note-taking · teaching tools

Tools for Note-Taking

There are multiple potential hurdles that prevent students from becoming effective informative writers, including possible resource texts that may be above their benchmarks, as well as students' lack of experience with specific strategies for note-taking and organization of their thoughts. The use of thinking maps, especially circle maps and tree maps, to help develop their note-taking and informative writing skills can't be overstated when supporting students to becoming more engaged in their writing.

antiracist · social justice

A Book Museum for Black History Month

Here's an idea, shared by an inspirational professional colleague that I'm working toward for February 2021, and if anyone is interested in collaborating and joining in the planning of this, I'd welcome partners.

remote instruction · remote learning · vocabulary · word study

Vocabulary Development Across In-Person & Remote School Days

A Teacher's Guide to Vocabulary Development Across the Day is filled with practical ideas for teaching vocabulary in K-3 classrooms. It is a resource that will help you develop an innovative and meaningful vocabulary curriculum for your students. Listen to an interview with the book's author and preview sections of the text.

writing workshop

How do we give permission?

At the start of the pandemic, a teacher friend of mine noticed his students weren’t quite as independent as he thought they were. Students who were working from home, specifically, those who had access to technology seemed a bit helpless. It caused him to reflect and wonder about the levels of independence students experienced in… Continue reading How do we give permission?

COVID-19 · digital tools · personal essay · writing workshop

Active Engagement with Pear Deck

Active engagement looks different now than it did pre-COVID-19. One digital tool for active engagement is Pear Deck. Read on to find out how I'm using Pear Deck with my third grade writers!

writing workshop

Resources Teachers Can Share With Families: How to Help A Child With Writer’s Block At Home

A child who is experiencing writers block at home might appear to be refusing to write. It might seem like they are simply choosing not to do the work, or that they are being stubborn. But as an educator, I know that there is more to it than meets the eye.