Hunter, READ 180 Outstanding
Educator Honorable Mention, is a
ninth grade READ 180 Teacher at
C. Douglas Killough Lewisville H.S.
North in Lewisville, Texas. For five
years Sherri has been teaching
READ 180, inspiring her students
every day as they, “blossom as
readers, develop as students, and
find a stronger sense of themselves.”
As READ 180 Outstanding Educator
Honorable Mention, we asked Sherri
to share her experiences with
READ 180 and her strategies for
achieving success in her classroom.
What has been the most rewarding
aspect of teaching READ 180?
The most rewarding aspect of teaching
READ 180 is seeing my students gain
self-confidence and develop a greater
appreciation for reading. It is amazing
watching them grow!
Tell us about your most memorable
READ 180 moment.
My most memorable READ 180 moment
occurred this past fall. I had a student
who robustly entered the room day after
day, letting everyone know he did not like
to read. He basically thought he was “too
cool” to read a book. I asked him to give
it a chance, and he gave me that ninth
grade smirk meaning, “This lady is crazy
if she thinks I am going to give reading a
chance.” His transformation began slowly,
so slowly, I don’t think he knew it was
happening. He loved Beyond Brave in
the Stage C edition of the rBook. During
class discussions of the shark attacks,
he became so animated, sharing how he
would have reacted in the same situation.
To tie in with the theme of survival, we
began reading Tears of a Tiger by Sharon
M. Draper. That book hooked him from
page one. He would literally beg everyday
to read the book. If the lunch bell rang, he
wanted to finish the page before we left for
lunch. Tears of a Tiger led him to Forged
by Fire, the second book in the Hazelwood
High Trilogy. I always had to drag him
to Small–Group, because he wanted to
continue reading. Teachers can always tell
when students are interested in the books
they read, because they are quiet. This
young man was quiet every day during
Independent Reading. His comments
were no longer about the unimportance of
reading, but rather about what was going
to happen next in the book. Watching him
Continued on next page.
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READ 180 Outstanding Educator
share the connections he made with the book was
tremendous. He moved on to a different campus this
year, but I know he left me a reader.
Continued
something they don’t want/need in their life. The
first couple of weeks, I work hard finding short, high
interest stories/passages that students find relative
to their lives. I use these for short reading lessons.
As we develop our class/teacher connection, I try
to make them laugh everyday; many of my students
don’t have much to laugh about when the day is
over. I want them to find some peace and happiness
at school.
What’s your secret to success with READ 180?
I spend a great deal of time and energy building
connections with my students. I want them to see
me as a teacher they can trust, and one who will
do anything possible to help them reach new levels
of success. Once trust has been established, my
students are much more willing to believe me when
I make reading suggestions, or they are much more
secure in sharing their personal connections with
the books.
What’s your favorite READ 180 book?
Tears of a Tiger by Sharon M. Draper
Who’s your favorite READ 180 author?
Sharon M. Draper–her books hook teens. I have
watched many teens become readers because
of her. One of my students even went to the local
bookstore and bought the entire Hazelwood High
Trilogy. This student had never bought books for
herself before.
How do you keep students motivated?
Once a trusting relationship has been developed,
I feel motivation becomes easier. The kids want to
succeed and become better readers, and they trust
me when I say this class will help. Of course, a little
candy now and then doesn’t hurt, either!
Where do you like to read?
I prefer to curl up on my sofa or in my bedroom.
I guess I am old-fashioned, however, I don’t want a
book on tape, on the computer, or on a Kindle. I want
the book in my hand. There is nothing better!
How do you get students excited about starting
READ 180?
In the beginning this is very tough. Most of my
students have flunked or never passed our state
test. They view reading as punishment and certainly
2
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News from READ 180
Dear READ 180 Educator,
As you move further into the school year and your students become increasingly comfortable with
their READ 180 classroom, it is the perfect time to start thinking about what’s in store for the second
half of the school year.
We all know that there is nothing easy about preparing students for high stakes assessments.
