At this point, you are all quite aware that Texas has adopted and is in full implementation of the new ELAR standards for the upcoming school year. There will be oodles of trainings on the new standards, the way that they’re organized, what some of the key features are, etc. If you are anything like any of the teachers I have worked with along the way, our brains are swimming by the time we are done with all of that learning.
Leach’s Literacy Training can relate! We are LEARNERS right along with you, having attended a training on the new standards this past spring. Can you find us???
We worked hard that day, working through each of the strands, looking at the differences and similarities, key changes, and thinking about what would be most important for us to help our amazing Texas teachers navigate new waters. It’s been a while since we have been on this journey, with new ELAR standards. And Leach’s Literacy Training is here to help!
First of all, there is a little booklet that we received at our training that really is a great tool. It is a Vertical Alignment Book for the standards K-English IV. Do you want one of these pretty books too? You can order one here from the Print Shop at ESC Region 12! They are only $5.00! If ordering more than 101 they are only $3.50!
I tabbed my book for easy reference and have written all over it. There were so many great things that we noted during the training…and all of it fits into a Reader’s Workshop and Writer’s Workshop model! HALLELUJAH! Go Texas! And Go Texas Teachers who are going to be doing this kind of teaching for the first time this year! Again, we are here to help!
After leaving the training, we spent some time reading through the standards, looking at the alignment, and we have a Top 10 Document for you for easy reference on some key things to remember while getting familiar with these new standards. Print this out, put it in your lesson plan book, post it next to your desk, you name it. Use these to remind you of what the learning is meant to look like when working to plan amazing academic experiences for your students!
What have you noticed about the new TEKS? Please share!
Here’s to a great 19-20 school year, filled with rich, literacy-based learning designed for our Texas students!