ACS

SEPTEMBER 2009 JEN MUNNERLYN

L I T C OACH NOTES
“Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”  John Coon Dana

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Update: Implementing Lucy Calkin’s Units of

Study in Grades 3-5
This month marks the start of our
vertical implementation of the Units of
Study in Writing for grades 3-5. Last
year I worked with Marisa (g.5), Alison
(g.4) and a former grade 3 teacher on
plans for starting off on the “right foot”
with these units. Those plans included
recognizing the spiral within the
program, differentiating the lessons
between the levels, and testing 2 rubrics
created by Janet Pohl for each grade.
Beginning this month our process for
each unit will include:
1. Starting the units in each grade at
roughly the same time so we can
collaborate.
2. Jen demonstrating lessons and
specific components such as
conferring while being video taped so
teachers can watch.
3. Regular team meetings to “touch
base” about the teaching as well as
to share ideas about how to modify/
change the units for differentiation.
4. At the end of the unit grades 3-5 will
meet as a group to debrief and
discuss our work.
5. The 3-5 Writing Team: Jen, Marisa,
Alison and our new member Ken,
will get together to discuss how to
modify lessons which are already in
Atlas and to plan for each new unit.

“TURN AND TALK” DURING CELEBRATING WRITER’S SETTLING FOR THE

SHARE, GRADE 3 NOTEBOOKS, GRADE 4 MINILESSON, GRADE 5
 REA DI N G WO R K S H O P
The teachers in grades K-3 have been working on brining Units of Study into the reading
work they do every day. Our first units were developed around the theme: Readers Build
Good Habits. This was a great way to start the year off with routines and structures. We
are now able to have a more detailed picture and plan thanks to the guides provided in The
Complete 4 series from author (and former staff developer at Teachers College) Pam Allyn.
This series is a great starting place for us as we begin to bring a workshop approach in
reading to our classrooms. Similarly, using the guides across the grades will ensure we are
building and maintaining a vertical spiral. As we build on this from month to month, I will
have more information to share which will be useful to grades 4 and 5 as they consider this
giant topic next year.
**Rumor has it Lucy Calkins and the folks at Teachers College will be publishing a set of Units of
Study in Reading in 2011. By then we might be ready to revise and rethink our spirals.

Reading Units of Study- October (C4 Units 2/3)

KG2: Reading Stories Through Pictures/Reading For Many Purposes: Connecting Books to Play
Grade 1: Developing Print Strategies/Making Wise Book Choices
Grade 2: Synthesizing Word-Attack Strategies/Building Stamina: Reading Long and Strong
Grade 3: Making Choices in Reading: Strategies for Comprehension/Growing an Awareness of Theme
and Time: Reading Fiction

THESE UNIT S AR E ON ATLAS. IF YOU ARE INTERES TED IN SEEIN G TH E DA ILY

LESSONS H APPENING IN A NOTHER GRADE FEEL F REE TO GO IN A ND H AVE A
LOOK.

REGI
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REMI ROUTMAN
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News to Note:
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11:50-12:35, Sept. 13
MS. M OU R
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12:35-1:25, Sept. 29
A Few of the New
Faces In the ES at
ACS!
As I am working with the
new teachers more and
more, I thought it might be
nice to profile them here for
everyone to read about.
I’m amazed and impressed at
how they’ve each managed
to jump in and take on all
we’ve thrown at them. These
teachers are positive, willing
to learn, and focused on
student learning.
LOOK FOR MORE PROFILES
OF TEACHERS AND TEACHING
ASSISTANTS IN MY
UPCOMING NEWSLETTERS.
FA R AH - G.2
Last year at this time Laura was teaching
first grade in Denver, Colorado. LAUR A- G .1
Her Favorite Vacation Spot are either on
top of a mountain somewhere (Nepal,
Colorado, etc.) or on a beach reading a
novel getting her feet massaged.
Something which has surprised Laura about
the UAE is the traffic and parking.
Motto or Favorite Quote:
“Let’s celebrate progress, not perfection!”
She can often be heard in class saying,
“Friends give friends time to think.”
Last year at this time Channin was a starting
a new school year in Damascus, Syria.
C HA N NIN-
Her Favorite Vacation Spot is Oregon RE S OU R CE
because, although it’s my home, I never get
tired of the beautiful mountains, beaches,
waterfalls, and high deserts.
Something which has surprised Channin
about the UAE is the wonderful parks and
public spaces
Motto or Favorite Quote:
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t
understand a single word of what I’m
saying.”- Oscar Wilde
Last year at this time Farah was a Grade 2
teacher at Gems American Academy, Abu
Dhabi.
Her Favorite Vacation Spot is Rio De
Janeiro, Brazil because it has great beaches
and friendly people!
Something which has surprised Farah about
ACS is how willing people are to share their
time, expertise and resources.
Motto or Favorite Quote:
“Kind words can be short and easy to
speak, but their echos are endless.” -
Mother Teresa