Thank You Notes with a Twist

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 own.

• Use a recycled holiday card (I remove the fronts of the Christmas cards sent to me and use them as part of the thank you card.)

• Use a holiday printable template from DLTK (or a template like in the picture above from Family Fun)   (I used the free PDFEscape to type in the boxes, but handwriting works too!)

• Create your own Printable Card from "Got Free Cards". Choose from many covers and don't forget to add some stickers. 

• Create more Kid Friendly Printables for all kinds of occasions from Greetings Island. You can even add your own photos - then print!

• Send an e-Card:  Choose from an array of different cards from Yahoo and email them to relatives and friends. (this is a fun, easy option but this site does not allow you to add your own words).

It's never too early (and although the above video says to be punctual - I think it's never too late) to write a 'Thank You' as it will surely warm the hearts of the recipients knowing their gift was valued and treasured. (And as writing Thank You's is often a form of Art it will make the writer feel good about adding personal touches and sentiments as well).

I must hurry now and get my own notes out!

Check for Understanding-10 Reasons Why Kids Don't Do It!

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 compiled that data I felt I needed to do something with it.   Ultimately, I needed to figure out a way that was sure to help my students understand the importance of reading for meaning,  right? So this past summer I did some reading. which led me to the discovery of the Daily5 and CAFE.

This year I decided to try the Daily5 and CAFE are during our literacy block.  The Daily5 is the structure (Read to Self, Writing, Word Work, Listen to Reading & Read to Someone) that students follow during our literacy time, while CAFE is our focus (Comprehension, Accuracy, Fluency, Extend Vocabulary).  "Check for Understanding" is the first strategy (& most important in my opinion) that is introduced.  Students are taught to frequently 'Check for Understanding' by asking Who it's about, What's Happening & to predict what will happen next.  Through modeling & practice, more modeling and practice students learn how to 'check for understanding'. To ensure students make connections which will aid their comprehension, we start by activating Prior Knowledge. Pair these with reading books that are appropriate for the student and true meaning is sure to transpire.

I decided to poll my students this year to see why they are not checking for understanding and the results are as follows:

1.  Takes too long
2.  Story is exciting I don't want to stop
3.  Don't understand it
4.  Can't find a connection
5.  Takes away from my reading time

It's rather interesting that there were only 5 reasons from this group. I wondered if it had something to do with the Daily5 and CAFE.  Is it just possible that more students are 'Checking for Understanding' on a regular basis?

I noticed a difference in the types of answers given by both groups of students.  Do you see how the second group looks at reading differently than the first?   Would love to hear what you think - please leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

Edublog Awards 2011 - Nominee

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 VOTE for me (no email required), please visit the Edublog Awards Blog and select the category Best Ed Tech/Resource Blog and find Teaching is Elementary.  Please vote for my friend, Denise Krebs, for Best Teacher Blog, Dare to Care, while you are there as she is a wonderful teacher who inspires so many!

Even if you don't vote, please visit the Edublog Award site anyway, as you are sure to find several new and interesting blogs to follow!  

Comments Welcome!

Made with DoodleBuddy

It has become almost an addiction! Everyday I check my blog to see if anyone has left a new comment.  When someone leaves a comment it lets me know that people are interested in what I am writing, but more importantly, they are helping me grow and learn through their thoughts and ideas!

Comments:

• Add to the conversation by providing views and and opinions not already expressed OR validate ideas being shared.

• Extend the conversations as people leave links to sites that will guide or lead to further enlightenment.  

• Involve the reader and writer in conversations about topics of interest.  

• Compliment the writer or the topic.  It's nice to give and receive compliments so feel free to leave one on a blog!

Several people who follow have expressed a desire to leave a comment, but they have had some difficulty with the commenting section.  So I thought it might be a good idea to explain HOW to create a successful comment.  Hopefully, this will help.


Directions for posting:

1) Choose "Comment As" first. If you don't have a Google/Blogger account, you can choose Name/URL and type in your name, then place the web site that best describes you in the URL (i.e. www.ajusd.org). If you do not have a URL you can leave that blank.  You can also choose "Anonymous" which will leave the comment but not your name.

2) Feel free to "Preview" your comment to see what it will look like when posted. 

3) Select "Post Comment" when you're ready. (Sometimes this might need to be done more than once.)

4) NOTE:  Before posting a comment I will copy it, in the event there is a problem, that way I haven't lost my comment and can try to post it again.

Created with Crayola Digi-Color

5) Thank you Tracy Watanabe for these directions to post!

I have also created this VIDEO Screencast which walks you through the process. (There is also a plug at the end to sign up for my blog via email!)    Click here: HOW TO CREATE A COMMENT
 

Good luck and happy commenting!  Please feel free to leave a comment on this post to try it out!  If you do, please check back as I try to respond to all comments!

Fire Drills - Safety is Free!

Discovery Education's Clip Art Gallery created
by Mark A. Hicks, illustrator.

Went shopping today at a local mall with my daughter and her friend.  We were in the mall for about two hours when all of a sudden a loud, blaring alarm was ringing out!  I looked around and the shoppers and store workers were nonplussed.  Clearly, it was a fire alarm and no one seemed the least bit bothered by it as they continued to go about their business.        

Since my daughter and her friend were in another part of the mall I texted them and told them to leave the mall immediately.  "Already leaving" was what I got in return. (Most likely because they had practiced what to do at school.) Outside the mall, as I waited for the girls, I noticed there were only a handful of shoppers who also left the building.

In the distance sirens blared as fire engines were making their way into the parking lot.  Still hardly anyone had exited the mall.   I wondered WHY.  Did they think it was just a 'false alarm'? Was it inconvenient? Why would they put their family and themselves at risk?

(Although the video below happened at a Walmart in Maryland it depicts a similar reaction to the event that happened today in our mall. Please note that people react is if nothing out of the ordinary is happening.)


Keeping our students safe is of an utmost priority. At school we practice Fire Drills, Bus Evacuations and Lockdown drills several times throughout the year.  Children learn how to proceed calmly and act appropriately in these emergency situations.  The practices are taken very seriously by administration, students and staff.  We know that students feel safer when they are prepared.

It is also a good idea for children and their families to practice fire drills at home.  Having an escape plan and meeting place are important and reassuring for children.  Below are some resources that may help.

Created using DoodleBuddy

RESOURCES:
About.com:   How to Be Prepared (for teachers)
KidsHealth.org:  What to Do in a Fire (for kids & parents)
FireSafetyForKids.org:  Fire Safety for Kids (for kids with coloring pages; activities)
Scholastic: Sparky the Fire Dog Comic Book (children can make comic strip to help practice fire safety skills)
Sparky.org: Family Stuff (for kids & families - create a home fire escape plan; coloring pages)
Cybraryman.com: Fire Safety Resources (a list of sites for teachers, families & kids)



Please take fire alarms seriously.  Although they may be a nuisance,  leaving the building may just save your life....After all....SAFETY IS FREE!