Create a poster like the hand to the right as a quick reminder of a short Writing Process: Rough Draft (first collecting and organizing of your ideas) This will include your characters, setting, problem and solution. Primary Format Use a folder paper to create 4 squares on one side and 4 on the other as… Read More »
Writing skills are needed across all grade levels and usually follows these six steps with an ever-escalating expectation that students will become more detail while also becoming more independent. Starred items may have a variety of “looks” depending on student ages and class goals. 1. Pre-Write Capture your ideas in an outline or sequential listing… Read More »
Close Reading is defined as thoughtful, critical analysis of a text to focus on and look at significant information to develop a deep, precise understanding. Close reading requires spending extra time on text. After two initial read-throughs, a third reading is needed to analyze and evaluate the text. Obviously not every text needs to be… Read More »
Close Reading is defined as thoughtful, critical analysis of a text to focus on and look at significant information to develop a deep, precise understanding. So, how do we engage students to encourage close reading? First, explain that some texts deserve extra considerations. That means we will read and reread them to uncover information. Our… Read More »
Why do any of us checkout? We’re distracted, thinking about something that is more important to us at that moment. With kids, they may also be tired, not interested in what we’re talking about, or have a problem on their mind. Since we can’t peak inside their brains and even if we could, they might… Read More »
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in general. What might that look like? Volunteerism is one way to give service to others. Retirees make up a large portion of that service, but all of us can find ways to support others in our communities. Provide… Read More »
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. Ask yourself, “Am I setting a good example for students?” Are you a 1 or a 2? (1) Do you pay attention to directions given by the teacher or (2) are you having side conversations with students… Read More »
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. So, what does active listening look like? Meet students at their eye level. Listen to their comments or questions. Try to understand what they want/need from you. Attempt to have them tell you what they already know… Read More »
As 2017 draws to a close, let’s look at ways to improve our time spent volunteering in classrooms. First let’s look at being authentic. Pre-schoolers through high school age students want people to speak to them with their authentic voices. There’s no need to speak slowly or with cute comments and gestures. Be yourself. That… Read More »
I recently read an article on edutopia.org, the George Lucas Educational Foundation site, about Brain-Based Learning. What follows is the last blog about some of their thoughts and tips with my two cents added in. Tip #4 Work to create a non-static classroom where routines vary, inquiry is valued and hands-on is an everyday occurrence.… Read More »