I am a lifelong learner who loves to share resources. best practices, and life stories.
Author: Caysunset
I retired from Elementary Education and now teach an online Masters Degree course in Literacy for pre-credential teacher candidates, and The Art and Craft of Teaching. I also supervise teacher candidates for two universities.
I collect resources from various sites and articles to assist my teacher candidates. I am happy to share them with teachers, students, homeschool parents. I will add to them routinely.
As retired teachers and avid readers, my husband and I decided that we would put up a little library so our neighbors can find a book, leave a book, and know that it is an option in our part of town.
I sit in front of my living room window and watch people walk their dogs, ride their bikes, or drive by in their golf cart or car. Originally the books were for adult readers (mysteries, thrillers, how-to books, politics and other topics that would not interest young readers. Often I see people stop and check out the offerings. It makes me wish it wasn’t so “little.”
The school bus stops in front of our house, and I thought about the children who might like a little library of their own. We put one up right next to the “grown up” library. If we knew enough carpentry, we could have built it ourselves, but we bought one on Amazon. My husband sunk it deeper into the ground so kids could reach it easily.
I have loads of children’s books that my grandchildren have outgrown. It is pure joy to see kids stop to pick out a book. One mom donated several books. Soon the children’s library was stuffed. We had to put out a plastic tub with a lid for the overflow. I truly hope it has inspired passersby to put up a little library in their own neighborhood.
I joined a Book Circle with colleagues from Cal Poly. We read Demysifying Disability by Emily Ladau. She is a fierce advocate for disability rights. Each member of the book circle took a chapter to explore and present to the group. I had Chapter 4, Ableism and Accessibility. I decided to extract the quotes I found that resonated the most with me. I then created slides to share with the group.
What is Ableism?
“Attitudes, actions, and circumstances that devalue people because they have a disability or perceived as having a disability.” Ladau, E. L. (n.d.). Demystifying Disability
“ Ableism takes a heavy toll. Too many disabled people have been led to believe that our lives are not worth living…..That line of thinking is unequivocally untrue. Disabled lives are worth living. “ p. 75
“The Women’s March did not include disabilities as part of their “Unity Principals.” p. 76
“Disability must be included in social justice movements. Excluding it isn’t just ableist, it’s directly contributing to harm.” p. 77
Accessibility
Accessibility is about making things more equitable so that disabled people have the same opportunities and support to thrive as do nondisabled people.”
“Accessibility is not about special treatment or privileges.” p. 79
Imagine trying to navigate this in a wheelchair or with a cane.
I have a passion for literacy. It all began in a screened in porch in South Central Los Angeles when I was almost 5 years old. My mother’s first language was Spanish. She told me how hard it was for her to learn English. She grew up in a large Mexican family whose language was Spanish and there were very few books. She only went to the 8th grade, married at 15 and I came along a few years later. My father was an Englishman who drank too much, and was seldom home. Back to the porch: my mother taped white butcher paper at my eye level all around the porch. She wrote out the ABCs with a picture clue for each letter. I loved practicing the alphabet with her, and watching her learn along with me, but more importantly, I loved the attention I received during that special time. I became an avid reader and the first person to graduate college in my family, earn two teaching credentials and a Masters Degree. I love journaling and encouraging student teachers both online and in my position as a University Supervisor. Check out my posts on early literacy, children’s book recommendations, and journal entries. I add to them all the time. Good things are meant to be shared. Thanks, Mom. Yo te quero, mama.
Quote from my mother:“Muéstrales sus alas, luego míralos volar.” Translation: Show them their wings, then watch them fly.
As I sit in my chair looking out at the ocean, I dream of faraway places I have only seen in magazines, or saw once in a movie. I watch the choppy waves and wonder how a cruise ship manages to get the passengers safely to their destination amidst such an angry sea. I need to shut down those thoughts and exchange them with, “I wonder what their final destination is?” I have not given up on the idea of a plane, a ship, a train, or my own car taking me away to places I long to see. I believe I could use a time-out.
It seems I am not the only one that could use a time-out to gain a new perspective in a place that is removed from the ordinary routine we often create ourselves. I teach an online course for those teachers who are seeking a teaching credential. Many are already teaching with provisions that they earn the credential. The stress of working and taking courses in the evening has many feeling drained and less than pleasant about receiving feedback. I try to frame my comments with suggestions that I hope they will find helpful. I have a series of snippy emails from a student who rushes through the work, turns in incomplete responses and makes excuses that run the gamut. I encourage each student to hold a space on the weekends for self-care, with the admonishment that safeguarding body and mind is worth the effort. One student told me that she is fine in the classroom, but falls apart at home. She desperately needs to balance school and home life, but doesn’t know how. She needs a time-out to refocus her priorities. Her home should be sacred space.
Teacher burn-out is at a record high. Many leave the profession due to various reasons, but predominately stress is the major cause. New teachers are trying to impress, and they take home piles of homework, leaving no time at home to unwind. Teaching requires that the instructor be completely present for their students. Stressed, overburdened teachers transfer those feelings to their students. A principal once told me that teachers have the job of, “fixing a train while it’s moving.”
My wish for every teacher, new or old, is to sit in a time-out chair and take a good look at what you can do that restores your mind and body. I hope each and every one leaves work at work in order to keep home a sacred place.
I had a conversation with my mother before she died. I asked her if she would let me know that she is alright when she passes. I joked and said, “Don’t smack me in the head, just three taps on my shoulder.” She assured me she would, but I still made her promise. I spent 8 days in the high desert while she was in ICU. I asked her what her favorite memory was. She took off her oxygen mask and said, “You girls,’ referring to me and my sister. I knew that when her doctor ordered hospice she was not going to survive much longer. She passed on April 16th. I made the long drive home, 6 hours, and when I got home I sat on the sofa and cried. I was exhausted and grief overtook me. It was difficult to breathe. I closed my eyes and hoped I could sleep. I felt three taps on my shoulder. Some may say It was my imagination, or that I was asleep, but I was wide awake. What is strange is that my sofa has a high back and it would be impossible to tap me on the shoulder in the place where I felt it. I knew it was my mom letting me know that she is fine. That night I walked outside at midnight, looked up at the night sky and spotted a star that shone brighter than any of the others. It got bigger as I stood still. Then it blinked three times. I said, “I love you too, mom.”
