Back-To-School Skills Review is much simpler when you have a roadmap in front of you. Here’s an easy way to know where to start teaching, to catch up or get ahead before school starts, or anytime you are coaching your child at home. There are far more complex Inventories and Assessments you can check out. Due to copyright laws, I can’t share them, but this is my time-tested favorite I have used one-on-one, with small groups and at school. Miscues are errors…..
It’s the perfect time to review basic reading skills. A quick skim of Correcting Your Childs’ Reading Errors and Difficulties this Summer is a helpful start. This post reviews common reading problems, great for K-8, special needs and ELL kids. For example, while reading with your child this summer, did you notice words being added, left out, substituted or guessed? If so, this post is for you! I wrote another blog which will also be very useful: Helping Your Kids Who Didn’t Get It…..
HOMEWORK! I wrote an earlier blog about homework. Since that time, more and more public school and homeschool teachers have weighed in on the subject, in a big way. Many teachers want to dump homework entirely. They cite research saying it is of no value. I really like the Edutopia article about relevant research regarding homework. In a teacher Twitter chat last night I recognized there is often no uniformity, school to school, district to district, class to class. Especially through social…..
1. Set the Stage: Helping Kids Become World Class Readers and Scholars! Back-To-School Time already! All summer I’ve written about summer reading projects, themes, great read-alouds and how-to overcome the infamous “summer slide”. Today I’m sharing a couple of interesting links including: Room organization (Edutopia) Kindergarten classroom (Kindergarten Smorgasboard) Classroom Visuals (guest post by Debbie Clement) My ideal classroom has no teacher desk, less furniture the better, other than a comfortable mix of tables or flat surfaces for writing, centers,…..
A budding reader is bursting with energy, matching sounds and letters. You’re reading picture books, predictable pattern books, etc. But what happens after that? How do you know what your child’s reading level is? In order to correctly select books, knowing the level is helpful! Independent reading level: With fluent reading, word recognition errors (miscues) don’t exceed more than one per 100 words of text, with 90% or better comprehension. Instructional level: Assistance is needed. Word recognition errors don’t exceed more than five per…..
Starting today, watch for a daily teaching tip, or resource to check out. Perfect for your busy schedule, whether you teach at the schoolhouse or your house! Mini-Blogs. Catch the spirit! Now through Labor Day! I know you are already planning your room environment and collecting resources. Technology is great. But remember, time-tested teaching materials are around your house waiting to be used. Regardless of your subject and age level, start with what you have. That’s basic! I like the…..
Where did summer go? It seems like school is starting early this year. I hope you had a super break with your kiddos and I’m sure there was no “summer academic slide” in your house. So here we are, getting classrooms ready, at home and school. Once your room environment is ready for action, whether a traditional classroom at school, or a table, nooks and crannies at home, focus turns to curriculum and lesson design. This blog focuses on two…..
What a treat! This new book can’t be beat! How lucky Dr. Seuss’ widow and his longtime assistant found the manuscript and shared with us. Written over fifty years ago, this book is as timely today as if it was just written. Theodor Seuss Geisel, (Dr. Seuss) was an animal lover and his love shines brightly in this wonderful story. I’ve been so excited waiting for the book’s release. What anticipation- what treasures would I find? Would this one be…..
When you read this, Harper Lee’s new novel Go Set A Watchman is only days away from our eyes. We are blessed, as readers of good literature to have a second glance into the mind and heart of one of the finest authors of our time. It simply doesn’t matter whether we think it is bad or good; no judgment is needed. This is my opinion of course, but I would hate to see Harper Lee skewered when we may…..