Book Adventure

Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate youngsters to read! 
Children in Kindergarten through 8th grade can search for books, read
them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read.  Likewise,
they can earn prizes for their reading success. 

http://www.bookadventure.com/Home.aspx

Excellent Children's Books

A new audience is born every year.......how wonderful!  We cannot miss if looking for the latest wonderful literature to share with our children or with our pupils.  

http://royaloak.patch.com/articles/the-12-best-childrens-books-of-2012-0c4b9c47

2013 ISAT & Common Core Math Skill Set

Your guide for merging the ISAT Mathematics skills with The Common Core Standards (grades three through eight):

http://www.isbe.net/assessment/pdfs/2013/isat/roadmap-math-13.pdf

English-Language Arts Skills

Your roadmap for the merging of ISAT skills in English-Language Arts with The Common Core (grades three to eight):

http://www.isbe.net/assessment/pdfs/2013/isat/roadmap-ela-13.pdf

Athletes and Their Promise

Just say YES to this match!  

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4081660048180

Best Picture Books of 2012

Oh, what a collection of wonderful titles!  

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/02/books/review/notable-childrens-books-of-2012.html

Reading Research & the Common Core

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/11/14/12cc-research.h32.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-TW

Practice Makes Perfect

Let's get creative with the ways to master sight words.  Having fun and changing the way you approach the process will make a real difference for children who are learning them.  Give it a try so that reading fluency and good comprehension skills are the happy result!

http://www.readingresource.net/support-files/spellingpractice.pdf

FLASHCARDS for Tricky Sight Words

There are 38 high frequency words that kids simply cannot decode (or sound out)  They must be learned by sight.  Click below to access flashcards that will help youngsters begin to master them.
 
http://www.readingresource.net/support-files/sightwords.pdf

Math Myths & Sterotypes

http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/08/important-facts-to-know-about-learning-math/

Adults: Facebook/Twitter "Know-How"

These guides helpful; I'm eager to share them with the professionals and families I serve.  Digital citizenship is a part of educating our young people.

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/09/what-parents-must-know-about-facebook.html

Reading Fun at PBS? Yes!

Between the Lions

http://pbskids.org/lions/games/

GAME	DIFFICULTY	SKILL	NOTES
“The Quiet Machine”	Matching letters to pictures	*beginning sounds	Phonemic awareness
Leona’s Coloring Pages	Reading and writing	*beginning reader activity	Printable book
“The Messy Attic”	Picture identification	*listen, then follow directions	Pre- reading skill
“Arty’s Smarty Doors”	Rhymes	*rhyming words	Pre-reading skill
“Dub Cubs”	Rhyming words	*word families	Reading skill
“Hopposites”	Opposites	*words with opposite meanings	Reading skill
“Sky Writing”	Letter recognition	*varying styles of the same letter	Reading skill
“Monkey Match”	Match	*letters, sounds, rhymes	Reading skill
“Theo’s Puzzles”	Letter recognition	*consonant puzzles	Puzzles & a video
“Trampolini Game”	Word meanings	*inflectional endings ‘er, ‘est	Reading skill
“Blending Bowl”	Match blends with endings	*-ack, -an, -ap, -ar, -est, -ick, -ig, -ip, -it, -ock, -op, -up, -uck matched up with beginning blends	good for partners
“Synonym Sam’s Lab”	Choose synonyms	*this game is self-checking	good for partners
“ABCD Watermelon”	identify missing letters	*alphabet recognition	Pre-reading skill
“Alphabet Soup”	unscramble letters	*reader uses given letters to find a solution	101 riddles
“Chicken Stacker”	phonemic awareness	*listen and read words with the same short vowel sound	Five sets words
“Flood”	categories	*listen and read book titles	Hints given
“Fuzzy Lion Ears”	phonemic awareness	*letter sounds beginning/middle/ending	Six rounds
“Word Play”	good for partners	*read words and then  “click” to see the action	25 words: three sets
“Talking Gizmo”	recognize parts of a sentence	*readers experiment with sentences and word order	J good for partners
“Pounce”	word matching	*listen, then choose a word	Reading skill
More Literature	Pre-K through fifth graders	http://pbskids.org/lions/stories/	Kids can listen and read along with stories.

