Saturday, October 11, 2008
I'm Still Here
Let's just say I've been quite busy lately, but all the while, I have been thinking about you. I've authored a few short articles that I will be posting over the next few days. I'm happy to be back. And to get us, let's catch up on those Buzzwords!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
More Web Resources
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Book Resources
Web Resource
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Internet Resource
Membership Has Its Privileges
Each discipline has its own national professional organization. And most also has its own state affiliate to the national organization. Membership to the national or state organization allows the member a number of invaluable privileges.
Membership gives you immediate access to body of educators working toward the same aim. This body of educators offers lesson plans as well as lesson ideas and activities. Most organizations even feature discussion boards so that individual members can connect with one another to discuss issues and nagging questions.
Also, members have access to newsletters and research journals relevant to their discipline. But if that isn’t enough, you get first news of professional development opportunities and awards, grants, and scholarships. Discounts on professional publications are an added advantage.
Families and students are not left out of the equation; most member associations feature sections aimed at families and/or students.
At the very least, join your local state affiliate. The Florida affiliates for each feature FCAT standards-based lesson plans.
If you are serious about this profession, it is imperative that you join your discipline’s professional organization; this is the first step in becoming a true professional.
National and State Professional Organizations by Discipline:
English & Language Arts
National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Florida Council of Teachers of English (FCTE)
Reading
International Reading Association (IRA)
Florida Reading Association (FRA)
Math
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics (FCTM)
Science
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)
Social Studies
National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Florida Council for the Social Studies (FCSS)
Physical Education/Health
American Association for Physical Activity and Recreation (AAPAR)
American Association for Health Education (AAHE)
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
Funny Math Video
All of you who know me, know that math is anathema to me. I know very little about math. I leave that math mumbo-jumbo stuff to Ms. Mitchell. However, I do know funny, and this video is funny. The math and science people will probably get it. If you reading and ELA people need help, just see me, and I'll do my best to explain it to you given my limited math knowledge:)
Study Resource: studybulb
Grading Resource: Engrade
Book Resource for Math Instructors
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
freerice.com
freerice.com has become my latest obsession. Mr. Fortune introduced this vocabulary site to me. It allows you to practice your vocabulary, and for every correct answer, the site sponsors donate rice to through the United Nations World Food Program to help end hunger.
Excellent Web Resources
Also, worth mentioning is wordcentral.com. The vocabulary oriented website includes daily buzzwords and games as well as a section for educators. In addition, this site contains a wide range of etymology information plus an online dictionary, thesaurus, and rhyming dictionary.
The Truth about Book Lists
The best way to pick books for your child is to allow them to choose their reading material themselves. They know better than anyone what they like. Also, you might ask a librarian what is popular, or if you are in a book store, ask the manager what most students your child's age are reading. But perhaps the best means to determine if your child might like or dislike a book is simply ask another child. But if you are really looking for book lists, try the following link. It is a list of book lists put together by the American Library Association (ALA). It will more than get you started.
How Do I Know My Child Is Reading?
This is in response to another parent question. A parent recently told me that she does set up a time for her child to read every night; however, she did not know if the child was really reading or if the child was simply going through the motions. How, she asks, can she verify that the child is really reading.
It is as simple as having a conversation with the child. It's always good to talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Here are some questions to ask your child to get you started.
- Have you had trouble reading any part of your book? Which part? What did you do when you had trouble?
- What is one question you’d like to ask the author about this book?
- Did the author tell you everything you wanted to know about __________? What else would you like to know?
- [for fiction] Who is this story about? What problem does that character have?
- [for fiction] Can you tell me three events in the order in which they have happened so far?
- [for nonfiction] What is the main idea of this part? What are some details that the author gives to support that idea?
- [for nonfiction] Can you tell me in a few sentences what this part is about?
- [Read aloud a passage containing strong imagery.] What picture do you see in your mind when you hear or read this?]
- Has any part of this book reminded you of something in your own life?
- What do you think will happen next?
- [for nonfiction] What facts does the book give about this subject? What conclusion can you make in your head about those facts?
- [for fiction] How do you think the character is feeling right now? Why do you think that?
- What is the most important bit of information you’ve read so far?
