Author: Caysunset
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Tips For New Teachers
I put together some tidbits of wisdom that I gathered as a teacher, as well as insights from mistakes I have made and learned from. I hope they are of value to you.
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Grow Thinkers
Being a retired teacher, I think back on the times I read aloud to my class of second graders as they gathered on the carpet. I wore a large pair of glasses and I would tell students that I use my glasses to see into the future. I then would pick out a student and […]
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Old Ramblings
A hummingbird landed in an old oak tree It hovered awhile and was a sight to see The tree knew the hummingbird could not stay But enjoyed his presence and started to pray God, let this hummingbird find peace in its flight May it come to this old tree And bring it life. © DW […]
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Show Them The World
Below are just a few books I have found that get children interested in hearing a book read aloud. There are so many. Tap into their interests by selecting books that are age-appropriate. Inspiring children when they are very young to listen to stories and talk about them. It sets the stage for their success […]
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Beach Life
So many tourists visit our little town, and not just during the summer. The roughed coast of California offers sights that visitors from other areas seldom, if ever, see. I live in a place that is an escape for many. Being a desirable vacation destination means it gets unusually crowded with tourists on holidays. The […]
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Saying Goodbye to Future Teachers
I have been an online instructor for a university for seven years. Each term I change my course based on what I feel would enhance the learning for my students. I learn so much from them. I love sharing my experiences and insights. This last term I decided to try a new course. I sent […]
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Teaching Character Traits
•The Common Core State Standards in 3rd grade fictional literature calls for students to identify and describe characters’ actions, thoughts, and motivations, which is no small task for an 8-year-old who is just beginning to read longer text. Character traits can be positive or negative. Begin with positive traits. Give examples. A great way to do this is […]
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Name Calling
Children will own the names you call them. Choose your words carefully. This is good advice for teachers, but especially important that parents know this too. They are a child’s first teacher. Call them scholars, call them friends, call them writers, call them mathematicians, call them scientists, call them teachers, call them helpers, call them […]
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We All Shine Differently
Standardized testing requirements are designed to hold teachers, students, and schools accountable for academic achievement and to incentivize improvement. They provide a benchmark for assessing problems and measuring progress, highlighting areas for improvement. Despite these key benefits, standardized academic achievement tests in US public schools have been controversial since their inception. Major points of contention […]
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A Change of Plans
When I was a little girl I wanted to be an airline stewardess (that’s what they were called back then). I had dreams of seeing the world, living in fancy hotels, and wearing a cute uniform. Sometimes things are not as glamourous as the seem. As an adult I learned that getting an education would […]
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Inspiring Young Writers
From my years as a teacher I encountered many students who would shut down when it came to writing. Some would say that they could not think of anything to write. Others had trouble knowing how to begin. I came up with a few ways to inspire my young writers and hope you find them […]
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Differentiated Instruction
Research shows differentiated instruction is effective for high-ability students as well as students with mild to severe disabilities. • When students are given more options on how they can learn material, they take on more responsibility for their own learning. • Students appear to be more engaged in learning, and there are reportedly fewer discipline […]
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My Advice to Parents
I did not do my best with my own children in regards to parenting. It has been through years of higher education and many years as a teacher that has shown me the results of both good and bad parenting. I am committed to being a good grandmother. Although I cannot change the past, I […]
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My Love of Books
Once I learned to read at the age of five there was no stopping me. I read the back of cereal boxes and the ingredients in every can in the kitchen. I loved rhyming books the most. It was a special treat when my stepfather came home from the grocery store with Archie and Veronica […]
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What Students Need
As a University Supervisor I have the task of observing and shaping future teachers. It’s a job I love. I try to pass on advice I’ve gained over the years. My work with both mainstream and students with special needs has shown me that for many students school is the best part of their day. […]
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A Wise Man
My great-grandfather was a very wise man. He was my step great-grandfather, but I didn’t know it until I was an adult, nor did it ever matter. My great grandmother was a widow raising three children when she met him in Los Angeles. He worked as a secretary in a large steel company until his retirement, when he […]
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When Life Gives You Scraps…..