Ever since my grandchildren, Kaia and Maverick were born I have played with them every opportunity I get. It is always something I enjoy. At each stage of their development I have tried to make our time happy and fun. We have danced in their living room, read loads of books, sorted seashells and made up songs and rhymes. It’s wonderful to see them run to me when I come to the door of their house. Sometimes I make up games, other times I pull from my memories of my classroom and things I did with my students. It’s always a joyful learning time. When they come to my house I like to let them create art and play with magnetic building sets. We also put on plays and make up songs.
One day while I was watching them I decided to try a game of Hide and Seek. it was a first and I wondered if they were old enough to get the hang of it, but decided to give it a go. It took several practice runs before we were all set to try it out. Maverick wanted to do whatever Kaia did. I said they could be a team. I was the “seeker.” They ran off while I counted loudly and slowly to 20. I could hear their little feet scampering to hide. Kaia whispered, “Follow me.” Maverick ran behind her. I could hear them trying to decide on different hiding places. I slowed my count as I heard Kaia say, “We should go in there. Grandma won’t find us.” I warned them that, “Ready or not, here I come.” First I went into their bedrooms making sure I raised my voice to say, “Well, they aren’t in here.” Then I checked the living room and kitchen dramatically repeating my frustration. I slowly came upon the cupboard they chose as a hiding place. You can see from the photo that they tried very hard to evade my search. They truly believed that covering their eyes meant that I could not see them. I tried to stifle a laugh. I love seeing then grow and learn. They are clever, creative and exploring is what they do best. So much fun to be had with these darling grandkids!
The book, “Man’s Search For Meaning,” by Viktor Frankl has had a profound effect on me. He knew suffering, having endured the horrors of a concentration camp and subjected to hard labor that included starvation and routine beatings. Anything I have suffered through pales in comparison. He felt that no matter what happens in life we have the freedom to choose how to respond to suffering. We have the freedom to choose our response to everything. It has taken me years to internalize this.
For me the meaning of life is to be my best self, despite limitations. I hope to make memories, and help others see their best selves. When there isn’t much to be happy about, turning to gratitude for the ability to breathe shifts my thinking. I know what it’s like to struggle for air. When I had pneumonia and fell asleep on my stomach, I woke up and discovered that I moved the canula from my nose. I struggled to find it but could not. I felt myself slipping away as I prayed for air. Thankfully I found the call device and pushed every inch of it. I have asked myself, “Why am I still alive? What am I here for? I know that each day is a gift. I hope that I can see through eyes of gratitude for the opportunity to make each day count.
I also know the mind shift that takes place when I transcend selfish desires and try to help someone else. I hope my life has meaning for my kids, my husband, my grandchildren, and my students.
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 helpful.
•Have a Writing Center (a designated space for students to bring a clipboard or a notebook and come to write.) It doesn’t have to be a huge space, just keep it well stocked.
•Review the rules for use of the Writing Center. I used these:
• 1. Writing takes place here.
• 2. Work quietly to allow others to do the same.
• 3. Leave your area clean.
•Remember to:
•Stock the area with paper, cards, envelopes, pens, pencils, markers
•Have posters, anchor charts and/or a word wall for students to use as reference.
•Allow it to be a ”smart choice” when students finish early.
Fun stationary invites students to be creative.
Use Story Stones- This could integrate art and writing!
•You could start with river rocks.
•Paint a simple picture.
•Put the in a bag or tub with a lid.
•Student pulls out a stone and makes a story.
Sometime allowing students to draw first gets them motivated to write. Often teachers allow students to draw AFTER they write. Try reversing that order. A visual helps them generate ideas.
Speaking of using visuals, try something creative, and give students a story starter: I woke up and looked in the mirror. I was a cat!
Use more creativity and get students to use a thesaurus! Have them re-write words to songs, logos, signs, etc.:
Pledge of Allegiance = Promise of loyalty
•Stop Sign = CEASE!
•Lost and Found = Absent and Established
•Bird cage = fowl pen
•Happy New Year = Merry recent term
•Animal shelter = Creature haven
•Good Night =Beneficial Evening
Most of all, students need good modeling, practice and opportunities to write about subject matter they can relate to. Have fun-it transfers to the students.
I have been an online instructor for a university for eight 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 out an email to my course developer who put me in touch with a colleague who set me up with a course I have long wanted to teach, Children’s Literature. Whenever I try something new I get a bit anxious, and once I get into it (believe me, I research), I feel like Wonder Woman. On top of it all, I was given autonomy to make any changes I feel are necessary. Being brand new, I hardly changed a thing. To have that level of trust and responsibility given to me is life affirming. I went well above and beyond and made more work for myself than necessary. But oh, what a good class!
I now need to say goodbye to my students as they have completed the term. I received feedback from them stating how much they learned from the course. I wish the course was longer. We could have covered so much more in depth. Goodbyes are hard, but I know the students will make a difference in the lives of their own students. That’s the best outcome ever.
Update: I had a former online student contact me to tell me he passed the RICA exam! I also have students from past classes email me for advice and resources. I love staying connected to education in my “retirement.”
•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 to introduce adjectives. Have students use words that describe themselves. Brainstorm adjectives together. What is great about them? Are they fun, creative, nice, silly, brave, quiet, loud, sporty, curious…… Transfer the skill of describing to a character analysis of the whole character. Remind students that character traits can be postive or negative, and traits include how a person acts and thinks. You could have students draw a main character and use adjectives to describe that person. A thought bubble could be used to note the character’s thoughts.
You can shift the focus to motivation. What do you think this character is thinking? What gives you that idea? You will be guiding students to give evidence. That is a skill they will need for upper grades. Use Think-Alouds so students get an idea of how to begin the process.
This link will provide positive and negative character traits:
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 teaching young children. I have learned things I never knew about when raising my own three. Will I have any credibility when I suggest ideas for my grandchild to learn to read or learn to navigate technology when I left it up to teachers to provide literacy instruction for my own children? Is it my place to offer any suggestions? I know best practices and I have learned to lean on researched methods with proven results, yet this little one is not mine and I have to realize that I am an eager grandmother, one with hopes and dreams, but this child is the child of my child. “Take a deep breath and slow down,” I tell myself, “Enjoy the moment, and let the parents have their shot at raising their own child.” I am going to listen to that not so quiet voice. I will read aloud when I get opportunities and rejoice in my child’s journey with his child. Now if I am asked for advice, well, that’s another story.
