Build a new classroom library or add to an existing library with books bundled by theme, Lexile® level, DRA™ level, grade level or other reading standard.
"A Teacher's Toolbox
Learn more about 10 of the most important skills that teachers need in the classroom today. Each of these can help educators of any grade level teach better."
"Before we play phonics games, there is always a direct teaching lesson where I explain the phonics rules and sounds and some manipulation of the words as well. Often, I will use letter tiles to build the words and then change out the pattern for a new pattern. I have my students read both real and nonsense words with the pattern I have taught."
oppose the Common Core. Although conservatives lead the way, in the bluest of states, California and New York, more people now disapprove than approve of the standards
where is the research to support: close reading, increased Lexile levels, the use of informational texts
Ontario’s standards are far more in line with the research on early childhood development,
In 2010, when the standards were being rolled out, 500 early childhood experts –pediatricians, researchers and psychologists–found the early childhood Common Core standards to be so developmentally inappropriate that they called for their suspension in grades K-3.
Flimflam # 1: The Common Core standards are internationally benchmarked and grounded in research.
Flimflam # 3: The Common Core will close the achievement gap.
According to a report by the Carnegie Corporation, the Common Core may double the drop-out rate
decrease the four year graduation rate to 53 percent
Flimflam #4: The problems with the Common Core standards can be fixed at the state and local level.
Someone once told me I could not offer that as a reason for a young man's behavior. I ignored this advice (yes I did) and challenged the young man to rise above the class academically. He did.
Teachers often say their students struggle with work that is below grade level and must catch up before they can take on more challenging tasks. But scaffolding can ensure that even the catch-up process is challenging in an interesting way.
mindfulness in schools can improve self-regulation, the single most important quality to leading a successful life.