I wanted to share all of the UFLI aligned resources I have created for FREE! If you teacher early elementary reading and are using this in your classroom I have created T2 and T3 interventions as well as centers - word sorts, fluency pyramids etc. Check it out at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-9

A quality assessment tool is one that accurately measures what it is intended to measure, provides consistent results, and is fair to all students regardless of their background. The key elements that contribute to the quality of an assessment tool are validity, reliability, and the minimization of bias. How do you ensure the tools you are using to assess your students meets all of these requirements?

Family Engagement

How do you modify your teaching when you have a significant number of students out with illness? For example, today half my Kindergarten students are out sick today, and I am reviewing some ideas with the students who are here while introducing a few new things that I can review as students slowly return. How do you handle situations like this when one or more students are absent?

Digital literacy tools can play a significant role in supporting literacy development across grade levels by providing personalized and engaging experiences for students.
In what ways do you think this is beneficial?

Math that mooves you.

One concept that has come up in our math curriculum is the idea of inclusive and exclusive definitions. For example, our curriculum states that a trapezoid is a 2D quadrilateral with AT LEAST one pair of parallel sides. This inclusive definition would make a square to be classified as a trapezoid. What other concepts have you come across that might cause some anxiety for parents who have said, “That is not how I was taught?”

What are some ways you help students to calm their bodies throughout the day?

For example, sometimes we stop and take a few minutes to breathe deeply in quiet pose and reset for the next task.

As I was reading an educational article recently, I saw this idea, and I loved it! I will definitely implement it at the start of next year:

Have students write down (or tell you if they are little ones) what they want to hear on hard days. Collect those notes and hand them back out to students when you feel like they need to be reminded.

What are some ways you help students persevere on hard days?

I'm having a lot of anxiety about starting the school year! What are some tactical things I should do over the summer to feel more prepared, and what can I deprioritize?

What end of the year activities does your school do?
My school likes to do ABC countdowns and field day.

Does your school or district plan an open house prior to the first day of school, on the night of the first day of school, or sometime afterwards?

What are some of your favorite sites or stores to purchase classroom ready supplies and materials?

I'd happily talk with these folks.

AI may be scary at first. Actually, it is a very useful tool in the classroom. I have used AI to write poems about topics so students will have information to read across genres. A HUGE win this year has been communication. I have a student who does not speak English. I have used AI to translate worksheets, compose emails, and create activities for the student. It has been a tremendous resource in helping this student in the classroom. It cuts down on time with using a pocket translator. I can explain the directions with the translator as the student is reading in their language. It also has helped with a "side by side" analysis of words and word structures.

A few years ago, I got a roll of paper from Target and started writing quotes on it to post outside my door for students to read. It turns out that it wasn't just students who were reading it -- adults did too and would stop by to tell me the ways they related to do the quote. What are some ways you commit to the culture of your school?

Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1

How do you support phonemic awareness in your classroom? What simple activities do you include with your early learners?

Answer: Sound Cubes! Sound cubes are wooden or foam colored cubes that can be used to help students manipulate the sounds in words.

How would you rate your self-efficacy skills as a teacher?

Teachers who believe in their abilities ( handling tasks, obligations and challenges) increase their level of self-efficacy.

Do you value the importance of continuous professional development?

Do you use reflection to improve your teaching practice?

Do you set attainable goals?

Do you maintain a strong academic focus throughout your lessons and provide
constructive feedback to students?

Do you demonstrate resilience and view knockbacks as temporary stumbling
blocks?

Answering yes to these questions, shows powerful predictors of a teacher’s effectiveness. Self-efficacy means believing in your ability to succeed in any situation.

One of my favorite ways to engage students in critical thinking and error analysis is by doing an activity called "Agree or Disagree with Mrs. T." In these activity, I will give students a word problem and then I will solve it (usually wrong with the most common mistakes students make when solving that type of problem). Students have to read the problem, think about how they would solve it, and then look at how I solved it to decide whether they agree or disagree and why. Usually I'm wrong, BUT I have to be right sometimes or they'll just assume I'm wrong and disregard what I did. I have attached a sample so you can see their reflection piece. What are ways you help students catch mistakes?