The Hike
My son called to ask if we could celebrate my husband’s birthday by hiking near the coast. He has two small children; a two year old daughter and a 3 1/2 month old son. The hike is 4 miles total, and seemed at first to be a bad idea. We met at our favorite cafe for breakfast and then drove to the headlands to begin our hike. I marveled at how much gear my son had for the children. My daughter-in-law wrapped the 3 month old around her stomach as my son put the largest kid seat I’d ever seen on his back. This contraption even had stirrups and a cup holder. My granddaughter had other ideas. She insisted on walking. Her parents went ahead as my husband, the birthday boy, and I walked with Kaia. She walked along dodging dog poop and refused to hold my hand. Other hikers smiled as they passed my independent granddaughter so determined to make the hike on her own. All I wanted was to hold her hand until I realized that this tiny human is giving us all a glimpse of the future. She will make her own way someday. She walked a mile before getting tired and reluctantly got into her 21st century backpack seat to let her daddy carry her. It was so much more than a beautiful long hike.
The numbers on my bathroom scale made me dizzy. How can it be that I weigh that much? When and where did I lose control of my weight? How can I get back to my old self? How soon?
One of the side effects of the medication I take is weight gain, but geez, this much? Being the clothes horse that I am this is unacceptable.
I decided to enlist the help of a trainer at a local fitness center. My trainer came highly recommended and her smile put me at ease immediately. She asked the standard questions and I shared about my personal illness and my goals to gain strength and lose weight. We went to work setting up a routine. My end of the deal is work out on my own 2-3 days a week and meet with her on Friday afternoons. She showed me how to set up and properly use the machines.
I was self-conscious at first, but kept telling myself that there isn’t a soul in the gym that cares if I am a newbie. They are there for their own health and well being. There were lots of smiles and people around me were more focused on their own goals.
I am either committed or not. My trainer could sense that I have a lazy streak, so she told me to think of it as my job to show up for work. Tomorrow I will travel 4 hours to Stanford Hospital for a medical procedure and allow myself a day or two to rest, then I plan to show up and get to work.
Update1 : The pandemic has put a halt to any gym activity. I purchased an eliptical and some stretch bands. I live at the beach where taking a walk is not a chore. I also bought a membership to Body Groove and dance myself silly in the living room. I am going to stick with my commitment.
Update 2: Down 6 pounds in one week. Woohoo!
Update 3: I joined an online group that gathers on Zoom to discuss healthy lifestyle choices. They are a great group of local women and I am happy to be on the same journey.
Update 4: Down 10 pounds. Woohoo!! I love my new Vitamix (smoothies in seconds).
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The most effective phonics instruction is systematic, sequential, and explicit. Teachers give preschoolers plenty of practice before moving on. Your child will read short, easy books containing the particular letter sounds or words they’re working on.
I started my teaching career as a Multiple Subject Elementary Teacher. When I moved to the Central Coast, the only teaching job available was in Special Education, which meant I would need to acquire a second credential. I could have waited for a position in general education, but I was asked if I would consider teaching students with disabilities and work toward another credential. I didn’t share that I had a disability myself. It was challenging to work full-time and take courses in the evening, but I did it.
My class was comprised of 12 students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. A little boy with hydroencephalitis had the most contagious smile. A girl in class who was nonverbal would squeal to show her enthusiasm for story time. Every student worked hard for the smallest of gains. It was the most challenging job I have ever had. It was also where I learned to teach. I thought I knew how to construct lesson plans, but faced with a variety of learning needs meant that I had to craft lessons for individual needs based on assessment, interest and learning styles. Academics were only one hurdle.
My students were often bullied on the playground for their physical challenges as well as inability to pick up on social cues. I had to create a way to protect my students when I wasn’t near to intervene. I taught them to say, “ I know what you look like and if you don’t leave me alone, I will report you.” Empowering them was a priority. We had class meetings to learn social skills.
I quickly learned that some parents lacked the skills to help their child at home. I started an after-school Parent Club to provide an opportunity to model what was taught in class. One time I only had one parent show up. She shared with me that she never learned to tell time, so she couldn’t help her son. It took such courage to disclose something that personal. I also set up a clothes closet in the classroom so parents could pick out things that fit their children. My time as a special ed teacher was the most rewarding time in my career as an educator.
The farthest I have ever traveled was to Zurich, Switzerland. Unfortunately, it was not planned. Nor was I able to actually see Switzerland. I was traveling to England to see my daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. There was a blizzard and my plane was re-routed to Zurich. When I arrived in the airport, it was packed with people sleeping on blankets on the floor. Apparently, my flight was one of many that had to land in Zurich. I was overcome with anxiety. The feeling of helplessness was terrifying. I learned how dependent I am on my husband and family members to help me navigate unknowns. I wanted to call my daughter Katie to let her know I was stranded at Zurich Airport, but there were long lines at the phones. I started to cry. A girl in a shop saw me and left her post to come calm me. She introduced herself as ‘Renata’ and said I reminded her of her mother. She asked me if I was okay. She listened to my situation as I sobbed, and she immediately got someone to cover her work while she escorted me to handicapped assistance. There she spoke to a man in what I think was German. She had him arrange for me to be picked up by a taxi and taken to a hotel. The cab driver dropped me off and I went to the hotel desk. They informed me that they had no empty rooms! More sobbing. The man at the desk said he would call the night manager. I was given a room on the third floor. What I did not know is that Renata called my daughter to reassure her that I was okay. I got three hours of sleep and a driver picked me up to take to to the airport. I made it safely to England, thanks to an angel called Renata. She even called again to see if I arrived safely. Someday I want to really SEE Zurich and maybe I will find Renata to thank her properly. If she really is an angel, she already knows how grateful I am.
I like to incorporate art into most subjects, especially writing. Reluctant writers respond well to drawing or painting their ideas first, then transforming their thoughts into words. So often students appreciate the opportunity to have a choice in how they express themselves. I generally encourage students to write about their art, which has inspiired creativity in both areas.
Creating comic strips is a good way to introduce art into writing. With the interest in graphic novels, it is not difficult to present this method of writing to students.
Dyslexia is a specific learning disability that is neurological in origin.
Students with dyslexia usually experience difficulties with other language skills, such as spelling, writing, and pronouncing words.
Dyslexia occurs in people of all backgrounds and intellectual levels. People with dyslexia can also have problems with spoken language, even after they have been exposed to excellent language models in their homes and high -quality language instruction in school.
