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ELAR and Grammar Newsletter

 

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Issue: #= 2

January 2009 

 

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ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NEW ELAR-TEKS

 

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I im= agine English / Language Arts / Reading teachers all over T= exas are full of questions about the new standards (TEKS) that are to = be implemented into every public school classroom next fall (K-12). = We at MyStudyHall.com have provided you with a Q & A to help ans= wer those questions:  

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Wher= e can I find the new ELAR-TEKS by grade level?

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The = new ELAR-TEKS are posted at:

What is the timeline for implementation of= the various End-of-Course (EOC) assessments?

 

The timeline for the EOC's is found at: 

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/a= dmin/eoc/   

 
Will educators help to develop the questions for the EOC assessments?

Yes, if you want to nominate yourself or someone e= lse for the EOC committee, please go to:   



NOTE:= On Jan. 5, 2009, the TEA updated its website. If you have probl= ems opening the links in this January ELAR/Grammar Newsletter, please refer to the TEA's new portal instructions posted at "TEA Website Gets Makeover" --  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.

 

MESSAGE FROM A MYSTUDYHALL.COM STUD= ENT

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Here is a testimony from a stu= dent who has used MyStudyHall.com at her Texas school:


Frankly, I have al= ways considered grammar to be complex. All year my teacher has had my classmates and me using the website, <= /span>www.mystudyhall.com . Because of this strat= egy, I have learned more about grammar in my advanced English class than ever. Sentence structure, spelling, and punctuation are usually something that I "blow off."  However, my teacher = has pushed us to learn more challenging grammar and to understand formulaic writing. These skills have helped me to be more prepared for life and the future instead of just learning about something that won't be important to me after graduation.<= /i>
 
K. B. 

 

 

ANSWERS REGARDING THE SPRING 2008 ELAR-TAKS TEST

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How can I get a copy of= the Spring 2008 ELAR-TAKS tests?  
 
You can download the tests, the answer keys, the TEKS student expectation, and the correct answer for each item at:<= /span>

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/r= esources/release/taks_items/index.html  
 
Since Senate Bill 1031 changed the schedule for the release of TA= KS tests from two to three years, do I have to wait three years befo= re seeing any more of the TAKS tests?
 
On non-release years, the TEA will release some representative it= ems that have been field tested but that are not eligible for inclusi= on on an actual test. 
 

NEW ELAR TEXTBOOKS - QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS<= /b>

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I don't understand what "Proclamation 2010" means. =
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"Proclamation 2010" means that new Reading/Literature textbooks for Grade 2 through Grade 12 and Reading/English Langua= ge Arts textbooks for K through Grade 2 will be in the schools by Fa= ll 2010.  
 
 
What does "Proclamation 2011" mean?
 
New ELA textbooks for Grades 2-12 will be in the schools by Fall 2011.  These books will contain the ELAR-TEKS elements that = cover Oral and Written Conventions and also the composition and research sections. 
 
 
What do the terms "Conforming" and "Nonconforming" mean?=  
 
The updated Texas Administrative Code states that for a textbook = to be Conforming, each ELAR-TEKS element now must be covered (at lea= st 3 to 5 times) in the teacher's materials, in the student text narrative, and also in the end-of-section review exercises, the end-of-chapter activities, or unit tests. 
 
 
What percent of the elements must be covered for a textbook to be deemed Conforming or Nonconforming?
 
For a textbook to be Conforming, it must meet 100% of the ELAR-TE= KS for that grade level.  If the textbook only covers 50% to 99= % of the ELAR-TEKS for that grade level, the book is Nonconforming. Any book that covers less than 50% can be rejected. 
  
 
Who decides whether a= book is Conforming or Nonconforming?
 
Textbook publishers submit sample materials of their new textbook= s, and the TEA brings in a State Review Panel to go through the materials.  At least three people will go through every prod= uct, checking to be sure it covers each ELAR-TEKS element with three examples (or in some cases five examples). The State Review Panel determines coverage of the ELAR-TEKS and also checks for factual errors.
 


How can a teacher app= ly to serve on the State Review Panel?
 

Teachers need to fill out an application form at the following link. These applications must be e-mailed to review.adoption@tea.state.tx.us by January 16, 20= 09:

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When= will the TEA announce who has been chosen for the State Review Panel?<= /span>

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The announcement will be made in March 2009.

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When= and where does the State Review Panel meet?  Do panelists get pa= id?

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Panel members will meet in Austin for one week during June and July 2009 to review Proclamation 2010 instructional materials. The TEA will pay for hotel lodging and a= ll travel expenses allowed by law.
 


Where can I find out = more about Proclamation 2010?
 
Questions and Answers for Proclamation 2010 can be found at:  http://www.tea.state.tx.us/textbooks/proclamati= ons/proc2010/ 


NOTE:= On Jan. 5, 2009, the TEA updated its website. If you have probl= ems opening the links in this January ELAR/Grammar Newsletter, please refer to the TEA's new portal instructions posted at "TEA Website Gets Makeover" - http://www.tea.state.tx.us/.

 

DO YOUR STUDENTS NEED MYSTUDYHALL.C= OM?

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MyStudyHall.com is an inexpens= ive online tutorial ($35 per student/per year/per site license). = ; To help you decide whether your students need to use MyStudyHall.com, here is a partial list of some of the skills that are covered on = our website:
 
Do your students know...
 
·        when to use to, too, and two?
·        the differences between summarizin= g and paraphrasing?
·        how to set up = a business letter= and an envelope?
·        how to referen= ce a magazine or an Internet article?
·        how to write an editorial?
·        how to format = and punctuate a play or a poem?
·        the distinguis= hing characteristics of the four modes of writing?
·        the third-person pronouns used in expository writing?
·        how to use sensory images in descriptive writi= ng?
·        how to use personification skillfully?
·        what  point of reference means?
·        how to establi= sh spatial order i= n a paragraph?
·        how to recogni= ze literary points of view<= /strong>?
·        pre-writing strategies?
·        how to use prefixes and base words to f= orm new words?
·        the differences between a phrase a= nd a sentence outline?
·        how to use transitional words in paragraphs?
·        idiomatic expressions?
·        correct <= strong>subject-verb agreement?
·        when to <= strong>capitalize cert= ain nouns?
·        the corre= ct uses of good and well?
 

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I ho= pe you have found this edition of the ELAR / Grammar Newsletter useful and informative. Please contact me at the email address below if you have any comments or suggestions.=

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Sinc= erely,3DLOGO


Donna Garner

ELAR= and Grammar Newsletter

Sponsored by MyStudyHall.com

 =

Online tutorial for ELAR sk= ills with an emphasis on grammar -- aligned with the newly adopted Te= xas ELAR TEKS. For information, email info@mystudyhall.com .

 

www.mystudyhall.com

 

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