Save time and enhance teaching and learning with Curriculum Companion’s Open Court Reading Curriculum Resources!

presentations to introduce and build background knowledge for each unit and reading selection

Internet resources to support direct instruction, Inquiry, and the Social Studies and Science Connections activities,

downloadable and customizable graphic organizing software templates,

suggested titles of video resources from Discovery Education streaming,

strategies for using presentation and productivity software or video to support writing assignments, and

information about content-based software.

What else is included with the Open Court Reading Curriculum Resources?

Teachers can use the presentations for the unit openers and reading selections to build background and reinforce reading and listening comprehension and writing skills. The presentations are available in 5 formats: a small preview file, a web page that acts just like the actual PowerPoint, a full slide and handout layout PDF file, and a full slide Flash file. We create all custom backgrounds and use age and content appropriate visuals in each presentation - all aligned to the content in the Open Court Reading adoption. Because we purchased many of the images, we cannot share the actual PowerPoint file without violating our user agreements. The presentations are a perfect way to provide discussion prompts, appropriate visuals to build background knowledge,and to reinforce listening comprehension skills.

Teachers can download graphic organizer software templates as Inspiration versions 7 or 8, or as a PDF file that aligns to the word wall vocabulary and reading comprehension skill(s) for each reading selection and the writing activities in the Writer’s Workbook. Your students can use these organizers to support vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and writing skills. If your school’s computers have Inspiration installed, you can completely customize the organizers to differentiate instruction and meet the diverse needs of your students.

Students can also use the Internet guide sheets to examine relevant and meaningful information on unit and selection specific web sites. These downloadable and customizable guide sheets are available in Word and as a PDF document and can be found under the theme resources.

Independent learning with the Open Court Reading Online Explorations for Teachers

• Setting the Stage for Technology Integration
• Using Graphic Organizing Software
• Using Internet Resources
• Using Presentation and Productivity Software
• Using Video or Video Conferencing Equipment
• Content Based Software

We are planning to re-design the modules to include more interactive activities that are aligned to technology proficiency standards - so be watching for a new look and possibly new modules for the Open Court Reading Online Explorations for Teachers!

Multimedia Technology 'How-To' Tutorials provide "just in time" support!

Narrated Multimedia Technology 'How-To' tutorials includes a library of over 600 tutorials that demonstrate how to use the most popular software applications with the Open Court Reading adopted curriculum materials. Teachers increase their personal proficiency with technology while learning to integrate it in their classrooms. The tutorial library is always growing as new applications come online!

• Inspiration Version 7
• Introduction to Inspiration Version 8
• Creating Cause and Effect Charts with Inspiration
• Creating a Basic Web in Inspiration
• Using Kids Search Tools
• Introduction to Kidspiration
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Introduction
• Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 - Intermediate

• Microsoft Word 2003 - Introduction
• Microsoft Word 2003 - Intermediate
• Searching for resources using netTrekker
• Using America's Story Web site - Library of Congress
• Searching for resources using Factmonster
• Searching for resources using the Marco Polo Web Site (now Thinkfinity)
• Finding Images on the Internet

Access Recorded Online Workshops 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Curriculum Companion includes a growing library of professional development resources including archived recordings of previously conducted live online workshops. These sessions are typically two hour workshops and currently number approximately 20 hours of training. Teachers are able to see and hear the instructor and see everything on the instructor’s computer that he or she is sharing with participants. No special software is required to view the workshops, and teachers can utilize this resource at their own convenience. As more online workshops are recorded, this library will continue to grow.

Using Word to Teach Cause and Effect, Part 1 (50 minutes)
Note: This session includes audio

In this workshop, participants will review the basics of using Microsoft Word while creating a cause and effect chart to use as a template for students. This workshop will cover an overview of Microsoft Word tables, navigating the workspace, entering and formatting text, formatting borders and merging and splitting cells. In addition, we will discuss ways to incorporate Microsoft Word tables into the teaching of other reading skills.

Using Inspiration to Create a Brainstorming Web, Part 2 (1hr 13 min.)
Note: This session includes audio

In this workshop, participants will review the basics of using Inspiration while creating a basic web to use as a template for students or as a lesson aid during instruction. This workshop will cover an overview of Inspiration, navigating the workspace, using the Symbol palette, linking ideas, and the use of the “rapid fire” feature. In addition, we will discuss ways to incorporate Inspiration Webs into other reading applications.

Curriculum Companion offers a flexible face-to-face professional development program focused on technology integration into the Open Court Reading English Language Arts curriculum. The staff development modules vary in length from 20 minutes to 6 hours, and can be trained independently or as part of a larger institute. The scope of the 10 modules includes an examination of current research and practices for using technology in reading, classroom management with technology, an overview of the Curriculum Companion resources, and hands-on learning experiences on selected software applications focused on supporting the different components of the Open Court Reading curriculum.

In order to access the staff development modules, teachers must have a trainer account with Curriculum Companion. This account will give trainers access to over 40 hours of training materials, including facilitator guides, handouts, agendas, and all support materials.