Their spelling can look quite jumbled at times not because they read or see words backwards, but because students have trouble remembering letter symbols for sounds and letter patterns in words.
Dyslexia is not a disease and, therefore, there is no cure.
Individuals with dyslexia do not have a lower level of intelligence.
Which of these individuals have (had) dyslexia? All of them!
As an elementary school teacher I learned the importance of adding engagement to my lessons. Young students with short attention spans need to move and be actively engaged.. Adding a game can help them stay connected and learn while they are having fun. I am reminded of this quote by Alfred Mercier: “What we learn with pleasure we never forget.”
There are many ways to help children learn while having fun at the same time. A Dollar Store shower curtain liner provided space to create tic tac toe, Alphabet Bingo, Sight Word Racetrack, and handwriting practice. I used washable markers.
We raised trout in our classroom. A guest speaker brought samples of pond water for students to examine and classify bugs they discovered. We took a field trip to a nearby lake to release them.
Sorting seashells by color, size, shape, then counting how many are in each category is fun.
A cardboard box can be transformed into an airplane.
Use Qtips to learn about bones.
Have students draw a scene from a story you read aloud. They can then write about their drawing.
When Covid hit our home, it packed a wallop. I was in the hospital for 9 days hoping I could take a breath without an oxygen tank. I also got pneumonia. I think I will never take for granted the ability to walk to the bathroom and back to bed. It took months for me to regain the ability to care for myself.
Each morning I say “Sickness, be gone!” I pray more than I have in years. It felt good to turn off tv and pray instead. I am returning to the source of the air that we breathe. With faith I am proclaiming “Sickness be gone.”
Now my husband has Covid and he has a deep barking cough that continues, robbing him of more than a few hours of sleep at a time. He feels weak and has been to the emergency room twice. The second visit they sent him home with Paxlovid which he takes and hasn’t felt better yet, but we are hopeful.
Update: My husband is well now and we are grateful.
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.
Bring your best self to school. For many students school is a safe haven. Once in on a rainy day I ran over a dog on the way to school. Needless to say I was devastated, late and had mascara all over my face from crying. I took the day off rather than try toTeach after such an awful experience. The students need you to be completely present for them.
Build trust with the students, parents and staff. I have learned how important it is to have trust among those you work with on a daily basis. Keep confidential information to yourself. Another person’s life experiences are not your story to tell.
Help students set goals. Not everyone will have the same goals. Model goal setting by sharing your own goals. I shared with my class that my goal was to read 40 books in one year. It inspired several students to do their own goal setting.
Decide what kind of classroom management you want. Be consistent, caring and fair. Read about Positive Discipline (Discipline teaches, punishment hurts) Decide if you want a reward system (points, stickers, small tokens) Time out area for stressed kids (helpful, not punitive) Time out for YOU (teacher time) Teach how to be peacekeepers. Be consistent, be fair. When issues arise, hold a Class Meeting to talk it out together.
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 say something like, “Wow, I just knew you would be a famous author, I just read your book and it is incredible! Please keep writing books!” My pretend glasses always made them smile. Then I would read the story and stop at various points to ‘peer into the future’ again. This was a time of imagination that seemed to brighten their day and inspire them to do great things.
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 in school as well as discovering that books help us learn about people, places and ideas.
Little Critter books all have relatable stories with adorable illustrations to capture a child’s imagination. There are many in this fun series.
Ages 5-8
This book reminds us that we all have days when things don’t go they way we would like. This book comes with cards so your child can practice skills that lead to empowerment. Ages 7-10
Kids of all ages will be enchanted by Stroganoff, the mini-moxie who models good manners.
For ages 9-12 this true tale of orphaned otter pups comes from the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Captivating true stories that include science and history.
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 rest of the time it is peaceful and quiet.
Up the coast we have a viewing site for elephant seals, and if you look up into the nearby hills, you will see Hearst Castle, where zebras, cows and llamas roam the area.
Having lived in the high desert for too long, the 27 years I have been on the Central Coast have given me a firm belief that being near the ocean restores body and mind. I am grateful to be lulled to sleep by the waves. Some nights I can hear the seals on the rocks. It’s a beautiful place to live. I never take it for granted.
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 readers, call them thinkers, call them loved.
Call them scientistscall them readerscall them writersCall them helpersCALL THEM MATHEMATICIANSCALL THEM FRIENDSCALL THEM SCHOLARS
A book I highly recommend to build a child’s confidence.
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 have centered on who should design and administer tests (federal, state, or district level), how often they should be given, and whether they place some school districts at an advantage or disadvantage. More critically, parents and educators have questioned whether standardized tests are fair to teachers and students.
Standardized tests are thought to be fair because every student takes the same test and evaluations are largely objective, but a one-size-fits-all approach to testing is arguably biased because it fails to account for variables such as language deficiencies, learning disabilities, difficult home lives, or varying knowledge of US cultural conventions. (https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/effects-of-standardized-testing)
With a few of these disadvantages in mind, there are alternatives for standardized testing that have been pulled together by experts:
Sampling: administering standardized tests to a random sample of students, instead of all students every year
Stealth Assessments: another way to collect reading and math scores; digital programs that students complete throughout the year in order to show progress over time
Multiple Measures: collecting other data in order to track student progress, rather than relying on one standardized test
social and emotional skills survey
game-based assessments
performance/portfolio-based assessments
Inspections: different approaches to assessments including projects, reports, presentations, etc.
The highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy is Create!
The overemphasis on testing has led many teachers to eliminate projects and activities that provide students with an opportunity to be creative and imaginative, and scripted curriculum has become the norm in many classrooms. There is nothing creative or imaginative about filling in a bubble sheet for a multiple choice test. Students are so tired of prepping for and taking standardized test that some have protested by dressing up like zombies to protest — and thousands of families are opting their children out of taking high-stakes exams.
Every student is a unique individual with their own talents and abilities. The standardized testing regime fails to recognize the importance of individual achievement in education and instead uses a “cookie cutter” approach to learning that ignores students’ individual interests and abilities.
