The Reading Wars are on...again! 

Buckle up, the Reading Wars are back! It’s cueing system vs phonics, Fountas and Pinnell vs decades of research. Is your district caught in the crossfire, unsure which way to turn? Some districts are diving headfirst into every Science of Reading program they can lay their hands on, while others are crossing their fingers, hoping it'll all just blow over. Sound familiar?

Here's the question: Does everything have to change?  Are we inadvertently harming our students by clinging to outdated methods? If you've scrolled through those Science of Learning Facebook pages, you'll know the struggle. I've Laughed, cried, and even pulled some hair out after some Facebook sessions. There's real confusion out there.  Do we throw the baby out with the bathwater or what?

Here’s my take:

The Science of Reading isn't about scrapping everything we know. It's about rethinking what we know. It's about recalibrating our approach. Teaching that aligns with the Science of Reading isn’t the same old, same old. Think of reading as a Venn Diagram.  One circle is reading instruction, the other is reading research.  For a LONG time, that little area where the two overlap was empty. Research stayed in the “lab”, teaching went on without it.  That’s finally changed. It needed to change.

That overlap in the Venn Diagram is finally being filled in.  We don’t have to spin our wheels anymore. There ARE strategies that align with how the brain works as it struggles to learn how to read. We CAN use the reading brain to make reading easier for kids.

At this point, I see teaching reading that is aligned with the Science of Reading for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades as falling into three main categories. Think of them as a three-legged stool. 

• Fluency- It's about reading smoothly and accurately. Reading itself isn't a struggle, it's effortless. One way to increase fluency is through re-reading.  Students read a short text a number of times in different ways to increase fluency.  Choral reading, echo reading and partner reading all lend themselves to increasing fluency.

•Word-Work-  Dive into affixes, homophones, phonemic awareness and vocabulary – you name it. Some kids missed the boat on basic phonics; they might need a little extra TLC in small group settings.

• Comprehension- Building background knowledge is key. How can a kid grasp a text about an elephant if they've never laid eyes on one? Summarizing, asking questions, visualizing, these are the holy grails of comprehension.There’s still a place for teaching isolated comprehension skills, in my opinion, but they need to be secondary to research based strategies. This is especially true until end of the year tests catch up to research.  That’s another issue.

And here's the best part – most of this can be done with whole-class direct instruction. No more dividing students into 'can' and 'can't.' That's a bonus in any classroom! 

There’s LOTS more to the Science of Reading than one post can address. but, this is a good starting point.  We can’t upend the apple cart all at once, and keep our sanity.  But, focusing on the “three-legged stool” gives us all achievable goals that are proven by science to help kids read better.  So, keep the baby when you throw out that bathwater, but when research speaks, we all need to listen.  

Keep your eye out for upcoming posts focusing on:
Fluency
Word work
Comprehension

Check out my Science of Reading aligned units that focus on fluency, word work and comprehension while building background knowledge for 3rd and 4th grade students.  Click on the picture to learn more!

The Magic of Task Cards: Supercharge Your Teaching

 

It's been said that teaching is like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle on a tightrope. It's a whirlwind of lesson planning, classroom wizardry, and making sure students succeed. Fortunately, there's an easy tool that can make your life easier and ignite your students' learning. It's that simple tool called task cards. In this blog post, we're diving into the world of task cards and how they can sprinkle a little magic into your teaching routine, and make your life a lot easier in the process.

Task Cards: Your Teaching Sidekick

Task cards may not wear capes, but they're superheroes in the classroom. These little cards pack a punch with specific tasks, questions, or activities that cover a wide range of subjects and levels. The best part? They're super versatile and can adapt to fit your teaching style and your students' needs.

How Task Cards Save the Day

1. Ready at a Moment's Notice: Task cards are ready to go and can zero in on any standard. PLUS they are versatile. They can be used in centers, for games, a quick review or even homework.

2. A Quick Assessment: Checking task card activities is a breeze compared to traditional assignments. It's a quick way to gauge your students' understanding without getting bogged down in endless grading. That means you save time!

3. Student Independence: Once your students are task card experts, they can tackle them on their own or in groups. That means you get more one-on-one time with those who need it most.

   They're Not Worksheets: Kids get fed up with another worksheet coming their way.  Task cards cover the same standards and just as deeply, but they feel more like a game.

