Every year when I get my test data and begin to form groups and create a schedule, I come across at least one classroom teacher that has an issue with me. I feel that the issues come up because of ignorance. Ignorance of what an ESL teacher does all day, why we help more than […]
Featured
Posted inClassroom Management, Elementary School, Featured, Kindergarten
Making Incentives Work for Students
[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”] Let’s face it. We all work for incentives. Even as adults. We get a paycheck for a job well done. We search for jobs with good health benefits or with an […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School
Using Booktalks to Create a Community of Readers
Throughout my teaching career, I have used booktalks on a regular basis to motivate, inspire, and share quality literature with students. With middle school students, the booktalk can be an effective tool to hook reluctant readers and is an important component of independent reading time and/or a Reader’s Workshop. In short, a booktalk is a […]
Posted inFeatured
Beyond the Jitters: Selective Mutism and Social Phobia
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, […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Just the Facts: Tackling Nonfiction
I show my class a book about whales. We are beginning a science unit on these fascinating creatures and I am using language arts to support it. I selected the book to start the unit carefully. It had to have compelling pictures with captions and text that would be challenging for them yet intriguing enough […]
Posted inFeatured
The Danielson Framework for Teacher Evaluations
And so begins another school year and, with it, even more new guidelines on teacher evaluations. New York State has adopted the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching. Teachers have returned from summer break and have been told that this will be the new standard for evaluating teachers. For the first time last year, students in […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines
Classroom Rules: It's About Trust
Each September we begin the process of writing the rules. I ask, “What rules do you think we need for our class?” (While my class is full of second graders this process works for any primary grade.) The hands are popcorn. Everyone is bouncing up and down with an idea. The blurters start shouting out […]
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 […]