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 be a better choice and lead to a career, not just a job. I started my educational journey slowly by taking a few classes at the community college. I was intimidated and fearful that I would not be able to overcome my long held hatred of math. A wonderful teacher with patience and a gentle way of infusing laughter into his lessons helped me pass many tests (Thank you, Mr. Longshore). He undid the damage done by my 7th grade teacher who told me, ” You know Blondie, don’t ever go into anything that has to do with math or thinking.” A speech teacher helped me overcome anxiety about speaking up. She encouraged me to get up in front of the class and do a role reversal with my son (Thank you, Margie Milroy). From that community college experience I went on to CSUSB and took classes in Liberal Studies in preparation for a teaching credential. I learned how quickly a quarter can fly by. I worked hard to get through classes, and received my Bachelor’s degree. Thank goodness for Chapman University opening a satellite campus close to my home so I didn’t have to drive Cajon Pass anymore. I remember carpooling with a friend when her brakes went out and we had to take the runaway truck ramp. With pain, sweat, tears, and a fear of downhill driving, I earned a teaching credential. The greatest achievement in this whole journey was earning a Masters degree from Cal Poly and another credential in Special Education. I would have pursued a doctorate but after paying off student loans, I decided that I would rather spend money on my beautiful grandchildren and traveling. It is never too late to change course and go after a dream.
I once read that Richard Gere, that handsome actor from An Officer and a Gentleman, said that when he encounters someone who is angry or hurtful toward him, he directs this unspoken thought to them, “I wish you happiness.” I recall thinking, ” How can he be so gracious in the face of such bitterness?” I decided to give his peaceful method a try.
There was the woman in Costco that shoved her way past me. Mind you, we are in a pandemic and she might just be afraid of covid. I wished her happiness in my mind. It didn’t prompt her to turn around and apologize, but I did feel a bit better that I’d chosen to react kindly (and silently). I tried it again when a man cut me off on the freeway. He was driving a huge truck with too many tires and I was driving toward the exit ramp with my turn signal on. He sped up and gave me a finger wave and a mean glare as he sped past me. I am grateful for my reflexes because he almost hit my car. Yes, I wished him happiness rather than yelling at a man who couldn’t hear me and didn’t care. I must admit, I felt calmer.
Would this practice be effective with my husband who on occasion gets on my nerves? We know each other’s triggers after almost 25 years of marriage. I figured it can’t hurt to try. He leaves 10-12 pairs of tennis shoes in our front entryway. I moved them to the garage on a brand new shoe stand right by the door. He moved them back. Although I wanted to yell, “I worked hard to clean up that area,” I told him that I like the area to be clear of clutter. Then I silently wished him happiness. It didn’t take care of the excess shoe issue, but I felt that displaying his large stash of shoes is obviously important to him. They remain where he put them. Who knows why, but I let it go, hoping he would be happy.
What I took away from this new mental exercise in kindness is that it only harms me when I unleash anger or react without taking a pause to assess how my next move may effect my health. My amygdala, the part the brain that warns us to fight or flee, would secrete cortisol. Too much cortisol leads to serious health issues. On the other hand, if I wish someone happiness, it oddly brings me a moment of happiness, however brief. I’ll take it.
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 problems in classrooms where teachers provide differentiated lessons.
• Differentiated instruction requires more work during lesson planning, and many teachers struggle to find the extra time in their schedule.
• The learning curve can be steep and some schools lack professional development resources.
• Critics argue there isn’t enough research to support the benefits of differentiated instruction outweighing the added prep time.
There are 4 ways to differentiate instruction:
• Content- what are you teaching?
• Process- How will you teach it?
• Product- What will be the outcome?
• Learning Environment- whole group? Small group?
• Use Bloom’s Taxonomy (think lower-level to higher-order thinking).
• In Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy:
Remember, understand, apply, analyze, evaluate, create. Use robust verbs in your lesson plans. What will the students do?
•A flexible classroom allows for independent, paired, and group work.
•“Wiggle chairs”, floor space, and a quiet area are essential.
Wiggle chairStudy carrel
•Examples:
•Break some students into reading groups to discuss the assignment.
•Allow students to read individually if preferred.
•Create quiet spaces where there are no distractions.
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 have hope for the future, Children look to their parents for guidance and boundaries. They are their own person, not here to entertain or stroke our egos. They need love that is unconditional and faith that is unshakeable. If the parents don’t have faith in something greater than themselves, their children are left to follow whatever comes along, not having a foundation that begins at home. Without a good compass they are prey to all measure of influences. Children need boundaries that are established with consistency. Toddlers are not meant to negotiate. Teach them that ‘no’ means ‘no.’ Children need their parents to steer them in the right direction and that means towards what is age appropriate, and that which will help them live a healthy, happy life. I have learned that discipline teaches and punishment hurts. To sum it up, my advice is: Give your children Love, Faith, Discipline, Consistency, and Boundaries.
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 comic books. The Sunday comics were something I waited for all week. Once I discovered Nancy Drew I wanted to be a detective. She was smart, confident and curious.
In school I usually had the task of helping the struggling readers. I often wondered why the teacher didn’t work more closely to bring along students who couldn’t read as well. I didn’t mind, as I was usually bored with the stories in the designated reader.
The teachers I remember the most are those who presented a book in a way that grabbed my attention. When I read The Good Earth by Pearl Buck, I was wanting to know more. I didn’t want the book to end. One teacher introduced me to Shakespeare and I was hooked. She would ask open-ended questions and put us in groups to discuss and act out pivotal scenes. Another teacher introduced me to classics, Moby Dick, The Grapes of Wrath, Beloved, The Alchemist, My Antonia, The Call of the Wild, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Pearl, and so many more.
I have always escaped into books. It has been a way to learn of other ways of living, exploring different perspectives, trying out new vocabulary. Books are my friend, a constant I can count on for entertainment as well as enlightenment. On top of my dresser is a basket filled with “To Be Read” books. My guess is that it will always be full.
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. They look to their teacher for validation that they are valued for their unique contribution to the class. It’s imperative that their teacher models enthusiasm, interest and compassion. This isn’t always the easiest thing to do when we have problems at home ourselves. I always tell my future teachers to bring their best self through the door of the classroom. If they have issues they cannot put aside, take a day off. Students need their teacher to be completely present, completely invested in moving students forward, and most importantly, happy about doing so.
So what can a teacher do to bring their best self to class? Get enough sleep. It seems simple enough, but looking at a screen before bed can hinder a good night’s sleep. Another useful tip is to exercise just before bed. Light stretching and deep breathing gets your body into a relaxed state. Reading a book before bed is another way to get your eyes tired enough that they close. Many times I have to reread passages not realizing that I was dozing off. Last but not least, say a prayer for everyone you know, especially the students who are in your classroom.
