Year at a Glance 1

 

Goodness, time has flown by. However, there is what we have been up to this year.

We all know that anchor charts help our students remember key information. Here are some that I created to help the students remember verb tense.

Another set of anchor charts in my room. I keep these are reuse the each year. I only put them on display after we have covered a unit.

Thank God for TpT. I found this wonderful mobi

le about the water cycle. The students liked coloring and cut these out. I hungthem from the ceiling.

 

 I also found this on TpT. This was a one sheet illustration that I turned into a mobile that I also hung from the ceiling.

 Experts say that your room should be colorful. Well, I may have gone overboard. I like to have a lot of anchor charts in my room. I have a mix of Language Arts and Social Studies material hanging up.

 I love this board. During Social Studies, we were studying the different countries. I gave each student one of the countries we had studied, and they had to tell about the countries traditional food, clothing, education, and add illustrations.



Teachable Moments: Fall

 

Teachable Moments: Fall

Make every moment count. Children’s minds are like sponges, they readily absorb information. Utilize every possible opportunity to educate them. Even something as simple as the changing of the seasons can be a teachable moment. Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. Nature is bursting with vivid reds, oranges, golds, and browns. It also offers a whole canvas of learning activities.

Photosynthesis

During the fall, the leaves on the trees begin to change colors. And, your children are probably curious about this event. Now is a great time to nurture their love of science. Take them on a nature walk or a drive down the highway to look at the beautiful leaves. Explain the process of photosynthesis. Explain that plants turn water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugar. They use chlorophyll, the substance that gives plants their lush green color, to do this. However, as the temperature drops and the sunlight levels decrease, the trees no longer go through photosynthesis. The amount of chlorophyll decreases in the leaves and causes the change in colors.

Fall Plants

There are a lot of different flowers and plants that grow in the fall. You can point out some of the different plants to your children. Fall vegetables include beets, cauliflower, carrots, celery, lettuce, potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, mustard greens, collard greens, onions, and peas. Plant some of these vegetables with your children. Not only will you have fun, but you will also be teaching your children responsibility and self-reliance. And, let’s not forget about the beautiful flowers that grow this time of year.  These include Golden Rod, Lemon Queen Sunflowers, and Chrysanthemums.

Fall Art

Autumn is synonymous with beautiful landscapes. Encourage your children to capture this beauty on canvas. How can drawing and painting be educational? Simple. Art has several benefits. It is mentally stimulating. By allowing your children to draw or paint, you are encouraging them to pay attention to details, and it can also help your children develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, creativity, and coping skills.

Poems and Songs

Autumn also provides a great opportunity for your children to improve their writing skills. Encourage your children to react to the changing seasons through poetry or music. These poems and songs can even be turned into a book of poetry or a book of songs.

Writing

Hone those writing skills this fall. The brilliant colors and the changing landscapes offer your children a wide variety of topics on which to write. They can write letters to Mother Earth and ask her questions. They can also write descriptive paragraphs or essays.

Greek Mythology

Fall is a great time to study Greek Mythology. As the seasons change, you can introduce children to the tale of Hades, the god of the underworld, and Persephone. This myth about the abduction Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was the Greeks way of explaining the changing of the seasons.

Teachable moments happen all the time. Take advantage of them this autumn. Do some of the fun activities above.

Word Walls Can Be Used At Home

 

Word Walls Aren’t Just for School

If you ask your child about a word wall, he or she will more than most likely tell you about the one that is located in his/her classroom. Word Walls are a common part of any elementary classroom. They are used to help students become familiar with words that they may encounter in their reading books or other settings. The word wall acts as a visual bridge between words and their use. Word walls are very effective, and the great news is that they don’t have to be used just in school.

Words walls are not just for the classroom. They can also be used at home. Are you wondering how? Simple. You can start a word wall in your child’s room or any other area of your home. If you don’t want to risk ruining your paint or wall paper, you can opt to turn your refrigerator door into a Word Center. Just place the words on your refrigerator door in the same way that you add pictures and notes. It doesn’t matter where you decide to place your word wall. All that matters is that the words are easily visible, and you and your child can interact with them on a regular basis.

I decided to do a word wall in my home after I saw my son’s reading scores. My child has always been a fluent reader, but I noted that lately-since the arrival of his new wii-he wasn’t reading as well as he used to. So, I decided to take immediate steps to prevent further loses in reading. I decided to create a word wall in my house and begin teaching him new words. I opted to use my son’s bedroom as a place for his word wall. My son is in the 2^nd grade, so I chose the words that were recommended for 3^rd grade. I simply looked on the internet for a list of 3^rd grade words and chose some to start the word wall with. I did this so that his vocabulary would increase as well as his reading level. Now, my son and I look at the words daily and discuss the meanings of the words that I added.