Songs and videos:  http://pbskids.org/lions/videos/

Let's Talk

Keep the conversation going is essential.  Specifically---members of the school community owe it to parents to discuss openly & often any and all concerns they mutually feel are important.  Don't  hesitate to contact Parkside teachers or administrators.  Student success is our business.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Working_Schools/

The 2012 Global Readaloud

 Books are powerful things & kids deserve knowing they're connected to others. 
 Can you take part in this project?  I hope we'll embrace it at Parkside in October.
 Complete details follow:

http://www.globalreadaloud.com/

Repeated Reading Story for October

Young readers benefit from reading text that's repeated.  One excellent, free printable comes from Kathy Law (below) who blogs on "First Grade Alacarte."   You can also follow her on Pinterest.   

http://firstgradealacarte.blogspot.com/2011/10/orange-pumpkin-orange-pumpkin.html

2012-13 DIBELS Next Reading Benchmarks

Parkside pupils are evaluated using goals from the University of Oregon.  There have been recent increases in state and federal standards calling for stronger literacy skills that yield higher-level comprehension processes.  Kindergarten through grade six goals: 


https://dibels.uoregon.edu/docs/DIBELSNextRecommendedBenchmarkGoals.pdf

ROE #12

Contact the Regional Office of Education for information related to professional development,
certification, and so much more.  Have a question?  They have the answer: 

http://www.roe12.net/Educational_Links.html

Working Together for Children

It's simple:  "Together Everyone Achieves More."  I embrace the TEAM approach; please join me.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/improving-academic-achievement-disadvantaged-maurice-elias

Can't Wait For the First Day!

Tomorrow's number 32.....it's the thirty-second time I CELEBRATE my first day of
school. How can that be?  Easy- for 32 years I've had the honor to welcoming children
into the classroom.  Makes me feel like dancing. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy1RW2Atigc

K-12 Hands On Science Experiments

  The  Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has you covered
  with a database of experiments (across 12 categories) designed to
  get your customers excited about science.  Step-by-step instructions,
  materials, and vocabulary are all printable.  There's also a variety of
  videos and activities for youngsters of all ages.

http://www.msichicago.org/education/educator-resources/classroom-activities

Sight Word Lists

Readers improve fluency when mastering basic sight words; these free printables will guide you. 

http://www.teachersprintables.net/category/sight_words

YES.....Follow Maggie Cary!

"Classroom Talk" is for us all as thinkers, parents, educators, or mentors.  We can follow Maggie on Face Book and Twitter too.  

http://classroomtalk.com/

EXTRA-EXTRA: Calendar Fun!

Calendars in a school, home or office can encourage many NEW ideas for a child.

http://www.readingrockets.org/pdfs/edextras/52809-en.pdf

Social Networking on Twitter

https://twitter.com/rosenelsonwest
I invite you to join me on Twitter @rosenelsonwest for the young learner or family you wish to nurture.

"Listen & Read" Stories

These nonfiction tales are from Scholastic.  Level "A" stories have three comprehension questions; level "B" selections review key vocabulary words from the story.  The collection is divided into eight categories: social studies, science, plants and flowers, environmental stories, civics and government, animals, American history, and community.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/commclub/index.htm

YES: Learning via iPad Apps!

