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Art and Heart (With Reader’s Theater)
We know that not all students have ideal home situations. On occasion the hell they live with shows itself though their behavior. I will never forget one little girl I had in my second grade class who hissed instead of responding when someone talked to her. She wouldn’t sit with the rest of the class,…
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Phonemic Awareness
Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate individual phonemes (sounds). Student have this awareness of sounds in order to move on to phonics, which is sounds and letters combined to form words. It is a foundational skill needed to be able to read. It involves hearing and speaking only. A phoneme is the smallest meaningful…
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Phonics
NOTE: A child may be able to recite the alphabet, but not know the sounds. Phonics combines both skills. For many students the two skills are too much to tackle at once. Most reading difficulties are a result of a lack of phonemic awareness (sounds). See my page on Resources for Phonemic Awareness first: Resources…
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I’m Back and Ready to Rant
Sometimes I just need to take a little break from things. Okay, so maybe I took a long break from writing. If I am honest with myself, writing is my friend, my confidant, my healing. I knew I needed to get back to it. So here I am. I have been contemplating how to navigate…
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Collaboration
In the course I am currently teaching online, I shared my own experiences, both good and horrible, with my students. My hope is that they will learn from my mistakes, as well as my successes. My students are interns all working on the goal of earning their credential. It has been difficult for them to…
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Fluency
A fluent reader reads smoothly and is enjoyable to listen to. The components of fluency are: Accuracy, Rate, Expression Fluency is important because it provides a bridge between word recognition and comprehension. The most powerful way for you to help your students is to read aloud to them, often and with great expression. You can put…
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Emotional Check-in
There are so many factors that contribute to anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and often an inability to cope. Sometimes, it’s hard to verbalize emotions. Children are not immune to stressors. Teachers must be mindful that students may be coming from homes that are chaotic and unstable, contributing to a myriad of behavioral issues. A “check-in” can…
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About Dysgraphia
Dysgraphia is a condition that causes trouble with written expression. The term comes from the Greek words dys (“impaired”) and graphia (“making letter forms by hand”). Dysgraphia is a brain-based issue. It’s not the result of a child being lazy. Writing requires a complex set of fine motor and language processing skills. For kids with dysgraphia, the writing process…
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Comprehension Strategies
Retell and Summarize Determine the Main Idea Visualize events Question the author Make Connections Compare to other texts Whenever possible, use an ANCHOR CHART Click ‘anchor chart’ ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS Explicitly teaching words supports language development, but using the word in context allows for a deeper level of understanding. English language learners benefit from the…
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Let’s Build a Caring Classroom
Photo generated using AI USE CLASS MEETINGS: •To provide a safe, caring environment •To address issues of concern •To allow students to practice social skills •To facilitate problem solving •To increase self-esteem •To build assets Teach “inside” and “outside” compliments. •We talk about what someone IS or DOES, not what they look like. We recognize…
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Reconnecting
I turned on the news and heard of a category 4 hurricane heading for Florida. I have a cousin who lives in the nothern part of Florida, and I had an overwhelming urge to contact her and make sure she was safe. One journalist described the hurricane as “unsurvivable” in certain areas. Images on the…
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Let’s Talk About 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!!! NOT FAIR!!! We need to give kids an active role. Why Is Spelling So Hard? Spelling is learned in stages. It is developmental Make the learning FUN and…
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Little Library
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…
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Ableism
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…
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Time-Out
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…
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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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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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Phonics
NOTE: A child may be able to recite the alphabet, but not know the sounds. Phonics is a method of teaching children to read by linking sounds (phonemes) and the symbols that represent them (graphemes, or letter groups). For many students the two skills are too much to tackle at once. Most reading difficulties are a result of a lack…
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Art and Writing
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…
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Learning and Fun
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…
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Sickness Be Gone!
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…
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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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Saying Goodbye to Future Teachers
I have been an online instructor for a university for almost 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…
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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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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: To create 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…
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Emergent Bilingual Students
Effective Practices that Support Emergent Bilingual Students Build Connections with Families Provide Opportunities to Build Academic English
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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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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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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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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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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…
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Reading Buddies
Children need to practice reading skills by reading aloud. This helps them develop fluency. A child can read to a sibling, a pet, their toys, and even plants. Their reading becomes enjoyable when they have someone or something to share in the experience. When I taught second grade I set up an experiment. My hypothesis…
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Don’t Be Afraid to be Silly
It’s good medicine to laugh. It’s even better to have a belly laugh. This is a great way to begin the day, a meeting, the school year. According to Psychology Today, “A hearty chuckle releases endorphins, feel-good neurotransmitters and endorphins are part of the reason laughing is so contagious. Laughing also has many health benefits…
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