Where is Letter?… (Sing to the tune Where is Thumbkin?…)

Every child has a letter card that is large enough to hold up and show the other students. All the children are sitting in a circle on the rug.
The teacher sings:
Where is letter (a)?Where is letter (a)?
The student with letter sings:
Here it is.Here it is.
Teacher sings:
Tell me what the sound is.Tell me [...]

Interviews in First and Second Grade

Getting Ready for Interviews
My turn yet?To reassure the students that all students are included and will have a turn, I give all the kids an index card (3×5). I had each student write their own name on the card. Each student placed the card in a box. This way all the kids KNOW their name [...]

Teachers Matter! Part 2

Today I had the opportunity ’staff develop’ or train a wonderful group of teachers. Many gave up the day to set up their classrooms to attend the writing training. Teachers give so much time to their profession. They are gracious and kind to people like me. On their lunch hour, many of the teachers went [...]

Parents Matter! First Days of School

To Beth’s First-Grade Teacher By Richard F. AbrahamsonI didn’t know the man in front of me that morning. But I did notice that we both walked a little straighter, a little more proudly, as our daughters held our hands. We were proud but apprehensive on that important day. Our girls were beginning first grade. We [...]

Teachers Matter!

As teachers return to school, we need to remember that starting school is stressful for children and teachers. Bud the Teacher writes really well about why teachers matter. bud the teacher link to an open letter He helps all teachers feel important because teachers are important.
Stacey and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers have been writing [...]

Letters and Sounds: Sound Muncher Ideas

I have seen sound munchers that are not in action in the classroom. I have always wondered about them. Mrs. Kilburn explains how to use a sound muncher on her blog today. It is awesome because most sites just show the pictures of sound munchers instead of including what to do with this little [...]

Strong Emotion Writing Minilesson

Stacey at Two Writing Teachers wrote an awesome writing minilesson about strong emotions. Here is the link. Do you love the candy Skittles? Stacey combines candy and writing into an awesome lesson.
Stacey’s Strong Emotions Minilesson link

Don Murray Writing Quote

Don Murray wrote “I write to know what it is I didn’t know I knew!”
I remember as I wrote my book with Pat Cunningham, Beyond Retelling, this quote was stuck on my computer. I would send a chapter to her. She would send it back with very important questions. I would write what I didn’t [...]

wii Interactive Whiteboard for CHEAP

wii cheap whiteboard project link
I don’t know a lot about this. This link says that the wii can work as an interactive white board for $99.00. WOW! If this is true, wouldn’t that be great? I would love to know if this is true!

Longer School Day? More Days?

Do students need more time with parents or more time with teachers? I want my children home with me. 180 days is plenty of time. All day kindergarten should not be a mandate. Longer school days is not necessary. Let me parent my children, let me provide them with life [...]