Teach Like A Champion

Finally! It's the science of instruction, not just content, broken down into bite-sized pieces. The DVD of actual classroom footage clearly demonstrates each technique Lemove describes. This guy is seriously my hero. I almost applied for his organization's residency in NY, but am confident that Boston was the right choice. Maybe one day...

Mindset

Dweck's book is required reading for my residency program (one month exactly till day!!). The premise is that a person's perspective on intellect drives the way engage life. We all ascribe to one of two beliefs:
a) Fixed mindset - intellect is static. You're born with certain strengths and will succeed in a particular area -- say the arts -- because of your natural talent. Forget about effort and hard work; either you got it or you don't.
b) Growth mindset - intellect is dynamic. Excellence and mastery are the product of committed effort. Natural talent maybe a starting point, but intellect must be cultivated.

The implications for the classroom are vast. Fixed mindset learners shy away from challenges, afraid that failure or mistakes define them as a person. Growth mindset learners will welcome challenges as an opportunity to develop skill and discover new insight. I've only read a few excerpts so far, but Dweck's stuff is powerful.

English Language Learners in Your Classroom: Strategies that Work

I haven't yet read this free text, courtesy of APS. It's the third edition of a best-seller...according to Corwin Press. This book, at a glance, covers teaching strategies, literacy strategies, second language acquisition, technology integration ideas, and extra-classroom community building ideas (think parents). Looks promising!

Ready to Go Lessons: Reading & Writing Grade 3

This text is a little advanced for my 3rd. graders, but these neatly organized lessons are excellent inspiration! It's always good to have an extra lesson plan on hand.

Journal Writing: Primary

- Journal Cover Templates
- Cross-content area writing Prompts
- Penmanship

Grammar, Usage & Mechanics

Day 7: The 20 day count down to the CRCT is on! Test prep is the name of the game for my 3rd.-5th graders. The following few posts are for all you diligent students and teachers, honing your test-taking craft. 

P.S.

Is it just me, or should there be a comma after "usage"? The title is clearly a list of items. 

March Daily Comprehension

Happy St. Patty's! I wish I had a more exciting book to post today. Remedia Publications's March is a great way to incorporate reading with the content area social studies. Each daily reading covers an event or person in history. Cultivating a habit of  remembering has far reaching benefits for all readers.

Oxford Picture Dictionary

Career Day took place at my elementary school today. Speaking of careers, the Oxford picture dictionary has a comprehensive (though not exhaustive) list. It's a great text for extra vocab study.

Sound and Sense

Happy National Poetry Month! Perrine truly did introduce me to the world of poetry. I credit my appreciation for John Donne to this textbook. Here's one of the poems I committed to memory senior year:

Holy Sonnets: Batter my heart, three-person'd God

BY JOHN DONNE

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you

As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;

That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend

Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.

I, like an usurp'd town to another due,

Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end;

Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,

But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.

Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain,

But am betroth'd unto your enemy;

Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,

Take me to you, imprison me, for I,

Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,

Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

I Thought My Soul Would Rise: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, Mars Bluff, South Carolina, 1865 (Dear America Series)

Can I just say how much I love the Dear America Diary series? For the die-hard curious (or ultimate snoop) such as myself, there's nothing like being able page through someone's innermost thoughts. That's not all -- story's such as Patsy's offer a life-like glimpse into the past.  Did I mention that next to English/Language Arts, Social Studies is my favorite subject? Oh Dear America, you do both so well!

Joyce Hansen is a wonderful fiction and non-fiction writer. She infuses her works with a since of hope, carrying the theme across centuries and culture.

The First Days of School

My mentor teacher told me this is a must read for all teachers -- novice or veteran. I'm reading right now and finding it extremely practical. The premise is that the success of your teaching year hinges on what takes place the first few days of class. Though one of many topics, I was thrilled to see SEVERAL chapters on classroom management.  The Wongs know their stuff! This book is a gold mine for all instructors, particularly pre-service teachers.

Promising Practices for Urban Literacy Instruction

This is probably the best text on reading instruction that I've come across. The editors compiled several studies on said topic, many which focus specifically on the African American community. One chapter offers a rubric for selecting culturally authentic African American children's literature. It is accompanied by a list of recommended texts. Promising Practices also describes effective ways to maximize our literacy-rich environment, as well as how to effectively incorporate parents into the general classroom. It's a must read!

