Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

First Team Education would like to thank all who have helped make this past year a very successful one for us. We couldn't do it without your loyalty and support. We hope you are all enjoying a must needed break! On Monday we are going to start regrouping; organizing the warehouse, plowing through stacks of paper, and thinking about what all is needed for the upcoming math caravan. Have a nice relaxing holiday and we'll be back in touch after January 4, 2010!

Continental Press has the hottest test prep program in the market! If you have not received your ISTEP+ Finish Line Math or English/Language Arts sample yet you need to contact First Team Education. This test prep program is the only program available that meets the new standards and replicates the spring test. Free teacher's guides are available for 25 or more student books and for orders over $1000 you receive free shipping!

Conference Schedule

October is going to be a busy month for First Team Education. If you are going to be attending any of the following conferences, please stop by and say hello!
ICASE - Oct. 1-2
NCA - Oct. 5-6
ITW - Oct. 9
ICTM - Oct. 25-26

We will also be at the All-Write conference with Cris Tovani on Oct. 15 and at the SWITCM in Evansville on Oct. 29.

See you there!

Mentor Texts

Remember when reading aloud a book to your students was something you did right after lunch? Now children's books are used to teach all kinds of skills and strategies and they are called mentor texts. First Team Education sells children's books at a great discount; 25% off and free shipping! We have lists of recommended titles, such as 6+1 mentor texts, recommendations from Katie Wood Ray's Study Driven and Wondrous Words, Linda Dorn's list from Teaching with Deep Comprehension to name a few. If you have a list of children's books that you would like to get a price quote for, please contact First Team Education at bvanmol@aol.com.

New Test Prep Materials Available

Well summer is almost officially over! Although for teachers the summer usually ends the first day of school; which is coming earlier and earlier. Most of you have been in school now for 2-3 weeks. You have gotten to know your students and the ISTEP scores have been issued. Now is the time to look for a good test prep program for those kids that can benefit from some practice. Continental Press has just come out with a brand new test prep program for ELA, Math, and ECA. Since there recently was a change in the math standards, they have gone back and made some changes but the finished product should be out early October. Otherwise, the ELA materials are ready and if you would like to see a copy, contact First Team Education or Continental Press.

Web Based Programs for ESL and Math Intervention

First Team Education offers two web based curriculum programs for you. If you are an ESL director, coordinator, or teacher please visit the ESLreadingsmart.com web site. This program is for ESL students up through high school. Visit the site, click on Trial and you will be sent a password for a free two week trial. If you need a math intervention program, ILearn.com is the place to go. This program offers a placement test in order to be sure your student is placed in the correct level, instruction in the math concepts, and a fluency component. Contact First Team Education to receive a temporary password so you can review the program. Web based programs are the way to go!

Special promotion from Lerner Publishing

Lerner Publishing has some great deals going on right now! Free books with purchases as small as $100.00. Contact First Team Education to find out the details.

Indiana big on professional development!

The state of Indiana was ahead of the pack this summer in professional development opportunities! As a company, First Team Education attended and exhibited at several locations around the state. There were many top notch presenters conducting workshops for Indiana's educators including: Tim Rasinski, Lester Laminack, Barry Lane, Katie Wood Ray, Penny Kittle, Jeff Anderson, Kelly Gallagher, Carl Anderson, Aimie Buckner, Jim Burke, Franki Sibberson, Frank Serafini, Brod Bagert, Jacqualine Woodson, and others. If you are interested in finding out about other professional development opportunities, contact Brenda at bvanmol@aol.com. First Team Education can also assist you in getting a presenter for your school or district. Let them know how they can help!