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 went to work for General Electric as a security guard.
He bought a modest two- bedroom house in South Central Los Angeles. That house was a gathering place, and often my home when I was growing up. I called him Nino, but his name was Joseph. He had a huge backyard where he grew fruit trees and vegetables. He always said that you should grow things you can eat. He always made sure there was plenty to eat. For lunch he would holler in Spanish, “Ninos, venga!” Lunch was an array of fruit from the yard and tortillas that my great grandmother made.
Nino came from Cuba and was diligent about reading. He told me that Reader’s Digest helped him learn English. School and church were important to him. He told me that reading books is the key to life. When there was a Father-Daughter fashion show at my school I asked him to take me. He also took me to Dodger games and explained the game to me. He said that a fan is always faithful.
When I got married, I asked him to walk me down the aisle. He was the one constant in my life. Nino would tell me little bits of advice, like, “Brush your hair 100 strokes every day to have it grow long and shiny.” I think that’s why I still have long hair.
I never heard him raise his voice. When he was displeased, he’d shake his head and walk away.
When I got diagnosed with a very serious illness he gave me a piece of paper with the words, “Take up thy bed and walk.” I think of his words when it gets hard to get out of bed or I don’t feel like exercising.
I named my son after Nino in hopes that my son would be as kind and loving as my Nino. He is.
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 recent venture into craftiness is fabric-wrapped rope baskets and rugs. I decided to try my hand at it and if you don’t look too closely at the stitching, it came out pretty nice. There is something oddly meditative in wrapping fabric around rope and creating a unique design (even if you have no idea what to do with it). I started with a small bowl that I almost threw away, but thought I’d keep it to remind me that beginnings are often messy and imperfect. With practice, patience and time on my hands I have learned quite a bit. The kind ladies in my online group are truly inspirational. No negative comments to take the wind out of my sails, just encouragement. They are my kind of people.
Who couldn’t use a bit of quiet time while creating something unique? My scrap bins are thinning out and I am currently finishing up placemats for my daughter.
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 being reimbursed in any way for my endorsements. Check them out to help students learn about the importance of inclusion.
“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read, or when the images they see are distorted, negative, or laughable, they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” Rudine Sims Bishop
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 became a teacher. The traveling I have done has largely been a result of my daughter living in the UK. My son-in-law has arranged trips to France, Italy, Spain and Netherlands. The memories of those places are sealed in my heart.
When I got to see the opera Carmen in Verona, I was awestruck by the sheer majesty of the arena. We were huddled together in the rain as the performers sought shelter, then came out just as the rain stopped. It was a memory I will treasure forever.
Venice was magical and also a bit sad. The ocean is rising and many of the first floor buildings are under water now. Our gondola host shared his experiences having to duck to get under the overhangs. He pointed out apartments that are now submerged.
A trip to France to see the shrine at Lourdes was at the top of my bucket list. I waited with other believers to get into the baths. The water from the natural spring is said to heal. The real healing for me was within, not visible. I noticed that there were people with far greater needs than myself. As dramatic as it sounds, when I got out of the bath, I was immediately dry. I will always be grateful for the emotional transformation that took place in that holy place.
In Spain I walked around Barcelona admiring the Gaudi House, and the beauty of the city. The best way to learn about an area is to walk around and talk to people. We decided to go into a grocery store, buy food for lunch and sit out by a dock to enjoy a meal together.
I visited North Wales recently to see my family. It remains one of my favorite places. I have seen Snowdonia and now want to return to see how many more waterfalls I can find.
I am making a list of places I want to see. Life is just too short, but I plan to make sure I find a way to see some of them.
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Buy This Wanderer a Coffee
If you would like to buy me a coffee, I’d be grateful.
Thank you!
•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 only 5,000- 7,000 words.
Parents and teachers have a role to play in expanding a child’s vocabulary. The more children read and hear books read aloud, as well as listen and engage in conversations, the more they are exposed to new words. When a child asks, “What does that mean?” they should be told an accurate and appropriate definition based on their age and cognitive ability to make meaning of the word.
Children learn new words through experiences, therefore science experiments, videos, art, movement, fieldtrips, guest speaker are important. Engaging in conversations allows a child to hear and practice new words. Visuals are particularly valuable to expand vocabulary, as most children are visual learners. Using multi-sensory activities helps place new learning into longterm memory. It’s important for new words to be presented in kid-friendly terms.
Here are examples of Common Core State Standards for vocabulary acquisition for Grade 2 (this is only a sampling, check out the full list online :
•CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.
•CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.B Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell).
•CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.2.4.C Use a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., addition, additional).
This is a great way to show “shades of meaning.” Teach synonyms in a visual manner. Paint strips can be found at Walmart and hardware stores.
Great Resource
Remember that children acquire vocabulary primarily from experiences. MAKE IT FUN.
In order to teach vocabulary, you must be aware of the three different types or tiers. Tier 1 vocabulary can be classified as everyday vocabulary that we use in life around us. This type of vocabulary is often learned orally at a young age, reading, and daily experiences.
•Tier 2 vocabulary is high utility words found in cross curricular texts.
• They are academic words that are general enough to be used across all domains, yet are not part of students’ everyday social language.
•Example: students know “happy,” but may not know, “contented.”
•Tier 2 words need to be taught because they are not used dailyand it increases a student’s vocabulary to know synonyms.
Tier 3 vocabulary is domain or content specific. For example, if teaching about circles, the word circumference or radius would need to be taught. Or if you are doing an ancient civilizations unit on Egypt, the word hieroglyphics would need to be explained. Students’ academic success comes when specific instruction of both Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary is taught.
Have students create their own Vocabulary Journal.
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 been heavy blows to the economy, unemployment, suicides, the list goes on. At times it seems like there is no hope. I try hard to seek out the light, whatever glimmer of good there is in the world.
There are still good people in this world. It is those people I celebrate. The people who generously open their home to refugees, the school teachers who scramble to put their lessons online so their students get instruction, the nurses and health care providers who work covid units and still manage to smile and provide care to those in need, the grocery workers who stock the shelves, as well as the people who deliver food to those who can’t get to the store. There are so many good people who have empathy for others less fortunate. I hope they are all blessed immeasurably for their goodness. A shout out to you all.
