She or he stands in front of the classroom. A teacher is seen as a preacher, a Professor, a sage, a scholar, a disciplinarian or someone to be feared. As children, we learned that the man or woman who ruled our world, the classroom had power over us. Even if, in a moment, this academician seemed somewhat approachable, rarely were we privileged enough to enter their inner world.
Thus, at an early age we learned to love the keeper of wisdom, to stand in awe of the scholar or learn to distrust the person who controlled our activities. This wizard of word, giver of work, did not have a magic wand. Nonetheless, the teacher had a grade book. With but a stroke of a pen or pencil, the Instructor could cast cruel spells or offer compassion. It sometimes seems, to us, there was no rhyme or reason for what occurred. While we may know better now, as parents, the aura, the allure, or more rightly, revulsion for conversations with an Educator lingers. The Tennessee teachers share a secret in the February 2010 Parent Link Educators are people too.
This is not a game. Nor is it an exercise in futility. Often Educators forget how much their students can teach them. Given the opportunity and an instructor with an open heart, mind, body, and soul, a pupil can pour out tons of wisdom. A word, a touch, a tale tell us more than what we read in books. Shy little Suzy has glorious stories to share. Shakiel is not just streetwise; he has the acumen of a sage buried just beneath his eyes. Abrianna is not dense. What appears to be still waters, or a sassy mouth runs deep. Just as Akil, she only needs someone to tap into what is within, vast knowledge of a world a teacher may not know. Every child, just as millions of adults, is close to an Unsung Hero. These persons come in every skin tone. Mostly we hear of Anglo protagonists. However, during Black History month we might wish to reflect on the acts of individuals who flesh is not necessarily pale.
So much of what has made this world, this country, our States, and cities wonderful is not written in textbooks. An African-American girl, an Asian boy, a Caucasian of either gender, an Indian from the Far East or Native America can speak of what a teacher cannot, the persons within their family, amongst their friends, or in the community who make or made a difference.
I would like to give kudos to Nicole Alvarez our full-time PD mentor .... not only is Nicole a terrific mentor and presenter, she is one of the most organized people I know ... I consider myself pretty well organized and she runs circles around me.
Foldables are manipulatives that can be used to enhance your math or reading objectives. All you need is a sheet of paper, a sequence of steps and your students' understanding of a concept can be drastically improved.
I first came upon foldables when I attended a math conference. We made a triangle, a small 8-page booklet and a burrito book. Did you know that you can make a burrito book with a hot dog fold and a hamburger fold? It's easy to do!
Now, I practice these foldables often, and it helps to not only build my automaticity but also to create my own versions. Students can use them as study aids, which can be appealing to visual learners.
Learn more about foldables and how you can use them for your learning objectives. Check out www.dinah.com and click on manipulatives, or peek below the "fold" of this cyberspace page. You'll see a sample of ideas for foldables. They are hands-on, interactive and fun!
There are also videos to view, if you travel, a hop, skip, and a jump, over the "fold!"
In life sometimes we have to turn things UPSIDE DOWN, look at situations in a new light or through different lenses. Many times I have been put down, let down, just plain shot down, and have asked that famous question, "Why me?" Well, not anymore. I've learned how to turn trials UPSIDE DOWN. I confront these life burdens as my testimonies and find ways to use them to inspire people. I am a believer that my struggles can not only make me stronger but also someone else.
I remember watching my mother-in-law lay in her hospital bed, double mastectomy, hair falling out, nails black from chemotherapy, and a smile on her face. She was talking to another young lady, a cancer patient as well, being inspiring and uplifting to this young woman who was not dealing with her illness as well. My mother-in-law was turning her situation UPSIDE DOWN, finding the joy in helping someone through a difficult situation.
In life we need to inspire and we can start by turning difficult situations UPSIDE DOWN!