For my own children, I like to recommend to them books that I have read, or sometimes I pick up two copies of the same book if I think they would be interested in the title. That way we can have conversations about the book.
Also, you might get a subscription of his or her favorite magazine. Two of my children's favorite magazines are People and Entertainment Weekly. Every Friday they race to the mailbox to get the week's copy! Since these two magazines usually feature celebrities, it is easy to start a conversation about a certain person or a certain article in the magazine.
Family Literacy Fair
Admission to all activities is FREE; lunch will be provided.
Friday, September 12, 2008
What Should My Child Be Reading?
He was concerned about what his son was reading. His son is a sixth grader who reads voraciously. He reads constantly. At least he did. You see, he loved reading fantasy books. You know the ones, books like The Circle of Magic Series, The Edge Chronicles, or the Pendragon series. His father grew tired of his son reading what he thought of as garbage, so his father insisted that he read the classics—William Shakespeare, Alexandre Dumas, George Orwell, and so on. When he caught him reading “garbage”, he would take it from him and replace it with one of the classics. Eventually, his son stopped reading altogether.
The questions he asked me were, “How do I get him reading again, and how do I get him to read the classics?” My answer was simple; let him read what he wants. I absolutely love the classics, but when I was a child, I loved garbage too. In fact, my love for the classics came much, much later when I was a college student and had the tools to really appreciate them.
So this is my advice to you. Don’t worry about what your child is reading. Just make sure they are reading. As his or her love for reading builds, pretty soon they’ll pick up the classics on their own.
Another Excellent Book Resource
Vocabulary Principles & Effective Vocabulary Instruction
Key Teaching Principles of a Rich Vocabulary Program
1. Make explicit vocabulary instruction at least a three-times-a-week tradition.
2. Give students a voice by allowing them to pick words.
3. Present vocabulary mini-lessons.
Guidelines for Effective Vocabulary Instructions
1. READ! READ! And then READ MORE!
2. Avoid new word overload (four or five new words are plenty).
3. Allow students to choose words too.
4. Reserve class time for vocabulary building.
5. Creatively link words to students’ experiences.
6. Point out the clues that writers leave.
7. Slow Down, new word coming through! Words in English have multiple meanings; repeatedly use target words in reading, writing, speaking and thinking, so students can absorb variations in meaning.
8. Exchange experiences with words.
Adapted from Easy Mini-Lessons for Building Vocabulary by Laura Robb.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Teachers, check out LEaRN!
LEaRN is a web-based video resource created through a grant from Just Read, Florida! to the North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC). LEaRN is a technology-based system of support for Florida teachers, reading coaches and principals as they implement best practices in reading instruction. Designed to immediately answer questions teacher pose about the best instructional practices in teaching reading, LEaRN provides:
- Scientifically-based reading research on the five essential components of reading as identified in the National Reading Panel Report;
- Reading instructional strategies based on research;
Assessment approaches that are aligned with reading research; - Video examples and lesson plans depicting research-based teaching strategies in real classrooms;
- Video of experts’ commentary on research-based teaching strategies; and
- An accessible reference system of research based practices available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You must sign up to use LEaRN. Click on the link to your right under teachers and set up your account right away!
Emphasis: Vocabulary
I cannot emphasize how important the development of a good vocabulary is to student success in and out of the classroom. I can assure you that your students reading instructor will be doing everything humanly possible to insure your student develops those all important vocabulary skills. The most important thing you as a parent can do is to insure your student reads everyday. Also, you will find a list websites to the right of this blog that will assist your student in developing a good vocabulary.
Encouraging Students to Read
If students are to improve their reading ability, it is important that they read, both in school and out of school. As with most skills, reading skills get better with practice. Students will get plenty reading practice while here at school; however, it is up to parents to insure that students read at home. First, please insure that your student has plenty of reading material on hand. Books, newspapers, magazines—and yes, even comic books—are all acceptable. Here are just a few tips to get students reading at home:
- Make the local public library a frequent family outing.
- Make reading a family activity.
- Turn off the television (and video games).
- Set a time every evening for reading (about thirty minutes).
- Read to the student or have the student read to you.
- Take time to discuss what the student is reading.
- Ask questions about what the student is reading.
- Make sure they see you reading!
This list of tips is by no means complete. It is just something to get you started. Happy reading!