Here is what my page looked like when I first created it:
Edutopia – I chose this feed because the site allows you to browse by grade level, so I can find lower elementary resources and connect with other teachers. I watched a video on classroom communities and starting the school day with a morning meeting. I learned that by helping students start the day sharing feelings with their peers, teachers pave the way to academic success. Students need to feel happy and safe at school in order to ask questions and take risks, and it is our job to provide this type of environment for them.
I added NEA Today because I thought it would be beneficial to be up to date with today’s news regarding education. From the NEA today feed, I browsed through the ‘Blogs We’re Reading’ section and discovered EDVOICES. I read a post that caught my eye because it was titled, 5 Places to Score FREE Classroom Supplies. Free is always good to me, and there are some great ideas listed here, like going to local banks for free pens and pencils!
I added Suite 101: Teacher Tips/Training Articles & Technological Teaching Aids Articles to my RSS Reader because I am always looking for tips that will make my life- and the life of my students- easier! I added the Technological Teaching Aids because I thought the information would be very relevant to this class.
The blog that I am following is Reading Writing Connection. On 1/22/11 I read an article on reader’s theatre and how rereading familiar text is one powerful way to increase fluency. I found this blog to be very useful and relevant to my own teaching practice. I teach first graders, and they are just learning how to read. For some of them, their reading is very choppy. I was able to download and print a reader’s theatre script from this blog called “Creepy Crawly Bugs,” and I can’t wait to use it with my non-fluent readers! I commented on this blog, thanking the creators for sharing this wonderful resource!
I also read a post on this blog about how music improves brain function. My students love to listen to quiet music while they are working. I have a couple of CDs with fun kid’s songs on them. On days when I give my students tests, we take “brain breaks” and I play a silly song for them to dance to. It really does energize them when they get up and move, and I love to watch their smiling faces as they giggle and dance to the music.
Loved the "brain breaks" activity. What a terrific way to get the creative juices flowing than a bit of dancing to some wonderful music! One of the fourth grade teachers I work with, does a whole class exercise routine right before Writer's Workshop. The students are always more focused afterward. Plan on checking out the Read/Write blog - it sounds intriguing.
ReplyDelete