So Many Resources, So Little Time!

We are back into back to school preparation where I live.  Once July comes to a close, teachers begin thinking about the first few weeks of school.  To be honest, I'm always thinking about school. I've been working on a summer course for teaching English language learners.  This is where I began my career and this is where it will unwind.  I always thought I'd concentrate on Math but I've always had the desire to return to my roots of watching language acquisition unfold.  To be honest, I love Literacy!  It embeds every aspect of the curriculum.

When it comes to Literacy, I 've accumulated quite a stock of resources.  From Debbie Diller to Tony Stead, I have it all.  The problem is finding enough time to sit down and read one from cover to cover. Now, with this new position, I've begun to accumulate new resources.  I love this new one from Fenner and Snyder:  Unlocking English Learners' Potential

It's the why and how to access English language learner's potential.  There are tips for scaffolding, promotion of oral language development and academic language, analyzing text through close reading and text-dependent questions, building background knowledge and designing formative assessments.

The strategies in this book are perfect for any teacher of English language learners.  Whether it is in a mainstream program or sheltered class, this resource will support instruction.  Now, off to reading the next book. 

Guest Post on Minds in Bloom

Hi everyone,

I'm thrilled to be a guest on the blog, "Minds in Bloom", where  I write about encouraging writing skills. To find useful tips and a free download, click on the link below:

http://minds-in-bloom.com/encouraging-kids-write-write-about-ideas/

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Back to School Giveaway

I've teamed up with some fabulous TpT authors to host a giveaway.  The entry dates are from July 23rd to 25th.  

Just click on the link below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Build a Positive Classroom Community

This is a repost about one of my favourite ways to build a classroom community:

Two years ago, I decided to implement something in my classroom that changed the classroom community.  We had kindness week and things just didn't resonate with the students like I thought they would.  So, I brought in my Blessings Jar: It was a simple empty jar decorated with a label and glued on buttons.  It was what was inside that became the thing that my classroom needed:  validation of students from one another and to each other.  

Students were asked to notice things during the day that made them feel blessed.  They would then write them down and place them in the jar.  At the end of the week during our class meetings, we would open the jar and read the blessings.   

We then gathered the blessings and placed them into categories.  This was a great way to incorporate math into our lesson as well.  Just click on the image to download your own copy of the blessings jar templates. All you need is a jar!

Blessings Jar

Back to School Mega Giveaway!

Fancy winning some extra spending money to help you purchase everything you need for your 2017-18 classroom? I have teamed up with a group of amazing teachers for a giveaway pack:

PRIZES INCLUDE 1 x $200 TPT Giftcard. 1 x $200 Amazon Giftcard, 1 x $25 Starbucks Giftcard, and 1 x $15 Starbucks Giftcard!

Starts: Friday 14th July 2017 12am

Ends: Saturday 21st July 2017 12am

Just enter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway