Archive for In the Classroom

10 Tips for Talking with Parents about Student Reading Difficulties

An educator’s delivery of information that a student might have a reading difficulty can be unsettling to that student’s parents or guardians. They often don’t know what to do for their child next, as they might have heard or read a variety of conflicting advice.

Warning Signs That Struggling Early Readers Have Learning Disabilities

Specific warning signs – varying by age and grade – can help teachers flag a student’s learning disabilities early, says Richard Selznick, a psychologist, nationally certified school psychologist and the director of Cooper Learning Center, a child-learning program affiliated with the Children’s Regional Hospital at Cooper University Health Care with pediatric offices throughout Southern New Jersey.

Our Favorite Books to Give and Get This Holiday

The holidays are fast approaching, and parents and teachers alike are already preparing kids for winter break. It’s important to make sure young readers keep practicing their skills, even when they’re not in school. One of the best ways parents can get children excited about reading is with new books!

Read Aloud Strategies: Making It Intentional

Intentional Read Aloud“I am sure you have never done this, but I used to grab my read aloud selections on my way past the bookshelf as I walked to the read aloud area. I was convinced that any read aloud was good and I still think it is. However, why would we settle for just good when we can have great?” – Linda Hoyt

How Districts Can Use Literacy Coaching to Improve Classroom Instruction

Teacher and CoachSometimes even teachers need a little coaching. That’s where literacy coaching comes in.

Literacy coaches are meant to help teachers implement important instructional concepts in their classrooms.

Teacher Tips for Parent Teacher Conferences

Working Together With ParentsWhile parent teacher conferences can be a nerve-wracking affair for everyone involved, they are also an opportune time for teachers to increase their communication with the families of their students. With about 30 students to a classroom, it is hard to prepare fully for every single conference, especially when there is only about 30 minutes to meet with each family.

Breaking Down Linguistic Walls in the Classroom

English Language Learner students are often told to keep their languages separate throughout the school day容ven by activity in bilingual classrooms.

Small Revelations in a Chicago Classroom

A CLI Coach’s most powerful role is to raise teachers’ expectations for their students and themselves. Recently, a Chicago CLI Coach finished demonstrating a small group lesson with a second grade class and was astounded to see that the class’s teacher, Ms.

Addressing the Common Core in Our Classrooms

booksIn a recent survey conducted by Education Week only 45% of teachers reported being “very familiar” with the Common Core standards in ELA and literacy and more than three out of four teachers reported that they wanted additional training around CCSS. Do you feel the same?

Help Your Students Learn More and Feel Happier… With Music!

Music in the Classroom“Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
? Confucius, The Book of Rites