There is always a point in the year when the students have become comfortable with each other and I know. Patience runs out, words develop edges and group work becomes unbearable. I have an activity I pull out each year to help students build each other up and look at each other with grace and […]
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.
Student Teaching Diaries: Outside the Classroom
Teachers use multiple resources to learn and strengthen their craft. There are online resources, educational journals, district level in-service, networking groups and educational conferences. This week Lauren and I were both able to participate in conferences offered outside of our school district.  There is so much value to networking and learning offered at conferences. Mentor Teacher: […]
Dr. Seuss: It's For Big Kids Too
Theodor Seuss Geisel is known in classrooms, libraries and by elementary age children for his fun and crazy books. There is a special language he developed, perfected and used to engage children in reading. Â From his first book, “And To Think I Saw it on Mulberry Street” to his ever popular “Cat in the Hat” […]
Formative Assessment: Getting Started
[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”] Formative assessment is not just another buzz word in education. Formative assessment goes beyond the exit ticket and check-in tests.  This is a shift in teaching and classroom management that allows […]
Student Teaching Diaries: What's A Teacher To Do?
This series is a reflection of our experiences during the spring semester as a mentor teacher and student intern. If you have not been reading, check out our past articles. There are many amazing things about sharing a craft I love with Lauren, my student intern. Â I am forced to reflect on my own practices […]
Student Teaching Diaries: Applying the Learning
Having  a student intern this semester is allowing me to reflect on my own teaching. It has been interesting to see the transition of college knowledge to classroom application.  The university has expectations to train teachers and then the elementary classroom happens. As an educator I am constantly using assessment to guide my teaching.  Information […]
Student Teaching Diaries: It’s Not Just Teaching
Teaching is more than lessons, assessments, and children.  It involves extra work outside of the classroom.  Seasoned teachers know there are many “extras” that come with the job.  We attend board meetings, committee meetings, planning meetings, curriculum meetings, after-school clubs, summer school sessions, PTO and Site Council presentations, school plays and school-sponsored events outside of the 7:45-3:45 daily […]
Student Teaching Diaries: The First Unit
We are well into week three and things in our classroom and working well. Â If you missed the start of this journey, check out our previous articles on The Educator’s Room. Â Being a mentor teacher is a letting go of yourself so someone else can learn. Â I am finding ways to keep myself busy during […]