This month we’ll look at the importance of vocabulary. He’s so rambunctious he upset the basket. Vocabulary words are like a new pairs of shoes; we need to break them in. It’s the job of the adult to help kids become comfortable with new or unusual pertinent, use-again words that occur in their reading. Try… Read More »
Definition: Scaffolding- breaking up learning into chunks Teachers as well a classroom assistants and parents use scaffolding whenever they break apart skills. Those pieces, or chunks, allow students to learn parts and then put the pieces together to understand the whole. Here are a few ideas on how to break learning into manageable pieces. Model/Demonstrate/Show… Read More »
Now’s the Time! Volunteer in A School Volunteering is easy as making phone call to a local school. You’ll find your local schools listed in the front of your phone directory someplace near county and city listings. What can you volunteer to do? gather supplies for a busy teacher help in the school library help… Read More »
A friendly reminder and chart of student tasks. These help kids take on responsibility while kind of freeing up adults.
This school year I plan to continue my ideas for classrooms but will also share single themes across a month of blogs: working with vocabulary, volunteer ideas, etc. That will allow me to KISS (Keep it (my blogs) Short’n Sweet). As always feel free to send me your concerns, questions, ideas, and great educational finds… Read More »
September, 2017 Days to Remember 1 Cherry Popover 2 Bacon 3 Skyscraper 4 Labor Day, Newspaper Carrier 5 Cheese Pizza, Be Late for Something 6 Read a Book 7 Salami 8 Literacy, Pardon 9 Teddy Bear 10 Grandparents, Sewing Machine, Swap Ideas 11 911-Remembrance, Make Your Bed 12 Chocolate Milkshake, Video Games 13 Fortune Cookie,… Read More »
Checkout these back-to-school materials to enhance your school year. SAVE 20% and receive FREE shipping and a thank you gift on each item you purchase between now and September 30th. *Free shipping and *Free 30-pack of note cards that say ‘A Note from the Teacher’ are limited to shipping to U.S. addresses. (Classroom assistants and parents… Read More »
Knowledge is power. Knowing about your incoming students and families will help you prepare for the year. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started. Plan A Send a letter to every incoming family. Include a brief bio of yourself and then share your expectations for the year (topics, behavior, etc.). Invite them… Read More »
Congratulations! You’re stepping into a great profession of hardworking, dedicated people with their first priority…kids. So where should you start? Begin by asking these questions: What are the school and district philosophies. What are their missions? What are their major goals and how do they work to meet them? How do they fit into their… Read More »
Summer! The perfect time to carry around a book and spend time with favorite or new characters and subjects. This is # 8 in my 8-part series on Summer Literacy. Now’s time to get active with what’s been read over the past few weeks. Select a story that can be acted out OR go to… Read More »