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 of students in elementary classrooms.
The best visual encyclopedia for curious minds.
For the Little Ones, this is perfect.
This one is great for backyard fun.
Absolutely fabulous pictures and facts about the planets.
This one is edited by that wacky “scientist” from Back to the Future. Very well written and FUN
Important facts presented in a fun and easy to comprehend manner.
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.
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 child finds a book that sparks their imagination, they see wonderful possibilities that didn’t exist before. A trip to the library can open a world of possibilities to a growing mind. Reading aloud is especially important in that it helps children equate reading with caring and enjoyment.
Fairy Tales offer an opportunity to go outside reality and explore a creative world where animals talk, a lesson is bestowed and magical things happen. My granddaughter in the photo above is looking for fairies or leprechauns. That beautiful gift of imagination grows through books. Here are some books that are fantasy and fairy tales. Check with your local library to see if they are available.
Elliot is in third grade and he has magical powers.
Sisters on a magical adventure
Celia’s grandmother tell her stories about fairies and Celia tries to save the woods from demolition.
It is exhausting being a unicorn. Read this just before bed.
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 teaching young children. I have learned things I never knew about when raising my own three. Will I have any credibility when I suggest ideas for my grandchild to learn to read or learn to navigate technology when I left it up to teachers to provide literacy instruction for my own children? Is it my place to offer any suggestions? I know best practices and I have learned to lean on researched methods with proven results, yet this little one is not mine and I have to realize that I am an eager grandmother, one with hopes and dreams, but this child is the child of my child. “Take a deep breath and slow down,” I tell myself, “Enjoy the moment, and let the parents have their shot at raising their own child.” I am going to listen to that not so quiet voice. I will read aloud when I get opportunities and rejoice in my child’s journey with his child. Now if I am asked for advice, well, that’s another story.
The Hike
My son called to ask if we could celebrate my husband’s birthday by hiking near the coast. He has two small children; a two year old daughter and a 3 1/2 month old son. The hike is 4 miles total, and seemed at first to be a bad idea. We met at our favorite cafe for breakfast and then drove to the headlands to begin our hike. I marveled at how much gear my son had for the children. My daughter-in-law wrapped the 3 month old around her stomach as my son put the largest kid seat I’d ever seen on his back. This contraption even had stirrups and a cup holder. My granddaughter had other ideas. She insisted on walking. Her parents went ahead as my husband, the birthday boy, and I walked with Kaia. She walked along dodging dog poop and refused to hold my hand. Other hikers smiled as they passed my independent granddaughter so determined to make the hike on her own. All I wanted was to hold her hand until I realized that this tiny human is giving us all a glimpse of the future. She will make her own way someday. She walked a mile before getting tired and reluctantly got into her 21st century backpack seat to let her daddy carry her. It was so much more than a beautiful long hike.
The numbers on my bathroom scale made me dizzy. How can it be that I weigh that much? When and where did I lose control of my weight? How can I get back to my old self? How soon? Being at home during a pandemic is a recipe for weight gain.
One of the side effects of the medication I take is weight gain, but geez, this much? Being the clothes horse that I am this is unacceptable.
I decided to enlist the help of a trainer at a local fitness center. My trainer came highly recommended and her smile put me at ease immediately. She asked the standard questions and I shared about my personal illness and my goals to gain strength and lose weight. We went to work setting up a routine. My end of the deal is work out on my own 2-3 days a week and meet with her on Friday afternoons. She showed me how to set up and properly use the machines.
I was self-conscious at first, but kept telling myself that there isn’t a soul in the gym that cares if I am a newbie. They are there for their own health and well being. There were lots of smiles and people around me were more focused on their own goals.
I am either committed or not. My trainer could sense that I have a lazy streak, so she told me to think of it as my job to show up for work. Tomorrow I will travel 4 hours to Stanford Hospital for a medical procedure and allow myself a day or two to rest, then I plan to show up and get to work.
Update1 : The pandemic has put a halt to any gym activity. I purchased an eliptical and some stretch bands. I live at the beach where taking a walk is not a chore. I also bought a membership to Body Groove and dance myself silly in the living room. I am going to stick with my commitment.
Update 2: Down 6 pounds in one week. Woohoo!
Update 3: I joined an online group that gathers on Zoom to discuss healthy lifestyle choices. They are a great group of local women and I am happy to be on the same journey.
Update 4: Down 10 pounds. Woohoo!!
Update 5: I make my own granola and morning muffins– healthy and delicious
Update 6: Going back to my gym! Yahoo! What a nightmare these last two plus years have been. Like Maya Angelou said, “Still I rise.”
Update 7: I spent 8 days in the hospital with Covid and pneumonia. It was a nightmare. I was fully vaccinated, but still got it (pre-existing condition). The nurse said the vaccinations saved my life. Anyway, after a long period of recuperation, I am back to the gym to regain strength from reconditioning. I am a determined, strong lady who wants to enjoy life. Here I go……wish me luck.
Begin your collection of children’s books. Make sure you check out your local library book sales, thrift stores, yard sales, online sources.
So good she just couldn’t put it down….
Last night I fell asleep reading a thriller (my new favorite genre). Mind you, it was 1 a.m. and I was hopeful I would finish the last third of the book. There is something hypnotic about eyes moving across a page, even if it is a thriller. When a parent reads to a child the child learns to equate books with pleasure and comfort. Changing your voice to match the personality of a character captivates a child. They learn to imitate the reader. So much of what children learn is through imitation. Parents who read books leave an imprint that promotes a love of reading.
It is important that children select their own books to allow them to explore their interests. Books are the passageways to other cultures, places, experiences. The books they choose must be at their reading level. It’s good to use the “Five Finger Rule.” If a child makes 5 mistakes when reading a page, that book is too difficult. Direct the child to a book that is appropriate for their reading level yet honors their choice. If they insist on a book that is too hard, offer to read it to them. It’s always best when they find a book they can read themself.
These days children are doing much of their reading on devices (iPads, phones, laptops). You may think, “at least they’re reading,” but a Harvard study showed that,
“...the use of digital devices before bedtime prolongs the time it takes to fall asleep, interferes with the circadian clock, the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, REM sleep, and reduces alertness the following morning. Use of light-emitting devices at bedtime also makes one more alert, so it’s hard to fall asleep.” (https://www.thetechedvocate.org/4-reasons-printed-textbooks-are-better-than-digital/)
Put your Ipad or phone in another room before bedtime. Resist the urge to allow children to use a device prior to bedtime.
