CLICK HERE FOR FOUNTAS AND PINNELL PDF ON INTERACTIVE READING
CLICK HERE FOR SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Why Join the Missouri State Reading Council?*
MSC-IRA is committed to promoting literacy statewide. MSC-IRA members share an interest in following the current trends in literacy and reading instruction. Membership in MSC-IRA provides opportunities to learn about the latest developments in literacy education and to meet and interact with local leaders as well as leaders across the state. Information about the newest teaching materials and professional publications is shared at meetings. MSC-IRA co-sponsor’s both the Write to Learn and Missouri Early Learning Conferences to provide opportunities to gain insights into special issues and concerns in reading such as the new Missouri State Standards, Title I, balanced literacy, parent programs, research-based teaching strategies, and much more.
Benefits of Membership in MSC-IRA*
● Learn about the latest developments in literacy education
● Meet and interact with the best in local literacy leaders as well as those across the state
● Receive information about the newest teaching materials and professional publications
● Gain insights into special issues and concerns in reading such as Title I, balanced literacy, parent programs and research based teaching strategies by attending our annual conference
● Receive the support and camaraderie of others who share a common interest in literacy
Diana Houlle,
Director of Membership for MSC
*Editors note. We are in the process of becoming affiliated with the International Literacy Association, formally the International Raading Association. Labels, logos and names will change as that change takes effect.
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PLACE FOR THE OTHER STORY FROM JASON AND THERE IS ROOM TO PUT HIS AFTER AMYS ON THE TOC
If possible, reduce
bekah E. Piper
Laurie A. Sharp, Ed.D.
Roberta D. Raymond, Ed.D.
Mary Jo Fresch
We Did NOT Sign Up for This
By Amy Sutter
We did not sign up for this when we became teachers (or principals, or superintendents, or board members, or parents)! This is not how it was supposed to go. We teachers never ever wanted a job where we sit at a desk in front of a computer all day. Nothing against those jobs—it’s just not for us. We went into teaching knowing we could move around the room, sing, dance, and help individual students by looking over their shoulder.
This is HARD -- so much new technology and many new programs. My principal recently said “It’s like we are building the plane while flying it”, and she is so accurate. We are all learning as we go! Teaching through a computer from an empty classroom is sad and lonely and heartbreaking. But we know it is what needs to be done at this time. We are wearing masks and socially distancing and doing our part to flatten the curve so we can hopefully get our kids back in school. Many of us have children of our own at home who are trying to connect and learn virtually, and we are not there to help. Even the most seasoned veteran teachers feel like first year teachers again.
But you know what? We are doing it. We are showing up. We are starting early and staying late. We are watching more “how-to” videos than we ever thought possible. We are asking questions and sharing things with friends and strangers.
You know why? Because we are here for the KIDS. And we can’t leave them hanging! We won’t! THEY are the reason we do what we do. And they need us, now more than ever! So we are rising to the occasion. And now, many of us teachers are teaching both in-person and virtual students at the same time. Planning for both is NOT easy. Even something as simple as reading aloud a book to the students or singing a song is hard through a screen. We wish things could be back to “normal” and wonder if they will ever be. But for now, we are here. Each day is a NEW day with new challenges, new learning, and new successes.
Please--take a minute to thank a teacher. They didn’t ask for this or cause this situation. And teachers are trying their best to make things as good and as normal as possible for their students. They are going above and beyond to “be there” for each child. Please be grateful and patient. We are all in this together!️
Amy Sutter is a Reading Specialist at Bowles Elementary in the Rockwood School District. She has been teaching there for 23 years and has been teaching virtually for much of this year.
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