While 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
In 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 produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without.”
? Confucius, The Book of Rites
Three Ways You Can Improve Your Communication with Families
A new school year not only brings a new classroom of young learners into our lives, but it also introduces us to their families. These families are the most powerful allies we can have when it comes to the academic success of our students.
Effective Practices: Teaching Sight Words to Increase Reading Fluency
If students can read high frequency words in a snap, their reading fluency will increase…
Books That Help Create a Class Community Through Read Alouds
Making students feel at home in the classroom is a top priority for teachers during the fall. Teachers create cozy reading spaces, begin to develop rituals and routines, and help students understand the value of their contributions and hard work. Conversations about families can help foster connections among students and highlight diversity.
Moving the Learning Environment from Chaos into Calm
School principals model educational beliefs, behaviors and expectations that impact the entire school community – teachers, support staff, parents and students.
Our Favorite Back To School Apps for Teachers
September is here and teachers everywhere are busy preparing for the school year ahead. If you are one of the growing number of teachers who uses a smartphone or tablet in the classroom, you may be searching for some useful apps to help communicate with families, conduct assessments, or allow your students practice literacy skills. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite free apps for educators, so all you have to do is hit download and get teaching!