This year begins with a very significant anniversary in the United States. One hundred fifty years ago, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It was probably one of the most significant documents ever entered into our Congressional Record based on the change it incited. As we return to school this new year after a […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inFrom the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Technology
Assessments: Pen Pals Part Two
Read Part I “Assessments: Upgrading the Age Old Practice of Letter Writing” here. Â In this time when school securities are threatened by unmitigated attacks, technology in education serves to open campuses between distant communities. A recent pen pal project entered a second phase of practice with letter writing and Skype. It has served to distract […]
Posted inElementary School, Featured, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, Parents, The New Teacher Chronicles
Newbies- Implementing a 'To Do' List for New Teachers!
I am sitting at my desk in my classroom preparing to begin our second semester in this New Year and I’m overwhelmed (as usual) with what needs to be done.Overwhelmed.My focus  is not only preparation  for the upcoming semester, but also on two new students who start Monday. Which means I have no idea where […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Mathematics Adventures for All with MTSS A.K.A.RTI
Education is known for their acronyms. Today our adventure will use two interchangeably and demonstrate how to focus skills in mathematics to reach all learners. Teacher are superheroes and this method enables you to meet all students needs through the power of many. Welcome to an exciting adventure in education…MTSS also known as  RTI. RTI (Response […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Teacher Branding, Uncategorized
Teacher Branding 101- What’s Your Brand?
One of the first questions I ask  dismayed teachers who are worried about  their lack of job security is, “What’s your brand? If you suddenly no longer have a job, what will you do with that brand?” Instead of proudly answering these questions with all their accolades, most teachers are awkwardly silent. They have no idea […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Guided Reading With Early Readers
Guided reading is an instructional method used in many elementary classrooms. It is an approach I use daily and without it would not be able to create successful readers. Guided reading is when the teacher works with a small group of students. During this time, the students apply and practice effective reading strategies while reading […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Uncategorized
Assessment: How to Create Learning Tasks that Lend to Better Understanding
One of the hardest parts of teaching is learning how and when to assess your students. In colleges across the country there are entire classes that teach aspiring teachers how and when to assess. However what happens after you create the assessment? How do make sure students are able to accurately complete their assessment? These […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics, Uncategorized
Why Do You Need Algebra?
When are we ever going to use this? Â A common statement by students in my Algebra class. Â My response to them is this… No, you are probably not going to write out a multi-step equation on a napkin and solve it to determine the cost of your dinner. Â No, you will not break out your […]