This issue of the TSR! Beat continues to focus attention on the TSR! Technical Assistance Guide (TAG).
In addition, we will explore the role of read-alouds in your preschool classrooms. Dr. Tricia Zucker discusses the research perspectives of this important component of our instruction. We also provide a hands-on mentoring guide to facilitate outstanding read-alouds. Continue reading.
PERSPECTIVES FROM PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 Texas School Ready! Technical Assistance Process: Part 2
The Texas School Ready! Technical Assistance Process, outlined in the Technical Assistance Guide, or TAG, is designed to help early childhood programs striving to attain certification navigate this process successfully. In last month’s issue of the Beat we featured Steps 1 and 2. The following excerpts are from the TAG and outline Steps 3 through 6 in the technical assistance process. Continue reading.
Print Referencing During Read-Alouds: A Conversation with Dr. Tricia Zucker
Read-alouds are a central aspect of Circle Time in most preschool classrooms. Many teachers know to focus on introducing children to new vocabulary and comprehension-related skills such as questioning and predicting, but read-alouds also provide wonderful opportunities to highlight print awareness. In this article, Dr. Tricia Zucker, a Post-doctoral Fellow at CLI, discusses her new article “Print referencing during read-alouds: A technique for increasing emergent readers’ print knowledge”, published this fall in The Reading Teacher (63(1), pp. 62-72). Continue reading.
MENTORING MATTERS
Mentoring Book Reads and Letter Knowledge
 The National Early Literacy Panel (2008) identified instructional practices that promote the development of children’s early literacy skills. In this issue of the Beat, our mentoring tips and guidance to mentors, coordinators, and school leaders focuses on Book Reading and Letter Knowledge.
Book reading, the single most critical activity for later success in reading, provides essential language development experiences for children. Book reading expands children’s understanding about stories, the world around them and the way book language is different from oral language. Continue reading.
Here are some comments from teachers and mentors across Texas about their participation in TSR! and CIRCLE training.
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“I got more ideas now to teach!”—Teacher, Kids R Kids TSR! Project
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“I think time is what I need now to digest information, read, and figure out how to apply. I appreciate knowing I can refer to online resources and support as well as call or email as needed. Thank you!”—Mentor, PKES Tier III Priority
IN THE NEWS
ACTIVITY CORNER
 We are excited to introduce the new format of our theme activities. Over the next couple of months, we are working toward standardizing the look and naming convention of all the theme activities. Please note that the names of the PDFs will consist of the theme and the title of the activity. To help keep the naming simple, we have dropped the numbering system. This month we have added activities to the construction theme. Please click here to access the activities.
RESOURCE RECOMMENDATIONS
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The directions for administering the Book & Print Checklist were left out of the new CIRCLE Preschool Early Language and Literacy Teacher’s Manual.
To access them please click here.
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The Revised 2009-2010 List of Approved Tests for Assessment of Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students has been posted on the bilingual/ESL website, click here.
- PreK SRCS Training information and dates are now availble. Please click here for more information on how to join the live web conferences in January.
- The Children’s Learning Institute has launched a new quarterly publication called The Learning Leader. This newsletter highlights significant news in the field of education research, neuroscience, and the treatment of learning differences. Each issue features articles focused on how CLI’s research and work is applied in home and school settings to create an effective environment for all children to learn and excel. To read the latest issue, click here.
NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK
The editorial staff of the Texas School Ready Beat newsletter would like to hear from you. Please submit your comments, suggestions, and questions to Cathy Caldwell at Cathy.J.Caldwell@uth.tmc.edu. |
December - January 2009
Learn more about The Children's Learning Institute
Dates to Know
Dec 18: TSR coordinator and mentor conference call
Dec 18: Last day for SRCS kindergarten data entry
January 11: Access to the Pre-K application for SRCS
January 15 - Febuary 15: C-PALLS+ Phase 1 (MOY)-Administer Electronically
Febuary 15 - March 15: C-PALLS+ Phase 2 (MOY)-Administer Electronically
Newsletter Contributors
John Gasko, Ph.D.
State Initiatives Director
John.W.Gasko@uth.tmc.edu
Layne Waxley
TSR! Project Director
Thomas.L.Waxley@uth.tmc.edu
Cathy L. Guttentag, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Cathy.Guttentag@uth.tmc.edu
Cathy Caldwell
Research Associate
Cathy.J.Caldwell@uth.tmc.edu
Sonya Coffey
Project Manager
Sonya.Coffey@uth.tmc.edu
Jane Thacker
Coordinator 1 – Educational Programs
Jane.E.Thacker@uth.tmc.edu
Bang Pham
Web Developer III
Bang.N.Pham@uth.tmc.edu
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