Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy

Fluency Fix-Up: Teaching Sight Word Phrases

As literacy teachers, we know the importance of teaching our students how to achieve appropriate fluency.  Long before the Common Core, we were modeling, teaching fluency strategies, allowing students time to practice, and having fun with poems, Reader’s Theater, and choral readings. As students progress through the grades, the importance of fluency does not diminish, […]

Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, School Improvement, Uncategorized

Adventures in Coaching..Giving Effective Teacher Feedback

This year I did what many teachers fear the most,  I went over to the dark side of school administration in the form of  being an Instructional Coach. As  I transitioned into this role,I thought surely that this would give me more time to reflect and “cool my heels” -things that I rarely were able […]

Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy

5 Ways to Incorporate Literacy in the Non-ELA Classroom

[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”] According to the Australian Curriculum Website, the definition of literacy in the Australian Curriculum is informed by a social view of language that considers how language works to construct meaning in different […]

Posted inEducational Apps, Instruction & Curriculum, Social Studies, Technology

Mobile Devices in the Hands of our Children Part 3: More Apps

[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”] There are so many great apps available and realistically there are quite a few bad apps too.  So how is a teacher to filter through and find engaging fun for the […]

Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Literacy, Middle School

How to Write a Reader's Theater Play

[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”] The most valuable class I have ever attended was at first a mistake. My enrollment in “Reading 101: Strategies for Middle School Students,” offered at our local intermediate unit, was a […]

Posted inEducational Apps, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology

Mobile Devices in the Hands of Our Children Part 2: The Apps

[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”] Imagine your classroom with students creating, learning, the world at their fingertips.  Mobile devices are opening the doors of classrooms across the United States to possibilities we have never seen before.  […]