Word walls are a great way to help increase your child’s vocabulary and help him or her become a better reader. You can use the words that your child brings home from school each week or you can find age-appropriate words on the internet.

Articles to Read: 

Videos to Watch: 

How to Effective Communicate with School Personnel

 

Talking to school personnel can be intimidating. However, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings with school officials can actually be beneficial if they are handled in the right way. As a parent, there are some things that you can do to make talking with school official easier and more productive.

Keep the child first

It is important to keep in mind that both you and school officials share a similar goal. You both want to ensure that your child receives a quality education. So, when talking with school personnel remember to set personal feelings aside and focus on what will best benefit your child.

Remember they are only human

Yes, teachers are human. They have feelings too, and they do make mistakes. When there is a problem in the classroom or at the school, allow the school staff a chance to explain what happened. You have heard your child’s side of the story. Now, listen to the teacher’s side.  Although it may be tempting to defend your child and insult the teacher or other school staff members, don’t do it. Remember that teachers and other school officials are there to help your child.

Make a list of the important issues

Make a list of all the issues you wish to discuss with the school personnel before your meeting. This will prevent you from forgetting key topics, and it will save time. Ask the questions that you have prepared. Begin with the most important items first. Remember the teacher is working and does not have an unlimited amount of time. So, arrive on time and be as brief as possible.

Keep copies of work     

Always keep copies of your child’s work. You can keep these in folders or in a portfolio. By keeping copies of your child’s work and any notes or letters that the school has sent home, you are ensuring that you know what is going on with your child. And, this will provide you with documentation of your child’s grades and progress.

Watch your tone and body language

When talking with school personnel, watch your tone and body language. Try not to come across as angry, upset, or hostile. Try to have a positive attitude and calm demeanor even if you are unhappy about the conference or meeting.Try not to be judgmental. Again, the teacher and other members of the school staff are there to help your child. So, try to communicate your willingness to partner with school officials to help your child.

Share valuable information

Share any important information with school officials. Tell your child’s teacher how they learn best. Discuss your child’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. It is also wise to share things about your family dynamics that can affect your child’s grades and behavior. If your family has recently experienced the death of an immediate family member or a divorce, this information should be shared with your child’s teacher or other school personnel. This can help school personnel better understand your child.

Talking with school personnel can be scary, but it is a necessity. It is important to have a positive attitude, to speak in a pleasant tone, and to be prepared.

How to Prepare a 1st Grader for School

 

School is about to start, and your little darling is getting ready for to go to “big school”. Although it is an exciting time, it is also a scary time for both parents and students especially if the child has not been to school before. Even if they have, there can be some apprehension about going from kindergarten to first grade. So, what things can you do to get your child ready for the transition? 

*Become familiar with the school

School is usually open even before the first day of school.  Arrange for you and your child to come do a walk through on campus.  Take him or her on a tour of the building.  If you know your child’s room already, you can walk them to the room and let them look inside.  Show him or her where the bathrooms are. It is also a good idea to drive by the school often for about a week and keep telling them that this is their school. 

*Meet the teacher

Most schools host an open house before school starts.  This is a great time for you and your child to meet the teacher.  You and the teacher can discuss her expects and you can give her valuable information about your child.  This is a great time for your child to get familiar with the teacher.  Meeting the teacher will also help to relieve some of your child’s anxiety about beginning first grade.

*Meet the bus driver

If your child will be riding the school bus, it will also help to familiarize your child with the bus driver.  If you can, make the introductions and discuss seating arrangements for the year.

*Work with your child at home

Get your child use to doing school work by doing some at home.  A few weeks before school starts begin to get your child into the routine of doing work. There are workbooks and website available that you can use to get educational materials.

*Read to your child

It is vital that you read to your child on a daily basis.  Students are expected to be reading by the end of first grade. Start the process at home by reading to him or her. This will not only help to relieve anxiety about school, but it will also help to foster a love of reading. 

*Discuss expected behavior

Even if your child went to kindergarten the year before, begin talking to them about expected behavior.  They should know that they have to follow directions, listen to the teacher, and stay in their assigned place.