Boosting Student Achievement with Task Cards

1. Engagement: Task cards are designed to be eye-catching and interactive, turning even the most reluctant learners into eager participants. They're like a classroom invitation to the ultimate learning party!

2. Differentiation: Task cards are your secret weapon for differentiation. Whether you need different sets or varying question levels, you've got the power to meet every student where they're at.

3. Teamwork: Group activities with task cards foster collaboration. Students can join forces to solve problems, discuss concepts, and become real-life superheroes of teamwork!

4. Self-Grading: Many task card activities come with answer keys or self-check options. Students get that sweet instant feedback, boosting their confidence and helping them pinpoint areas for improvement and become responsible for their own learning.

Task Cards in Action

Let's peek at some real-world examples across different subjects:

1. Math Marvels: Task cards make math actually fun! Students can tackle everything from basic operations to mind-boggling algebra. It's a math adventure, one card at a time. That's actually the key...It's one card at a time!  They don't overwhelm kids!

2. Language Arts Fun:  From vocabulary and grammar to reading adventures and creative writing prompts – the possibilities are endless!

3. Science Sparks: Science task cards take students on a journey of exploration. They can experiment, research, and think critically while unraveling the mysteries of the universe – all thanks to task cards.

Unleash Your Teaching Superpowers!

In the hustle and bustle of the modern classroom, every second counts. Task cards swoop in to save the day, making teaching more efficient and fun! They're the secret ingredient in the recipe for successful, engaging, and stress-free lessons. Task cards are your trusty sidekick, helping you unlock the magic of learning in your classroom.

Dragon's Den is just the place for Common Core Aligned Task Cards for grades 2-5 in reading, math and science! Check out a few:

Homophones: Brain Food for Your Students!

Did you know that mastering homophones is actually the secret sauce to supercharging language skills for your students, not just for today but for their lifetime?  Think of homophones as "brain food", because those small words have a big impact!

1. 1. Vocabulary Expansion: Learning homophones introduces children to new words and increases their vocabulary, giving them the ability to express themselves better.

   
   

2. 2. Language Play: Exploring homophones allows kids to engage in language play and experiment with sounds, fostering creativity and a deeper understanding of phonetics.

   
   

3. 3. Critical Thinking: Telling the difference between homophones requires critical thinking as students must consider context and meaning to choose the correct word, sharpening their analytical skills.

   
   

4. 4. Contextual Understanding: Using homophones correctly helps kids understand the importance of context in communication, improving their comprehension skills.

   
   

5. 5. Spelling Proficiency: Learning homophones reinforces spelling skills as children need to differentiate between similar-sounding words and choose the right spelling for the given context.

   
   

6. 6. Enhanced Listening Skills: Identifying homophones requires attentive listening to subtle differences in pronunciation, enhancing auditory discrimination skills.

   
   

7. 7. Improved Reading Comprehension: Recognizing homophones aids in understanding text better, leading to greater reading comprehension and interpretation of written material.

   
   

8. 8. Language Precision: Understanding and using homophones correctly encourages kids to be precise in their language, promoting effective communication.

   
   

9. 9. Cognitive Flexibility: Grasping the nuances of homophones promotes cognitive flexibility, helping children adapt their communication skills in various contexts.

   
   

10. 10. Linguistic Awareness: Learning homophones builds an awareness of the complexities of language, fostering a lifelong appreciation for language diversity and structure.

I have to add this one:

Have you ever noticed the wrong use of a homophone (there, their, they're is a big one) in a note a parent has sent you? It doesn't make a very good impression, does it? Mastering homophones in elementary school saves your students later...maybe when they write a note to their own child's teacher!

If you are looking for FUN homophone resources that are a guaranteed roadmap to homophone mastery for your students, check out these resources from Dragon's Den:

8 Slam-Dunk Activities to make Maps and Globes FUN!

 Maps!  It's time to put a unit together that will really grab your 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade students' interest.  Where to begin? (heavy sigh here).  Rest easy!  Read on for a few ideas to really boost map skills for your students while putting FUN into your unit.  There's more... download the included great freebie to get you started!

Can't miss ideas to make your unit hit the mark!

