Lesson planning is one of the most important parts of this job. Yet, too often when we are pulled in too many directions, this critical area is not given enough of our time. There is just so much to think about at the beginning of the year it is hard to know which direction to go in first. For me,…
Read More
Writing poetry isn’t only for National Poetry Month (April) ! I enjoy teaching it all year with my second grade students. I usually start out with acrostic poems, as most have had some experience with them. We also try simple rhyming couplets and cinquains also. I have also tried other types like Haiku and Limericks. I usually…
Read More
Are you looking for a FREE 2019-2020 school calendar? I have created a school year calendar that I use for everything and I am making it available for FREE! The free calendar covers the months from August 2019 to July 2020. I use the calendar for so many different things. Plan my yearly events. Take to staff meetings to…
Read More
Dystopian books are a sub category of science fiction, and they are a hot YA book genre with many students. Themes and common story lines in dystopian science fiction stories deal with apocalyptic events and often have a dark tone. Because the content is heavier, the books are for an older reader. Authors target middle and high school students. In…
Read More
Over the 25 + years that I have been a special educator, I have seen many behavior contracts. When students misbehave in the general education classroom, I frequently hear, “Can you write them a behavior contract?” The way I feel about behavior contracts is the same way I feel about Social Stories. They can be very helpful when used properly,…
Read More
