One of the first blogs I started reading was City Teacher’s Teaching in the Inner City. The blog has moved to a new location. I recommend this blog to practicing teachers because it’s incredibly focused on the realities of the classroom without getting too theoretical or sickeningly saccharine. A few posts to get you going: …
Category: Open Court Reading
Inspiration for the First Day of School
For teachers: A fourth grade student addresses the Dallas Unified School District to ask if they believe in him and his classmates. “You better,” he says and I’m paraphrasing, “because they’re showing up next week.” For administrators: Here’s a list of what not to do this year as an administrator (or literacy coach) from the …
Back to School Week: Student Bill of Rights
Mark Pullen posts his Student Bill of Rights. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite but I’ll choose #9… 9. All students have the right to receive cutting-edge instruction and to spend significant in-class time focusing on current technologies.
Classroom Themes: Curriculum or Wallpaper
As most teachers prepare to return to school, I’ve been overhearing conversations about classroom themes, not curricular units but themes for the room environment. Which would be best? Under the sea? Hawaii? The old west? While I must admit I think it’s awesome to see a six year old’s bedroom decked out with pirate decor …
Activities for the First Day of School
excerpted from Classroom Management for Teachers.com First Day of School Activities Things to do before starting year of Open Court Reading Lots of First Day Activities from Cape Brenton Victoria School Board First Day of School Activities by Katie Hallum First Days of School Script for Teachers by Katie Hallum Back to School Preparation Checklist …
Back to School Week: Unit Openers
Alice Mercer has her unit opener plans completed do you? Do you know how to plan a unit opener? Here’s a few ideas to get you started for Unit 1: Kindergarten: School Unit Openers First Grade: Look Who’s Reading/Let’s Read! Unit Openers Second Grade: Sharing Stories Unit Openers Third Grade: Friendship Unit Openers Fourth Grade: …
My Favorite Freeware/Shareware Mac Utilities
This list is as much for me as it is for anyone else. These are programs that I like to have on any Mac that I’m using. They are each free, sometimes with donations accepted/requested: 3-2-1 Timer Widget this is a visual timer widget that’s extremely valuable in classroom management and professional development TubeTV allows …
Effectiveness of Open Court Reading
The What Works Clearing House (About [them] link) has published their findings on the Open Court Reading Program saying that there is no evidence to support or not support its effectiveness in improving student achievement due to variables in control groups and the addition of other interventions in Open Court schools: No studies of Open …
Digital Storytelling Carnival #6
It’s the back to school edition of the Digital Storytelling Carnival. Welcome! Experiments around the blogosphere a variety of filmmaking experiments have taken place in the past two months… Mr. Mayo experiments with Clay Animation An (Aspiring) Educator tries out Moodstream Wes Fryer reflects on Stop Motion Mr. Guhlin tries to Stomp a Video Mr. …
Carnival of Education
The latest edition of The Carnival of Education is up today at one of my favorite blogs, Joanne Jacobs’. Check it out.