Whether you’re an elementary, middle, or high school educator, you share the common goal of
wanting to see your students succeed in the classroom. This issue of the READ 180 Community
Newsletter focuses on ways to better prepare and equip students with the test taking strategies and
skills they need to succeed on standardized tests.
Teacher Talk
Stage B READ 180 teacher Nova Jean Corillo stresses the importance of creating a comfortable
testing environment where students practice test taking strategies throughout the year to prepare for
statewide assessments. Nova Jean also shares how she has been able to establish community in her
classroom through creativity and making the connection between learning and the real world.
Preparing Students for High Stakes Assessment
The Differentiation Factor highlights READ 180 resources that are available for you to help better
prepare your students for upcoming standardized tests and assessments. This article will guide you
through the READ 180 resources and how you can apply them in your classroom.
READ 180 Community Web Site
Get helpful advice from your peers! With the READ 180 Community Web site you can connect with
READ 180 educators from across the country anytime, anywhere! The site offers access to hundreds
of classroom resources, extensive social networking tools, and a wealth of information specifically
designed for your READ 180 classroom. Visit
www.scholastic.com/read180/community and become a member today!
Preparing students for standardized tests is not an easy task. That’s why the READ 180 Community
is here to support you with your mission of improving reading achievement in your classroom.
We wish you all success!
Best regards,
The READ 180 Team
3
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The Outstanding Educator and All-Star Awards
The Outstanding Educator Awards
recognize the exceptional vocational
commitment of READ 180 and System 44
educators who bring reading to life, truly
turning students’ lives around.
We are excited to announce that we will be expanding the 2010
Outstanding Educator Award to include three READ 180 Outstanding
Educators (one from each Stage) and a System 44 Outstanding Educator!
The 2010 Outstanding Educators will:
• Be recognized at the 2010 READ 180 National Summer Institute in Nashville, TN;
• Receive an all-expense-paid trip to attend the 2010 READ 180 National Summer Institute;
• Receive a cash award and an engraved plaque.
Additionally, the nominating educator of the 2010 Outstanding Educators
will receive a Read 180 Xtra™ Collection Library for their classroom.
www.scholastic.com/read180educator
The All-Star Awards recognize
the outstanding achievements
of students who have overcome
reading challenges to succeed
in school.
Now Accepting
Nominations
for System 44
Students and
Educators!
We are excited to announce that we will be expanding the All-Star
Awards in 2010 to include three student winners from System 44!
Each 2010 All-Star will:
• Receive $1,200;
• Be recognized in the READ 180 Community Newsletter and eNews;
• Receive an honorary plaque and a special gift.
Additionally, the nominating educator of the 2010 All-Star winners will receive $1,000 worth
of Scholastic educational materials.
www.scholastic.com/read180allstars
Apply Online Beginning January 2010!
4
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New! READ 180 Community Web Site
Visit the New READ 180
Community Web Site Today!
As a member of the READ 180 family, you are invited
to participate in a special Online community that is
designed to help you be as effective and successful
as possible. Join us in celebrating the new READ 180
Community by becoming a member today. In celebration
of the newly launched READ 180 Community Web site,
we invite you to check out new functionality and resources designed specifically
for your classroom needs available at www.scholastic.com/read180/community.
READ 180 Community: The READ 180 Community Web site was created specifically
for you, the educators who use READ 180 in
your classrooms. From educators throughout
the country we heard that there was a need to
connect with other educators and exchange
ideas, best practices, lesson plans, and success
stories. From your great ideas and insight, we
developed a brand-new Web site with social
networking features, resources tailored to
your needs, and a place where the READ 180
community can come together and connect.
Getting Started: The Community has
been exclusively designed for READ 180,
System 44, and Expert 21 educators. Start
off on the right foot by joining the READ 180
Community Web site today! Click “Join Now”
on the home page of the Community and fill
out the registration form.
Continued on next page.
5
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New! READ 180 Community Web Site
Continued
Get Active in the Community: The
READ 180 Community features extensive social
networking functionality to help you connect
with other educators anytime, anywhere! With a
single mouse click, create a personalized profile,
join a group specific to your Stage or district,
start a discussion on the message boards,
upload classroom videos, photos, and more!
