Quality literacy instruction includes scaffolding instruction to ensure success and explicit instruction of skills. The following process will scaffold students learning of skills:
- Describe the skill.
- Model what the skill looks like.
- Give students opportunities to practice at their instructional levels.
- Provide explicit, immediate, specific feedback that is focused on key steps of the strategy.
- Over time, increase the difficulty of the reading material.
- Once a student is fluent in using the skill, teach him how to transfer skill to other areas of school.
Check out WordWit, the new word app that helps you avoid using the wrong word by pairing words that may be confused, such as obtain/attain. The company plans to come out with PhraseWit and ToneWit later this year. Edutainment that sure beats worksheets and multiple choice tests on Fridays!
I am impressed with the company’s mission as stated on their blog The Ballpoint Revue:
Ballpoint is committed to helping writers of all backgrounds and levels to deepen their engagement with words and writing. We’re starting with helping to correct misused words that can cause embarrassment and even shame. But good writing is more than just being correct. It’s also about an attitude of respect, care, and understanding.
New York Times Op-Ed columnist Charles M. Blow writes in honor of all teachers in his September 2nd column, as he gives tribute to Mrs. Thomas, his fourth grade teacher, whose influence changed his life. Take a few minutes to read his column “In Honor of Teachers.” The column is a reminder to me that many people do still respect teachers and recognize the powerful influence they have on young people.
Take time to watch this very informative talk by Diane Ravitch, speaking at American University on July 29, 2011 about education reform. She makes a strong argument that federal programs like NCLB, Teach for America, and excessive standardized testing are hurting our schools, not helping them. She suggests that we begin to listen to people like Daniel Pink who have identified 21st Century skills.
Dr. Diane Ravitch at American University July 29th from Rita Solnet on Vimeo.
I came across an interesting website promoting writing. The concept is to write for 10 minutes each and every day. If we would all make this commitment and follow through, imagine the results! Personally, I know that if I commit to doing something daily, it becomes a routine that I try not to omit. Without the commitment, my good intentions languish and weeks go before I spend time doing that thing I enjoy (crafts, reading, writing). This blog is a great example. I tell myself that I will post at least once a week, but the mental discipline is lacking, and so I go for weeks without making the time to write. Think I’ll accept this challenge to write for 10 minutes each day (and emails don’t count!).
Check out the Write for Ten website and consider accepting the challenge.
It has been raining for over an hour, and we are beside ourselves with joy. After months of 100+ days with hot, dry wind, it is such a blessing to have a 68-degree breeze and rain.
Want to hear the sweet sound of our rain? Here is a short video
Here’s what I was doing on this day in 1974!
Check out this Slideshare presentation of 50 technology resources.
We’ve had a great week in Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Here are some pictures of our adventure; most are of our fly fishing trip along Flat Creek in one of Teton County’s Elk refuges.
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