Teaching
Strength in Relationships
From the desk of Leigh Ann… “The strength of our student relationships makes the difference in translating our passion for teaching into their passion for learning.” – Beth Morrow The Gallup Organization’s research shows that the most effective people are those who understand their strengths and behaviors. This week I was encouraged to take a…
Read MoreAdvice for the New Year
From the desk of Carol C. . . It’s both exciting and terrifying to begin the school year as a new teacher. No matter how many years you’ve taught, you can always remember those first few years in the classroom…the grade level curriculum, behavior management, scheduling to name a few. Some of the issues facing…
Read MoreCurriculum First
From the desk of Carol C. . . There was something about setting up my classroom that I just loved…putting out the writing center supplies and the math manipulatives, setting up the reading nook, finding objects for the science table, and locating a current map for social studies. There were so many things like this…
Read MoreUse it or Lose it
It used to be that the word data merely meant something that was stored by a computer. Miriam Webster lists this as one definition of data and the other is “acts or information used usually to calculate, analyze, or plan something.” In our schools and classrooms, we are bombarded by data. Reading data, math data,…
Read MoreThe Tribe
This: “Four Lessons for Life, Leadership, and Learning: A Tribute to the Late Grant Wiggins” by Stephanie Malia Krauss In 2015, we mourned the loss of Grant Wiggins (blog). Over ten years ago, we were introduced to the writing and thinking of Grant Wiggins before Education Resource Group was ever dreamed about. Whenever we saw…
Read MoreHumor and Health
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . Humor can be a very therapeutic survival aid for teachers as the school year draws to a close. After many seasons in the classroom, I have found that a pair of sensible shoes and a sense of humor can help me get through the roughest of…
Read MoreHere's to a Healthier Generation
From the desk of Leigh Ann . . . “To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha Each day we enter our classrooms and strive to prepare our students to be responsible and capable citizens who are ready for…
Read MoreIt’s All About That “Why”
“As you read today, I want you to list three facts and one opinion in your comprehension journal. Remember, a fact is an indisputable true statement and an opinion is a view or judgement formed not necessarily based on factor knowledge. We are going to transfer these to index cards later and play a game…
Read MoreBook Club Anyone?
From the desk of Carol C. . . I love a book club. Reading the same book and discussing it with my friends brings me such joy. Can our students feel the same way? Some fourth teachers decided to give it a try. Here’s how it went. First, each student in fourth grade was assessed…
Read MoreTextbooks Are an Option
From the desk of Carol C. . . Over the course of the last decade or so, textbooks have gotten a bad rap. Many teachers have been convinced, persuaded, or told to put their textbooks on the shelf. It’s true there is a disconnect when what you are to teach is not what the book…
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