Guided Reading is a strategy used in elementary classrooms around the United States for reading instruction. Teachers listen to students read and determine their individual reading level, group students according to fluency and comprehension needs, and teach reading and writing skills within these small groups. You can use canned programs with lesson plans provided, find […]
Instruction & Curriculum
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Instruction & Curriculum
The Power of Current Events
It seems recently that there has been more of an explicit push in education to connect the content to the students themselves. Why should they care about what’s going on in the classroom? How does it impact them personally in their homes, communities, and nation? How can they use it beyond the test? Where a […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum
When All Else Frustrates, We Still Have Vacation
I would be remiss if I did not gleefully gloat about the one thing the teaching profession offers in comparison to similarly ranked careers. Of course I’m referring to vacation time. I absolutely love having vacations during holidays. My equally elated spouse insists on taking in new ventures, enjoying each full minute of an unstructured […]
Posted inCommon Core, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Crazy New Math
[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”] I love math! I find fascination in numbers and how they work together. But, I also remember being confused in math classes, especially in upper level math. Often the procedures […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Languages, Literacy, Mathematics, Opinion, Social Studies
6 Ways To Teach Critical Thinking Skills
[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”] Critical thinking skills. What are they, anyway? How do teachers apply them in the classroom? There are just as many answers as there are questions. This article will attempt to simplify […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Uncategorized
Apple Ad Shows That Students Can Surprise You…
I teach English in a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) school, and that means that there is wireless for all kinds of devices: notebooks, kindles, laptops, and phones. Internet access is open along with social media sites, except Facebook, since many teachers use them for resources or to communicate with students. There is a school […]
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Coach Files, Uncategorized
Adventures in Coaching: Sometimes You Just Have to Teach
[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”] Last week I had the humbling experience of comforting a teacher after a bad evaluation from an administrator. As the teacher cried and “defended” their actions in class, it reminded me […]
Posted inClassroom Management, Featured, From the Front Lines, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy
Where I'm From: New Year, New Understanding Using Poetry
[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”] I remember watching “Gremlins” in the 80’s. When Randall is sold the Mogwai he is given three specific instructions: never expose it to bright light, never get it wet and never, ever […]