Sunday, August 31, 2014

I Hate CCSS Basal Reading Programs!

Why I Hate CCSS Basal Reading Programs! 

Are Modern CCSS Basal Reading Programs Worse Today? 


The Big Problems with Basal Reading Programs: Reading Sage 

  • Truncated, content edited abridged, dumbed down, literature that is not very deep or interesting
  • Mountains of busywork in the form of endless worksheets
  • Not enough time spent actually reading real books  
  • Overly complex differentiation that is logistically impossible to teach in the time allotted or in a real classroom
  • Reliance on Non-Socratic scripted nonsense that an untrained semion would find boring and NOT rigorous
  • Weak or zero literacy center development
  • Word work if any that is weak on Tier 2 and Tier 3 academic vocabulary development
  • CCSS Reading curriculum is taught and presented in such a disassociated way from students real interests, passions and talents!  
  • Over reliance on rebranding, renaming or over complicating best practice
  • The reading programs are boring and no fun for the teacher or the students
  • Innovation and creativity is replaced or abandoned when the goal is a one size fits all curriculum mentality! 
  • School districts spending millions on rehashed tired old basal reading curriculum with a shiny CCSS stamp on it! 


"The "literacy block" was nothing but WORKSHEETS. I mean TONS of worksheets- there was no actual reading except for 15-20 minutes of guided reading groups (where they did round robin) as the other students rotated through "centers"- which were really just another place for them to fill out yet ANOTHER worksheet." proteacher.net forum 

Passing Any EOG Reading TEST!

95% of my reading class passes the EOG reading TEST yearly! How can a Title I reading class pass the EOG Reading test ten years straight, without fail! This is HOW to help every student succeed and find a love of reading!

My journey began when I took over one of the lowest performing 6th grade classes in the state according to EOG testing data. 20-30% of the students tested perficient in reading and writing and slightly better in math! The secret to passing any EOG reading test was discovered that first year of teaching 6th grade! The method is simple if you are willing to rethink how you teach reading.

What you will need to say NO to:
  • No Basal Readers or Factory Reading Programs
  • No Unauthentic Writing Activities 
  • No Workbooks and Worksheets
  • No Ability Grouping
  • No Teacher Directed/Guided Small Group Reading Instruction*
  • No Summative Reading Assessments
  • No Silent Sustained Reading in Class
  • No Reading Software
  • No CCSS 33% Narrative | 67% Expository Rules! 
* Small group instruction is a great instructional strategy but never at the expense of placing students in ability groups! I always teach to the TOP and use student led scaffolding/cooperative learning groups to bring every child to the TOP!

What you will need to say YES to:
  • Read Real Literature and Poetry | Close Reading
  • Informational Text that Kids Want to READ! | Close Reading
  • Put the Arts Back into Language Arts! 
  • Peer to Peer Reading Instruction Groups 
  • Daily Singing, Poetry Readings and Theater 
  • Reading and Writing | Taught in Symbiosis 
  • Cooperative Learning Groups without Ability Grouping
  • Socratic Seminars with Fun HOT Questions | Close Reading
  • The National Reading Vocabulary List
  • Use Fun HOT Question Stems Daily When Reading
  • Daily Reading Fluency Practice
  • Tier 2 and Tier 3 Academic Vocabulary Instruction via Games
The real ideas that have helped thousands of students succeed and love reading is just a click away! 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Grade 8 2014 STAAR Practice Math Test

Grade 8 2014 STAAR Practice Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 8 Practice math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 8 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 



STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS

Grade 7 2014 STAAR Released Math Tes

Grade 7 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 7 released math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 7 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics



STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 



STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS

Grade 6 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

Grade 6 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 6 released math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 6 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science



STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 



STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS

Grade 5 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

Grade 5 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 5 released math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 5 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics



STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 



STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS

Grade 4 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

Grade 4 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 4 released math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 4 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 

STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
English Language Arts 2014 English I | 2014 English II 2014 English I | 2014 English II
Mathematics 2014 Algebra I 2014 Algebra I
Science 2014 Biology 2014 Biology
Social Studies 2014 U.S History 2014 U.S. History

Grade 3 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

Grade 3 2014 STAAR Released Math Test

2014 STAAR grade 3 released math tests and answer keys.

GRADE 3 Math TEST FORMS 

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science
Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 
Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 

STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
English Language Arts 2014 English I | 2014 English II 2014 English I | 2014 English II
Mathematics 2014 Algebra I 2014 Algebra I
Science 2014 Biology 2014 Biology
Social Studies 2014 U.S History 2014 U.S. History

Monday, August 25, 2014

Brain Breaks: Wicked Gnarly Sports Videos

Brain Breaks: Wicked Gnarly Sports Videos







Warning: Video has ONE Expletive "S#*T" 3:25 When Extreme wheelchair athlete Aaron "Wheelz" Crashes!!! Inspiring Video!

Sunday, August 24, 2014

Grade 8 2014 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

Grade 8 2014 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

2014 STAAR grade 8 released reading tests and answer keys.

GRADE 8 Reading TEST FORMS 

Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 


STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 

STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
English Language Arts 2014 English I | 2014 English II 2014 English I | 2014 English II
Mathematics 2014 Algebra I 2014 Algebra I
Science 2014 Biology 2014 Biology
Social Studies 2014 U.S History 2014 U.S. History

Grade 7 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

Grade 7 2014 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

2014 STAAR grade 7 released reading tests and answer keys.

GRADE 7 Reading TEST FORMS 

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 
Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 

STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
English Language Arts 2014 English I | 2014 English II 2014 English I | 2014 English II
Mathematics 2014 Algebra I 2014 Algebra I
Science 2014 Biology 2014 Biology
Social Studies 2014 U.S History 2014 U.S. History

Grade 6 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

Grade 6 2014 STAAR Released Reading Tests.

2014 STAAR grade 6 released reading tests and answer keys.

GRADE 6 Reading TEST FORMS 

Grade 6 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 7 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 
Grade 8 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science2014 Social Studies
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science |
2014 Social Studies

Grade 3 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics 
ANSWER KEYS 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 4 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

Grade 5 GRADE TEST FORMS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science

STAAR Grades 3-8 Spanish Version
GRADE TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
TEST FORMS Grade 3 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics
ANSWER KEYS  2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics

TEST FORMS Grade 4 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Writing 

TEST FORMS Grade 5 2014 Reading | 2014 Mathematics | 2014 Science 

STAAR End-Of-Course
CONTENT AREA TEST FORMS ANSWER KEYS
English Language Arts 2014 English I | 2014 English II 2014 English I | 2014 English II
Mathematics 2014 Algebra I 2014 Algebra I
Science 2014 Biology 2014 Biology
Social Studies 2014 U.S History 2014 U.S. History