Test Prep

From the Desk of Hope… Anxious. Frustrated. Unmotivated. Worried. These are all adjectives that describe the behaviors I see in some lessons centered around test preparation. Teachers feel tremendous pressure to prepare students for high stakes tests. In response they spend considerable time (sometimes months) before the test on test-like items and teaching test-taking strategies.…

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Amanda's Perfection Paralysis

Amanda’s TO DO Lists September 15, 2011 Do invoices Pay tutors Finish feedback Write blog for ERG   October 1, 2011 Staff development activity Prep for ERG meeting Bank deposits Finish schedules Write blog for ERG   November 18, 2011 Reschedule dates for 2 schools Contact principal about new project Make list for Thanksgiving Write…

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A Reading Journey

From the desk of April F… I have a confession. Though my professional career is now devoted to Literacy, I was (into adulthood) an apathetic, reluctant reader. I could read, though I didn’t know about any strategies. If I looked at the words long enough I could figure them out or fake it. That was…

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Let's Be Solution Oriented

From the desk of Hope… As I reflect on my work week I keep thinking about all of the obstacles and barriers I heard that keeps progress from happening. I recounted conversations over and over in my head and the more I recounted the more stressed and drained I felt. All of us are guilty…

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What does early literacy look and sound like?

Yesterday I was trying to make a grocery list for a quick run to the store.  While I was in the act of writing the items on paper and checking the cabinet for a few critical supplies, Bossy Boots (age 4) walked in.  She immediately wanted to help me with my list and snatched the…

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Authentic Instruction

From the desk of Hope… I had an interesting conversation with a teacher about “authentic instruction.”  As I reflect on the conversation several days later, I believe it is worth writing about. As a literacy coach I model lessons for teachers, I observe teachers and I also provide written and verbal feedback to teachers. The…

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Pop Quiz- What is the Purpose?

From the desk of Hope… I have been doing some wondering lately……what is the purpose of a pop quiz? In my own teaching career, I’ve given my share of pop quizzes, but they were mostly early in my career when I didn’t teach with very much intention. I remember thinking, “I will see if they…

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Old Mrs. Witch

(the tune of “Three Blind Mice”) Old Mrs. Witch, Old Mrs. Witch. Tell me what you do, tell me what you do I fly on my broomstick; I fly on my broomstick I fly on my broomstick and I’ll scare you. BOO!! Mrs. Barbara Lewis taught me this song in its entirety when I was…

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Learning to Make Fried Eggs

From the desk of Hope… I am excited about some action research I did in my house recently. Let me fill you in on why I did this research. I work with teachers almost every day and a common theme I hear in conversations is “these kids just aren’t getting it.” I also live with…

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