Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars. ~Brian Luttrell
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Exquisite Text vs. Boring Text (Critical Thinking)
Show --- Don't Tell!
Read an elaborate piece of text to your students to see if they can form vivid pictures in their minds. Then, have students simplify the text. What is the author trying to say?
- In the deepest, darkest part of night, when the crickets and tree frogs are almost silent, shadowy shapes emerge from the ponderosa pine ridge and tiptoe down to the glassy Cheyenne River below. Their long tangled manes and tails ruffle in the night breeze. Ever alert and watchful for predators, they swiftly drink their fill. Then they turn on their heels and lunge up the rocky hills to safety.
- Horses walk to the river for a drink at night and try to avoid predators.
If the author had simply written the simple sentence, would it have sold books?
Text: Peterson, C. (2003) Wild Horses: Black Hills Sanctuary
Fact/Opinion New York
Uploaded on authorSTREAM by cheryl_dick
...you may want to use Prediction PowerPoint before using this one. The pictures are the same.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Teaching Plot?
Big Al, by Andrew Clements, is one of the best picture books for teaching plot. It has a clear exposition - introduction of characters, setting and problem. The rising action is evident, the climax makes you gasp and the falling action is evident. There is also a clear-cut resolution.*I have a copy of this book if you'd like to borrow it. :)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Opportunities for You
Using Music to Enhance Classroom Instruction~MP3 and/or IPOD
Monday, February 23 from 2:50-3:50 OR 4:10-5:10
@ Main Street Library
Brain-Based Learning
~Brand New Session
Saturday, March 14 from 9 a.m - 3 p.m.
R.S.V.P. cdick@mail.nixa.k12.mo.us
Monday, February 16, 2009
QAR Lesson with Zoom (Picture Book)
I have this wordless picture book if you'd like to borrow it. :) You can find detailed lesson plans at this site: http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=370
*Hall, L., Yongmei, L., Applying Question-Answer Relationship to Pictures. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=370 on February 17, 2009.
QAR Zoom from www.readwritethink.org
QAR Zoom Guide from www.readwritethink.org
Cause/Effect Lesson - Jimmy's Boa
Causes/Effects from readwritethink.org
- The Day Jimmy's Boa Taught Cause/Effect Lesson: http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=1029
- I have two copies of this book if you'd like to borrow it.
*Udry, V., The Day Jimmy's Boa Taught Cause and Effect. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=1029 on February 17, 2009.
Uploaded on authorSTREAM by cheryl_dick
Cause/Effect Lesson with Curious George
When teaching cause and effect, it's very effective to teach students to say, "BECAUSE _____________ happened, ___________________ was the effect."
Many teachers tell primary students not to begin a sentence with because. As they get older, you can model how to invert sentences so they will be grammatically correct.
Need to Challenge Gifted Students? (Grades 1-8)
Check out the differentiated lessons for gifted students:
The extension links will direct you to FREE, premade enrichment lessons for 1st - 8th grade classrooms.
A Website Worth Viewing!
Wow! Wow! Wow!
This is primarily a PreK-2nd grade website, but it's worth a peek at all levels. I personally love the graphics!
More I Have ... Who Has? Math Games
Looking for Review Ideas in Math? Check out these I Have ... Who Has? Math Games.
Calc -- Derivatives & Anitderivatives
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tiered Instruction Lessons
The Department of Education in Indiana has posted tiered lessons for K-12th Grades. Examples of lessons tiered by readiness (ability), interest and learning styles in math, science and language arts can be found at:
This is an excellent 'jumping off' point to begin tiering your own lessons.
Friday, February 6, 2009
What's Your Favorite Picture Book?
- With end-of-the-year state testing quickly approaching, many upper grade teachers are using picture books to review Communication Arts skills, and they have requested names of books to use.
- We'd love to hear from you! You do not need a blogger account to post to this blog; you can post anonymously and simply sign your name and location within your post (if you choose).
Dog Breath by Dav Pilkey- Beginning, middle, end
- Alliteration (in newspaper pictures)
- Foreshadowing (notice signs of burglars throughout)
- Plot
If You Hopped Like a Frog by David Schwartz
Predicting
Lighthouse: A Story of Remembrance by Robert MunschInfer/Draw conclusions (What happened to Grandpa?)
Questioning: I wonder ... (I wonder why she put a flower in her hair.)
Warning: The Lighthouse book is sad and may make you cry.
Chewy Louie by Howie Schneider
Summarizing
Powerpoint lesson posted @: http://cherylsclassroomtipsdi.blogspot.com/search?q=summarizing
Duke Ellington by Andrea David Pinkney
- A plethora of figurative language included
- Nonfiction
- Beginning, middle, end
Unlovable by Dan Yaccarino
- Beginning, middle, end (plot)
- Strong verbs (author mainly put said to bed)
Yours Truly, Goldilocks by Alma Flor Ada
- Friendly letter format
- Excellent word choice
The Weighty Word Book by Paul M. Levitt, Douglas A. Burger and Elissa S. Guralnick
- Vocabulary in story format
I Saw an Ant on the Railroad Track by Joshua Prince
- Onomatopoeia
Please consider posting your favorite picture books for other teachers to use or e-mail me at cdick@mail.nixa.k12.mo.us, and I'll post them for you. Most of the above mentioned books are recommendations given to me by other teachers.
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