Getting a Great Start in the New Year

It’s the new year and almost third quarter.  This can be the hardest time of the year for teachers and students.  We’re just coming off of two big holidays, snow can disrupt any routine we have, and spring break seems far away.  What can we do to decrease our chances of finding ourselves in the…

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A New Era

From the desk of Alice… As 2013 is arriving, I am sitting at my kitchen table on a work holiday, typing on a wireless laptop and scheduling this blog to post in the future when I am no longer at my computer.  My iPhone is nearby with my calendar at my fingertips and I am…

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The Gift of Reading

From the desk of Alice… In this first year of Common Core, I am seeing and hearing many stressed educators trying to make sense of what they need to be doing.  Rest assured, one thing we need to continue to do is encourage a love of learning as we dip into this new territory in…

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Are you just walking on the words?

From the desk of Kris… I love this quote by Paolo Friere: “Reading is not walking on words.  It’s grasping the soul of them.”  When I was a child I walked all over words.  I stomped on them and tromped on them and could read anything that was put in front of me.  I had…

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Believe

From the desk of Kris… Teachers, as you get to know this year’s class I would like you to think about the power of believing in your students.  We all say “I believe every child is a learner.”  Do we really mean it or is it something we say because it is the ‘right thing…

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Questioning Questioning Part 2

From the desk of Amanda… Last week we talked about taking the first step in having students ask questions.  The goal with step one is just to practice asking questions so students can strengthen their inner voices—the simple act of being conscious and intentional about asking questions helps achieve that. But we can’t stop there. …

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A Blessing or a Curse?

From the desk of April…. To be both a mother and an educator… is it a blessing or a curse? Will I ever know the answer? I am blessed that I learned how to promote the love of literature to my children from Dr. Baker at Salem College.  I know how valuable it is to…

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A Baby Only Wears a Sweater When . . .

From the desk of Karen…This true story is one I live by and I offer it to you for reflection. A darling little boy was born into this world. His mother was thrilled. There were problems, of course. In the first 10 days, the baby would not stop crying. Despite all her efforts, the baby…

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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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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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