I thank Parkside colleague Mrs. Emily Wells for sharing this information with us!   

http://fedebooks.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/48-ipad-apps-that-teachers-love-fed_ebooks-apps-ebook-teacher/

Parkside's 2012-2013 School-Wide Plan

Also available on Parkside Elementary School's link via the CUSD 20 website found at http://www.cusd20.com the School-Wide Title 1 Plan is here for you to review. Thanks in advance for letting others know about this information.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/86304153/Schoolwide%20Reform%20Strategies%20ADDITIONAL%20NINE%20COMPONENTS%202012-13.docx

The JUNE Issue of "Word Up"

Discover AdLit.org; it's designed to inform us about literacy issues for youngsters in grade four through high school.   Follow it on Twitter, Facebook, get updates to videos on You Tube, or the monthly newsletter. 

http://www.adlit.org/newsletters/word_up_current_issue/?utm_source=Convio&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=WordUp

Try Dropbox

"Simplify Your Life," they say on the site.  It works for me!  It's free folks..........   

https://www.dropbox.com/

Help Develop Reading Habits

Encouraging youngsters to read?  Here are different suggestions that work well.  

http://www.stevereifman.com/featured-articles/for-parents/172-7-ways-to-encourage-reluctant-readers

Inspiration & "The Principal of Change"

 Educator George Couros reminded me of the many gifts in this world.  You can follow him on Twitter.  Go on, treat yourself; thanks George! 

http://georgecouros.ca/blog/

Looking for Children's Literature?

Children's Books Guide is an excellent site to enable us to keep youngsters reading.  This resource is also available on Face Book.  

http://childrensbooksguide.com/top-100

Scholastic.com For You!

Want insightful and helpful information?  Turn to Scholastic.com.
Spread the word because it's really a year-round resource for everyone.

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/

Parent Teacher Chats on TWITTER

Let's get the conversation going to create the best learning environments.  TWITTER can open up some doors for us all.   Learn how to join the Wednesday evening topics, starting with creating an account.

http://efacetoday.blogspot.com/p/eface-chats.html

First Grade Parade

Here you'll find a multitude of teaching ideas.  "First Grade Parade" is also on Face Book.    


http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/

Great Website, Just a Click Away

Discover Catherine Douthard's award winning ideas for elementary learning.  This suits the needs of kids, parents, and teachers!

http://www.livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit/70690#

What Can You Do to Help a Kindergartener?

Reading preparation looks something like this:

http://ctlreadingclinic.uoregon.edu/forms/k-readiness_packet.pdf

ADHD and Learning Potential

Children with ADHD improve their behavior and academics when families are communicating with school personnel and are involved.  

http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/family-involvement-academics-adhd-0427123/

Stories of Immigrantion Yesterday and Today

 Exploring the history of immigration in America just got easier, thanks to the many resources at Scholastic. 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/index.htm

Living Day to Day

At age 108, Alice is the longest surviving person from the Holocaust.  Her words are timeless!

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/19/my-take-7-life-lessons-from-a-holocaust-survivor/

Get Kids Cooking

 This collection of easy and pleasing recipes are sure to inspire a young cook!

http://www.marthastewart.com/275624/easy-recipes-kids-can-help-make

Funbrain.com

Reading, math, and grammar games, puzzles or even matching activities.  Funbrain.com has something for everyone in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

 http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html

Storybooks On-line

You'll not want to miss this!  Be ready to enjoy stories for kids of all ages, free and waiting to be shared.

http://www.magickeys.com/books/index.html#books

Sight Word Games

Youngsters building sight word vocabularies can find additional, fun practice here! 

http://www.familylearning.org.uk/sight_word_games.html

Music & Math Go Together

Kids can get a "head start" with math concepts (especially fractions) when given opportunities to perform music.  The benefits don't stop there because everyone is having fun too!

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/early_years/2012/03/finding_the_beat_helps_kids_learn_to_do_fractions_study_says.html

Ideas to Enrich the Elementary Classroom

 I've taught kindergarten, first and second graders.  Getting creative for kids in these early years yields marvelous learning & successful families.  Isn't that what it's all about?   


http://www.edutopia.org/blog/creativity-in-classroom-trisha-riche

Baseball Season....."Let's write!"