Resource Library: The new Resource Library has enhanced tools geared toward
extending your instruction and providing you
with the resources you need to be successful in
your classroom. The Resource Library features
hundreds of downloadable resources from
Scholastic; the ability for educators to upload
their favorite classroom activities, lesson plans,
teaching strategies, and extension activities;
and functionality to favorite, rate, and save
resources to use in your classroom.
And More: The READ 180 Community Web site still features many of the valuable resources and
support you have come to know and love. Visit
the site to virtually interact and get advice from
READ 180 Master Teacher, Dee. Honor your
READ 180 students with an updated “Certificate
Maker.” The Community Web site also includes
READ 180 honors and awards, events calendar,
support, and more!
Visit the READ 180 Community Web site today and let us know what you think!
We are always looking for suggestions on how to improve your experience.
www.scholastic.com/read180/community
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Teacher Talk
We’re All In
This Together
Nova Jean Corillo, Reading Specialist and READ 180 Teacher,
Corporate Landing Middle School, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Hello fellow READ 180 teachers and educators! I teach READ 180 to 6th, 7th and 8th grade special education
students here in Virginia Beach. While this is just my second year with READ 180, I’ve taught a variety of
classes, including reading, for over 18 years. As we progress deeper into this school year, I will also be
implementing System 44. I’m very excited to integrate the two programs.
I love watching students blossom with READ 180. It’s great to see kids who are used to experiencing failure
achieve success in front of your eyes. It’s a very rewarding moment and it motivates them to work harder in
the classroom. The program is really incredible. One of my 7th grade students came in last year as a Beginning
Reader (BR). She was struggling with reading and lacked the confidence needed to achieve success. That
meant she was only falling further behind her peers. I realized that she had become good at pretending to read,
and that was how she managed to get through to the 7th grade. I am thrilled to report that just ten months later,
she took the SRI and her Lexile® score increased to 499!
When I think about why READ 180 works, I realize it’s
many things. The program is designed to differentiate
instruction and motivate students. READ 180 works best
with the support—and creativity—of teachers. You have
to build a community in your classroom so that your kids
feel like they’re part of something bigger, something that
they value beyond the actual instruction. You also need
to connect the learning to the real world. I’d like to share
some of the ways that I’ve been able to achieve these
goals. I hope these approaches are as successful for you
as they have been for me.
“I tell the kids that this
is your time-out, this is
your home base. They
really buy into that
idea and they respect
it.”
—Nova Jean Corillo
Tips For Creating A Sense Of Community
• Safety in numbers. My classroom has always been a place that’s free from ridicule or unkind words. My
students know that the READ 180 class is their safe haven. I personally greet each child at the door each day,
which helps to build a good foundation for trust. I tell the kids that this is your time-out, this is your home base.
They really buy into that idea and they respect it.
• Set an example. Be mindful of how you treat your students and your fellow teachers. You’re a model for
respectful behavior. If you talk the talk, but don’t walk the walk, the kids will see right through it. Your believability
and trust are so important to the students’ success. You can’t fake a relationship with your students. Be real and
mean what you say.
• We’re all in this together. I always tell my students that we’re in this together and that we all need to get
along. They might not like every other student, but they must respect them. I say that this is practice for life.
When you grow up you may not like all of your co-workers, but you must get along with them. We have to make
it a nice environment for everyone.
• Comfort counts. READ 180 gives you the opportunity to be creative with how you set-up your classroom
for the rotations. My classroom feels like a cozy living room. It’s a very calm and inviting environment. We
Continued on next page.
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Teacher Talk
Continued
replaced the harsh fluorescent lights with floor lamps and we also
have plants, cushy chairs, and soft classical music. I truly believe
that it encourages comfort and kindness, which is exactly what
READ 180 kids need. But be careful—I have other teachers who
want to hide out in my oasis!
• Give them choices. When you give kids a say in the learning,
they really respond. It could be choosing an assignment or
something as simple as customizing their folder. Having that sense
of control makes all the difference in keeping kids motivated and
connected to your class.
