Welcome Back to MTSS Monday! Today I'd like to share ways in which I keep up with daily accountability and data.
To ensure parents are on track with Kindergarten expectations, a checklist of objectives are given for each subject. My team and I meet with parents each nine weeks to discuss expectations and progression. It's my goal to have parents sign each nine weeks, stating they were informed and understand the expectations. As the year progresses, face-to-face meetings begin to fizzle which leads to stuffing the checklist with the report cards. I find this provides the documentation needed to show a bridge between home and school. You are welcome to take a peek at our expectations here.
For student accountability, I have the kids record their MTSS task daily. Using a spiral notebook in which I scooped up for five cent at the back to school sale, I have my darlings glue in their weekly recording sheets into their notebooks on Mondays. This notebook will come to our small group when meeting with kids on specific skills. By having the kids document daily tasks, I've eliminated my need to record for 20 students and ensure that the kids understand their focus and activity. Be patient and find what works best for you. My class took a couple of weeks of solid practice before everyone was independent at recording. It was ABSOLUTELY worth it!!!
If you are interested, you can grab a copy by clicking the image above!
My primary focus for assessments in tier one and two this year in Kindergarten has been Alphabet and Sight Words. I create flashcard rings to assist in daily practice. I gave each child a set of cards. When a letter or sight word was mastered, the card would be removed from their ring.
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My friend Jessica, who happens to be my college roommate, friend, and co-workers also has a blog in which we collaborate for MTSS Mondays. To keep track of tier two and three, I use forms created by Jessica from The Curious Catfish. Since my darlings are trained and capable to record their daily practice independently, I don't feel the need to document interactions in tier one. This will allow for additional time to work one-to-one!
Have you heard of Michael Heggerty? His lessons on Phonemic Awareness are short, repetitive, and scaffolded. A bit behind the man: Michael Heggerty was an educator for 30+ years. 28 of those years happen to be in a classroom with 24 years teaching first. He began a research action project on the importance of Phonemic Awareness instruction and as a result, he has published a remarkable curriculum. AND Florida teachers... It aligns with expectations for FAIR (Florida Assessment in Reading).
Heggerty explains on his website how Phonemic Awareness is an auditory training process and does not involve print; thereby, highlighting Phonemic Awareness is not Phonics! He later goes on to dichotomize the differences.
The kindergarten version of these lessons (blue book) spends more time on each skill. The kindergarten curriculum covers all consonants, short vowels, digraphs, blends, and rime patterns. By comparison, the yellow book also goes into long vowels, R-controlled, special vowel sounds, and multisyllabic words.
Each curriculum is intended to be completed with a whole class group. These lessons should only take between 12 and 15 minutes a day. Pacing is very important. It should be quickly paced and free of interruptions. Link here to access the 38 week scope and sequence. To see a sample of his Kindergarten lessons, link here. If you are interested, he has a purple book for Pre-Kinders, a blue book for Kindergarten, and a yellow book for 1st and 2nd grade. (Sample lessons available for each book on his site!)
Okay friends, I will be back in two weeks for MTSS Monday. I'm plan to fully enjoy every minute of my Spring Break! Happy Teachings!!!
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