My sewing room is my happy place. It serves as my craft room as well as my office. It’s cooler downstairs, so on hot summer days I often go to my sewing/craft/office to relax. I am an avid follower of crafty blogs that repurpose fabric and findings to make interesting objects of beauty. My most […]
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Children’s Books That Are Inclusive
Children love books they can relate to. They need to see themselves represented in the pages. Books that present differences help students feel less alone, more connected. I have been carefully scrutinizing children’s books that lift children out of a sense of isolation. The following are books I highly recommend. I am not selling or […]
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Moments
I have had lots of time to reflect. The urge to get away to faraway lands is stronger than ever. I remember being asked as a child what I wanted to be when I grew up. I always answered, “an airline stewardess.” I wanted to see the world. My life took another direction and I […]
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New Vocabulary Words for Children
Did you know: •Students must learn 3,000 words per year by 3rd grade. •Only 400 words a year are directly taught by teachers. •Students do not learn vocabulary words based on their age or their grade. •They learn words based on their experiences , (Beck, et al, 2002) •Academic demands are high •Everyday speech consists of […]
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Shout Out
I thought this needed to be said loud and clear. If you can put one foot in front of the other, and smile while doing it, you are a champion in my opinion. These last two-plus years have been horrendous. It is not only the pandemic, but the atrocities occurring daily in Ukraine. There have […]
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Childrens books for science lovers
These are great books for budding scientists. Children are fascinated by animals and nature. Nurture and celebrate their curiosity through books that give them information and new vocabulary. The following are great for inquisitive minds. One of the most interesting books I have seen to inspire budding scientists. Another outstanding book to pique the interest […]
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Children’s Books for Visualization
When a child is able to form an image in their mind, it helps them understand what they are reading. It provides a context based on the child’s prior knowledge. Teachers can lead students to visualize by reading aloud and having students either draw what they “see,” write about it, or discuss with a partner. […]
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Anybody Home?
A child’s imagination is unlimited and should be encouraged and celebrated. Reading to children and asking questions like, “I wonder what will happen next,” allows them to construct their own scenarios. Children learn through repetition and exposure to a variety of experiences. Books that become familiar are like the foundation of a house. Once a […]
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Random Thoughts
The day I became a grandmother I began evaluating my life, or I should say reevaluating it. I realized that this beautiful child is not mine and I am a part of a much bigger picture, yet only a part. What part do I play? As a retired elementary teacher I know the joy of […]
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The Power of Books
Begin your collection of children’s books. Make sure you check out your local library book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, online sources.
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Stop and Be Still
I learn so much from my grandchildren. They teach me how to enjoy the moment. They teach me to be still and absorb sights and sounds that I have taken for granted. I have learned to see nature through their eyes. It fills me with optimism and hope that the new generation will not take […]
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Oxygen
I spent eight days in the hospital with covid and pneumonia. Despite being fully vaccinated, my age and being vulnerable with a pre-existing condition contributed to covid finding me. I found myself unable to breathe and completely exhausted. A trip to the emergency room resulted in my admission to an isolation room for covid patients. […]
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Children’s Books That are Awesome
I have been looking for children’s books that have a good message during these difficult times. I think I’ve found some winners. All about feelings and emotions This delightful story of persistence and self-acceptance highlights the value of practice, friendship, and a good attitude. 30 great breathing exercise to bring about calm and mindfulness. The book is about […]
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Student Engagement
Student engagement is a vital component in any classroom. Over the past year, remote learning has become a reality for most students around the world. As many students return to in-person learning, or any number of hybrid learning environments, here are some ideas to keep engagement rates high and help maintain student learning in any […]
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DEVELOPING RAPPORT
Why Build Rapport with Students? To create an environment that is safe and engaging for all learners: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport To create an inclusive Classroom Community: Mapping Your Heart – view this video to learn about Heart Mapping, invented by Georgia Heard, as one strategy to begin building an inclusive classroom […]
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Emergent Bilingual Students
Effective Practices that Support Emergent Bilingual Students Identify your students’ language backgrounds and Proficiency Levels (please see page 18 of the ELD Standards Framework) Provide effective Integrated ELD and Designated ELD instruction Use appropriate and planned scaffolds to support academic language development and content knowledge View SOE Module #6: Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students for more effective practices and strategies. Build Connections with Families […]
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Move On
I’m not sure if it’s the pandemic or the recent tragic devastation from tornadoes across six states that reminds me of how fragile our time on earth is, or maybe it’s old age, but I have been dwelling on mistakes I’ve made that can’t be undone. It hurts to know that one moment in time […]
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Check for Understanding!!
