I spent SEVEN MONTHS making my DREAM reading notebook. I wanted something that was rich with rigor, differentiated, and easy to handle. I knew a notebook was the solution because loose papers drive me nuts! I wanted a place for EVERYTHING. This is it! In fact, this "notebook" could easily replace any teaching curriculum you have. It could also just be used as a supplement to … [Read more...]
10 Science and Math Summer Activities for Families
What exactly does the term “summer slide” mean? Unfortunately, it’s not a playground equipment that you can buy for your students’ or own kids’ enjoyment during summer. Summer slide actually refers to the loss of academic skills – especially math and literacy skills – that occurs during summer break. We hear again and again how kids are encouraged to read a lot of books or … [Read more...]
Fun (and easy) stuff to start BEFORE the end of the school year!
Okay, so you’ve almost finished another school year – CONGRATS! Now, let’s face it, like most teachers, you’re probably exhausted…You want the school year to end on a positive note, but you just don’t have the time or energy to come up with some fun and engaging ideas. Here are some tried and true suggestions: These are my favorite projects for the final few weeks of … [Read more...]
Four Year-End Teaching Tips to Help You Get Ready for Next Year
Every May, I lock up my classroom for summer and FEEL like I have left everything ready to go when August rolls around. Yet, every August, I unlock those doors and realize how much work I have on my plate to get my stuff together for another school year. THIS year, I will set myself up for success for the next school year. I need to repeat that... THIS YEAR, I WILL SET MYSELF … [Read more...]
Teach in an International School
A lot of people ask me how I got my job at the American School of Madrid. I think it is a worthwhile story to tell because six years ago when I started thinking about teaching overseas, I had such a hard time finding firsthand accounts of what it is like, how people did it, and what I could expect. For me it all started on a REALLY snowy Christmas break. … [Read more...]
Five Tips for Working With Shy Students (Written By a Shy Teacher)
I am shy.Yep, it's a part of me that I feel like is so obvious when you are around me in person. I feel my cheeks warm up and heart racing when talking to new people. So much of that shyness is internal. I say this because I have had people tell me they would never describe me as shy. That's me covering up a lot of my weird nervousness :) As teachers, we are all trying to … [Read more...]
Digging Deeper with Close Reading
I remember the first time I saw the phrase "close reading". I wondered if it was something new or if it was a misspelling of "cloze reading", which is an entirely different teaching method where students fill in the blanks to make meaning from the text. I also wondered if it was another passing fad in reading education. Either way, it didn't sound like something that would … [Read more...]
How to Use Debates to Teach Opinion Writing (in the Primary Grades)
I've started using debates in my opinion writing unit and it has been amazing! It's all about the topics because a good topic can make it impossible for my 2nd grade students to contain their opinions. Seriously, ask your students if they think kids should get disciplined for not recycling. They won't be able to contain their opinions! Put a pencil in their hands and … [Read more...]
How to Manage Your Student Conferring Schedule
I have finally found an easy way to manage my conferring schedule! I am now in my fifth year of teaching reading, writing, and math in a "workshop" format (mini lesson, gradual release to independent work, conferring, group share) and there are a lot of kinks I am still working out. The tip I have to share today is one that has made it so much easier for me to keep track of who … [Read more...]
My latest baby!
Some teacher-authors have equated finishing a mondo project with giving birth. That is exactly how I feel after finishing my last projects!! These "babies" took me FOUR months to complete! So what are my Common Core Close Reading products all about? Both the 2nd grade and the 3rd grade products include 52 original leveled reading passages. Each passage falls within the … [Read more...]