*Establish a routine before school starts

Go ahead and establish a routine before they march off to school the first day.  Have a set time for homework, play time, and bedtime.  Select a quiet place for completing homework assignments and make sure that your child knows where that place is.  Practice working on simple assignments before school begins.  Allow them to have breaks so that they don’t get frustrated or develop homework anxiety.  Bedtime should be at the same time every night.  Get your child into a bedtime routine and stick with it.  This will help to decrease bedtime drama and ensure that your child gets the necessary amount of sleep he or she needs.

As your child prepares for first grade, help to decrease anxiety and stress by familiarizing them with the school and the teacher.  Establish a routine and stick with it. 

Why Art Class is Important

 

When administrators and lawmakers look at cutting school funding, art is often one of the areas to be hit hardest. Contrary to what some may think, art is an important part of the primary school curriculum. It helps young students to develop important skills, and it can positively affect school attendance, students’ health, and personal development.

Creativity

Art assignments often call for the student to use their imagination to create things from raw materials. This assignments help to encourage the students to be creative, to try new things, and to take risks.

Fine motor skills

Small children are often uncoordinated. Many art projects require students to use crayons, paint brushes, and scissors. By using these items, young students are developing their hand-eye coordination.

Critical Thinking

Art is a mentally stimulating activity, and as such, it is a great way to keep the brain functioning at its best. Exposure to art has also been shown to increase the brain’s functions and help to improve the students’ critical thinking skills. It prompts young children to analyze problems and brainstorm ways to solve those problems. Art encourages students to focus on details and find new ways to express themselves.

Individuality

There is no right or wrong way to create art. Art is in the eye of the beholder. Young students can develop self-esteem and individuality by working on art projects. They also learn how to set goals and how to work toward those goals.

Attendance

Students are more likely to attend school if they like school. Art can help to increase student attendance. Because art is fun, it gives the students something to look forward to each day. Excited students want to come to school.

Stress relief

Painting, drawing, and other art activities can help to relieve stress. And, yes, young children do experience stress. Like adults, they have issues that they have to deal with too. They have to deal with homework assignments, peers, and less than perfect home situations. Art offers a way to release some of that stress.

Art is an important part of the primary school curriculum. It increases students’ creativity, helps to hone fine motor skills, improve critical thinking skills, relieve stress, and increase school attendance.

Ways to Improve School Attendance

Regular school attendance is important for both the school and the student. When students are out of school, they are missing vital information, and they can easily fall behind in their school work. Decreased student attendance can also negatively affect a school. It can result in decrease in federal funds and a decrease in the school’s overall test scores and graduation rate. The following are things that teachers and the school district can do to encourage student attendance.

Get the parents involved

One of the best ways to improve student attendance is to get the parents involved. It is a fact that parental involvement can improve student achievement no matter what their socio-economic levels, race, or parental education level. Parental involvement can also increase student attendance. When parents are actively involved in their children’s education, they make education and school attendance a priority.  

Provide opportunities for parental involvement

There are ways that schools can increase parental involvement. They can encourage positive contact between parents and the school. They can do this by sending newsletters home. These letters should include information about state test dates, upcoming school events, and simple parenting tips. Teachers can periodically phone parents. These calls should not be just to report misbehavior or failing grades. These calls should be positive in nature, and the teachers or other school officials should discuss some of the good things that the child has done. Schools can also get parents involved by providing volunteering opportunities, having Parent Teacher Organization meetings, and opening resource centers for parents.

Make learning fun

Students are more likely to come to school if they like school. Teachers can help to increase student attendance by making their lessons more exciting and relevant to their everyday lives. The internet offers a wide range of lesson plans that can help to make learning more exciting.

Make students a partner in their own education

Allow students to make suggestions about topics they would like to study or project they would like to complete. Conduct student surveys periodically. Have students complete an Interest Inventory sheet. This will help the teacher identify each student’s learning style and the activities that they find the most interesting. Instead of reading lists that are set in stone, teachers can allow students the opportunity to choose some of their own reading material.  They are more likely to read the material if it is something that they want to read.

Create a friendly environment

The school should also have a friendly environment. Parents and students should be greeted at the door. School staff should offer the students a smile and words of encouragement on a regular basis. Students are more likely to attend school when they feel that their teachers are concerned about them.

Reward regular attendance

Another way to improve student attendance is to reward those who have perfect attendance. Present them with certificates or simply spotlight their achievement. This will help to encourage them to continue to attend school and motivate other students to strive for perfect attendance.

Student attendance affects both the student and the school. Encourage students to regularly attend school by using some of the incentives listed above.