How do you assess the literacy needs of families at the start of the school year?
Assessing the literacy needs of families at the start of the school year can help tailor support and resources effectively.
One of the ways that our district approaches this is through family surveys. We distribute short, simple surveys to families asking about their reading habits, access to books, preferred languages, and any specific literacy challenges they face at home. This helps us with providing the right intervention supports for the whole child overall.
We also utilize Family Literacy Nights where we host an event where families can participate in reading activities, allowing us to observe engagement levels and identify areas where support might be needed. Post event surveys also provide insight to family preferences and needs.
How can families incorporate literacy development into holiday traditions and activities?
What are some other ways to engage students in an immersive experience? I’ve used mock crime scenes, but would like to expand to other experiences.
One of my favorite read aloud chapter books that I've ever read to students was The Unteachables by Gordon Korman. I loved this book for so many reasons, but the character development is top notch. I have attached a choice board I gave to students after we finished the text for some ideas on what you can do with the book afterwards! What are some of your favorite book studies?
With this being an election year, what are some of the activities that you do at your school to promote voting? With that, how do you maintain balance in the classroom with the current climate?
Chunking is a reading strategy that helps students break down complex text into manageable, meaningful parts or "chunks." This approach is particularly useful for improving comprehension, especially when students encounter longer texts or difficult passages.
How do you integrate chunking into early literacy development?
Differentiated instruction vs. Scaffold Instruction How are they different?
Scaffold instruction provides support for students to understand the material. This type of instruction is temporary, and the support is only used until the student understands the material.
Differentiated instruction is a teaching approach tailoring it to address students' needs. Each student has the same learning goal, but the instruction is varied based on the student’s learning style, strengths, and interests.
To meet the different needs and interests of each student, the teacher may vary the
-course content
-activities or
-assessments
Differentiated Instruction takes time and patience. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach but based on each student's needs.
What are some ways that you differentiate to meet the needs of all your students?
How do you promote student leadership in your classroom? One way that I promote leadership with the students is by giving a list of Leadership Axioms. During the first days of school while review policies and procedures, the axioms are introduced. We use these to help us become a better leader.
To find ways to make learning history more appealing to the students, I try to find things that they find familiar and learn the history behind it. Whether it is a celebration, observance, sport, word, or food. This one was particularly interesting because of the fable and the movie Shrek. The history of the Gingerbread Man is a fun way to guide students in asking the question, "Why?".
How to you increase fluency practice in your classroom?
Answer: Whisper Phones
Our math curriculum is using an inclusive definition of a trapezoid being a 2 dimensional shape with at least 1 pair of parallel sides. This means a square could be classified as a trapezoid. This might cause some issues with parents who have statements like, “that is not what I was taught.” What are some other possible academic stumbling blocks that you might have to discuss with parents?
What are some behavior management strategies you've found to be most effective with your students?
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What is the best way that you incorporate civic education in your classroom? What are some of the mandated standards that you have to address?
The new year is a great time to review classroom rules and procedures. What creative ways do you use to review the rules?
Behavior Management
Students enjoy classrooms with a good management plan. In fact, students desire interesting, engaging teachers who create an effective learning environment. Watch a veteran teacher who has strong management skills. Somehow, management becomes nearly invisible, and the teacher seems relaxed and confident while students appear to be engaged and learning. How do they do this? It doesn’t happen by accident. Experience helps, but one difference is a strong management plan that builds on a foundation of good teacher/student relationships, clear expectations with consequences, and thoughtful organization that empowers instruction. A strong, well-thought-out plan prevents management problems before they arise.
What intervention strategies do you use to handle student behaviors?
Have you found any good strategies that keep your absenteeism rates lower?
We introduced a school wide award that is awarded to the classroom in each grade level with the highest attendance rate each month. When our individual classes have attendance above 95% on a daily basis, we get a postcard with our mascot on it to display outside our classroom door (with the date earned). When our classroom earns 10 of them, we get a visit from the Woot-Woot wagon and each student gets to pick a treat!
