Teaching
Finding Fulfillment Again
From the desk of Carol C… Where will you keep your focus this year? Most of us went into teaching to make a difference in the lives of children and therefore, a difference in our world. Remember the excitement (and fear) we felt at the beginning of each school year our first years in the…
Read MoreWhy We Need More Coffee Shops and Less Teacher Lounges
From the desk of Alice… Every now and then I like to splurge for a latte at a locally owned coffee shop instead of heading straight to my office. While sipping on my favorite latte, I like to read and write and people watch. I have found that the change of scenery is perfect to…
Read MoreReflect and Revitalize
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . Teaching can be an incredibly fulfilling and exhilarating experience, but it can also be one that leaves you feeling defeated and exhausted. When you unwind and finally have time to reflect on your teaching day, where do your thoughts go? Do…
Read MoreEnlarge Your World
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . “There are many ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all” – Jacqueline Kennedy One of the most important things we can do to help instill a love of learning in our students is to read to them every day.…
Read MoreBest Laid Plans
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . One thing we as teachers need is the confidence to be flexible so we can deal with the unexpected things that inevitably take place during the learning day. We busily plan for the needs of our students and map out long range goals for a wonderfully…
Read MoreBegin again
From the desk of Alice… The teachers went back to school this week in our local district. I have to admit, I am a tiny bit jealous. I used to LOVE the workdays before the kids came back when I was still working at a single school. Say what you will, it was an exciting…
Read MoreMy Child Can Read a Level
From the desk of Carol C… My child is reading above grade level. My child is reading at level J. My child is struggling with reading. How could all of these statements be said about the same child? Do they not contradict each other? The answers depend on the definition of the word “reading” you…
Read MoreShare Your Thinking
From the desk of Carol C… Soon teachers will begin reviewing for the end of the year tests. Some of the review will include using multiple choice practice tests. Assigning the work and then checking the answers leaves many students still in the dark about how to find the correct answer. Here’s a way you…
Read MoreModeling Reading Strategies
From the desk of Carol C… This week I’ve been fascinated by the Theory of Inflation as related to the creation of our universe. Articles are all over the newspapers and the web about this discovery. As I read the first of many pieces about it, I realized I had lost the meaning of what…
Read MoreA Parent's Guide to Asking Questions
From the desk of Leigh Ann… Life is an unanswered question, but let’s still believe in the dignity and importance of the question.~ Tennessee Williams Questions, questions, questions! Skillful readers ask themselves questions as they read to build understanding. Often children read and save the questions for the end. To better understand a text readers…
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