Traditionally, people celebrate the birth dates of those they cherish. Even office mates who are barely but acquaintances are honored on the anniversary off their entrance into Earthly existence. For some persons, the belief is every being is of value, whether we personally like them or not. Others just like a party. A few hope for favors. These individuals think if they give a gift, even a card, they may get one in return. Some say they are just not good with dates. They would forget their own birthdays, or wish they could. However, most, once made aware of a birth date, do not deny the importance of a commemoration, and say, "Excellent! All I want will be on sale. I will purchase presents for me!" Yet, sadly, that is the oft-heard mantra for countless on the Monday holiday meant to memorialize Marin Luther King Junior.
The disregard and disrespect we would not show someone we disdain, too often, defines Martin Luther King Junior Day in America. A man who changed the life of millions, is rarely remembered for all that he has done to better society. Doctor King's birth date, rarely observed on the actual January 15th date, has become a day to indulge oneself.
Oh, there are exceptions. Please peruse the list events in the local West Palm, Florida area. Liberty City, Miami too comes together to celebrate the gifts Doctor King gave us all. Contemplate the happenings in Spokane, Washington. New York City does note the day, and formally familiarize the population. Perhaps, you too can plan to develop, design, print, and distribute a calendar that features commemoration to Reverend Doctor King in your community. If you would, please do other than what has become a national tradition, forget the individual, and his abundant accomplishments.
Mathematics Is A Language - How to Connect It to Writing Activities By
Sue Ann Marie Korb
Senior Education Quality Manager
I have always been a lover of the subject of mathematics. I get a great joy out of solving problems and manipulating numbers. However, I must admit that I loved math more than it loved me. It probably was the way that I was taught mathematics. When I was taught math, the belief was that there was just one way to solve a problem. I can remember countless nights when I was doing homework that my father (by the ways he had an excellent mathematical mind) would try to help me understand how to solve a particular problem I was working on. He would use a different process to solve the problem than the one my teacher taught me. Even thought we would come up with the same answer, the process was different and at that time, it was not acceptable by my teacher. Oh, the frustration I was feeling as a student. Also during those days of my learning math everything was taught abstractly, paper, pencil and numbers, numbers, numbers.
I am so happy to see that today teaching math includes teaching the use of manipulatives, problem solving strategies, (multiple ways to solve problems) and writing activities that adhere to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards of communication, connections, problem solving and reasoning.
As I was scanning through the April 2009 edition of "The Reading Teacher" I found an article by Susan Carter entitled, Connecting Mathematics and Writing Workshop: It's Kinda Like Ice Skating". I would like to share with you some of the things Susan did to help her students understand math concepts better and use different processes to solve problems.
Be it in the month of Martin Luther King Junior's birth or another time of year, the oft-heard statement is "Keep the dream alive." Yet, parents, Principals, professors frequently realize that they cannot do so through lectures. The vision must be lived. Hence, in the January Parent Link, Tennessee teachers offer ways to expand what can seem but an illusion. They ask all those in a child's life to travel beyond the classroom.
Our Catapult colleagues inspire us to do more than aspire. They invite us to act on other than our habits. In turn, those in the Volunteer State, believe children, communities will be engaged. We all are encouraged to Create a Multicultural Banquet!: Readers of the January 2010 Parent Link will be reminded of Martin Luther King himself said, Stand Up Against Injustice. Given the opportunity to consider the circumstances of others, the Tennessee teachers think, one day, we will experience what for now is only a dream. The hope is our children, or the children of the young ones in your school will "not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
During the month of December there are many significant holidays around the world. Holidays such as Ramadan, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice and Kwanzaa get little attention in comparison to the most dominant Christmas. Unfortunately, many have forgotten the real reason for the season and they get caught up in the commercialism that has become associated with Christmas. The commercialism and the subsequent actions and negative reactions have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus.
It is within this context, I decided 36 years ago to stop the charade and stop celebrating Christmas. My immediate family went into shock. My oldest sister blasted me for having been the recipient of so many wonderful Christmases as a child and now denying my own children the same opportunity. She was half right. I did have wonderful Christmases and I have great memories and stories from them. But I did not deny my own children. I discovered a new holiday, celebration and traditions. I discovered Kwanzaa.
What is the FISH Philosophy? Why might Catapult Learners look fondly at FISH?