• Explain the value of testing. Whenever we take the SRI,
rSkills, or any type of assessment test, I use it as practice for our
statewide assessment test. I want the kids to be comfortable with
the testing environment and know what to expect when a test
happens. That way, they can be more relaxed when it really counts.
We take this very seriously and practice the proper behaviors
during tests. I tell them that tests are your chance to show what
you know and you have to behave appropriately. I also reassure
them that there is nothing that they can’t do on the test! Lastly, I
make sure that they know, in advance, that their test results can
affect what classes they’ll have for the next year.
Tips For Connecting Learning To The Real World
• Animals are always a hit. I sponsor an Animal Appreciation
Club at our school. We get furry visitors from the local SPCA and
we learn how much the animals depend on us. It goes back to
the idea of being in it together. We all depend on each other. It
may be taking care of a pet or getting along with a teammate on
your sports team. It’s up to each student to set the tone and to
show respect to everyone else. Now any time my kids read about
animals outside of class or have an experience with animals, they
can’t wait to share the story with their classmates.
Announcing a New
“Health Check”
Service for Your
READ 180
Implementation!
Did you know that Scholastic
offers a complimentary READ 180
Implementation Health Check?
We’ve seen from experience that good
program implementation is essential
for sustained student success.
Designed to help you meet your goal
of raising literacy achievement, the
Health Check highlights how your
READ 180 implementation stands
in comparison to best practices and
identifies areas where we could help
support READ 180 in your district.
• Introduce relevant news. Getting kids involved with current
To learn more about this free
events (especially ones that they can relate to) is a great way to
service, or to schedule a READ 180
keep them engaged and to practice skills. For example, a local mall
Health Check, please email us at:
recently announced a curfew for kids. My students were obviously
[email protected].
not too happy with the idea so we decided to write letters to the
editor of a local paper. One student suggested that we also write
to the mall management. The kids are really excited because it’s
real and it affects them directly. We’re also making it a learning
exercise. I tell the kids that you need to understand both sides of the debate, because you need to state your
case to the reader of your letter. You also need to be clear and succinct in the points you make.
• Connect lessons to each other. We do a timeline exercise that helps the kids connect different topics from
the READ 180 lessons. For example, you can talk about immigration and Hurricane Katrina and give them a
common historical context. It helps my students understand the lessons better and it helps build the idea that
everything ties together and that life is a series of events. It also shows why we read about different topics, study
history, etc.
As READ 180 teachers and educators, we are truly our own community and I’m happy to have had this opportunity
to share my learnings with you. We are in this together. When your kids believe that, you’ll all be very successful.
Thanks for reading my story and good luck this year.
8
www.scholastic.com/read180
Differentiation Factor
Preparing Your Students
for Standardized Tests
Use Test Taking Strategies and Other READ 180 Components
to Equip students with the skills and confidence they need to
succeed on standardized tests.
While standardized tests are only one form of assessment, their influence continues to grow—with
scores used to group students, measure achievement gaps, and even determine some teachers’ salaries.
Teachers are feeling the pressure and responding with strategies to make sure students feel prepared.
Test Taking Strategies:
Your Guide for Preparing Students
The Test Taking Strategies book in your Teacher Bookshelf will help you prepare
your students to do their best on standardized tests. This resource contains lessons,
practice tests, and other supports you can build into your READ 180 instruction.
Test Taking Strategies Resources
Preparing Students for Standardized Tests
Strategy Lessons
• 21 lessons explicitly teach strategies such as Making
an Educated Guess, Using Vocabulary Strategies, and
Understanding Evaluation Criteria
• Each lesson includes a passage or prompt and practice
questions for guided practice
• Practice materials introduce students to multiple-choice,
fill-in, short answer, and open-ended questions
• Select lessons that target strategies your students need most
and review them throughout the year
Leveled Reading
Practice Tests
• Start with the seven Level A tests so students can gain
familiarity with test taking situations and experience success
• As students become ready, use Level B tests to expose
students to passages with higher Lexile measures that
approach what they’ll see on state tests
Writing Practice Tests
and Writing Prompts
• Choose from three tests and eight prompts each for
narrative, expository, and persuasive writing
Additional Support
• Four-point and six-point rubrics for assessing writing
• Answer forms and graphic organizers
• Student-friendly tip sheets
• Sample family letters in English and Spanish
Continued on next page.