After you teach a lesson, even a mini-lesson, always make sure you scan your group to insure they have a clear understanding of what you have taught. Moving on without a check does a disservice to students. Form a small group to reteach the lesson. The hand method is a good visual that goes a […]
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Thinking Out Loud
Son of My Son I was still a teenager when I had my son. I had no idea how to raise a child. I only knew that holding him was the best feeling ever. I knew that loving him would be easy. I had the luxury of staying home and caring for him while his […]
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What If?
I teach an online course for future teachers in a master’s degree program. I was grading journal post last night when I read a student’s journal entry detailing her fears about interacting (or failure to interact) with parents. She was candid in describing possible scenarios. “What if a parent had a horrible school experience and […]
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Relatable Books For Children
I love to share resources for children by topic. Kindly share with me if you have collections of special interest and I will add them. 😉 Teaching children to read and to Love reading is my passion. We have all had a lousy day. Relatable text is important for children to make text-to-life connections. Lucy […]
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Girl Power
I would replace shoes with tools. Traditionally girls have been limited in which dreams they could pursue. The changing landscape no longer relocates girls to secretarial or caretaking jobs (unless they choose such). I was pleasantly surprised when my granddaughter shared her dream of being an astronaut. Education has opened new possibilities for women, releasing […]
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Early Morning Turtle Watching
Here are some of the best places to take your kids or grandkids to see sea turtles on the island of Kauai: Poipu Beach — Great for kids because even waders can spot sea turtles hanging in the reef shallows while snorkelers can see them swimming in the clearer depths. Kuhio Shores — Though a […]
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Wanderlust
When I was a little girl I wanted to be an airline stewardess so I could travel all over the world. As it turned out, I became an elementary teacher with travel limited to summers and books, where I can let my imagination take me away. I’ve had incredible trips to England, France, Spain, Italy, […]
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Adventuring
This year I decided to join my daughter’s family in Wales for Christmas. Yes, during a pandemic, with a new variant waiting for its next host. I am triple dosed with the vaccine, have a pile of masks and will do may best to avoid crowds (in an airport?) I decided to reframe my thinking, […]
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Active Engagement Strategy
Use Think-Pair-Share at any point in the lesson to structure meaningful conversation: •Before introducing new material to tap into prior knowledge •After watching a film clip to gauge a reaction •After reading a short text to begin a discussion •Before students begin an assignment, such as an essay or a set of word problems, to […]
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Hang In There
Some holidays are difficult. Especially now that my kids are grown and off living their lives. The house is quiet, too quiet, and there doesn’t seem to be any point in cooking a big feast, or even a little one. It’s those times when thoughts of the past seem to hold me in a vacuum. […]
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Spelling
Rote memorization is not an effective way to learn and remember. How many kids forget their spelling words as soon as they finish the test? BORING!!! We need to give kids an active role. Just a handful of kids’ needs are met when the entire class has the same word list! NOT FAIR NOT GOOD TEACHING There is another way– Use […]
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Slow Your Roll
I need to remind myself that I don’t need to take on more than I can handle. I see stress on the faces of people everywhere. Rushing here and there to get things done. Always haunted by a mental list of what they must do to be whole. To be satisfied. Worry lines seep into […]
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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
A 2019 report confirmed that experiencing traumatic things as a child puts you at risk for lifelong health effects. What do we mean by Adverse Childhood Experience? Sexual abuse Abuse (physical or mental) Exposure to domestic abuse Exposure to substance abuse Mental illness, parental discord, crime Death of parent Imprisoned parent Impact: Neurobiologic Effects of Trauma : Disrupted neuro-development, Difficulty controlling anger-rage, Hallucinations, Depression, Panic […]
