English Language Arts teachers from the Taylor School District recently attended a workshop called "Teaching Rigor without Mortis: Engaging Approaches to Nonfiction Writing" featuring Barry Lane.
The Wayne County Regional Education Agency sponsored the renowned author and educator for a fast-paced workshop designed to help teachers ramp up the quality of their students' nonfiction writing and achieve off-the-charts success in meeting and exceeding the Common Core State Standards.
The teachers learns effective strategies to teach students how to demonstrate complex knowledge of content-driven curriculum in compelling, evidence-based information and argumentative writing.
Through music and parody, Lane demonstrates how teachers can enhance student engagement -- even among reluctant writers -- and help them develop greater confidence and voice in all forms of writing.
The participants left the workshop with a renewed passion for writing and classroom-proven lessons and free online resources to help share the passion with Taylor's student population. Included was Lane's own book and DVD, "Hooked on Meaning."
The event targeted teachers in the third-grade to 12th-grade levels and all K-12 literacy specialists.
Taylor's contingent included Ms. Wensorski, Ms. Branczeisz, Ms. Kerns, Ms. Wolney, Ms. Gadwell, Ms. Silva, Ms. Mrowca, Ms. Jones, Ms. Dultz, Ms. Evans, Ms. Tumas, Ms. Metz, Ms. Zalewski, Ms. Koslowski, Ms. Nelson, Ms. Calabrese, Ms. Doolittle, Ms. Tavener, Ms. Wehrmeister and Ms. Carroll.
Holland Elementary School had some special guests on hand last Friday!
The pupils celebrated "Grandparents Day." The picture above came from Stacy Scarpace's first-grade class.
The children greeted their guests and escorted them to the cafeteria, where they completed some fun projects, presented them with flowers, bookmarks and ornaments with their pictures on them. Then everyone shared refreshments.
From the cafeteria, the group moved to the gymnasium, where they watched a slideshow featuring pictures of each child with their special grandparent.
Following that, they were able to shop at the Scholastic Book Fair.
It was a very touching event for everyone involved, and the grandparents loved it. The pupils were proud to have their grandparents on hand at the school.
"It was one of the highlights of their school year," said Principal Sue Massucci.
How do you bring animals to life in a school environment?
Pupils at Blair Moody Elementary School recently created a "living zoo."
The school's second-graders focused on the program. They each researched a particular animal, preparing reports, power points, habitats and projects on their chosen animal over the past month.
As their final activity, the students learned facts about their animal. They then topped the project off by dressing up as their animal of choice.
But the show was only beginning at that point. Dressed as an animal, the pupils lined the hallways of the school, complete with a "push button" sign next to them. As parents and visitors walked down the halls and pressed buttons, the children responded by reciting facts about their animals.
As anyone can see, the costumes were amazing and everyone involved was impressed with the level of information -- as well as the look -- of the pupils participating!
Who needs a zoo when you can just drive down to Blair Moody and see this type of talent? After all, the animals don't answer your questions at the zoo, do they?
Eureka Heights Elementary School second-graders are working on a side-show presentation after a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Mrs. Cermak's class traveled to the DIA thanks to grant funding.
They are currently working on the slide-show presentation on an iPad mini.
Everyone anxiously awaits the finished product.
The TNT Robotics Team, fresh off a sensation season of competition this school year, made an appearance at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life at Taylor's Heritage Park last weekend.
Included among plenty of activities was a huddled confab with the Detroit Tigers' mascot, PAWS.
Hats off to the team that never quits giving.
Asst. Supt. Teresa Winnie was out and about taking photographs recently and caught the Spring Choir and Dance Program at Kinyon Elementary School.
Principal Dannielle McGuire at Kinyon pointed out what a nice job the pupils did, and that gym teacher Mrs. Bridgens coached the dance team and Ms. Janiec mentored the chorus.
Outstanding work by all!
There are a trio of photographs taken by Asst. Supt. Teresa Winnie during the Truman High School Honors Convocation held recently.