One drizzly day in a small fish market on the West Coast, a group of workers muddled through their jobs of chopping and selling fish. Suddenly, there was a revelation: if they had to show up and do these somewhat mundane tasks anyway, why not HAVE FUN?
The employees of the fish market started to change their attitudes. It became common to see fish flying across the bins of the kiosk. Shoppers were brought into the act, and were prompted to catch the fish being thrown across the room.
Businessmen from commercial buildings across the street began to come during their lunch hours just to watch the spirit of play being such a success in the workplace. Eventually, the workers of the fish market developed the entire philosophy about work, which involves the following rules: Have Fun, Choose Your Attitude, Make Someone's Day, & Be There!
In this edition of Professional Development Notes you will find suggestions of how to implement the FISH Philosophy into your classroom and into your daily life.
As we go about our busy day of looking for the best gift for our loved ones, let's take time to reflect on the less fortunate. This is the season that we should be showing those who are less fortunate than we are that we care. It is not necessary to buy material things. It is the intangible things that are more important, like speaking a kind word to a family, friend or stranger, or giving someone a hug. Some people don't have family members that live near them and cannot afford to travel where they are. A kind gesture could be to invite them to dinner and give them a little gift, like your favorite book or journal to write their thoughts or create poems.
During this time of festivities and celebrations, hundreds and/or even thousands of individuals are contemplating suicide because they believe they have nothing to live for. We often put expectations on people that we ourselves cannot live up to. We live our lives vicariously through our children, putting our goals, wishes and dreams on them when we ourselves are not able to accomplish these and they do not have the desire or capability to live up to our fulfilled aspirations.
Copy and paste the above link and you will find a great article for parents regarding reading tips--preschool to grade 3. And best of all, it can be downloaded and printed in 10 different languages.
Homework time can be a very trying time for some families. Some children will sit and diligently finish all required work independently, while others spend hours frustrated, engaging parents, and crying. At times, a screaming match may develop due to your frustration as a parent. You know you child better than anyone, you are baffled because you can't understand why your child doesn't remember what you just showed them. Relax! Parents can work with their children harmoniously if you follow these suggestions for homework time.
We are born alone. We die alone.
We live the middle part in denial of those two facts, longing to make a connection.
We try to make a connection so we can find the meaning. ~ Joe Caruso [Author and Motivational Speaker]
Connection is the concept. The construct rarely written into a classic curriculum is connection. Indeed, schools do not organically create associations. Often, the bureaucracy is more oblivious, and has more power over a student than the lessons taught to a tot or a teen. Even instructors may have a closer bond to established procedures than they do to education. Administrative systems flourish in scholarly institutions, much to the detriment of little ones and society. That can change. There are tools provided for us. We, as Educators, as people, need only use them. What might these tools be and where can a teacher find them?
Last year, I was introduced to a great web site that allows people to donate directly to classrooms across America. It's great because you know where your donation is going and also how it is being used. If you are looking for a way to contribute, this is one of the best ways, in my opinion. And it's tax deductible! Feel good, help students and lower your tax burden! I have attached the description of the organization from the actual web site.
"DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.
Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.
Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that makes your eye twinkle. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school.
You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $100, you'll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students.
At DonorsChoose.org, you can give as little as $1 and get the same level of choice, transparency, and feedback that is traditionally reserved for someone who gives millions. We call it citizen philanthropy."
"One picture is worth a 1000 words" is a common expression. For visual learners, a picture is a helpful learning tool. It is especially helpful to have pictures when introducing students to new people, places and things.
In the past, before television and the computer, Life magazine was where people were exposed to the wonders of the world.
Fortunately for educators, Life magazine is now online. At Life.com, a teacher can browse their online photo archives to search for relevant teaching themes. Their galleries have been organized into 900 thematic sets of 12 - 20 photographes. They are grouped by topics such as civil rights, nature, space and celebrities. Slide shows are created to facilitate viewing.
How can Life.com help you in your class? Let's say you are teaching a class using The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This book takes place in Paris, France. Many of our students have no clue where Paris. France is or what Notre Dame is. By clicking on the following link, you can find a picture of Notre Dame, where the book takes place.
