Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
Friday, June 15, 2007
Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---June '07 Edition--- (current subscribers: 19,036)
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News and updates to http://brains.org and Kathie Nunley's
Layered Curriculum(R) Site for Educators: http://help4teachers.com
~~The NO-MEMBERSHIP-REQUIRED website which blends current
psychology research with education.
You can subscribe to this newsletter at: http://help4teachers.com
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SECTION ONE: Teaching Tips -
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Teacher Tip # 1: Every time I make some sort of error, whether it be a
calculation error on the board or an error in the solutions of a worksheet,
I reward the first student to recognize it and correct it with a lollipop. It
keeps them alert and motivates them to question their and my solutions.
Mark Bolivar, Upper School Mathematics, The York School.
Teacher Tip # 2: I use neon colored note cards, (the really bright
ones). The students fold them in half so that it can stand up like
a tent. When a student needs my help they prop it up at their
desk and I can scan the room and see who needs my help or
assistance. If a student doesn't need my help then they keep it
hidden under papers or in folder. I found it's so much more
efficient than having them wait at my desk or lose feeling in
their hands by keeping it raised for so long.
Jennifer Lammers, Cedar Falls, IA
Teacher Tip # 3: Put your teacher assistants in charge of keeping
track of make-up work. It makes attendance taking for subs easy!
Aly Berry West Jr. High, KS.
Send your favorite teaching tip to me at Kathie@brains.org
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SECTION TWO: Hot Topics
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HOT TOPIC # 1: While much research is conducted on how to improve
reading and writing in low SES, at-risk populations, very little has been
published on what it takes to really be outstanding with middle-class,
advantaged populations. Michigan State University set out to discover
just what it takes to really excel with relatively advantaged students.
The ingredients? A Reading-and-Writing focused curriculum that
included exposure to many books and explicit instruction in both reading
and writing, teachers' use of a multitude of motivational mechanisms, a
school-wide pro-social attitude, the use of individualized or differentiated
instruction, and an administration with a clear academic focus and an
awareness of each individual teacher and classroom.
Pressley, M. et al (2007). Journal of Educational Psychology,
Vol 99 (2), 221-240.
HOT TOPIC # 2: More than 2 decades ago educational researchers
found that teachers hold different expectations for their students
based on race and ethnicity. Have things changed? Apparently not
so much according to new research released this year. Teachers still
have the highest expectations for Asian American students. Teachers
also hold more positive expectations and provided more positive speech
for European American students than Latino/a students and African
American students. Interestingly though, teachers aimed negative speech
equally to students regardless of race. Tenenbaum, H. & Ruck, M. (2007).
Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol 99(2), 253-273.
More Hot Topics at the websites!
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SECTION THREE: Website updates
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******** NEW Layered Curriculum® UNITS
Here's what our colleagues around the globe have sent us this week:
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"I am including my first "modified" Layered Curriculum on Physical Science.
With only 3 weeks left of school, I don't have time to do the B Layer but I
wanted to get my feet wet this year so I can implement full ones next year.
I explained it to the kids today and will start teaching with it tomorrow. Wish
me luck." Thanks! Mark Sylvestre Gallagher Middle School, Smithfield, RI
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This is my second attempt! I found if students have brightly colored note
cards that they use as table tents. I can move around the room where needed
and the students can continue working on another task. It also eliminates
much of the "I had my hand up first" Arguments.
Jennifer Lammers, Peet Junior High School Cedar Falls, IA
You can view Mark and Jennifer's units and VIEW ALL THE SAMPLE UNITS AT:
http://help4teachers.com
******* The Help4Teachers Bookstore & The BRAINS.ORG SHOP: ************
NEW BOOKSTORE DISCOUNT FOR NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS!
The bookstore now offers $3.00 off most Brains.org Shop books for newsletter
subscribers. LOOK FOR THE CODE: NLSD (newsletter subscriber discount)
after a book's price. Mention in the "special instructions" section of the shopping cart
that you're a subscriber and we'll take $3.00 off that book for you! Shop the store:
http://brains.org/store/index
If you are looking for the Layered Curriculum® text or workbook,
remember you can buy the set discounted at our bookstore:
http://help4teachers.com/books
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SECTION FOUR: Kathie's Email
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Kathie - When you offer your students an assignment where they use
clay, paint, or other materials like that do you provide these things?
If students bring these materials in do you provide space for them to
store it? Thanks for your help. Mr. Greg Verdino, Oswego, IL
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Hi Greg, I think that's completely up to you and your population
needs. Sometimes I provide materials as I work with low SES
populations. But I think if you have eager parents, I'd take
advantage of their generosity! Yes, I think you'd need a place to
store everything. Maybe toteboxess?
Good luck, Kathie
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SECTION FIVE: Workshops/calendar schedule/misc
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educators here in the US are now officially "out" for the summer. While
here in New Hampshire we still have another week of school (our final day
is June 21) we are definitely in the home stretch. Let me take this time to
wish all of you a restful, safe and rejuvenating vacation. (at least try to
squeeze a little rest and rejuvenation in).
I so enjoyed my 2 trips this past week to Lawrence, Kansas. The teachers
there were so enthusiastic and we had a great 2 days. Thanks also to the
warm hospitality extended by the teachers in the Region 20 (San Antonio)
area of south Texas. Having grown up in Texas, I always enjoy my visits
back down there.
My calendar settles down now for the month of July, as is my tradition, but
I'll be back out on the road come August with trips to Alaska, California,
New Jersey and Montana. If you are interested in joining us at a workshop,
please check my calendar page for openings and registration information.
http://help4teachers.com
If you are looking to schedule a workshop for your school or district, I now have
my spring 2008 calendar open.
As always, my best to you and yours,
Kathie
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Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com
call: 603-249-9521
email: kathie@brains.org
Brains.org and Help4Teachers is located at:
54 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031
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to Dr. Kathie F Nunley. Usage information available at:
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum(R) . . . because every child deserves a special education (tm)
Brains.org & Help4Teachers.com
54 Ponemah Rd
Amherst NH 03031
PH 603.249.9521
FX 208.979.0678
