Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2002-01-02, Page 64-TH11 1411111011 IXPOINTOR, January 3, 2001 News Literacy project targets primary grades in Seaforth By Susan Hunderttlrark Expositor Staff Holding a Targe book with print that can be seen at the back of the classroom, literacy consultant Shirley Weitzel reads to a Grade 3 class at Seaforth Public School. But, more than a story about a farmer going to market, the big book is one of the recently -acquired tools in a new primary literacy project of the Avon Maitland District School Board. Seaforth Public School is one of 15 schools chosen to participate in it. SPS received $6,700 for new reading materials from the $75,000 district -wide project. Along with new reading materials, the project involves training teachers all the best techniques to teach literacy skills and a concentrated awareness that literacy is what they are teaching all day long despite the subject matter. "None of the eight components of literacy that we're using is new but it pulls the best from all the methods of teaching from whole learning to phonics. The twist is that it's intentional teaching that makes every minute in the classroom count," says the board's primary curriculum consultant Janet Jamison. The components of literacy that the project strtsses include the teacher reading aloud, shared reading with the teacher pointing out the concepts of reading, guided reading involving small groups of students and independent reading. They also include modelled writing with teachers explaining the thought processes of writing, shared writing, guided writing done in small groups of students with similar difficulties and independent writing by students with the ultimate aim of publication. "This project is about keeping literacy at the forefront of your thinking when teaching," says Jamison. She uses a pioneer project of making butter as an example of teaching science, social studies and underlying it all, literacy. "The class is using the language of science to understand what is happening to make the butter and gaining an understanding of pioneers. But at the same time, the teacher is asking the students to use adjectives to describe how the butter looks as it forms," she says. Using big books, literacy is also promoted by teaching Kindergarten students the most simple concepts of how to hold a book the right way up, reading left to right and covering alphabet basics and teaching Grade 1 students how to pick out letters and words they know and how to gain information about the story from the picture. By Grades 2 and 3, big books are used to give students strategies of how to figure out words they get stuck on, how to use their voices to make the story more interesting, how to recognize different writing techniques and how to gain the most understanding out of the concepts of the story. "This project has more emphasis on direct teaching about reading strategies," says Weitzel. Along with four workshops for teachers on balanced literacy, teachers are being offered a chance to participate in regional study groups where they can meet and discuss the strategies that are working for them. Also, an intervention program for struggling readers in Grade 1 has been set up with volunteers working one-on-one with students. "Research indicates that balanced literacy works for at -risk kids. It helps us focus on struggling readers and I think we'll see some incredible gains in the future," she says. The project was created because of concern over low scores on standardized tests in Grade 3 and 6 and generally higher expectations for student achievement in Re-elected Anderson renamed chair and suggests all Avon Maitland trustees must support board decisions By Stow Slater Special to The Huron Expositor Newly re-elected Avon Maitland District School Board chair Wendy Anderson issued challenges to the provincial government in her inaugural address Wednesday, Dec. 13. She called for increased support for new curriculum initiatives, better programming for "students who achieve at a basic level," and the provision of a more stable labour environment that would both allow a resolution to the crisis in extra -curricular activities and encourage the negotiation of longer-term labour deals. "The amount of time that is required to reach a one- year settlement is totally unacceptable, when a three- year deal could be reached in the same time," Anderson said. She also issued challenges to school boards in general, to pick up the torch of the Education Improvement Commission (EIC), an arms - length committee of government appointees which recently released its final report and isn't expected to continue. Though Anderson admitted the EIC sometimes overstepped what she originally thought was its mandate, and was often ignored by the government which established it, she still called the commission "the conscience of the ministry," and urged school boards to continue its work. There was also a challenge, however, for the trustees of her own board, six of whom are new to the post. Though she explained she had been pleasantly surprised during two previous orientation sessions -- so much so that she now looks more optimistically upon the coming three years than had previously been the case -- she cautioned that trustees must support the decisions of the board once votes have been cast. "Decisions democratically reached by the board must be supported in every way possible," Anderson said in her address. Following the meeting, Anderson explained she wasn't suggesting trustees can't disagree with board - approved policy, nor that they can't express such opposition in public. She says such dissension is unavoidable, and counts herself among those who have disagreed with certain board positions. But she says trustees must know the reasons why other board members supported the decision, and be able to explain those reasons to members of the public. "I guess I said that because we have a lot of new trustees and not all of them are necessarily aware of this," Anderson said. "It doesn't hurt to remind them of those things." One of those new trustees, Seaforth-area representative Charles Smith, is expected to vote contrary to the board on a regular basis, judging from his recent work against the board's attempt to close Seaforth District High School. Indeed, in the regular board meeting which immediately followed the inaugural session, Smith cast the lone dissenting vote on two of three approved decisions. Following the meeting, Smith said he was "disappointed" with