sutton007

While some people expect them, to others they're a welcome surprise! Either way, right after the holidays people love to receive them! Thank You notes! However, most kids hate to write them!  I know it's a battle with my own two children.  Since they were very little they have been (reluctantly) writing them.  I think they don't enjoy it because "it takes too much time." Regardless, it's important to show appreciation for a gift received. In school, my students have occasionally written thank you notes to their parents as a way to recognize all that is being done for them at home.  This year I will have them write a note for one of their Christmas or Hanukkah gifts.  Of course, an accompanying lesson will be  ' How to Write' a thank you note. and " How to Address an Envelope . To make it less painless I will give the students a choice when creating their notes. They may choose one of the following:  Use blank construction paper to create their...

According to the National Capital Language Resource Center (NCLRC), " Reading is an activity with a purpose ."  Understanding the author's purpose for writing a selection helps the reader adjust his reading rate to focus on comprehension. To discuss  author's purpose for writing we use PIE (persuade, inform, entertain).  Understanding the purpose seems easy, but when it comes to understanding the main idea it's often a different story. Last year I polled my students to see exactly WHY they read WITHOUT summarizing, which we call, Checking for Understanding....here are the results (in no particular order) 1.   To be the first one done  2.   Forget to do it 3.   It's too much work 4.   Takes too long 5.   Don't feel like it 6.   Don't think it's important 7.   Just want to get the reading done 8.   Story is boring 9.   Don't like to read 10. Just to get it done What to do about it?   Since I compi...

The 2011 Edublog Awards are now in progress!   What a surprise to find out I had been nominated for "Best Ed Tech/Resource Sharing Blog" by Denise Krebs.  Please read her nomination blog HERE!   While I have no expectations of winning, I am thrilled, honored and humbled to be nominated alongside so many wonderful educators.   To be listed among the ranks of educators like Richard Byrne ( Free Technology for Teachers ), Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano ( Langwitches) , Lisa Nielsen ( The Innovative Educator ), and so many others whose blogs and resources I often use in my own posts takes my breath away. Why it was only just one year ago that I really began my blogging journey.  The post at that time was reflecting upon an experience my students had in the classroom.  In that post I shared one or two links for my readers.  From that time forward I have tried to include a host of resources that enhance the topic of my posts.  Should you feel compelled to V...