All About MeAll About Me

My name is Sondra Maxwell and this is my 6My name is Sondra Maxwell and this is my 6thth year of teaching. I have year of teaching. I have

taught Kindergarten and First grade. I have taught in Oklahoma and taught Kindergarten and First grade. I have taught in Oklahoma and

Illinois. This will be my 2Illinois. This will be my 2ndnd year at Sorento Elementary teaching year at Sorento Elementary teaching

KindergartenKindergarten..

Definition of ReadingDefinition of ReadingAt the Kindergarten level reading begins by learning each letter makes a sound. At the Kindergarten level reading begins by learning each letter makes a sound.

When you put these sounds together, they create a word. Along with teaching When you put these sounds together, they create a word. Along with teaching children the sounds you are also working with their comprehension and children the sounds you are also working with their comprehension and

activating prior knowledge. Each child works at different levels, with the right activating prior knowledge. Each child works at different levels, with the right scaffolding each child will be able to learn. When children learn to read it scaffolding each child will be able to learn. When children learn to read it

opens the door to imagination. opens the door to imagination.

I have the privilege of teaching beginning readers the love of books. The best I have the privilege of teaching beginning readers the love of books. The best way to teach the love of reading is by modeling. Interacting and discussing way to teach the love of reading is by modeling. Interacting and discussing the book before and after activates the imagination and helps them make a the book before and after activates the imagination and helps them make a connection with the story. Even when students have trouble reading, they connection with the story. Even when students have trouble reading, they

learn to enjoy books by picture walking and listening to others read. By learn to enjoy books by picture walking and listening to others read. By listening they are still able to activate prior knowledge and make predictions. listening they are still able to activate prior knowledge and make predictions. The great thing about books is there are so many to choose from. You will find The great thing about books is there are so many to choose from. You will find

something to fit every child interests.something to fit every child interests.It is extremely important that we do everything we can to encourage our

students to keep reaching for success. As they begin to blossom as learners, we can help inspire them to

not only believe in themselves but expect more from themselves.”

Kimberly Johnson

My QuestionMy Question

Will using Character Education encourage student Will using Character Education encourage student engagement, student relevance, and help them engagement, student relevance, and help them

make connections?make connections?

AssessmentAssessment

Diagnostic Testing-Diagnostic Testing- A diagnostic reading assessment is used A diagnostic reading assessment is used to measure students' skills in each of the five components of to measure students' skills in each of the five components of reading: vocabulary, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency reading: vocabulary, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency

and comprehensionand comprehension..Read more: Read more: What Is a Diagnostic Reading Assessment? | eHow.comWhat Is a Diagnostic Reading Assessment? | eHow.com

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5008531_what-diagnostic-reading-http://www.ehow.com/facts_5008531_what-diagnostic-reading-assessment.html#ixzz0sCRoZmO6assessment.html#ixzz0sCRoZmO6

Diagnostic testing consists of letter naming, initial sound Diagnostic testing consists of letter naming, initial sound fluency, phoneme segmentation, nonsense word fluency and fluency, phoneme segmentation, nonsense word fluency and

oral reading. These tests are used to monitor the students oral reading. These tests are used to monitor the students progress at the beginning, middle, and end of the year . Our progress at the beginning, middle, and end of the year . Our

school uses Dibels to assess the students.school uses Dibels to assess the students.

AssessmentAssessment

Formative assessment Formative assessment - focuses on improving students - focuses on improving students performance and classroom instruction. Formative performance and classroom instruction. Formative

assessment is designed to give immediate feedback during assessment is designed to give immediate feedback during the learning process. Following the assessment, teaching and the learning process. Following the assessment, teaching and

activities are adapting to the child’s learning style.activities are adapting to the child’s learning style.

Formative assessment is done everyday in the Kindergarten Formative assessment is done everyday in the Kindergarten classroom by observation, checking work and discussion.classroom by observation, checking work and discussion.

