CIS Academic Updates

Angie Ormsby, Instructional Coach
Cameron Intermediate School
915 Park Ave.
Cameron, MO 64429
Contact Information:
aormsby@cameronschools.org
816-882-1220
http://dragonsinstructionalcoach.weebly.com/

Word Study with Words Their Way

This year, CIS teachers are using the resource Words Their Way, a word study for spelling, phonics, and vocabulary.
Three times a year, students will be given a spelling inventory (test) to determine the specific orthographic features each child needs to focus on in order to decode (sound out) and spell words correctly. These features include blends, vowel sounds, syllables, affixes, Greek roots, etc.
Instead of memorizing a generic spelling word list and taking a weekly test, students are given a weekly word list called a sort which is based on their individual needs as detected from the spelling inventory. Students use their word sorts to complete practice activities as assigned by the teacher.
Practice activities are multi-sensory and include sorting words based on their pattern, vowel sound, or syllables; alphabetizing; locating words in the text of their reading book; and vocabulary comprehension.
Teachers will periodically progress monitor students with quick-check assessments to ensure appropriate progress and mastery of each feature prior to moving students to the next level. Students will also practice their sort words using SpellingCity.com.
Focusing on each student’s individual needs in “Word Study”, a Daily Café station, allows us to target specific areas that need practice which will lead to improved spelling skills, increased comprehension, and fluency.
Ask your child’s teacher about Words Their Way at parent-teacher conferences on October 6, 2016!

CIS is excited to be using the Daily Café organizational structure in ELA and math classes this year. The Daily Café consists of first teaching a lesson to the whole class, followed by the teacher rotating small groups of students through learning stations. Learning stations are organized activities focused on practicing previously taught concepts. One of the daily learning stations involves meeting with the teacher. During the “Meet with Teacher” station, the teacher works to ensure students’ understanding of the whole group lesson as well as to work on any other skills the students may need help with in order to be successful.
This organizational method of teaching ensures that all students’ needs are met. Station work is always practice work; it’s never new material. Teachers review station work to ensure that students are practicing the skills accurately and to gauge whether students are ready to move on to practice new skills or need a refresher on specific concepts.
To find out more about the Daily Café in math and ELA, visit with your child’s teacher or visit https://www.thedailycafe.com/.

Daily Café in ELA and Math

Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I will learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin, 1750

Open Library at CIS is now held from 4:30-6 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We encourage you to bring your child in to read, check out books, and AR test.
We also encourage your child to read at home! In lieu of reading logs this year, students will journal and complete vocabulary activities at school.
Students at CIS will have minimal homework, if any. If your child does have homework, it is because the teacher felt that he/she would benefit from more practice. If you have questions about homework, please contact your child’s teacher.
CIS has started the process of transitioning to Missouri’s new learning standards. Check them out at: http://www.missourilearningstandards.com/about/parents-students/.

__________________________’s
Reading Update:
STAR Reading Level: ________
AR Pts. Earned/Goal: _________
Reading ZPD Range: _________
(just-right book level)
More detailed information will be available at P/T Conferences.