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July 10, 2014

Throwback Thursday

Let's be honest here....who isn't a fan of a throwback? 

On Thursdays I get pretty dang  excited to log onto Facebook and Instagram to see all of the #TBT pics my friends have posted......not that I need another excuse to log onto Facebook and Instagram! Ha!

Some of my buddies like to be pretty mean and find the most embarrassing, ugliest and downright mortifying photos they can find.......while others are nice and just post"awwwwwww that's so cute" pics.

Well.....here is an "awwwwww that's so cute" picture of me and my sis. I am on the left....and she is the one big cheesin' on the right.  I think this is circa 1986.....the good ol' days!    Seriously how cute is my sister....she honestly was the most adorable baby/toddler ever....well....she is still pretty precious even as a 30 year old! 


Despite all the fun you can have posting #TBT pics.....you can also have fun revisiting and rereading some old blog posts.  So go ahead....link up and #TBT an old blog post you wrote years, months or weeks ago!!

To link up add the Throwback Thursday image, and title your post "Throwback Thursday".  Then simply re-post (copy and paste, retype, etc.) a post you have written in the past.  Perhaps it is a post that was beloved by your loyal blog readers, or maybe it is a post that didn't get as much attention as you had hoped.  I would love for you to join the party!


   The post I am revisiting comes from April of 2013 and it is all about fluency!!  Here it is.....


#TBT Flash Fluency

Being a successful reader is comprised of multiple things---fluency being one of them! If a child is trying to read from point a to point b and decodes every word in between ....I can guarantee that child didn't retain a thing!  Thus---fluency is important!!  Ideally, for older students reading should be automatic.  AND--when older students encounter a word they are unfamiliar with (which they will), they should have word attack strategies to decode the word.........

Now, unfortunately, we don't live in a perfect world; which means we do have struggling older readers (if you don't, I want to know where you work, haha!).  One great way to help struggling readers, is to help them become more fluent with their reading.

By fluent-- I mean for the students to become more automatic (not prosody or expression--that is for another post another day).  There are several ways to make students become automatic with their reading.

1. Practice Dolch sight words
  • Dolch sight words are 220 words which students should not sound out--but simply know by sight. 

2. Practice Fry's 1,000 high frequency words
  • Dr. Edward Fry compiled a list of the most frequently used words students would encounter while reading. The 1,000 words are divided into lists of 100--which start out easy and get harder. 

3. Practice with Flash Fluency
  • Flash Fluency was developed by The Positive Engagement Project, which did a plethora of  scientific research to create four "no excuse" word lists
    • Tide Pool
      • For early readers
      • 50 sight words from Dolch and Fry
    • Low Tide
      • One step above early readers
      • 150 sight words form Dolch and Fry
      • No repeat words
    • High Tide
      • Grade 2
      • 600 sight words and academic vocabulary
      • No repeat words
    • Tidal Wave
      • Grades 3 and up
      • 1,000 words
      • Sight words and academic vocabulary
      • No repeat words

I have heard of Dolch and Fry words---but Flash Fluency words are new to me.  I love Dolch and Fry; and mastering the words does make a huge difference in a child's fluency. However I am intrigued by the whole Flash Fluency program.  I think it is great how the lists don't just include sight words, but also academic vocabulary. Also, the word lists go all the way up to sixth grade--which is awesome because many sight word lists don't stretch that high.

Anyway---click the links above and check out the lists for you and your students. You can download the PDF's for free. Included in the download are word lists, assessments, implementation ideas and fun ways to practice.

Let me know what you think!
Katie


I hope you enjoyed reading my #TBT post.....please link up and add give your old posts some love!!


July 4, 2014

Happy Fourth of July!!

Happy Fourth of July bloggy friends!!  I hope everyone has a safe and fun-filled Independence Day!! 

I saw this ecard on Pinterest....and had to share.....it made me chuckle....




July 3, 2014

July Currently

I know it is 3 days overdue.....but I am linking up with Farley for her July Currently.   The excuse for my tardiness is that I am on "summer time"......  I tend to think that "summer time" is pretty much the same as being on island time!  You know.....when the pace is nice and slow and you have that carefree aura. That's a good excuse....right?!?! Ha!


1.  Yes.....I am listening to Real Housewives of Orange County.  I. Love. Those. Shows!  I can't help it....I get sucked into the drama and love every second of it!

2. My husband and I just got back from a four day trip to Missouri and Arkansas.  We first spent some time in Shell Knob with some friends where we boated, surfed and enjoyed Table Rock Lake. Then we traveled on down to Branson.  While in Branson we visited the fish hatchery, Stone Hill Winery and rode the Branson Scenic Railway and took a Ride the Ducks tour.  We also had a lovely dinner on Branson Landing and caught the fountain, fire and lights show!  If you haven't been to Branson....I highly recommend it!  It is extremely family friendly....and there is tons to do!

At the Shepard of the Hills Fish Hatchery!  It was really interesting....and free!  A must do in Branson!

One of my favorite people (and a teacher where I work) surfing like a champ!  

Touring Table Rock Lake!  The water stays a constant 50 degrees.....brrrrr!
A picture in Shell Knob with my Lovie.....I love spending time with him!!!

3. I have been so bad at blogging this summer! For the month of July...I plan getting my stuff together!!

4. Normally the weather in Kansas in the summertime is hot and humid.....we are talking over 100 with humidity that will knock you on your butt the second you walk outdoors!  BUT....for the past two days the weather has been in the mid 80's with virtually no humidity! I am loving it!!

5. Wouldn't it be great if summer lasted forever.........one can only hope!

6.  We don't have any huge plans for the fourth.....other than sitting on our deck and watching our neighbors shoot off fireworks.  If the weather keeps up like it has been----it will be a beautiful night to celebrate America's independence!!

I hope everyone has a great Fourth of July!!