AssessmentAssessment

Summative assessmentSummative assessment= = cumulative evaluations used to cumulative evaluations used to measure student growth after instruction and are generally measure student growth after instruction and are generally given at the end of a course to see if learning goals have been given at the end of a course to see if learning goals have been met. Examples of summative assessment are:met. Examples of summative assessment are:

State-mandated assessments District benchmark or interim assessments End-of-unit or -chapter tests End-of-term or -semester exams Scores that are used for accountability for schools (AYP) and students (report card grades)2

This is done at K level with Report Cards

StrategiesStrategies

ImageryImageryCause and effect Cause and effect Picture walkingPicture walking

Making predictionsMaking predictionsGuided ReadingGuided Reading

DiagramsDiagramsRhymingRhyming

ComparisonsComparisonsVocabularyVocabularySight WordsSight Words

Word FamiliesWord FamiliesSequencingSequencingJournalingJournaling

Creative WritingCreative WritingEach month I plan to have my class do an activity highlighting the character word. I will Each month I plan to have my class do an activity highlighting the character word. I will

email the other classes and have them show it to their class. Hopefully this will email the other classes and have them show it to their class. Hopefully this will encourage other classes to incorporate it and display it to the school.encourage other classes to incorporate it and display it to the school.

Sorento Elementary Sorento Elementary building great character building great character

together!together!

Honesty

Respect

Trustworthy

Perseverance

Responsibility

Courage

Loyalty

Caring

Patience

““To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society. “educate a menace to society. “

Theodore RooseveltTheodore Roosevelt

““Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.”    Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65),Abraham Lincoln quotes (American 16th US President (1861-65),

““Our character is what we do when we think no one is Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”looking.”  

H. Jackson Brown, Jr. quotes (American best selling writer, author of Life's H. Jackson Brown, Jr. quotes (American best selling writer, author of Life's Little Instruction BookLittle Instruction Book))

Character = Attributes that determines a persons moral Character = Attributes that determines a persons moral and ethical actions and reactionsand ethical actions and reactions

Webster DictionaryWebster Dictionary

Unit OverviewUnit Overview

Do you spend most of your days putting out social fires in your classroom? Are Do you spend most of your days putting out social fires in your classroom? Are your students able to work in groups without mumbling and complaining? Do you your students able to work in groups without mumbling and complaining? Do you

wonder why we all just can’t get along?wonder why we all just can’t get along? Ever had something happen and you say AH! This could be a Teachable Ever had something happen and you say AH! This could be a Teachable

moment. moment. Character Education can help. Don’t freak out, in the end Character Education Character Education can help. Don’t freak out, in the end Character Education

WILLWILL make your job easier. Character Education is an important part of a make your job easier. Character Education is an important part of a students education. Good character builds a better student and a better learning students education. Good character builds a better student and a better learning

environment. A better student builds a better school. environment. A better student builds a better school. Our school highlights a different characteristic each month. Let’s incorporate the Our school highlights a different characteristic each month. Let’s incorporate the character trait of the month and use it in our daily routine. I will include hands on character trait of the month and use it in our daily routine. I will include hands on

activities to help you enhance learning in the classroom and help us reach our activities to help you enhance learning in the classroom and help us reach our

school and community.school and community.

How and why?How and why?

Seeing the PointSeeing the Point: This is your ability to focus your vision and : This is your ability to focus your vision and attention. It also has to do with attention. It also has to do with motivationmotivation and interest in the topic. and interest in the topic.

Thinking about the character trait: Thinking about the character trait: This is you thinking about what This is you thinking about what we want to learn.we want to learn.

Connecting what you’ve learned to your own experiences and Connecting what you’ve learned to your own experiences and background knowledge :background knowledge :This is where you “stick” new information to This is where you “stick” new information to your “old information” and make it better. your “old information” and make it better.

Explaining and showing your understanding: Explaining and showing your understanding: You do this by writing You do this by writing and discussing how what you’ve learned “fits” and “adds to” what and discussing how what you’ve learned “fits” and “adds to” what you already know.you already know.

Applying: Applying: Using good character makes a better learning Using good character makes a better learning environment.environment.

See the pointSee the point Think about it

Connect

Example of how to get startedExample of how to get started

Discussion on Movie clipDiscussion on Movie clip

Possible questions:Possible questions:

Was Flint Lockwood trying to bother other people with his Was Flint Lockwood trying to bother other people with his inventions?inventions?

What are some of the things that happened with his inventions?What are some of the things that happened with his inventions?

Do you think his inventions caused problems?Do you think his inventions caused problems?

Were the problems with himself or with others?Were the problems with himself or with others?

Possible Activities:Possible Activities:

Create something on paper that might cause a problem with Create something on paper that might cause a problem with those around you. (space ship, car running on soda, etc.)those around you. (space ship, car running on soda, etc.)

