Entries Tagged as ‘AJ’

April 15, 2008

LOI

I haven’t written anything on here in a few weeks because I’ve been super busy with full teach, LAMP, and some other irons I have in the fire. You haven’t missed anything spectacular, though. Today, however, is a special day. It’s another milestone in a young teacher’s career.
At 5:00 this afternoon, I signed a Letter [...]

March 16, 2008

Exam Update

Yesterday, I completed my Praxis II exams: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment and Reading Specialist. Four hours. Hundreds of questions. (I thought Dr. Marchant said answer choices couldn’t be longer than the question stem……… he should contact ETS about that.) It was a long, long morning.
I think I passed.
Future testers, beware: The Reading Specialist test is [...]

March 15, 2008

Intervention Web Site

http://www.interventioncentral.com
This is an incredible resource! Check it out for classroom management and intervention strategies and tools.

March 15, 2008

PRAXIS II

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It was hot and sunny, which is perfect weather to put me in the mood for spring break! Today, I kick off my spring break by taking my Praxis II exams. Passing these exams today is necessary in order to teach in the fall…. no pressure there… gulp.
I’m ready. I [...]

March 11, 2008

7 Weeks Left

Blogging has been slow lately for several reasons. Last week was the reading comprehension portion of the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) high-stakes testing for my third graders. That’s something I’ve reflected on privately because of the nature of the test and the procedures associated with administering and monitoring the test. I [...]

March 10, 2008

Music in the Classroom

The Music Room- This site has several catchy (some annoying) songs that the right group of kids might really get into. I really like the motivational, positive attitude songs. Also, be sure you listen to the “$5.00 Fine for Whining.” Every teacher with a sense of humor should memorize this song and save it for [...]

March 5, 2008

Problem Solving Fun

There must be something going on chemically in every child’s brain that makesĀ  him or her despise word problems. Call them whatever you want: word problems, story problems, problem solving, objective 6… it doesn’t matter. The reaction is always the same: “Oh, maaaan!”
They don’t have to be boring though. I found a quick and easy [...]

March 5, 2008

Monkey Business

To handle the mid-year slip in classroom conduct, Mrs. Szalkowski thought it would be a good idea to come up with a classroom management system that would promote teamwork in cooperative groups. I came up with the theme, monkeys, and she and I refined the positive reinforcement system of points to drive the system. Here’s [...]

March 4, 2008

Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills

TAKS is tomorrow. That is where everyone’s focus and attention is being paid. I have never seen anything like this. My third graders will take the reading comprehension test. Students stay until they are finished… as long as it takes. Last year students were at the school until 8:00 in the evening finishing the comprehension [...]

February 27, 2008

Teachers are Farmers

Something occurred to me today as I was reading a story about segregation to my students. My words were defining the attitudes and beliefs toward racism of sixteen young people. Every syllable I spoke will echo in some of their minds for the rest of their lives. When these children are in high school and [...]