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Differentiation Factor
Continued
Fitting Test Taking Strategies Into the Instructional Model
Standardized tests are usually given toward the end of the school year, but you’ll want to teach
Test Taking Strategies throughout the year. Pacing this instruction and incorporating it into the READ 180
Instructional Model will help reduce test anxiety for your students.
Page 5 of Test Taking Strategies shows which strategy lessons align with the Test Taking Strategies in
each Workshop Wrap-Up. During Checkpoints for Differentiated Instruction, you can reinforce and extend
instruction in these strategies or related strategies.
You can also consider using test taking resources during Whole-Group Wrap-Up. A few days a week,
take five minutes to review a different type of writing prompt or review a strategy you’ve already taught.
Additional Resources
While Test Taking Strategies is your main resource for preparing students to succeed on standardized
tests, you’ll want to take advantage of other resources READ 180 offers.
READ 180 Resources
rBook and rBook Teacher’s Edition
rSkills Tests
Stage A rSkills Tests Progress Monitoring and Summative Assessments for Whole- and Small-Group Instruction
Stage A
Stage A
ENTERPRISE EDITION
Applications for Test Taking Practice
• Use Anchor Video Stories to prepare students for
listening tasks
• Tailor Test Taking Strategies instruction in the Workshop
Wrap-Ups to students’ needs
• Give students practice with multiple-choice questions that
assess comprehension, vocabulary/word study, and grammar
skills as well as writing on demand
• Using the print version familiarizes students with pencil-andpaper testing environments
• Gradually build up to Level B Tests so students will feel ready
for state tests
• Teach students to monitor how they use their time and how
much time they have remaining
RDI 1: Reading Skills and Strategies
and RDI 2: Writing & Grammar
Strategies
• Use lessons to target specific reading and writing tasks
students need more practice in to succeed on state tests
• The Writing Exam Strategies section of RDI 2 contains more
information about teaching students to write on demand and
build their stamina
Scholastic Reading Inventory
• Measures reading comprehension on the Lexile Framework
for Reading
• Provides actionable data for instructional placements
• Is predictive of outcomes on high stake state exams and
provides realistic expectations for student performance
10
www.scholastic.com/read180
Scholastic Assessments
Scholastic Assessments Prepare
Students for High Stakes Tests
Scholastic Assessments Use
Technology at Every Level
to Simplify the Assessment
Process for Teachers and
Students.
These fast and scalable tools
provide educators with immediate
actionable results that are:
• Research-based and
validated;
• Aligned to the Response
to Intervention (RTI)
Framework and helps to
develop students’ academic
achievement goals, monitor
students’ progress, and
modify Small-Group direct
instruction.
Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI ): A Fast and
Accurate Way to Assess Student Reading Levels
and Monitor Reading Progress.
SRI
• Is predictive of student outcomes on high stake
state exams with national normed performance
standards;
• Allows teachers to determine in Lexiles the level of
growth needed for each student to
™
read on level;
• Generates individual reading lists to
empower students to improve skills;
• Gives students practice in multiplechoice testing formats.
Continued on next page.
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Scholastic Assessments
Continued
Scholastic Phonics Inventory (SPI): A ComputerBased Assessment That Measures Decoding and
Sight-Word Reading Fluency in Fewer Than 10
Minutes.
SPI
• Measures foundational reading skills for
phonological decoding and sight-word recognition;
• Helps make sure students are placed in the
appropriate type of reading intervention;
• Aligned to READ 180 and System 44.