Make sure a child has access to books. Local libraries, thrift stores, Little Libraries, garage sales, online read aloud websites, and book swaps are ways to accumulate your personal library. Check out these:
My grandson on a morning walk with his dad . This was taken half a mile from his home.
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 for granted the splendor that is all around them. My grandson is fortunate to live close to a nature preserve that he and his dad walk to often. On this particular day he was very still and watched as a deer crossed his path. He noticed everything about the deer, but knew to be very quiet and very still. He just stood there and looked on with awe at this beautiful animal. Such restraint from a two year old! I would have scrambled for my phone if I had been there. Obviously my son did just that. Not my grandson. That moment is in his memory bank.
Children learn through experiences. New information is stored in longterm memory when it is connected to multi-sensory experiences. These walks to nature are such good learning opportunities. Perhaps next time I will join them and leave my phone in the car.
Get outside. Stop and be still. You never know what you might see.
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. I was joined by two women, one who moaned, “Help me, help me” continuously. The woman next to her tried to soothe her without success. Nurses came and went, but once they left, she would call out the names of what I assumed were family members. She was transferred to “another level of care.” That left me and the woman across from me who got to go home. You don’t know loneliness until you are by yourself in an isolation room. The staff that entered looked like beekeepers or those sci-fi people who are examining an extraterrestrial creature.
I was told that I needed to be flat on my stomach at least three times a day to help my lungs. I did as I was told. When the nurse left, I fell asleep. My arms were pinned down and the canula that supplied oxygen had somehow moved while I slept. I was breathless and began to panic. I reached for the nurse call button that I was told would be right near my hand, but I could not reach it. I struggled to breathe as my fear grew. I tried to locate the call button, unable to turn over or pull my arms up. I was the most helpless I have ever been and cried out just like the woman who moaned so much. Frantically I felt around near my hands and found the call button at last. I pushed and pushed to no avail. I cried and asked God to please let me live. I kept pushing areas of the nurse call button and realized as I fumbled with it that it was upside down. I flipped it over and pushed the whole thing until I heard a nurse respond. I cried out, “I can’t breathe. Help me.” The nurse arrived and helped turn me over. She put the canula in and the life-sustaining oxygen flowed. I cried, this time tears of gratitude.
I am grateful to the nurses who cared for me. One nurse noticed that my hair was a tangled mess that looked like birds were nesting in various spots. She brought a can of shaving cream and told me that after many years she discovered that it helps remove tangles. She sat and brushed the knots out of my hair. She then braided my long hair. The last person who did that was my great-grandmother.
Another nurse brought me chocolate ice cream and I don’t think ice cream ever tasted that good. A stocky nurse on night shift helped get me upright on a chair so he could change my sheets. These nurses are heroes. They are angels.
When my oxygen level was stable I was allowed to go home with portable oxygen. My bed never felt so good. After about two weeks I was able to walk to the kitchen. Another week and I could sit on my little deck for a few minutes without getting tired and out of breath. My heart filled with gratitude for the fact that there was enough oxygen in my lungs to sit on my deck. I have a new found love for oxygen, for life.
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 environment.
Virtual, In Person, & Hybrid Learning Environments
Organizing Content
Nearpod: Software to create lessons with informative and interactive assessment activities.
Netboard.me: collect, organize and share any web content. Create Web pages with texts, links, documents, videos, photos, presentations, etc.
Prezi: with a basic subscription and a profile that states you’re in Education, you get PreziNext and PreziVideo for free. Access to designer templates, millions of reusable presentations, etc.
Slidesmania: Free PowerPoint templates or Google Slides themes for education. You can find simple, formal and even fun templates.
Sutori:organize, plan and center instruction. The collaborative nature and ease of use makes Sutori the perfect companion for student and teacher presentations.
Symbaloo: is a cloud-based application that allows users to organize and categorize web links in the form of buttons, offering its PRO version to all educators at no cost.
Creating Digital Lessons
EdPuzzle: Video lesson creation software with lots of usable content.
Kahoot: A game-based learning platform that brings engagement and fun to players at school, at work, and at home.
Loom: Instantly shareable video. Capture your screen, record your front-facing camera, and narrate it all at once, then instantly share with a simple link.
Pear Deck: Facilitates the design of engaging instructional content with various integration features.
Squigl : Content creation platform that transforms speech or text into animated videos.
Thinglink: Tools to create interactive images, videos and other multimedia resources.
Management and Brain Breaks
Go Noodle – GoNoodle is a fun website with a variety of brain breaks and indoor PE fun right in one place!
Whole Brain Teaching – The teacher breaks up information into short chunks, using large hand gestures, varying the intonation of her voice by speaking loudly and then softly, quickly then slowly. The greater the variance, the more likely students are to recall and use the information. It activates various parts of the brain, locking information into long-term storage.
Class Dojo – Encouraging and supportive behavior management device. Teachers can encourage and support students for any skill or value — whether it’s working hard, helping others, staying on task, etc.
Mapping Your Heart– view this video to learn about Heart Mapping, invented by Georgia Heard, as one strategy to begin building an inclusive classroom community.
Strategies to Build Rapport with Students:
Building rapport with students from the beginning of a placement allows Teacher Candidates to make connections early and start forming relationships, even in the Virtual Teaching & Learning Environment.
Ask students to share any extenuating circumstances you should be aware of regarding their learning. Students can submit their response in writing, or as a video or audio recording. Flipgrid is a user-friendly video-based platform to use with students.
What I Wonder About Heart Map: A video with the creator of Heart Maps, Georgia Heard, modeling how to create a “What I Wonder About” Heart Map.
Building Rapport Online: Blog Post highlighting tips to make the “online learning experience warm, friendly, and engaging for our young people”, such as SmallTalk or Small Conversations.
Equally important as building rapport with students is maintaining that rapport. Here are some suggestions to maintain connections with students virtually:
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 when I could have done something differently, is lost forever. Poor choices, a lapse in judgement, a slip of the tongue, all these hideous memories that haunt me can’t be undone. All that is left is my guilt and a desire to try to keep true to my values. I know that I can make better choices moving forward. More importantly, I want to do better. I want my time to be spent feeling the joy of knowing I did the right thing. I want to know I loved fully and I made good choices.
