Here is a great link for some ideas to promote reading comprehension:
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/strategies-promote-comprehension

One of my favorite quotes worth sharing again:
If kids come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job more important.
-Barbara Colorose

Looking for ways to encourage students to find evidence from text?  Here is a great video with lots of ideas:
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/analyzing-text-writing

Ms. Yvette Dillard facilitated professional development at Lanier High School in Montgomery.   Topics included characteristics of dyslexia, the Alabama Administrative Code, and dyslexia simulations. 

Spring is in the air!  Here is your to do list:
1.  Go for a walk
2.  Plant a garden
3.  Read to a child at least 20 minutes a day
4.  Pick fresh fruit
5.  Click on the link below for great ideas to encourage and support students with writing skills:
http://www.middleweb.com/29202/teach-students-to-write-strong-paragraphs/


Have a great week!!

Check out this great video below to increase comprehension!
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/passing-notes-teaching-strategy

Pam Rackley and Jill Ellis facilitated "Coaching Internship"
for new literacy coaches in the Region 8 area!!

Flowers Elementary School in Montgomery had a wonderful time celebrating "Read Across America."  GREAT costumes!!

Looking for strategies to encourage students to ask questions?   Here you go!
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/02/09/how-to-bring-more-beautiful-questions-back-to-school/

ARI Regional Staff enjoyed working with Selma City special education teachers on Feb. 5, 2016.   We facilitated training with Ms. Bowman and Ms. Smith.  Great discussion on Co-Teaching! 

Mr. Steve Ricks, State Director of AMSTI and Mr. Tod Beers, AMSTI Math Administrator visited AMSTI WCCS-ASU during their CCRS Science Quarterly Meeting on Tuesday, February 2, 2016. The meeting was held on the campus of Wallace Community College Selma. Jocelyn Tubbs-Turner, Shermanita Walker, and Geralyn Buford were facilitators for grades 3-5 and 6-8.

Region 8 team members facilitate training for special education teachers.  Objectives included learning effective strategies to address struggling  students, learning from each other as selected participants share strategies, and reflecting on a homework assignment from the previous meeting.

Carol Lambert facilitates "Beginning Reading Foundations" to AUM interns and MPS new literacy coaches!

Great video for using fiction and nonfiction texts!
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/informational-text-lesson-equip

Region 8 conducted their monthly meeting on Friday, December 11, 2015 at the AMSTI site which included a Christmas Luncheon.  In keeping with the spirit of the season, we collected canned goods to donated to the Selma Area Food Bank.  May the miracle of Christmas fill your heart with warmth and love!

Science Pre-Service Training @ AUM (December 8-11, 2015)..Trainers Melody Sellers-Washington and Lynn Vaughn-Reeves.  Great pics!

Looking for the Dyslexia Resource Guide?  Please check out the link below:
http://www.alsde.edu/sec/ari/Pages/home.aspx

Looking for ways to improve student-teacher relationships?  Look no further!
http://resumes-for-teachers.com/blog/classroom-management-tips/how-to-improve-your-student-teacher-relationships/

CCRS Quarterly Mtg #2 @ WCCS 11/17/15 (3-5 Gradeband)  Thank you for all your hard work!

Dawn Bowles is a teacher at Daniel Pratt Elementary in Autauga County. Daniel Pratt began implementing System 44 in August 2015.  Dawn Bowles has created a wonderful System 44 "Success Zone" bulletin board to recognize when students reach the Success Zone using the System 44 software.  When they reach the Success Zone, they get to add a bead under their name.   The principal of Daniel Pratt Elementary is Julie Harrington.  She was the principal at Marbury Middle School in 2014-2015 and was instrumental in the successful implementation of the Read 180 program.

Please check out this resource from Texas!  There are great district-level tools for thinking through instructional reform.  There are also videos showing secondary lessons and some excellent secondary resources.  Happy Reading!

http://buildingrti.utexas.org/

 

Looking for new ideas for students to demonstrate what they have learned?  Look no further!
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/60-things-students-can-create-to-demonstrate-what-they-know/

Parents!  Please see below for a link that will provide answers to your questions about the Common Core, the new assessments, and how you can help your students meet the Standards:
http://us9.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4ec6bb1ee5975776b3619f439&id=eeb0c2f23f&e=4b91afb116

Interested in learning more about dyslexia?  Check out this article below:
http://www.scilearn.com/blog/5-myths-about-dyslexia

Check out this great vocabulary idea! Use paint samples to keep track of words that are alike-pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, etc....

A BIG thank you to Sally Meek and Renee Brobst for taking the time to share their wonderful Read 180 knowledge with Region 8 educators!

Looking for some new math ideas?
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/marilyn-burns-10-big-math-ideas

Depth of Knowledge training in Selma!

Pam Rackley and Jill Ellis facilitated New Coaches Orientation for Region8!   Welcome!!

Jocelyn Tubbs-Turner facilitates CCRS QM #1 for Science!

Great article


http://teach4theheart.com/2014/10/20/the-7-bad-habits-of-ineffective-teachers/

GlobalScholar 2015 – 2016 Testing Periods

1. Fall: 8/20/2015 – 11/20/2015

2. Winter: 1/4/2016 – 2/22/2016

3. Spring: 4/4/2016 – 6/15/2016

Dr. Angela Mangum addressing her district during DOK Training. Great job Region 8!

Gay Finn and Lori Boyd did a FABULOUS job facilitating professional development on Webb's Depth of Knowledge for Region 8!  Thank you!!

Looking for some information on the ESEA Waiver?   Here is your solution!
http://www.alsde.edu/sites/search/Pages/results.aspx?k=ESEA%20waiver

Be sure to use the AMO calculator to assist you in reaching your school goals.   Please go the link below:
http://www.alsde.edu/sec/acct/Pages/home.aspx
Choose "Resources" and then "Workbooks" to access the handy-dandy calculator!

Looking for some great professional development?  Consider eLearning courses!  Check out the link below for more information!
http://elearning.alsde.edu/

AMSTI & ASIM receive rewards for 5 & 10 years of service during general session at statewide meeting @ ASU....Region 8 recipients include Dede Inge (10 yrs), Tommie Holsenback, Tiffany Larcheveaux, Jennifer Cox, Tiffany Barlow, Geralyn Buford, and Shermanita Walker.

Check out these great tips for classroom management!  Have a safe and restful weekend!!
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-management-big-picture-questions-mary-beth-hertz

Montgomery Public Schools middle and high school teachers participate in professional development.  Thank you for all your hard work!

Dr. Molly Killingsworth, Regional Support Coordinator, facilitates professional development for Region 8 support staff.

Selma City administrators participate in Strategic Teaching professional Development with Yvette Dillard! Thank you so much for your participation!

Region 8 ASIM educators participate in summer training with Jennifer Cox!   LOVE those t-shirts!

Diane Sweeney provides some great strategies to try in a co-teaching environment in the link below!
http://dianesweeney.com/four-strategies-for-co-teaching/

Looking for some information on dyslexia?   Check out the link below for some helpful tips!
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/dyslexia-in-general-ed-classroom-kelli-sandman-hurley?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=dylexia-in-gen-ed-class&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link

Region 8 educators participate in ASU Science Pre-Service with the fabulous AMSTI trainers.   Thanks to Valerie Sweeney for your hard work!