April Teacher Talk

Posted by Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

It's April, only a few more months to go till the end of the school year. We have have so many things to share with you in this edition of April Teacher Talk. So sit back, relax and take a look at our posts.

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April is Poetry Month

By Deann Marin of Socrates Lantern

 I just love teaching poetry and spring is the perfect time. For me, inspiration comes from being outside, perhaps walking on the beach inhaling the salty ocean air, or just walking through the woods with my husband and beautiful husky who is no longer with us. Oh and April is Poetry month.

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Make a Splash in April
By Retta London of Rainbow City Learning

Step by step instructions for an art project to motivate students for "April is Poetry Month".

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Scientific Method: Neglect & Regrets

By Kerry Tracy of Kerry Tracy

Are your students mere collectors of data, or do they analyze & interpret data? This blog relates an epiphany I had that changed my science-teaching game for good!  

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Autism & Learning to Use a Public Restroom: Tips for Parents and Teachers 
By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Learning to use the bathroom in public places or at school can be a struggle for children on the spectrum. Read this post for tips on how to make the process of using new bathrooms fun, interesting, and successful!

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More Core in Shared Reading for AAC Users
By Susan Berkowitz of Susan Berkowitz

This post is about using core words and more descriptive teaching rather than referential teaching. Not only does this encourage higher level thinking skills, it means AAC users can more easily participate in comprehension activities.

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Don't Let the Pencil Craze Get to You!
Mary Moore of Moore Resources

Are pencils driving you crazy? Students not having a pencil? Losing them? Breaking the tip? The pencil craze got to me too! It doesn't need to! During my student teaching we had cups with pencils at each group that we sharpened every morning and ensured there were plenty in each cup, which was great! That was in first grade. Over the years, I became use to about 2-3 students per class not having a pencil, therefore, I always purchased a box or two at a time and handed pencils out to those students. This year was a little different for me and the pencil craze got me! So many lost pencils, broken pencil tips, or students just didn't have a pencil. I felt pencil cross eyed! A solution must be found!!! After much thought I came up with my "Pencil Station"!

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Nothing Like Non-Fiction
By Kathie Yonemura of Tried and True Teaching Tools

Using non-fiction will renew the love of learning in your classroom! Immersing students in reading & writing workshop: use non-fiction to teach note-taking, text features and formats!
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Calculator Challenges
By Shametria Routt of The Routty Math Teacher

Calculators are wonderful tools for the classroom and can provide valuable learning opportunities for our students. In fact, in the Common Core State Standards for Math, Mathematical Practice Standard 5 requires that students use "tools strategically." To support this goal, this series includes 4 calculator-based activities that can be used to challenge your students in the mathematics classroom.
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EdTech Tips: Google My Maps
By Lisa Robles of LisaTeachR's Classroom

Ways to use Google My maps in the classroom!
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8 Highly Effective Practices for Teaching Printing
By Thia Triggs of Print Path

Don’t have time to take to a class? Improve the effectiveness of your handwriting instruction with these easy to follow research-based tips!
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Georgia, Poppies & Poetry
By Tracy Wills of Wild Child Designs

This post outlines how to use sentence stems and visible thinking routines to respond to Georgia O'Keefe's art. It includes some great picture book recommendations as well! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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