Let’s face it: many, if not most, children would rather stay home than go to school. Most children are ecstatic to have a snow day, a long weekend, and winter and summer vacations. However, once they are at school, they become happily distracted by interacting with their friends, the day’s lessons, lunchtime, and recess. Sadly, […]
Lauren Norris
I've been a reading specialist for the last ten years and most recently a literacy coach for Pre-K to grade 5 in an elementary school. I began my career teaching honors British and World Literature to high school juniors and seniors. Developed elective course curricula for Shakespeare and Women In Literature courses. Next, I moved on to middle school, teaching grade 8 English Language Arts for 7 years. English department chair for 6 years. I worked as a literacy resource teacher for grades 6-8 and wrote, coordinated, and led professional development to teachers on a weekly basis for four years. I often joke that I went from teaching Shakespeare to teaching Pete the Cat, and I would have it no other way!
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Say No to Boredom! Dynamic Incorporation of Nonfiction Into the Classroom
You learn on your feet Not in your seat! ~Dr. Jean Feldman  Although Dr. Jean is a well-known preschool and kindergarten teacher, author, researcher, and presenter, most often her advice can be modified and applied to older students as well. Whether you are teaching to the Common Core State Standards or not, there […]
Posted inBook Review, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten, Literacy
Just Let Them Read! A Book Review – Part 2
 A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the highlights from my reading of the beginning of Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer. It has been many years since I have been so touched and so inspired by my professional reading. Throughout the book, two themes emerge: as literacy teachers, we must promote, model, […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured
Planning for a Substitute: Five Helpful Hints
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] We’ve all been there. A few minutes before you are to leave for work, one of your children suddenly becomes ill, you receive a phone call about a family emergency, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Special Education
5 Ways to Engage the Student With Asperger's Syndrome
Having a student in your classroom with Asperger’s Syndrome can be a tremendous asset to your classroom community. However, since many children with Asperger’s also exhibit behaviors similar to ADD and ADHD and are prone to moodiness and sudden emotional outbursts, it can be difficult to fully engage them in class activities. Although each student […]
Posted inBook Review, Literacy
Why Independent Reading is so Important – A Book Review
The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child Author: Donalyn Miller Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2009 As with most teachers, summer gives me the chance to finally read the stacks of books that have piled up in every nook and cranny of my house. One of the books I looked forward to reading this summer was The […]
Posted inFeatured, High School, Parents
Cyber-School Chronicles: If it’s Not Homeschool, Then What is it?
In part one of this series, I explained the reasons why my husband and I have chosen to use a cyber- charter school for our two children this fall. In this installment, I share the definition of homeschool and why many do not consider a cyber- charter school to be homeschooling. Over the last several […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, From the Front Lines, Special Education, Uncategorized
Cyber School Chronicles: Why I Chose a Cyber Charter School to Educate My Children At Home
 A few months ago, my husband and I started to seriously discuss homeschooling our youngest child. The one with Selective Mutism. The one that although has struggled since he entered preschool as a three year old, has made incredible progress with his social anxiety.  His academic performance is within the normal range, he ended […]