I N V E N T O R Y TM
rSkills Tests: Progress Monitoring Assessments for
Whole- and Small-Group Instruction
Student Progress Report
STUDENT: LUCAS, AARON
School: READ 180 Marketing
Teacher: Suzanne Puccerella
Grade: 7
Class: R180 review
PROGRESS
MONITORING
Time Period: 10/15/08 – 07/09/09
Last SRI Score: N/A
READ 180 Level: 1
LEVEL a (Stage B)
TEST 1
04/09/09
SKILLS
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Grammar
TEST 2
04/09/09
TEST 3
04/09/09
TEST 4
04/09/09
TEST 5
04/09/09
CORRECT/
TOTAL
SCORE
CORRECT/
TOTAL
SCORE
CORRECT/
TOTAL
SCORE
CORRECT/
TOTAL
SCORE
CORRECT/
TOTAL
SCORE
4/10
40%
2/10
20%
5/10
50%
10/10
100%
9/10
90%
1/10
10%
3/10
30%
5/10
50%
7/10
70%
9/10
90%
5/10
50%
7/10
70%
6/10
60%
5/10
50%
9/10
10/30
33%
12/30
40%
16/30
53%
22/30
73%
27/30
90%
90%
4-Point Rubric
Open Response 1
Not Assigned
3
Not Assigned
3
4
Open Response 2
Not Assigned
3
Not Assigned
3
4
Writing Prompt
Not Assigned
2
Not Assigned
3
4
TEST SCORES
100%
SCORE
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
TEST 1
04/09/09
TEST 2
04/09/09
Using This Report
Purpose: This report shows rSkills Test scores on all tests an individual
student has taken, broken down by skill area. The graph shows test results
over time.
Follow-Up: Run this report after each rSkills Test to monitor progress. Share
these results with students or parents.
Printed by: Sarah Greene
Copyright © Scholastic Inc. All rights reserved.
READ 180 and System 44 can
expand SRI to general education
students in convenient expansion
plans. System 44 can expand SPI
screening to any at risk students
with expansion plan. Call 800-3871437 for details.
Page 1 of 1
TEST 3
04/09/09
TEST 4
04/09/09
TEST 5
04/09/09
rSkills Tests
• Expose students to material they will encounter in
grade-level text and on high stakes tests;
• Track students’ rBook progress throughout the
year helping to differentiate instruction on specific
skills;
• Allow teachers to monitor students’ comprehension,
vocabulary/word study, grammar, usage, mechanics,
and writing skills progress over time with student
progress reports.
rSkills
Printed on: 04/09/09
v 1.26
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Letter from the Chief Academic Officer Francie Alexander
Reading for Information and Inspiration
All of us know how important reading is in our daily lives. This knowledge
influences the work we do and who we are.
I found that my students in “remedial” reading (I don’t like the word remedial and
wish I could have used READ 180 in my program) liked it when I shared what I was
reading with them. They got a glimpse into the life of a reader when I started the
lesson with something from the newspaper or a passage from a book.
Sharing text gave us the opportunity to discuss the purposes of reading. And my kids came to appreciate that
reading for information helped us better understand the world we live in and reading for inspiration had us
thinking about ourselves and others in relation to our world.
Here are some recommendations for your consideration as sources of information and inspiration.
Information
You can’t pick up a paper or watch the news without being
reminded that this is flu season. Since you are teaching our
most vulnerable students, the Scholastic editors have put
together 20 days of decoding, reading and writing practice
for students in System 44 and READ 180. This is part of our
Stay Smart! Initiative and you can go to
http://www.scholastic.com/staysmart/ for information and
more teaching resources.
Inspiration
I recently had one of those really fun New York experiences—
attending a book party given at The Plaza by the National
Center for Family Literacy (NCFL). The book Step Out On
Nothing by Byron Pitts, a 60 Minutes correspondent, is about
how family and faith sustained him through many challenges.
One major obstacle he faced was illiteracy and he overcame
it through the intervention of “angels”—people like you who
make such a difference. It’s a riveting read and one that will
remind you of the potential of your students.
Let me know what you’re reading for information or inspiration by email at [email protected].
I’m always looking for good book recommendations.
Happy School Year!
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