Blog Archives - Study Plans

Building a child's confidence

8/21/2019

7 Montessori-inspired phrases to help build your child's confidence: https://www.mother.ly/child/montessori-phrases-that-build-confidence-2639901880
These phrases are much better than "Good job!" or "Too bad" because they actually say something and can lead to a discussion between the adult and child. Although the article was written for parents, it is just as meaningful for educators.

Paper or Screen?

8/18/2019

Evidence increases for reading on paper instead of screens: https://hechingerreport.org/evidence-increases-for-reading-on-paper-instead-of-screens/
"Most studies point to better reading comprehension from printed material, researcher says."
However, the difference is minimal and both the researcher and her children prefer screens. Dr. Virginia Clinton's research also found that reading nonfiction resulted in the same level of comprehension when reading on paper or screen. It is nonfiction that seems to have a higher level of comprehension for the reader when reading paper text as opposed to text on a screen. The issue seems to be that students in an increasing number of cases don't have the choice of whether to choose paper or screen since paper books in schools.

Moving to a Culturally Diverse Curricula

8/17/2019

What have districts learned when embracing culturally responsive curricula?: https://www.educationdive.com/news/what-have-districts-learned-when-embracing-culturally-responsive-curricula/560734/
"New York city is the latest to seek the benefits of inclusive teaching material that reflects the diverse experiences of students from a variety of backgrounds"
I especially appreciated that the examples of schools that have embraced culturally responsive literacy in this article included teachers and parents in the planning and implementation of the new curricula. There was extensive time devoted to devising and explaining the curriculum with educators and the community involved.

Back to School Tips for Teachers

8/8/2019

Back-to-School Tips for Special Education Teachers: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/back-school-tips-special-education-teachers
This article in Reading Rockets has organizational suggestions that can help teachers begin the year with a plan to keep records in a way that is useful for them. This plus additional suggestions such as contact parents before the school year begins as well as the last suggestion, my favorite, to stay positive all year are useful for teachers as they think about the upcoming school year.

Creating a Classroom Library

8/8/2019

Creating a Classroom Library: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/creating-classroom-library
This is an example of how one teacher organized a classroom library for a couple of elementary grades. The pictures the teacher included were helpful as were the suggestions about what worked in the set up and everyday running of the library.

Welcome Back to School

8/8/2019

Back to School: For Parents and Teachers: https://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/backtoschool#welcoming
There are so many ideas and activities on this Reading Rocket site with links to even more that I decided to quote from their page: "Get tips on creating a literacy-rich classroom, setting up your classroom library, scheduling your reading and writing instruction, finding your best tech tools, and engaging parents as partners." The ideas are helpful that I need to begin to read them now so that I can have the time to prepare my class for the upcoming year.

Writing teachers need to write with students

8/4/2019

Why Teachers Need to Write with Students: https://www.middleweb.com/40730/why-teachers-need-to-write-with-students/
This article explains why it is important for teachers to write, both to model writing for their students and to be a writer themselves. I especially liked the practical ideas that were explained in the article.

Making middle school better for students

8/4/2019

These Academics Spent $1.35 to Make Middle School Less Awful. Here's How: https://time.com/5636708/these-academics-spent-1-35-to-make-middle-school-less-awful-heres-how/
Middle school can be difficult for most students and this article based on a study explains why as well as what can be done to make it an easier adjustment for children as they enter middle school. It also gives advice to parents and educators, such as that students seem to do better in schools K-8 schools instead of K-6 schools. Their $1.35 plan is to have children write twice about specific topics when they begin their middle school year to let the students know that their feelings and experiences are not unique. I would think that continuing this writing program might be beneficial as well.

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