I see lesson plans everywhere! Â I have always been the teacher that goes somewhere, looks at something, picks up a book and can think of ways to bring it into the classroom as a lesson. Â A friend once commented, “It does not matter where we go you think of a way to teach kids.” There […]
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.
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Opinion
Dear Leaders: A Letter from a Teacher
Teachers have an untapped resource we have not been using. Â We have knowledge and experience and it is our responsibility to voice our concerns with leaders in our community, state and nation. Â What would happen if every teacher wrote to someone in power? Â What if you stopped what you were doing right now and wrote […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, Series, The Student Teacher Diaries
Student Teacher Diaries: Week One
Starting back to school after a break is always a mixture of emotions.  I am excited to get back into a routine and see my kids.  But I miss the lazy days of Christmas break, eating when I am hungry, using the restroom whenever I want, and snuggling on the couch reading.  This semester I have […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Differentiating your Formative Assessments
The point of teaching is to learn.  Each student comes to us with different experiences and this impacts how and when they master the various concepts and skills presented in the classroom.  Part of teaching is understanding where students are in a lesson, skill, and unit.  Exit tickets have become the buzz, but there are many […]
Posted inElementary School, Professional Development, Series, The Student Teacher Diaries
Student Teacher Diaries: In The Beginning
This semester, along with leading 24 fourth graders through the second half of the school year, I will be mentoring a student teacher. Â It was 20 years ago I went through this journey on the other side. Â Things have changed drastically in education during that time. Â First of all, the vocabulary. Â Tomorrow I will begin […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Elementary Math: One Approach to Differentiation
When I was an elementary student, many years ago, I was a quick learner.  I remember sitting in the classroom and looking for ways to challenge myself.  I was often reading/working ahead or helping others around me.  I was thrilled when I made it  into junior high and was able to take upper level math classes.  Here, […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
Let's Talk About Tests
Testing has been around forever and strikes fear in the hearts of American school children (and teachers for that matter).  Standardized testing has been around since the IQ test was structured in 1905.  Today in education there are many forms of testing.  It is important to understand the types of tests, their purposes and how […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
The Gift of Gratitude
Gratitude is being thankful, showing appreciation and returning kindness.  Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and other holidays celebrated in the December can find a connection to gratitude.  Thoughtfully teaching this habit in our classrooms can bring traditions together during the holiday season.  Edutopia has a post about helping students reflect and  a gratitude journal.  As I am thinking […]