From the Desk of Kelly Harmon
September 2014 Newsletter
Let's Get the 2014-2015 School Year Started!
Very soon, new faces will walk through your classroom door (if not already). What happens next will determine the future for many of those faces. Before they arrive, take a deep breath and say this prayer…
This year, I will…
- Start with building positive classroom relationships.
- Allow time to get to know my students and what they already know.
- Focus on the learning that matters for the long run.
- Plan for success by thinking in terms of units of study and outcomes for the learning.
- Empower my students to track their own learning.
- Set high expectations and make a plan for helping my students reach those expectations.
- Be intentional and deliberate as I choose and use strategies for learning.
- Demonstrate my passion for learning.
- Inspire my students to be self-directed learners.
- Collaborate with my colleagues in positive, uplifting ways.
- I will be a TEACHer AND a LEARNer and my students will be LEARNers AND TEACHers.
#Bestyearever
This year, I will not…
- Let my students think they don’t matter.
- Make assumptions about what my students know and can do.
- Stress over things that really don’t matter in the long run.
- Participate in conversations that focus on things that don’t really mater and aren’t positive and uplifting.
- Let others steal my joy for teaching and learning..
- Let students believe they are any less than beautiful gifts from God.
- Grade papers on the weekend.
- Be the only TEACHer in the room.
#changetheworld
#Bestyearever
#fromstarttofinish
For a list of Back to School Texts click HERE!
For a "Get to Know You" activity click HERE!
Have a wonderful year! Enjoy and embrace what is to be.
-Kelly Harmon & Randi Anderson
Let's Flip Instruction
Flipping instruction in any subject is easy when you know which tools to use and how to provide students access to lessons that teach critical understandings from the State Standards.
What is “flipped” instruction?
Explicit instruction is delivered online using a variety of screen recording tools and cloud servers. The teacher video records the lesson and posts it to a cloud source that students can easily access. Students (and their parents) watch the lesson for homework.
If students do not have access to the internet from home, some teachers “stir” the class instead of “flip.” Instead of homework, students watch the video while the teacher works with a small group.
Steps for Flipping Lessons:
1. Determine the learning target.
2. Collect or create visuals to use in the lesson. Make an anchor chart on traditional chart paper, so you will be able to post it in your classroom.
3. Open the app you want to use to record your lesson.
To read more, visit our blog HERE!
Guiding Readers: Strategies for Strengthening Comprehension
October 8, 2014
8:30am-3:30pm
San Antonio, TX
Learn strategies for assessing students’ literacy needs and planning instruction to match those needs! Participants will explore a variety of differentiation methods for grouping students for reading instruction.
Click HERE for more information!
Best Ipad Apps and Strategies to Increase Student Learning
Dallas, TX- Oct. 21, 2014
Houston, TX- Oct. 22, 2014
San Antonio, TX- Oct. 23, 2014
El Paso, TX- Oct. 24th, 2014
Join Kelly Harmon for a fun and interactive seminar focusing on practical ideas and strategies for using Ipads and Ipad Apps in the classroom. Click HERE for more info.
12+1 Strategies for Helping Your Students Master the Writing TEKS
8:30am-3:30pm
San Antonio, TX
Spend the day learning how to strengthen your writing instruction to increase students' writing skills. Learn research-based techniques and strategies to implement right away in your classroom. Click HERE for more information!
Best Ipad Apps and Strategies to Increase Student Learning
November 3rd, 2014
8:30am-3:15pm
Chicago, IL
Join Kelly Harmon for a fun and interactive seminar focusing on practical ideas and strategies for using Ipads and Ipad Apps in the classroom. Click HERE for more info.
Literacy Centers in Your Classroom! Grades K-3
8:30am-3:30pm
San Antonio, TX
Learn how to create meaningful learning stations activities where students work with partners or independently during small group reading time. Add reader's theater for ten-minute-a-day and you've created the perfect recipe for accelerating reading achievement. Click HERE for more information!
Bring a Training to Your Campus!
(210) 218-1723
About Us!
Email: kelly@texasliteracy.com
Website: kellyharmon.com
Location: 26440 White Eagle Drive, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: 210-218-1723
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Texas-Literacy-Resources/185551092170