Character Education Lesson Plans Character Education Lesson Plans 2010-20112010-2011

AugustAugust CooperationCooperation= Working and socializing = Working and socializing

together respectfullytogether respectfullyLearning the rules of our school. How to be Learning the rules of our school. How to be

a good citizen and student.a good citizen and student.Meet school personal and learn the jobs Meet school personal and learn the jobs

they do to make our school great. Have they do to make our school great. Have school personal come and visit, watch school personal come and visit, watch them as they performs their duties at them as they performs their duties at school, exp. Watch janitor clean school, exp. Watch janitor clean bathroom.bathroom.

SeptemberSeptemberRespectRespect= Demonstrating consideration, = Demonstrating consideration,

appreciation, tolerance, and good appreciation, tolerance, and good manners toward self, others, authority manners toward self, others, authority

and property and property Learn how to treat others, proper manners, Learn how to treat others, proper manners,

random acts of kindness (visit shut ins random acts of kindness (visit shut ins and sing songs to them) how to keep and sing songs to them) how to keep our school clean, (pick up liter). Upper our school clean, (pick up liter). Upper grades show how to behave in lunch grades show how to behave in lunch room and hall ways.room and hall ways.

OctoberOctoberResponsibility= Responsibility= Being accountable for Being accountable for

your own actionsyour own actionsLearn about drug awareness (Red Ribbon Learn about drug awareness (Red Ribbon

Week), fire (visit fire house) and traffic Week), fire (visit fire house) and traffic safety and Halloween safety, All about safety and Halloween safety, All about MeMe

NovemberNovemberCourage= Courage= Holding to your beliefs and Holding to your beliefs and

opinions even when it is difficultopinions even when it is difficultLearn about Veterans Day (veterans visit Learn about Veterans Day (veterans visit

make cards to send to service men), make cards to send to service men), First Thanksgiving, Native Americans, First Thanksgiving, Native Americans, PilgrimsPilgrims

DecemberDecemberIntegrity=Integrity= Doing the right thing even Doing the right thing even

when no one is lookingwhen no one is lookingLearning about good deeds (canned food Learning about good deeds (canned food

drive, toys for tots), doing for others, drive, toys for tots), doing for others, Christmas seasonChristmas season

JanuaryJanuaryHonesty=Honesty= Speaking and acting with Speaking and acting with

truthfulness in all situationstruthfulness in all situationsLearn about beginning a new year and Learn about beginning a new year and

resolutions (talk about how resolutions resolutions (talk about how resolutions are to make you a better person) are to make you a better person) (make school resolutions), Martin (make school resolutions), Martin Luther King Day (watch videos on how Luther King Day (watch videos on how he changed our world), Family (have he changed our world), Family (have parents come in and talk about their parents come in and talk about their job)job)

FebruaryFebruaryPatience=Patience= waiting calmly in spite of waiting calmly in spite of

difficulty or oppositiondifficulty or oppositionLearn about Presidents Day (compare and Learn about Presidents Day (compare and

contrast presidents) (study other contrast presidents) (study other countries) , Valentines Day, countries) , Valentines Day, appreciating differencesappreciating differences

MarchMarchSelf Control= Self Control= Restraining your Restraining your impulses and behavior in all situationsimpulses and behavior in all situations

Learn about manners, St. Patrick’s Day, Learn about manners, St. Patrick’s Day, SpringSpring

AprilAprilCaring=Caring= Demonstrate kindness, Demonstrate kindness,

courtesy, and compassion courtesy, and compassion towards others.towards others.

Learn about feelings, hero’s Learn about feelings, hero’s (have service men come and (have service men come and describe their job in the describe their job in the military), Earth Day (plant a military), Earth Day (plant a tree), animals (pet day at tree), animals (pet day at school, invite a VET to visit)school, invite a VET to visit)

MayMayService=Service= Expanding time and Expanding time and

effort to help otherseffort to help others

Learn about community, Learn about community, Memorial Day, chores at home Memorial Day, chores at home and school, jobs in America, and school, jobs in America,

7 ways to encourage a learner7 ways to encourage a learner

1. Open each lesson with an introduction that captures 1. Open each lesson with an introduction that captures interestinterest

2. Move around the room; walk energetically and purposefully2. Move around the room; walk energetically and purposefully 3. Expression on your face3. Expression on your face 4. Vary pitch voice and rate4. Vary pitch voice and rate

5. Don’t run a lecture hall- ask questions5. Don’t run a lecture hall- ask questions 6. Lots of examples6. Lots of examples

7. Content relates to them7. Content relates to them

By Kimberly JohnsonBy Kimberly Johnson

Character Ed RapCharacter Ed RapKindergarten will do this and I’ll send it to all the teachers to show in Kindergarten will do this and I’ll send it to all the teachers to show in

their classtheir class

It’s what you doIt’s what you doIt’s who you are,It’s who you are,

It’s the way you live your life.It’s the way you live your life.

