Happy Spring!
Thank you for your loyalty and continued readership. This month we are focusing on phonics instruction, questioning for comprehension, and innovative technology! Also, be sure to check out our summer workshop offerings in your area. Register soon, space is limited! Happy Teaching!
-Kelly Harmon & Randi Anderson
Questions Please!
Learners who are invested in the learning naturally question as they process new ideas or concepts. They ask interpretive, literal, evaluative, and universal questions.
Whoever asks the questions, does the learning.
Here are some ways to scaffold your students’ thinking over time so they become more aware of the act of questioning to learn.
- Show students a concrete object that is unusual or unfamiliar to them. Listen and list questions as they begin to flow from natural curiosity.
- Create a sensory situation. Bring in an unusual food for students to try. Brainstorm questions before eating that can be answered by eating the food. Connect this to reading a new text or learning a new concept. How does questioning help you understand the new ideas better?
- Create an anchor chart with question stems.
For more ways to scaffold your students and questioning lessons, click here!!
Technology Feature: QR Codes!
QR codes save time and keep learners safe!
Post a QR code for quick access to a specific website or internet link you want your students to visit. Teachers can include the QR codes in newsletters to parents as well. This is a safe way for learners to get to the correct internet address.
Students scan the code on the iPad app and go directly to the website or cloud file that contains the target media. While there are free QR code scanners in the App Store, many of these apps contain ads and are not safe for children to use. A paid scanner will be your best bet.
Check out how QR Codes are being used in classrooms!
Thank you Mr. Martin for letting us show off your kindergarten class!
Phonics Focus!
Developing Language & Literacy: For Early Childhood Educators
April 22, 2016
San Antonio, TX
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The First 25 Days of School for ELAR San Antonio, TX Learn how to plan and implement Reading & Writing Workshop at the beginning of the school year! Starting the school year off strong is important and we are here to help with ideas for developing relationships and establishing routines! Join us this summer for a day full of learning and planning for your NEXT school year. Learn strategies and activities for building routines and relationships with your students. Don't miss out on this day! Click HERE for more information. | Developing Critical Readers San Antonio, TX Imagine every student in your classroom engaged in critical thinking while reading! Join Kelly Harmon for a day full of authentic and rigorous reading strategies and activities to transform the way you differentiate reading in your classroom! Explore guided and close reading lessons that engage students and connect to real world literacy learning! Click here for more information! | Best Apps, Websites, & Digital Tools San Antonio, TX Technology is great for providing explicit instruction, meaningful practice, and student-designed projects and presentations. In this interactive seminar, explore the best apps, digital tools, and websites for iPad, Android, and laptops that will engage your learners and accelerate their learning. Be sure to bring your device or laptop for the hands on make-and-take projects and ideas. Click Here for more information! |
The First 25 Days of School for ELAR
Learn how to plan and implement Reading & Writing Workshop at the beginning of the school year!
Starting the school year off strong is important and we are here to help with ideas for developing relationships and establishing routines! Join us this summer for a day full of learning and planning for your NEXT school year. Learn strategies and activities for building routines and relationships with your students. Don't miss out on this day! Click HERE for more information.
Developing Critical Readers
Imagine every student in your classroom engaged in critical thinking while reading! Join Kelly Harmon for a day full of authentic and rigorous reading strategies and activities to transform the way you differentiate reading in your classroom! Explore guided and close reading lessons that engage students and connect to real world literacy learning! Click here for more information!
Best Apps, Websites, & Digital Tools
Technology is great for providing explicit instruction, meaningful practice, and student-designed projects and presentations. In this interactive seminar, explore the best apps, digital tools, and websites for iPad, Android, and laptops that will engage your learners and accelerate their learning. Be sure to bring your device or laptop for the hands on make-and-take projects and ideas. Click Here for more information!
Marzano's Building Expertise 2016 Conference
June 15th-17th
Disney World Resort
For more information, visit Building Expertise 2016 Conference website!
Strengthening Your Title I Program
Seattle, WA
Learn how to better lead your school or district Title I team in this strategy-packed two-day institute led by nationally acclaimed presenter, Kelly Harmon. You will discover how to work with teachers to identify and implement the most effective cutting-edge, research-based instructional strategies to increase school and district wide student achievement. You will learn how to develop teacher expertise in working with struggling students along with ways to continually monitor and adjust instruction based on student results. For more information, visit www.ber.org.
Kelly Harmon & Associates, LLC