Visual Demonstration

1. The Brain – the intro: like the brain, the intro “controls” the body of the essay (especially point out ‘thesis’)

2. The Heart – body paragraph: at the “heart” of the essay are the body paragraphs.

3. The Feet – conclusion: like your feet,the conclusion leads you to somewhere new (i.e. new idea, insight). Also students should be able to answer the question “so what?” (Why is this information important?) by the time the essay has reached the feet. –

Behavior Management Cue Card Approach!

Here’s a way to quietly cue students to choose positive behavior. Use a cue card! 

Behavior management cue card instructions:

     1.     Print out this card or your own version of the card.

2.     Choose your method:

a.     Tape a card on the upper right corner of each student desk.

  i.      Laminate the card

  ii.      Use clear shipping tape to secure it to the desk

b.     Hang it from a lanyard around your neck or keep it in your pocket

  i.      Laminate the card

  ii.      Punch a hole in the top of the card to hang from a lanyard

3.     Explain the card to the students:

a.     You might explain, “I want to use a system to help students stay on track without embarrassing students by saying something out loud. I also want a way to praise students and let them know that I’m pleased with good behavior and choices without causing embarrassment. So, I’m going to use this card to let you know my expectations or give kudos – quietly. Here is an example of the card and what the pictures mean.”

b.     Explain what each picture means.

c.      Explain that you do not expect students to say anything in response.

d.     Explain how you will use the card.

e.     When a student needs to be redirected, simply walk quietly up to the student.

 i.       Make eye contact – and preferably smile. The point is to minimize the possibility that a power struggle will ensue.

 ii.      After eye contact is made with the student, point to the picture that sends the message that you need to deliver.

iii.      Do not wait for a response.

iv.      Turn around and walk away.

v.      If a student chooses to say something in response to a redirection, they are inviting a power struggle.

vi.      Avoid taking the bait if at all possible. Turn and walk away and wait to see if the student complies.

f.       When a student earns praise, simply walk up to the student, make eye-contact, smile and point to the ‘praise’ picture.

i.      Do not wait for a response.

ii.      Turn around and walk away.

Be generous with your praise. Students should receive 5-7 positive statements from the teacher in ratio to each negative comment.

If your students or children (I realize they are often both the same) could use some extra practice with grammar, dictionary skills, parts of speech, etc. Check out these resources!

Dictionary skills (and more)

5th Grade Skill Builders- Interactive Sites — http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_5th_original.htm Scroll down for Language Arts

Skill Practice That Engages The Student– http://www.techteachconcepts.com/skill_practice.htm

The Long man Vocabulary Website– http://wps.ablongman.com/long_licklider_vocabulary_2/4/1104/282760.cw/index.html

Parts of speech

Wacky Tales — click on one of the topics… note the help boxes at the bottom of the page. http://www.eduplace.com/tales/

Grammar Gorilla– This one is very cute: http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/

Word Games seemed like fluff to me on first sight, however, I tried the “picture word” and the very first word was a word that I did not know! I was quite surprised. http://www.theproblemsite.com/word_games.asp

This one makes you resister. I’m not sure how realistic this will be for a school setting: http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WackAWord

Generic On line Language Arts Games: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/reading-and-language-arts/games/5831.html

Grammar: Parts of speech on line resources: http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00001579.shtml

Must register for this one. It’s an excellent resource over all: Brain Pop — http://www.brainpop.com/english/grammar/partsofspeech/preview.weml

The Teacher’s Café Grammar Page: http://www.theteacherscafe.com/Grammar/Grammar_Games.php

The Grammar Page: http://classroom.jc-schools.net/basic/la-grammar.html

Enjoy!

Recent scientific research has confirmed that we all have different learning preferences and that we all learn best with different strategies.  Brain research has shown that regardless of learning style, we all process information in specific ways. 

For example, here are some of my favorite (and very easy) strategies: 

* Have children print information to be memorized.
* Border key spelling words, people, places, etc.
* Have children use two colors when working alternating the color of each fact they are writing in their notes.

(Color makes facts stand out as unique.   If all notes are in one color, nothing stands out as unique and is therefore harder to remember.)

*  Highlight important information, not EVERYTHING.
* Alternate color gel pens, markers, crayons, etc.

Here’s a strategy for studying vocabulary words:

Vocabulary Study Strategy
1. Choose a vocabulary word.
2. Print it on one side of a “flash” card. (Use index cards, heavy paper cut into strips, etc.)
3. Ask your child to tell you what he or she thinks it means so that it draws from what your child already knows.
4. Reinforce the correct definition.
5. Print the definition on the other side of the “flash” card.
6. Stand and act out a movement for the word while spelling it aloud three times!

Start the process over with the next word on the spelling or vocabulary list.

If your child’s teacher requires that he or she write the words three times each in cursive, ask the teacher if your child can write the word two times in cursive and one time printed on a flash card. Explain that you are better able to help your child with flash cards. Some children will not mind writing the words four times each. My children, however, objected to the extra work and even insisted, “But the teacher says I have to do it THIS way!” So, I made a deal with the teacher to have one set of words on flash cards and the teacher told my child that it was Okay.

Parents might want to “Look inside this book: Please Help Me with My Homework! Strategies for Parents and Caregivers” at  http://tinyurl.com/3626nf.The book provides the reader with simple, proven tools to help children increase academic performance and make the homework experience more rewarding and productive. It can seriously reduce homework stress.Smooth Homeworking!