the over- all tone of Anderson's inaugural address -- citing what he said were predictable criticisms of the provincial government -- but added he respected her intention that all trustees should be aware of the reasons why board decisions received majority support. Still, he cautioned that he would not insulate the public from his own opinions. "You can go on the public record sayipg you disagree with (board decisions)," he said. "That’s part of the democratic process. "I will resist the inclination of some people to herd me. I don't think we need a bunch of rubber- stamping votes." Check it out...look at all the businesses in Seaforth open Thursdays 'til 8 p.m. (or later) Commercial Hotel Seaforth Public Library Nifty Korners Wong's Grill Seaforth Food Market Dr, LaPlante Sumthing Special Seaforth Chiropractic Centre Total Image 1I Becker's Milk Bluewater Interiors Main Street Video Stedmans V&S Variety Janet's Country Donuts Sills Home Hardware The Looking Glass Culligan Real Estate Jackie's Hair & Aesthetics Archie's Service Centre Triangle Discount Queen's Hotel Attic Treasures Mac's Milk Pizza Train McLaughlin Chev Olds Seaforth Shell Drake & Drake Seaforth Sewing Centre Sizzlers The Hobby Shop What a great time to Shop! This ad sponsored by: McLaughlin Chev Olds 13 Main St., Seaforth 527-1140 current school curriculum. "The EQAO (standardized tests) results have made people look at literacy - they indicate we have to look harder at it," she says. Jamison says to4ay's fast - paced culture with two parents working is giving parents and children less "lap time" when conversation and story reading helps build the basic skills of literacy. "We're seeing more children without a basic sense of nursery rhymes, something we never used to see," she says. She adds that recent brain research shows that children have a distinct window of opportunity to learn literacy skills and that it becomes more difficult to catch up as children age. "We've known for some time that early literacy needs to be stressed but we ha\cn't had the dollars to put into it. Intervention has to be as early as possible," she says. Jamison says parents can help build their children's literacy skills by spending as much time as possible reading and talking with their children. "Children need time talking to adults so they can hear and learn from those who talk well," she says. "The really important things are very simple - conversation and reading books together." SEAFORTH INSURANCE • BROKER LTD. 527-1610 • Home • Commercial *Auto • Farm • Out of Province Travel Insurance 41 Main St. S. Seaforth Chrfsta Leonharddt Lynn Pfetsch, Ken Canino, Barb Watt and Joanne Williamson First Presbyterian Church St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Rev. Robert Hiscox 482-7861 Sunday, Jan. 7 Service at 9:30 p.m. Goderich St. W. Seaforth Rev. Vandermey WORSHIP SUNDAY 11:15 AM Sunday School during Worship Catholic Church Saturday - 5:15 pm St. James Parish, Seaforth Saturday - 7:15 pm St. Joseph's Parish, Clinton Sunday - 9:00 am St. Michael's Parish, Blyth Sunday - 11:00 am St. James Parish, Seaforth Father Dino Salvador Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth Sunday Worship Hour 11 am 9:45 Sunday School Pastor. Rev. Doug Corriveau 527-0982 Egmondville United Church Rev. Judith Springett Sunday School Grades 2 to 8 10 a.m. Nursery to Grade 1 11 a.m. NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Rev. Sheila Macgregor - Minister SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 Guest Preacher: Dave Williams 9:30 a.m. Cavan 11 a.m. Northside ALL WELCOME! IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DRIVERS AND VEHICLE OWNERS We've changed where we deliver services to better serve you. Effective January 1, 2001, you will be directed to visit a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office for routine vehicle and driver licensing products and services. More than 280 of these offices are in communities across Ontario. For the nearest Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, please visit the Ministry of Transportation's Web site at: www.mto.gov.on.ca or consult the Government Blue Pages in your telephone book, under "Licences and Permits." HURON EAST Winter Recreation Programs 2001 FURNITURE REFINISHING MONDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 8, 2001 7:00 to 9:00 pm each night at the Seaforth District High School for 10 weeks. Registration fee will be $40.00 DOG OBEDIENCE TUESDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 9, 2001 Dog Obedience will be held at the Seaforth & District Community Centres 7:00 to 8:00 pm. will be Beginners and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. will be the Agility Class. Registration fee will be $45.00. for each class. Please bring your dog on the first night. MIXED BASKETBALL THURSDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 11, 2001 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm at the Seaforth District High School. 10 weeks for $30.00 WOOD WORKING TUEDAYS BEGINNING JANUARY 9, 2001 7:00 to 9:00 pm each night at the Seaforth District High School for 10 weeks. Registration fee will be S45.00 FITNESS IS FUN TUESDAY AND THURSDAY MORNINGS FROM 9:00 TO 10:00 am beginning JANUARY 9, 2001. at the Seaforth & District Community Centre. Instructor Nevla Scott will guide you through 10 weeks of Low impact aerobics using weights and dyna bands. Registration fee will be $65.00 for 2 times per week OT $40.00 for one time per week. MIXED VOLLEYBALL WEDNESDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 10, 2001 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm at the Seaforth District High School for 10 weeks. Registration Fee will be $30.00 LEARN TO DANCJ WEDNESDAY EVENINGS beginning JANUARY 10, 2001 from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Seaforth & District Community Centres. This 10 week program will cost S100.00 per couple and you will learn the Two Step, Waltz and Polka. Please come with a partner. 1 ISTEP AEROBIC TRAINING WEDNESDAY EVENINGS FROM 7:00 TO 8:00 pm beginning JANUARY 10, 2001 at .the Seaforth & District Community Centres. Instructor Kae Huberts will guide you through 10 weeks of High Impact aerobics using the step with weights. Registration fee will be $40.00. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR REGISTRATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE PROGRAMS PLEASE CALL THE COMMUNITY CENTRES AT 527-0882 OR 527-1272 OR DROP INTO THE OFFICE ANYTIME BETWEEN 8:30 am and 10:30 pm.