Get youngsters thinking with the help from these images and the story of  Mr. Jackie Robinson. 

http://www.teachhub.com/jackie-robinson-video-writing-prompts

APRIL: It's National Poetry Month

At last, spring's glory and celebrating with poems.  "Inspire a child, it will be wild!"  Learning to appreciate and write verse is within everyone's grasp

http://www.adlit.org/fun/reading_celebrations/national_poetry_month/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=Hootsuite&utm_campaign=ALSocialMedia

Take a Strong Stand for Our Students

Bullying is not acceptable.  "Help yourself" to the facts:  

http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-factsheet-201010.pdf

Change It Up

If you want to teach them, reach them, and make the school day meaningful for the entire class then differentiate the lesson.  Try it- you'll never go back.

http://whatedsaid.wordpress.com/2012/03/31/10-ways-to-differentiate-learning/

How Often Are Children Enjoying Stories We Read Aloud to Them?

Reading aloud to preschool and kindergarten aged children is essential.  It gives them an important and fresh opportunity to develop new vocabulary, connect to books, and just might become a "learning advantage" when they enter first grade.  


http://blogs.ajc.com/momania/2012/03/22/did-your-child-have-1000-hours-of-one-on-one-reading-by-first-grade/?cxntfid=blogs_momania

The 1000 Most Commonly Used Words

FACT:  Fry's word list will help your child become familiar with the most common words in the English language. Learning them can enable readers to become more fluent; vocabulary is an important part of comprehension. 

http://www.mattolevalley.com/Frys.html

Graphic Organizers ---YES!

Developing recall of details and elements within a story can be enhanced with graphic organizers.
Why not include them in your lessons? 
http://www.sanchezclass.com/reading-graphic-organizers.htm
http://www.eduplace.com/graphicorganizer/
http://havefunteaching.com/worksheets/graphic-organizers/

100 Most Common Words in English

Teach a child these words to improve their fluency and comprehension.  Why?  "They are the most common words in English, ranked in frequency order.  The first 25 make up one-third of all printed material.  The first 100 make up about half of all written material."  (Fry and Kress, 2006) 

http://www.fishforwords.com/docs/fry_sight_word_list_100_by_5.pdf

Attention Poetry Lovers!

http://www.onlinecolleges.net/2009/10/05/100-great-web-sites-for-poetry-lovers/
We recognize April as national poetry month.  However, why wait?  This collection of sites has something for everyone.  Explore and enjoy verse and share the passion, pure expression, and joy that poems can bring to us all.   

Between the Lions

http://pbskids.org/lions/games/

The Public Broadcasting Service has learning games that are unequaled.  Have you discovered "Between the Lions" for a favorite youngster?  From PreK to fifth grade, this site has something for children, teachers, and parents alike; you shall not be disappointed! 

Greetings & Excitement Via "Animoto!"

It's free for educators and this application will put your students on the "fast" track to video creation....it is very user-friendly.   Pictures, music, and a "spotlight," feature; all you add is the narration.  Thanks to Richard Byrne for the tip and this URL! 
http://animoto.com/education

A "Personal Best" Begins at a Tender Age

Young people deserve to develop strong bodies and minds to meet the challenges awaiting them.    Read on to see how Bill Walsh puts this all into perspective, perfectly I do believe!   
"Let all the lessons of sports be taught.  Children will be better for it." 

http://www.edutopia.org/coaches-pep-talk?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=coachspeptalk

The BIG FIVE in Reading

Professionals and parents alike can gain insight from the research, examples, and questions posed for them on the DIBELS website's The Big Five Ideas in Reading.  It's news for anyone interested in developing important language skills for preschool aged children, up through 3rd grade. 
  http://reading.uoregon.edu/

Read It and Find Answers

http://www.anniefox.com/pdf/TeenSurvivalGuide.pdf

It's free......helps answer questions kids have, while offering advice that's straight forward.
It's Annie Fox's Teen Survival Guide.

Free On-line Calculators

http://www.calkoo.com/
This site has over 40 calculators, in ten different categories.  Hopefully one will do the job for you!