Team+1

=Debbie, Kim and Nancy - Team 1 toc= (Posted by Nancy) Vocabulary sounds like a great idea - I am working on a project for Constitution Day in September, and I have some materials on the Bill of Rights and helping students understand the vocabulary surrounding it. I am open to any topic, Great ideas Debbie and Kim - do some searching on the Internet to see what's out there - that may give you some ideas!!! Put your Super Searching Skills to good use! -Dr. Fritz
 * The great thing about being a reading specialist and literacy coach is that students and teachers are interesting in many topics, both fiction and non-fiction. In a K-3 bulding, I am a jack of many trades and I can do a Podcast on any subject as an example for a staff development training. We, as reading specialists, are often involved in grade level trainings from Kindergarten through 12th grade in a collaborative project. A good podcast can transcend the grade levels to provide an example of what is possible on the World Wide Web! (Posted by Debbie)
 * I would like to work with you on the Podcast in class, but am unsure about the topic, what would be most beneficial to you? I teach tenth grade, but, i bet we could come up with something that we both could use... maybe something on vocabulary use or importance... how about information about why vocabulary is import to our students future?(Posted by Kim)
 * May I join your wiki? I have no idea what I am doing, but the vocabulary angle would certainly be of use to me.


 * Vocabulary Research

//Reading First//** has up to date information on the importance of vocabulary: Definitions, Research and Activities are included at this web address: http://www.nifl.gov/partnershipforreading/publications/reading_first1vocab.html In addition, the medical profession has become involved with promoting reading and vocabulary develpment. In the recent article Dr. Alan L. Mendelsohn explores the roots of language and literacy development in infancy and childhood, and challenges pediatricians to actively participate in the language development of patients. He reviews the scientific evidence supporting the home environment and parent-child interaction as important influences on language and literacy development, and the evidence supporting early interventions as effective means to improve academic achievement. //(Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care//, July 2002, Volume 32, Number 6, "Promoting Language and Literacy Through Reading Aloud: The Role of the Pediatrician", Alan L. Mendelsohn, MD)
 * "Promoting Language and Literacy Through Reading Aloud: The Role of the Pediatrician"**

The following is a posting by Nancy:
I sent you ladies a long posting this morning, but it seems to have disappeared. Anyway, what I discussed was the possibility of doing a podcast in which each of us does a segment of vocab. which is specific to our grade level. Does that make sense? What I had in mind was something like...

"Next Monday we are going to be starting our study of Moby Dick. On Monday, each of you will receive a copy of the book, a paper on which I have detailed briefly the biographical details which were most important in Melville's life, and a chart on which you are to note the figurative language that is used in the book. So that you know exactly what I'm talking about come Monday, I thought I should take a little time today and introduce you to some of the terms you will encounter in Moby Dick. It would also be a good idea for you to treat this assignment seriously because when we take the big test at the end of the book, you will be allowed to use your symblism chart during the test.

"The first term you will need to know for the symbolism chart is 'delayed emergence'. Delayed emergence simply refers to the technique an author uses when he gives you information about a character before you actually meet the character. In Moby, this technique is only used with 3 characters: Ahab, Queequeg, and Moby. Just remember this short definition. We will be selecting the details to list on the chart as we go along.

"The other term you will need to know is 'allusion.' If you can remember back to when we did Patrick Henry, we discussed allusions then. As I hope you recall, an allusion is an indirect reference to something. In literature this is a very commonly used technique. Most allusions are taken from history, the Bible, of mythology. Again, we will discuss them as they come up, so don't worry if you don't recognize them immediately.

"The other categories listed on the symbolism chart are all things with which you are already familiar: colors, nature, and duality. Duality will be the main symbol used in the book. By that I mean that everything of major importance that happens in the book must happen in minimums of two. For example, watch as you meet each of the crew members. Each man must be on the voyage for a minimum of 2 reasons or he will not survive until the end of the story.

Okay. Now you have heard what is coming up. So, get plenty of sleep over the weekend, take some extra vitamins, and get yourself prepared because...HE'S BACK!!!"

Nancy, you're amazing I think that this is wonderful. I have a few items from a vocabulary class I took a few months ago that for some reason I can't find, but I'm working on it... We can work it all in class tomorrow. (Kim)

I was quite worried because I had not heard from you or Debbie. I put a notice in my blog response, hoping you or Debbie would see it. Apparently, Dr. Fritz saw it first. She said I had put my postings in the wrong place ('discussion"), so she moved it. I am very relieved!!! Okay. If you think we can do the final steps in class tomorow, that's fine with me. See you then. Thanks.

What a team! I am looking forward to doing our podcast together! (Debbie)