COOPERATION, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, COURAGE, INTEGRITYCOOPERATION, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, COURAGE, INTEGRITYHONESTY, PATIENCE, SELF-CONTROL,CARING, SERVICEHONESTY, PATIENCE, SELF-CONTROL,CARING, SERVICE

THAT’S RIGHT!THAT’S RIGHT!

Character Counts!!!Character Counts!!!

Character Rap VideoCharacter Rap Video

Assessment ideasAssessment ideas

These can be done in the form of a paper, poster, power point, or role play depending on grade level. For lower levels you could use diagrams to compare

and contrast and lots of discussions.

Name a famous person you look up to and list any pillars of character they possess. Do you know anyone who possess these traits? Stop and think, do you?

Write and tell me how can the pillars of character help you resolve problems you may face in life?

What pillar do you personally want to work on? How will you work on this?

Extensions for 1-8Extensions for 1-8

Kindergarten has a letter of the week. Each week we will post a Kindergarten has a letter of the week. Each week we will post a letter with motivational quotes to go with the letter. As the year letter with motivational quotes to go with the letter. As the year progress I will ask different grades to come up with motivational progress I will ask different grades to come up with motivational quotes to post. This will incorporate literacy (for the upper quotes to post. This will incorporate literacy (for the upper grades) and phonemic awareness (for the younger grades). An grades) and phonemic awareness (for the younger grades). An example is: B= Believe in yourself. These will than be posted example is: B= Believe in yourself. These will than be posted around the school as reminders of Character Education.around the school as reminders of Character Education.

Have different colored necklaces or bracelets to represent the Have different colored necklaces or bracelets to represent the different characteristics. If the School coordinator sees someone different characteristics. If the School coordinator sees someone wearing their character necklace or bracelet they receive a wearing their character necklace or bracelet they receive a special treat. special treat.

Involving the upper grades in displaying good character in situations Involving the upper grades in displaying good character in situations is a great way to show lower grades proper behavior.is a great way to show lower grades proper behavior.

In all school assembly learn character rap to help reinforce concept.In all school assembly learn character rap to help reinforce concept.

Assessment IdeasAssessment Ideas

Games are a great way to assess lower level grades. This game will also encourage Games are a great way to assess lower level grades. This game will also encourage higher level thinking. Sample questions for character education are:higher level thinking. Sample questions for character education are:

You find $20 on the floor, what do you do with it?You find $20 on the floor, what do you do with it?

Your friend says “Hey, let’s skip school?” What do you do?Your friend says “Hey, let’s skip school?” What do you do?

Your friend is making fun of another student, what do you do?Your friend is making fun of another student, what do you do?

Should you leave trash on the floor?Should you leave trash on the floor?

Should you talk loudly down the hall?Should you talk loudly down the hall?

Play

Instructions:

1) Divide into Teams2) Ask a Question to a Team3) If correct, click the Spin Wheel Button to choose the number of points that team will receive. 4) Type points from wheel into Team Score Box5) Continue until out of questions.

Play

Team OneTeam One

Team TwoTeam Two

Team ThreeTeam Three

Team FourTeam Four

Team FiveTeam Five

Team SixTeam Six

Team SevenTeam Seven

Team EightTeam Eight

Points

AssessmentAssessment

Pre-assessment is done at the Pre-assessment is done at the beginning of the year. I will beginning of the year. I will

asses the students as we go by asses the students as we go by

observation and participationobservation and participation..

Each Kindergarten student will Each Kindergarten student will keep a binder portfolio of the keep a binder portfolio of the

activities for each month. activities for each month. These activities will include These activities will include

writing, interviewing, reading, writing, interviewing, reading, etc. There will also be activities etc. There will also be activities for the parents to do with their for the parents to do with their

child at home.child at home.

RestatementRestatement

Will using Character Education encourage student engagement, Will using Character Education encourage student engagement, student relevance, and help them make connections?student relevance, and help them make connections?

My answer is YES! My answer is YES!

Character Education puts the student in the driver seat. They are Character Education puts the student in the driver seat. They are in control of how they act towards others and to authority. in control of how they act towards others and to authority. They are in charge of their education and they will only get They are in charge of their education and they will only get

out of it what they put into it. out of it what they put into it.

