Teasing, Tattling, Defiance, and More: Positive Approaches to 10 Common Classroom Behaviors
Apr 06
As anyone who reads here regularly knows, I’m a big proponent of the Responsive Classroom approach to classroom management. There is something inherent in it, just the name ‘Responsive’ always guides me back to the children. What do they need at this particular moment? Maybe it isn’t in the lesson plan or on our schedule for the day, but my job as a teacher is to...
ESGI… better and better.
Feb 03
From time to time folks contact me to review things (books, products, etc.) on the blog. Depending on the item, I may or may not take the bait, but recently, I reached out to a company and asked if I could review their software – something I never do. Last year, I discovered ESGI Software (Educations Software for Guiding Instruction) and I can’t speak highly enough for how it has...
Milo.
Oct 13
Yesterday I read the amazing Milo Armadillo to my class and something wonderful happened. When the story ended, and I closed the book, the class erupted into applause. Usually one or two clap at the end of books and sometimes it spreads, but this was different. Clearly it had moved them all. Something about the story of Talulah, a little girl who desperately wanted a pink, fluffy, bunny...
I See I Learn Giveaway… FOUR!
Aug 05
As we get ready to head back to our sprouts, I am happy to announce two new additions in Stuart J. Murphy’s I See I Learn series of books. These books have become a staple of my ‘Social Skills’ library and these two new stories will only increase the impact of the series. Even better (yes, it gets better), Stuart has some amazing FREE resources on his website you can download...
Teaching in the Digital Age: Chapter 3 Rethinking Projectors
Jun 21
Welcome to Week Three of our Summer Book Blog Study. First let me say, I’m loving this book. Brian Puerling’s writing style is easy, quick, and it feels very conversational – something I always appreciate. When I first posted about the study a few weeks ago, I received a comment on my Facebook page from a friend of mine that made me giggle. “Am I the only one...
Teaching in the Digital Age Blog Party!
May 31
This summer (well, starting next week) I’ll be participating in another wonderful book study blog party. This year’s book looks very interesting and thought provoking. We’ll be reading and discussing Teaching in the Digital Age by Brian Puerling. As someone who tries to integrate technology into my classroom whenever possible, my interest is definitely piqued. Here’s...
Luna.
Apr 29
Last week I received the Luna camera from Learning Resources. I wasn’t sure to make of this document camera… it is billed as easy enough for anyone to use – even children. Coming off of Spring Break, I let it sit in the box for most of the week. Finally on Friday, while the kids were at Library, I broke open the box and decided to set it up. According to the directions,...
Adventure!
Jan 29
Unless you teach in Hawaii (and maybe some of you are lucky enough that you do!), chances are, some sort of inclement weather prevents your sprouts from going outside for recess from time to time… some of us have it all – rain, wind, snow, freezing temperatures, and falling frogs from the sky. When kindergartners can’t go outside to burn off some of that energy for days on end,...
The Truth About DIBELS
Nov 13
A coworker lent me The Truth About DIBELS over the summer and as with all professional books, it sat on my bedside table for awhile (months). I recently finished this short book and found it fascinating. The authors present the various DIBELS tests and procedures along with comments from parents, teachers, and even DIBELS staff. It’s an intresting read. As an educator, I always want...
Knowing our sprouts.
Sep 05
We all know the better we know our sprouts, the better we can reach and inspire them. Well, wouldn’t you know it, there is research on it! Less testing? More play? Getting to know your students and allowing them to work to their own strengths? Let me repeat – LESS testing. This (short) article really inspired me and I think it just might do the same for you. Take a minute...