This picture can be printed to be shown in class (see Terms of Use at the web site), or it can be projected onto a screen from your computer.
There are so many pictures to choose from. This is just one way to create a more visual experience for your students. Actually seeing Paris and its many sites might be the first step to opening up a student's world view. Or it can just be plain entertaining;)
As one year ends and another begins, the Tennessee teachers, through this month's Parent Link remind us of reveries and resolutions. The Educators also envision opportunity in this holiday season. The twelfth month of the year is a great time to read, to try new recipes, and cook up the spice of life. In the December 2009 Parent Link you will find a tasty morsel or two.
Moms, Dads, caregivers, and their offspring may wish to prepare the delicacy featured in the Parent Link on a December day, or at dawn, in June. With your children, classmates, or cousins, please, peruse the instructions. Gather the ingredients. Mix. Stir, spoon, or slice. Teachers in the Volunteer State think this meal might be a delight.
"friendship" One cup of love, three tablespoons of advice, two teaspoons of special secrets, and a few pinches of laughter. Put the love in a pillowcase. Add the other ingredients just before bedtime. Sleep on it. In the morning, eat a large helping of "friendship" for breakfast.
~ From Resource for Educators, a division of Aspen Publishers, Inc. 2002
Guided Reading is an instructional strategy to teach comprehension and promote fluency while increasing text difficulty. The goal of Guided Reading is for students to learn how to read strategically and independently.
Guided reading:
encourages students to think critically about the text
allows students to advance readily and enthusiastically to more challenging texts while receiving direct support from their teacher
makes students responsible for reading the whole text
enables teachers to observe students' problem solving text effortlessly
allows students demonstrate comprehension and word analysis strategies
Click on the video to view a short clip of a guided reading session or travel through the title link offered, Guided Reading with Cathie Peters
For now, the words are left locked in Atlantic City conference rooms. A very few photographs are all those of us not in attendance have to hold.
The person known to us as our beloved Bob George, Bobby G. received a promotion. Regional Vice President for the Midwest, West, and South is now Senior Vice President Western Operations.
Cheryl B. West, Executive Director, received the President's Award. She and her close friend, Chris LaMadrid, Regional Vice President, Southeast shared a moment soon after the worthy acknowledgement for Cheryl's grand capacities and glorious compassion was bestowed.
There are others who received acknowledgement, accolades, and abundant appreciation. If you wish to see the joyous faces of friends, and perhaps family, please travel through the word "link." Transport yourself in time and space. On the other side of this introduction you will find a treasure trove of talented, able, and accomplished Catapult Learning people.
In the month of November, families anxiously await the Thanksgiving holiday. Most suppose that on the Day of the turkey feast and after, when free from work or school, there will be time to genuinely chat. The fourth week in November begins a season when people have ample opportunity to enjoy the company of those they treasure. Just before, and during the entire month of December Moms, Dads, and their brood will converse constantly, in the ways they each privately wish for. Tis true.
Parents wish to be involved. Yet, few know how or what to do in a manner that truly connects them to their progeny. Children crave a real relationship too. Moms, Dads, as well as a loving, caregiver is meaningful to the many children that populate the planet. However, the young too are at a disadvantage. Tots and teens are busy. They have little time to tell their mothers, fathers, and those they are dependent on what they think, feel, need, and wish for. Hence, most, at least in America, enthusiastically anticipate the coming of Thanksgiving Day and the holidays that follow.
Few realize the infinite openings to share that exist prior to the observance. For parents, Papas, Mamas, and those who treasure a little one, please consider the chances to connect earlier in the month, or everyday. (See the submissions below.) Peruse a list of dates that might prompt plans. Look through lesson ideas. Think about the thoughts that teachers shared (also further down on the page, or travel through this link.) Parents and teachers please ponder daily what you might do to provide the rapport your progeny yearn for. Practice involvement on holidays . . .
November Dates that Deliver Opportunities to Relate
Please be aware; it is vital that we act on our philosophies always. You may wish to consider a recommendation or two from professionals, a Psychologist and Educators. One never knows what might inspire us or help us to create ways to better involvement.
