With all the news of educations trials and tribulations, the ‘thank you’ part is often overlooked: Thank you to teachers who spend their free time working for and thinking about school, students and what more can be done to make education more interesting and relevant. Thank you to classroom assistants and volunteers for their hours spent… Read More »
Parenting: school years came out with an exhaustive list of lists and percentages about family issues and values. Their Tough Love (Jan., 2013, p.76) comments put me on alert. 54% insist kids finish an activity they start even if they don’t like it. 58% of kids have chores and a third of kids with chores… Read More »
In the season of reflection and giving thanks, I want to remember so many people who influenced my decision to become me. My parents encouraged me to read, write, create on my own, dance, sing and be my own person while taking responsibility for my actions. My teachers for opening up the world beyond my… Read More »
Planning lessons is important for your students. In-between times, the transitions, need to be planned as well. That’s the time when you can ‘lose’ some students to dis-behavior. When are the transition times? * arrival, departure from the classroom * beginning and end of small groups * lining up for leaving/returning to the room *… Read More »
The new Common Core States Standards (CCSS) uses a variety of genre in it efforts to engage students and help them read and think. As you introduce the word ‘genre’ and the various types of genre, consider creating a class chart of the characteristics of the various genre.In doing so, you will also be working… Read More »
Whether you call them morning warm-ups, sponge activities or opening routines, it a good idea to have an activity to focus students when they arrive in the classroom. The activity/activities you select should: * be self-starting * focus thinking * provide a challenge Myself, I prefer a variety of activities so the students are more… Read More »
Powerful Q.T, Questioning Techniques, lead students to more complex thinking skills. What? Higher Level Thinking Skills means moving your questioning beyond recall and comprehension questions related to the material they are studying. You think beyond who,what,why,where and how or asking them to summarize details, facts or ideas. You rev up their thinking and ask them… Read More »
These past three weeks I’ve had the chance to visit a small corner of our country that I’d never visited before. Where I live in Washington state, our history is relatively new. Our artifacts are from the time of occasional early explorers, covered wagons, lumberjacks and trappers. Our oldest buildings are homesteads. The earlier history… Read More »
The last two blogs addressed two extremes of learning styles. With two seemingly opposing learning styles: analytical and global, how do you cover their best way to learn? By creating options. Primary teachers most often teach to the multiple intelligences and a variety of learning styles in an effort to reach the variety of young… Read More »
There are two styles of learners: analytical and global. Here’s a look at the global learner’s traits. 1. Sees the big picture. Global learners look for the main ideas and relationships. 2. Appreciates quiet time. 3. Wants to know the expectations on tasks and projects. 4. Sensitive to criticism. 5. Performs as a team player… Read More »