Mary Mcleod Bethune

Mcleod Bethune is my hero. I want to be just like her when I grow up. Here are a few reasons why...

1. She loved books!
2. She graduated from the Moody Bible Institute.
3. She wanted to serve as a missionary in Africa...God had other plans though :)
4. She founded multiple schools.
5. She advocated for those in need, particularly Black children and women.
6. She adorned herself in bright hues and rich fabrics.
7. She was a devoted wife and mother.
8. She advised the president on his youth educational programs.
9. She cherished the Word of God.
10. She was one of our nation's greatest educators, and her legacy continues bless young and old today. 
    
    

    Mary McLeod Bethune: A Great American Educatorby Patricia C. McKissack, Fredrick L. McKissack
    

    
    
    The structure of this 3rd. grade biographical texts flows extremely well. Most books about Mrs. Mcleod Bethune include the same photos and excerpts of original document. The Cornerstones series does these artifacts justice by formating them to precisely to the text. Upper middle grade students will find this a helpful resource for research projects, while lower grades will benefit from read alouds.

Strategies That Work

Day one of student teaching. One word. Tired. And I really only observed. I'm excited though. It's ACCESS season, so we're testing all the English Language Learners in the school. My mentor teacher is the head over the program, which means I get to experience the full assessment/placement process. How do we decide who needs English language services? I'm THRILLED to find out.

My student teaching placement is with 3rd-5th grade. However, I'll be tutoring little ones for my literacy assessment course on Monday nights. This text is one of the three required for the course. I love it! The prose style reads likea conversation with an old friend. The strategies are presented clearly and well supported. Did I mention that this is a textbook??? I'm loving it. Harvey and Goudvis have done their homework and the result is a wonderful classroom tool for content and reading teachers alike. Read it!

A Bilingual Dictionary of School Terminology English-Spanish

Last week I was supposed to begin my last student teaching placement. My hopes were dashed, however, when my classmate and I were informed that our mentor teacher worked part-time.  So much for 40hrs. a week! I spent the last seven days enjoying leisurely mornings, waiting for word of another placement. En fin, today was the day!

I received an assignment in Fulton County, where I'll be working with 4th &5th graders. The student population is predominately Hispanic. I have a feeling that this dictionary will proved to be a helpful resource!

Teaching Multilevel Classes in ESL

I've never taught an English class where my students shared the same ability level across the board. It rarely happens, especially in adult education. Sinclair Bell's resource is a valuable must have for the instructor who wishes to fully engage every student. That's where I am tonight, planning for my adult level 2 class tomorrow.  Some of my learners have strong oral skills, but lack basic writing technique. The reverse is true for others. Sinclair Bell addresses the nuances of the multilevel classroom by detailing  strategies such as effective ability groupings and activity adjustments.

These Happy Golden Years

"Only yesterday she was a schoolgirl; now she was a school teacher. This had happened so suddenly... But tomorrow she would be teaching school.


She did not really know how to do it. She never had taught school, and she was not sixteen years old yet. Even for fifteen, she was small; and now she felt very small." -Chapter One

The cover of this book depicts a confident looking young woman joining hands with smitten young man. There is so much more to the story, although Laura and Almonzo's budding romance is a definite theme. Laura transitions from childhood to adulthood as she assumes classroom responsibilities far from home.  The distance tears at her heart, but she does it because of her love for the ones she holds close. Life is ironic like that. These Happy Golden Years poignantly illustrates time's bittersweet beauty, celebrating the wonder and of novelty of young adulthood in the midst of childhood lost.  

Little Town on the Prairie

Laura is a teacher! As a bright student and a dutiful sister, Laura acquires her teacher certification so that she can support older sister Mary's education at the college for the blind. Talk about a dedicated fifteen year old. Just thinking of her entering her classroom for the first time thrills me to the core! On a side note, tomorrow I begin my final student teaching assignment at a Decatur Elementary school. Laura Ingalls Wilder's relentless curiosity and thirst for learning have always inspired me.  In some small way, she deserves credit for my current career track. You're my hero, Laura! Apparently Almonzo Wilder thought she was too cool for school himself. He requests permission to walk her home from church *OOOHOOOH*, heralding a new season of friendship...and more to come! Ahh, there's nothing better than a coming of age- teacher tale with a side of heart-flutters and sweet nothings.