Connecting with Parents

Connecting with Parents

February 1, 2018 ● ● 2 Comments

It takes a village to raise a child is a proverb which means that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children in order for them to grow in a safe environment. The villages would look out for the children. This does not mean an entire village is responsible for raising them. When it comes

It takes a village to raise a child is a proverb which means that it takes an entire community of different people interacting with children in order for them to grow in a safe environment. The villages would look out for the children. This does not mean an entire village is responsible for raising them. When it comes... read more

The Tough Stuff

The Tough Stuff

January 25, 2018 ● ● 4 Comments

Every year, our school district requires at least 2 hours of online training in suicide awareness and prevention.  I activated the video and half-heartedly listened. I teach elementary kids, so I thought that suicide was a pretty far-fetched possibility.   When opening up blogging to students, we not only open up a platform for creative

Every year, our school district requires at least 2 hours of online training in suicide awareness and prevention.  I activated the video and half-heartedly listened. I teach elementary kids, so I thought that suicide was a pretty far-fetched possibility.   When opening up blogging to students, we not only open up a platform for creative... read more

Using Poetry across Content Areas

Using Poetry across Content Areas

January 17, 2018 ● ● 1 Comment

Much of learning new content is learning new vocabulary.  I am excited to share with you my secret strategy for getting students to write using these new words: poetry.  Most people think of poems as writing that rhymes, but there are dozens of poetry forms that use different syllables and parts of speech.  Even my

Much of learning new content is learning new vocabulary.  I am excited to share with you my secret strategy for getting students to write using these new words: poetry.  Most people think of poems as writing that rhymes, but there are dozens of poetry forms that use different syllables and parts of speech.  Even my... read more

Learner Profile: An interview with Margaret Simon

Learner Profile: An interview with Margaret Simon

January 9, 2018 ●

The following is an excerpt from “Digital Portfolios in the Classroom: Showcasing and Assessing Student Work” by Matt Renwick (ASCD, 2017). You can purchase a copy of the book here.  Margaret Simon is a gifted and talented teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana. She works with many students in several schools, specifically related to English Language

The following is an excerpt from “Digital Portfolios in the Classroom: Showcasing and Assessing Student Work” by Matt Renwick (ASCD, 2017). You can purchase a copy of the book here.  Margaret Simon is a gifted and talented teacher in New Orleans, Louisiana. She works with many students in several schools, specifically related to English Language... read more

Building Blogging Stamina

Building Blogging Stamina

January 3, 2018 ●

Young writers many times don’t know where to start writing.  Students can spend an entire 20 minutes thinking of an idea and second guessing themselves out of any idea, often using all of the time allotted for the writing itself.  They typically prefer to oral brainstorm with friends and frequently go with an idea that

Young writers many times don’t know where to start writing.  Students can spend an entire 20 minutes thinking of an idea and second guessing themselves out of any idea, often using all of the time allotted for the writing itself.  They typically prefer to oral brainstorm with friends and frequently go with an idea that... read more

App Smash in the New Year

App Smash in the New Year

December 20, 2017 ●

For both teachers and students, it can be a challenge to get back into the daily routine after an extended holiday. Even if students had some work to complete over the break, it is still difficult to transition back to the daily bell schedule. Coming up with ways to keep students engaged throughout the year,

For both teachers and students, it can be a challenge to get back into the daily routine after an extended holiday. Even if students had some work to complete over the break, it is still difficult to transition back to the daily bell schedule. Coming up with ways to keep students engaged throughout the year,... read more

Three Paperless Entry or Exit Tasks

Three Paperless Entry or Exit Tasks

December 11, 2017 ● ● 1 Comment

Entry tasks are short tasks that I use either at the beginning of the day or as transitions from recess or lunch.  They get everybody warmed up for the next activity while I address the inevitable needs that come up at such times. Every year we seem to have to limit our copying budget.  As

Entry tasks are short tasks that I use either at the beginning of the day or as transitions from recess or lunch.  They get everybody warmed up for the next activity while I address the inevitable needs that come up at such times. Every year we seem to have to limit our copying budget.  As... read more