 

    

Surprise!!!!Surprise!!!!

I have learned character education is a daily part of a child’s I have learned character education is a daily part of a child’s

education.education. It puts them in charge of their actions and how It puts them in charge of their actions and how they relate to those around them. Character education is they relate to those around them. Character education is something that can be carried on the rest of your life. It something that can be carried on the rest of your life. It

makes them a better person, and better people make a better makes them a better person, and better people make a better society.society.

I have learned how to implement games such as, Spin the I have learned how to implement games such as, Spin the Wheel, into lessons to help with assessment. Wheel, into lessons to help with assessment.

Movie trailers are a great introduction to discussion which is an Movie trailers are a great introduction to discussion which is an easier assessment for Kindergarten.easier assessment for Kindergarten.

New IdeasNew Ideas

Service is a HUGE part of character education. In character Service is a HUGE part of character education. In character education seminars I have learned doing for others is a education seminars I have learned doing for others is a

benefit to how a child perceives the world around him. Ideas benefit to how a child perceives the world around him. Ideas for our school are visiting nursing homes, shut ins in our town, for our school are visiting nursing homes, shut ins in our town,

and pen pals with those serving in the military. and pen pals with those serving in the military.

I want to be the Character Education coordinator for our building. I want to be the Character Education coordinator for our building. I would LOVE to develop ideas and email them to teachers I would LOVE to develop ideas and email them to teachers

who will than have them handy for those “teachable who will than have them handy for those “teachable moments”.moments”.

Motto’s for lifeMotto’s for life

I amI am

I canI can

I willI will

Tell me I will forgetTell me I will forget

Show me I might rememberShow me I might remember

Engage me and I will never forgetEngage me and I will never forget

By: Kimberly JohnsonBy: Kimberly Johnson

Review of LiteratureReview of Literature

As a kindergarten teacher the greatest joy I have is teaching As a kindergarten teacher the greatest joy I have is teaching children the love of reading. Family literacy plays a huge part in children the love of reading. Family literacy plays a huge part in how a child embraces reading ( Marrow, 2005). If a child is not how a child embraces reading ( Marrow, 2005). If a child is not read to at home and reading is not emphasized It is my job as read to at home and reading is not emphasized It is my job as teacher to show them the importance and love of reading. My teacher to show them the importance and love of reading. My job as is to be the “Master Reader”, or ‘Thinker”, not always job as is to be the “Master Reader”, or ‘Thinker”, not always talking but thinking aloud with my students (McEwan, 2004). By talking but thinking aloud with my students (McEwan, 2004). By thinking aloud I am activating prior knowledge and showing thinking aloud I am activating prior knowledge and showing them they are able relate to the text. Even early readers can them they are able relate to the text. Even early readers can relate to a story. According to ( Marrow, 2005) there are 5 relate to a story. According to ( Marrow, 2005) there are 5 elements to reading success, phonemic awareness, phonics, elements to reading success, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency. For assessment, vocabulary, comprehension, fluency. For assessment, observation of engaged activities, focus on goal of curriculum, observation of engaged activities, focus on goal of curriculum, diversity into account, varied format, knowledge based.diversity into account, varied format, knowledge based.

BibliographyBibliography

Marrow, Leslie Mendel, 2005; “Marrow, Leslie Mendel, 2005; “Literature Literature development in the early yearsdevelopment in the early years” Pearson ” Pearson Education.Education.

McEwan, Elaine K., 2004McEwan, Elaine K., 2004; “7 Strategies of ; “7 Strategies of Highly Effective ReadersHighly Effective Readers” Corwin Press” Corwin Press

Book IdeasBook Ideas

Splat the cats 1Splat the cats 1stst day of school = manners day of school = manners Hip Hop Dog = listeningHip Hop Dog = listening Recess Queen = bulliesRecess Queen = bullies Miss Bindergarten gets ready for Kindergarten = school Miss Bindergarten gets ready for Kindergarten = school

mannersmanners Llama Llama mad at Mama = feelingsLlama Llama mad at Mama = feelings Just go to bed! = obeyingJust go to bed! = obeying Molly Lou Melon = acceptanceMolly Lou Melon = acceptance Fill a bucket = cooperation, tolerance, respectFill a bucket = cooperation, tolerance, respect Listening time = respectListening time = respect The skin you live in = acceptanceThe skin you live in = acceptance Aesop’s Fables Aesop’s Fables

All AboardAll Aboard!!