My students are currently working with editing checklists. I find that they are holding themselves more accountable for the learning that’s taken place over the course of the year. Over the years I’ve created a few different editing checklists for…
One of my favorite things to do is to soak up what happens during Partner Reading. When students Read to Someone, magical things happen! they mentor one another as readers they build their schema they build their stamina they collaborate,…
New to Twitter chats? If you’re using the traditional Twitter feed, you should consider using Tweet Deck for chats! Next Monday, July 11, 2016, there’ll be a Bloomz app chat. The following Tweet Deck tutorial will work for ANY chat that…
Last May I let my students rearrange our classroom. Really! I’m not kidding. We had a Guest Teacher in the morning and they worked collaboratively in small groups to rearrange construction paper pieces on large chart paper. Next year when…
Students have the option to select Listening to Reading as one of their Daily 5 choices. We have MP3 players for this purpose. Every month I change out the audiobooks. Students can listen to the books independently, or with a partner,…
When students are using Chromebooks or iPad technology during our literacy or math workshop blocks, I’ve learned that it’s important to have a “tech plan” for the day. This past school year I created one for the SMARTboard. I usually…
If you’re on Facebook, consider joining a Teacher Group, or two, or three… Really! They are a great way to be inspired, share ideas, and connect with other educators outside of your school building. Here are a few that I…
The topic of flexible seating in classrooms is everywhere I look! From threads on Twitter and Facebook to blog posts featuring pictures and explanations. For some teachers, flexible seating seems to be a new concept. I’ve even heard of…
Students have a lot of voice and choice in our classroom. Our classroom offers them flexible seating areas, learning options from which to choose during independent work time, and a plethora of tools readily available to help them orchestrate their work….
On Monday my students will take the MAPs math assessment. We’re in our fourth year of using this assessment as a district. I actually look forward to taking this assessment in winter and spring. We take it in the fall too,…
