Ask questions in the comment section here about addressing the needs of diverse learners in the classroom. Book recommendation: What if Everybody Thought That? by Ellen Javernick and Colleen Madden. What if everybody were more thoughtful before they judged someone? If you see someone in a wheelchair, you might think he or she couldn’t compete…
Category: Teaching and Learning
Help children understand their autism and thrive with this positive guide for kids ages 8 to 12
We all think differently. This notion is celebrated in Autism and Me, a guide that helps children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) gain a better understanding of how their brain works. The book highlights positive ASD traits while showing kids how they can work through some of its challenges as well. Unlike some other autism books…
11 Ways Parents Can Help Their Children Read
This is an excerpt from an article by Tim Shanahan . Dr. Shanahan is an internationally recognized professor of urban education and reading researcher who has extensive experience with children in inner-city schools and children with special needs. Read his blog Shanahan on Literacy. 1. Teaching reading will only help. Sometimes, parents are told early…
Poetry Thoughts: What Do Students Think?
Welcome to this new series. Poetry thoughts will have excerpts, revisions and ideas from and about my dissertation. Let’s begin with an excerpt: CHAPTER I THE RESEARCH OBJECTIVE Mother’s Day My beautiful mother’s face Flowery perfume on her skin Laughter and happiness Fresh baked cookies made just for her My mom’s warm hug brings me…
First Little Readers Parent Pack: Guided Reading Level A: 25 Irresistible Books That Are Just the Right Level for Beginning Readers
Today’s educators seek to provide an evidence-based, balanced early literacy program that includes a strong foundation in word study strategies, including phonemic awareness and phonics. At the same time, they understand the ultimate goal of early literacy instruction is to provide young children with a solid foundation toward competent readers and writers, capable of comprehending…
How to Write a Descriptive Essay
What is a descriptive essay? The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something—object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc., according to Purdue University. Create reader interest with a catchy introduction, reads page 167 of Writing With Power by Perfection Learning. The text suggests that you try out several…
Why Understanding Student Trauma is More Important Than Teaching “Grit”
I was reminded of this conversation during a recent presentation by Tyrone C. Howard on how student culture affects learning. Howard, the associate dean for equity and inclusion at UCLA, provided a reality check to the heavy investment in skills such as grit that might help more students succeed. … writes Aisha Sultan in the…
Deepening Connections with Young Readers Online
by Michael Strickland Deepening my connection with students and creating community is a topic to which I give a lot of thought. Unlike face-to-face classrooms, online classrooms have greater potential to feel cold mechanical. That is why I spend Initiating and encouraging discussions. I make frequent use of the chatbox to encourage participation, much like…
A Violent Time in the Fight for Civil Rights
“For readers new to the subject, the biographies will be a vivid, informative introduction, but even those who have some familiarity with the landmark events will learn much more here. . . . A penetrating look at elemental national history.” –Booklist How were you taught the Civil Rights movement? Teachers, how do you teach it?…
Teaching English Language Learners: Across the Content Areas
English language learners (ELLs) often face the difficult challenge of learning both a new language and new subject matter at the same time. In Teaching English Language Learners Across the Content Areas, Judie Haynes and Debbie Zacarian offer strategies, tools, and tips that teachers can use to help ELLs at all levels flourish in mainstream…
Young People's Pavilion 