Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Dr Kathie Nunley's Educator's Newsletter
---mid-November '08 Edition--- (current subscribers: 21,173)
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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/newsletter.htm
Unsubscribe & EMAIL CHANGE information link at the bottom of this newsletter
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--------SECTION ONE: TEACHING TIPS ------
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Teacher Tip # 1: GO FISH cards and OLD MAID cards work great for
pairing. The colored Popsicle sticks work well for arbitrary grouping. If
you want 5 groups of 4, give students red, yellow, green and blue sticks
as they enter the class. Then have them form groups by having all the
different colors in one group. You can then collect one paper from
each group by calling for a particular color. To avoid students changing
colors… have them write the color on their papers as soon as they get
them. Before submitting, all students sign off on the paper. Of course
you can group by same color too. Always have a surprise or two in
store for the class. By the way, this works great at all levels!!
Linda Kellner, Assistant Principal, Baldwin H.S., NY.
Teacher Tip #2: Put a fun trivia question on the board during the first
few minutes of class. Give a little prize for the correct answer.
- Martha Howson, Leduc Composite HS., Alberta.
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: If you're a teacher, no doubt you occasionally have to
offer students assignments which they perceive as uninteresting. However,
you can support and help maintain students' motivation, engagement, and
learning during these lessons simply by providing a rationale for the assignment.
Researchers found that when provided with external rationales for perceived
uninteresting assignments, students can generate enough motivation to
engage constructively and learn from the lesson. Hyungshim J. (2008).
Journal of Educational Psychology. Vol 100(4), 798-811.
HOT TOPIC #2: In elementary grades, reading and spelling curricula should be
coordinated to overlap as much as possible. Canadian researchers have found
that young readers can transfer familiarity from reading to spelling and from spelling
to reading. In other words, children were better able to spell words they had
repeated practice reading and could better read words they had repeated practice
spelling. Conrad, N. (2008). Journal of Educational Psychology. Vol 100(4), 869-878.
More Hot Topics at the websites!
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------SECTION THREE: WEBSITE UPDATES------
at HELP4TEACHERS.COM and BRAINS.ORG
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===New Layered Curriculum Units:
Terica Oates, Carrollton, HS sent a Government unit.
Lydia Anderson, Lawrenceveille HS sent 3 Geometry units
Brian Holmquin, Van Horn HS sent a unit on Scientific measure
===There is a short downloadable (and free) video tutorial on the
homepage of Help4Teachers that addresses one of the most frequently
asked question: "Where do I start with Layered Curriculum®?" Available
for PC formats, you can find it in the right column at: http://help4teachers.com
===NEW BOOK
"THE SUCCESSFUL EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO EARNING EXTRA INCOME".
-- A break from my usual topic of differentiation - this book addresses another
side of the educator's world. You can get more information and / or order a
copy of the book at: http://www.brains.org/teacherincome/
New recommended book bundles and book study kits are available at both
websites.
For Differentiating with Layered Curriculum, visit:
http://help4teachers.com/books.htm
For recommended books on a variety of subjects specific to education, visit:
http://brains.org/store/index.htm
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------SECTION FOUR: KATHIE'S EMAIL------
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I have started a Layered Curriculum assignment sheet for my world
history class. I am wondering about the grading and should they really
turn in an assignment daily and then one for homework.
Terica Oates, Carrollton High School
===================================
Terica,
There are no hard and fast rules for Layered Curriculum - it has to be
different for each teacher, each population, each subject. Just start
slowly and see what you and the students can handle. I do think it is
wise though, in the beginning to have tight deadlines for assignments.
In other words "something is due each day" is better than "the whole
thing is due in two weeks". Students need a lot a familiar structure when
they first start. So as I always tell teachers, "start with what you currently
do, then slowly add one piece." Good luck with it! - Kathie
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------SECTION FIVE: WORKSHOPS / SCHEDULE / MISC------
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Welcome to mid-November. The election "hoopla" is finally behind us
and how exciting it is to have witnessed such an historic event.
I actually watched election day north-of-the-border and I want to thank the
great teachers in Edmonton and Lethbridge, Alberta for the great week
and warm welcome. Next month, I'll be heading to San Antonio and
Holland, Michigan.
I'm back in New England for now as we prepare for winter -which I think is
arriving at 8:00pm tonight! So, here on my little farm, we put the doors back
on the milking parlor, turn the light on in the chicken coop and turn over the
garden to lay wait for spring planting. I hope you are enjoying the changing
season wherever you are today.
I want to wish everyone here in the US a Happy Thanksgiving!
Until then. . .
As always, my best to you and yours,
Kathie
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Workshop information is available at the website
http://help4teachers.com/workshops.htm
or
call: 603-249-9521
email: kathie@brains.org
Brains.org and Help4Teachers is located at:
54 Ponemah Road
Amherst, NH 03031
Layered Curriculum® is a trademark developed by and registered
to Dr. Kathie F Nunley. Usage information available at:
http://help4teachers.com/usage.htm
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Dr Kathie F Nunley
Layered Curriculum(R) . . . because every child deserves a special education (tm)
