So, it’s directed reading time. I have my readers grouped according to ability and the groups are reading different books, which I have geared toward the students in the particular groups. I have a group who collectively love animals, so we are reading Trouble According to Humphrey. I have another group who are mostly boys […]
New Teacher Bootcamp
Posted inFeatured, From the Front Lines, Middle School, New Teacher Bootcamp, Opinion, Technology
Classroom Technology: When you Can't Beat Them, Join Them
I am not a technically savvy person. At. All. I’d rather use a dry erase board than my smartboard. I’d rather hand write notes than type them. How a land line phone works fascinates me. My smart phone freaks me out. I have two iPads and several laptops available to my class to use on […]
Posted inNew Teacher Bootcamp, Parents, School Improvement
Scripting A Parent Phone Call- A Skill All Teachers Need
Today many of our communications with parents are through email, blogs and classroom websites. Interactive conversation is a tool we use less and less often. Sometimes there are sensitive, personal, individual or important topics that should be discussed in person over the phone. A good practice is to send positive notes or emails throughout the […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, New Teacher Bootcamp
Sick and Tired – Staying Healthy During The School Year
I will admit that I have suffered far too many times with sickness in my years as a teacher. It seemed that whenever a student crossed my path I would inevitably catch whatever the little darling was carrying. Laughably, I can remember in my first year of teaching when I thought there was no possible way […]
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 inLegal, New Teacher Bootcamp, Uncategorized
Teacher Tenure- An Ancient Policy Or Is It Still Needed?
Teacher tenure is a part of the educational fabric of every state in the United States. It is a form of job security that prevents teachers from being terminated without “just cause.” Despite having noble beginnings, teacher tenure has come under increasing scrutiny from educational reformists and politicians. The main argument against statutory job security […]
Posted inElementary School, How to Fix Education, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, New Teacher Bootcamp
Assessments—Using Incentives to Change the Image
Assessments…it’s almost become a dirty word in education. Those of us in the trenches know assessments are necessary and have a purpose. We understand there are different types of assessments that guide our instruction, help us focus students on their learning objectives, and show us where re-teaching and extension need to take place. Everyone has […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, New Teacher Bootcamp
A Pocket Full of Assessments: Using Quick SIOP Strategies to Check for Understanding
One of the biggest contemporary challenges of teaching is a classroom that is not only significantly overcrowded, but also packed full of students at all levels of learning abilities, English language speaking and reading skills, and emotional maturity. Mix all that together in one classroom and any teacher, new or veteran, has the potential to become very […]