Something of value is something of great worth. Each day, you send your most valuable gifts off to school. You entrust them to the educational system and the teachers there. Teaching is a unique profession. Teachers give of themselves, their time, and their money to do what is best for their children. This act is […]
Lori H Rice
Lori Rice is a fourth-grade teacher at West Elementary in Wamego, Kansas, who has taught K-2 reading as well as kindergarten, first grade and fourth grade since 1996. She has a passion for creativity, learning, questioning and the whole child. Her classroom is a place of acceptance and celebrating differences.
Before You Go: End of the Year Field Trips
The end of the year always brings excitement and one of those traditions for many schools is the class field trip. Â Hearing those two simple words can bring delight or fear to the heart of a teacher. Â If you are planning a field trip, follow a few simple steps and it will start your journey […]
Student Teaching Diaries: Through the Teacher’s Eyes
Teaching is the greatest job on the earth.  It is not the most respected or highest paying and it does not bring you power, wealth or fame, but it is the toughest job that has the most impact on our future.  Each year teachers enter the classrooms and meet students with stories.  We make a connection. […]
Student Teaching Diaries: Bringing the World Into Your Classroom
Today there are many ways to expand your classroom walls. Â Field trips, virtual trips, Skype conversations, and traveling trunks can all provide your students with experiences and expertise that help their learning. Â As an educator you need to be able to match your objectives with resources near you. Â Inviting visitors into the classroom is another […]
Student Teaching Diaries: Is This For a Grade?
When students enter preschool and kindergarten they are excited by learning. Â They explore and engage in activities for the sake of what is happening. Â Teachers set up experiences and lessons that develop skills and provide learning for students. Â As students progress through elementary school, however, they begin to see the association of work for “a […]
Student Teacher Diaries: Classroom Management
This weekly series features the observations and experiences of a veteran teacher and her student teacher as they learn together this semester. At the beginning of the year it is important to establish the tone of your classroom.  I like to select a theme that ties things together.  For the past couple of years I […]
Student Teacher Diaries: Parent Teacher Conferences
Twice a year the school system demands we stop and reflect. Â This is not enough, but I love this time of year when I look at the growth all students have made. Â Not everyone is where I want them, but it is important to focus on how far students have come in the year and […]
Tips for Parents: Change Your Math
I love math! Â In high school, however, I remember we were asked to show ALL work. Â There were things I was just doing in my mind that I had never been asked to break down or explain. Â This was a difficult task, but it made me push myself to understand the process. Â No longer was […]