Posts Tagged ‘education’
Why You Need to Stop Overdosing on Whole Group
Most of us that were educated since the 1970’s (yes, I am that old!) remember sitting in a classroom with the teacher at the board (with chalk), and we dutifully followed along page-by-page, problem-by-problem. We can also remember classrooms where we really didn’t follow along…we passed notes, doodled, and talked. Times in classrooms have not…
Read MoreDear Empowered Teacher
Dear Empowered Teacher, We see you. You are quietly working away. You seek new information. You see obstacles as opportunities. You find joy in your work. You willingly seek collaborators. You are focused on the right things. You recognize the good in both students and colleagues. You know how to sway without breaking.…
Read MoreMythbusters: Differentiation Edition
With so many resources available for differentiation, why do we still struggle with implementing the ideas? We all tend to agree that one size fits all is not what works in our classrooms, and we also agree that we want to grow each and every student the best way we know how. So what gives?…
Read MoreReflect, Retell, & Retain
“To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” – Edmund Burke From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . There is a joy in watching young learners develop as readers – to see them move from merely calling words to truly understanding the meaning of a text is inspiring. Comprehension skills can be…
Read MoreSnow Day Joy
Children have built in radar when it comes to snow. Just the mention of that frosty “S-word” seems to create an energetic burst to bodies and brains. Actually, I have to admit that I am still filled with joy when I hear the words “snow day” too. So, let’s channel that flurry of excitement…
Read MoreSparking Comprehension
“To learn to read is to light a fire, every syllable that is spelled is a spark.” – Victor Hugo There is such a poetic beauty to Hugo’s words and I so wish to fan those flames in my young readers. This is my goal during guided reading –…
Read MoreThe Galatea Effect
“Set your classroom expectations high, the higher the better. Expect the most fantastic things to happen, not in the future, but right now!” – Robert John Meehan Have you ever heard of the Galatea Effect? It is the phenomenon by which people with high expectations are led to high levels of achievement and performance.…
Read MoreThe Joy of the Positive Word
The days of summer are filled with joy, but joy can be short-lived when something as simple as a negative word comes your way. Everything immediately changes because a bomb was dropped on your psyche. It rolls around in your mind like a cyclone destroying the positive thoughts that had once taken center stage.…
Read MoreHow to Deal With Bucket Dipping
What is bucket filling? “It is helpful to think of every person as being born with an invisible bucket. The bucket represents a person’s mental and emotional health. You can’t see the bucket, but it’s there. She said that it is primarily the responsibility of parents and other caregivers to fill a child’s bucket. When…
Read MoreThe Resilience of Heroes
“Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up.” – Rocky Balboa I love the old Rocky movies! I know I am showing my age, but my heart still soars when I hear the theme music and see Rocky Balboa charging up the 72 stone steps leading to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Rocky…
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