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Implementing a Guided Reading Program
A guided reading program works when the reading skills of the different students in the group are similar. The guided approach provides challenges for the students, while at the same time ensures that every student is able to read the text with fluency. It is important that the text is carefully selected, bearing in mind the abilities of the students in the group. The groups are generally small in... Read More...
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week ( Feb 4 – 11, 2012)
TOOLS Wiggio Connect with parents and students with this free tool: share documents, create polls, and even host online meetings or presentations. Ahead Create non linear presentations that are fun to explore, and interactive, using this tool. CrocoDoc Use this to mark up and share documents in a variety of formats. You could add your comments to a PDF or a website and share it with the class using... Read More...
Should Teachers Give Homework?
My thoughts on homework are plentiful and while I vacillate across the spectrum they’re riddled with questions, some rhetorical and some thought provoking. Should we be giving students homework? What is the purpose of homework? What are we teaching children through homework? Are we teaching students that they have to bring their work home? That relationships with family and friends and people... Read More...
Understanding the Language Experience Approach (LEA)
The Language Experience Approach (LEA) is a literacy development method that has long been used for early reading development with first language learners. It is also perfect for diverse classrooms. It combines all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Working on the four language skills side by side aids fluency. An LEA lesson is centered around a learner-generated text.... Read More...
Understanding the Types of Temperament and Learning
Keirsey stated that there are four types of temperament. Understanding the different types of temperament is important to determine how we should deal with students in our classroom. The different types can be characterized by the following: Sensible, Adaptable, Active (SP) 33% people have this temperament. They have a combination of sensate qualities and perceiver qualities, and are usually very tuned... Read More...
Using Facebook in the Classroom
No one can doubt the influence that Facebook has on students today. Research projects show that bridging the gap between work and fun can lead to increased productivity. Blending the two worlds of the students can, therefore, perhaps make school life a little more fun for them and enhance the otherwise dreaded learning process. However, Facebook also poses a lot of threats, which is why it becomes... Read More...
Teacher Resources, Tools & Giveaways for the week (Jan 28 – Feb 4, 2012)
TOOLS Witty Comics A simple way to create images of short conversations between two comic characters. No design skills needed. Use it to add life to presentations, or even to illustrate or demonstrate concepts. Virtual Swimming Watch animations of various swimming strokes. Students can also watch the strokes at different speeds. This tool can be used to teach swimming, of course, but also to help students... Read More...
The Teacher Balance
I ran into a friend from high school the other day and asked how she was doing. She replied, “Busy. You know…that’s life.” It struck me how it’s become accepted and normal for life to be busy and full of work and other activities. As I thought further, I wondered what it was that she was busy with.. Work? Family commitments? Hobbies? I hope it was something that gave her... Read More...
Classroom Management Techniques: Using Cues
Using cues is a one of many effective classroom management techniques. To initiate directions or signal for students to shift their focus from one state of attention to 100% attention, it is necessary to use some attention cues. We can use any word, signal or sound to signify that we need our students to be 100% attentive. However, over time the cue comes to represent all that is involved within the... Read More...
Cell Phone Cameras and Privacy Concerns
With today’s lifestyle being so fast paced, many parents feel they are are almost forced to give their child a cell phone. However, when making the decision to give a cell phone to a child, we should check out the phone and learn whether the features that it has are really needed. A classic example is a cell phone with a camera. In today’s market, it is difficult to purchase a phone without... Read More...