• Include storytelling: Learning for millennia has been through stories.  Why?  It works.  It's the way our brain works. So use stories about characters that travel.  Plot their paths on a map.  For example, think about Alice in Wonderland.  Making a map of her adventures really pulls in students! It puts map skills to work!
• Create personalized maps: Once your students have learned about maps, give them the chance to make maps about their own world, or a fictional world from their favorite book.
• Map-inspired Art:  Encourage artistic expression by having your students create art pieces inspired by maps.  For instance, paint a landscape from a map, design a map-themed mural, etc.
• Create a community map with the class: Showcase points of interest in the community, landmarks, rivers and such.  Don't forget the map key. 
• Map-based Storytelling: Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a map of a different imaginary world.  Challenge them to collaborate and create a story based on their map, complete with characters and plot twists.  It's a chance to use map skills in a fun a creative way.
• Map-themed Snack Time:  Have a map-themed snack time, students enjoy snacks from different countries or regions.  Discuss the locations on a world map while enjoying flavors of the world.  This would be really fun if students brought in a simple snack from their heritage.
• Map Show and Tell:  Have students bring in or draw their own maps of a place they'd like to visit.  During a show and tell session, they present their maps and describe the locations and why they'd like to go there.
• Map Design Challenge:  Challenge your students to design a fantasy map for a fictional world, complete with landforms and landmarks. This stimulates critical thinking and creativity...that's another way of saying they LEARN the curriculum.  

Want a fun Freebie to drop into your unit?  Check out:

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Make Dry Erase Boards for Pennies!

 

Dry-erase boards are the one pice of equipment I just can't teach without! They are easy to carry anywhere, allow me to check answers for everyone in the class at a glance, and kids love to use them. It's a win, win, win!

My problem was always the cost. They are pricy little devils. Then I found a quick and easy (and cheap) way to get a whole class set in only a few minutes. I always let the kids take them home at the end of the year, but NEVER during the year. I always have a few extra, but they are to replace boards that get beaten up for one reson or another. There aren't many that go bad, but when they do, they need to be replaced. 

So, follow the simple directions below and you'll have your class set!

Materials:

I live near a Home Depot, so I go there. I'm sure other stores like it would also have everything you need. BUT, if you want a Home Depot there are a lot of them out there! It takes one 4' by 8' piece of Eucatile. It sells for $13.97.  That's 43 cents per board. It has a slick white surface, which is perfect for a dry-erase board. I've also heard it called "white board". 

Home Depot will cut it up for you at a small cost, BUT I have always told them I was a teacher, and it will be dry-erase boards for my students. They have always cut if for me for free, which I always appreciate!  Each finished dry-erase board is 12" by 12".

This is what Eucatile looks like. It is found in the Millworks section of the store. You will recognize it because it is white, shiny and slick.

The first step is to get someone who looks friendly (you want it cut for free----right?) and he will take it to the cutting station. 

I just tell them that I want it to be cut into one foot sections. The first thing they do it cut it into one foot by four foot strips. There are 8 of these strips.

Next he will take the 4 by 1 foot strips and cut them into one foot squares.

When he is done you have 32 boards.

The whole process takes about 15 minutes.

You don't have to tape the edges. I have never had a child get cut on an edge in over eight years. Have each child write their name on the back with a sharpie, and bring an old sock from home for an eraser. My school provided dry-erase markers, but with cut backs you may need to ask students to bring a couple of those as well. I only used black, since it was easy for me to see when they held up the boards. I told my students that the board was theirs, but they could NOT take it home until the last day of school. That rule came about after my first year of using them. Many, many, many never came back to school. Irritating, and not fun for me. The boards hold up amazingly well throughout the school year, but there are some that get pretty beat-up. Since 32 boards come from one sheet of Eucatile, I always had extra to replace boards with. 

How to use dry-erase boards in class?

1.  Reading: Answer question and hold up the board. You can see immediately see who needs help. They are perfect for guided reading!!

2. Math: Work together or alone, hold up the board for teacher to check. It's an easy way to check for understanding...very quick!

3.  Spelling: Practice words, homophones, etc.

4. Writing: Practice hooks, better adjectives etc.

5. They are perfect fore groupwork, individual practice and centers. Honestly, I used them many, many times throughout the day!

The ways to use dry erase boards in the classroom are endless...and kids love them!