Welcome to The Achieve Learning Program POWER READING! Mrs. Clare Smith Grades 7&8

Overview n ALP Power Reading is a support class designed to strengthen students’ reading and writing skills. n Students meet with me every day of the cycle.

What is ALP Power Reading? n ALP Power Reading fosters automaticity, responsibility, and metacognition. –Automaticity an active learner functions independently in a safe environment –Responsibility an active learner takes responsibility and makes good decisions for himself / herself. –Metacognition an active learner has a self-awareness about his or her own style of learning

ALP Power Reading: Two Classes in One! On ABC days, for example, your child might meet with me for small-group instruction… just five to eight students per group, depending on the class size. We work on reading comprehension, writing, and grammar – pretty much anything ELA-related. In addition, I try to provide some science and social studies support. Reading in the content areas can be tough because text books tend to be written at a higher level than many students’ instructional reading levels. Then on the DEF days, your child works independently on the TeenBiz3000 website.

ALP Power Reading: The TeenBiz Component All the TeenBiz articles are nonfiction, usually based on an Associated Press article. And here’s the really cool part: the article your child receives is tailored to his/her reading level! The student sitting next to your child receives the same article geared toward his or her level. While your child works on TeenBiz, I am working with the other group of students.

ALP Power Reading: Cycle Expectations All students must complete the following each A-F cycle: 3 TB Multiple Choice activities 2 TB Writing Center multiple choice activities 1 TB Thought Question

What you should be looking for in order to gauge your child’s TB progress: n TeenBiz provides data on each student’s performance pertaining to multiple choice activities, Writing Center multiple choice activities, and written responses, aka Thought Questions. –For the multiple choice, I analyze two things: the number of activities completed that cycle (THREE.) The average score for those activities (We’re looking for an average above 65%.) –For the Writing Center multiple choice activities, I look at the number of activities completed that cycle (TWO.) The average score for those activities (I’m looking for an average above 65%.) –For the Thought Questions: Students are required to complete ONE TQ each cycle TQ responses should 1)restate the question, 2) address all parts of the task, and 3) provide solid text-based support. TQs are scored on a four-point rubric. If the student submits more than one, I grade them both/all. The better/best grade counts.

Translating Lexile Levels to Approximate Non-fiction Reading Level by Grade Note that a reading level ending with a.1 indicates beginning of the grade, while.2 indicates end of the grade. TeenBiz3000 uses this chart to translate Lexile levels to reading levels. Reviewing this chart can help teachers, students, and parents get a better understanding of students' approximate non-fiction reading levels based on their Lexile levels.

More About TeenBiz3000 n When you have time, ask your child to show you around his/her TeenBiz3000 account. n Students have access to the program from anywhere they have access to the internet. Students are encouraged to work on TB at home. n If your child takes you to his/her PORTFOLIO, you’ll be able to see the activities she/he has completed so far in both multiple-choice and writing. n Please, peruse the TeenBiz3000 and Lexile handouts for further information, and don’t hesitate to contact me about your child’s progress in ALP Power Reading.