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Resources, articles, printables for writing teachers

by In today's Links & Likes, your Teachers.Net Gazette

Nov 8, 2010

We've gathered some of our best resources on the topic of writing, including teaching writing, writing for publication, lessons and printable aids for teaching writing, getting students' work published, more... in today's Links & Likes. (Sign up for any Teachers.Net mailring and every Links & Likes newsletter will be delivered directly to y...See More

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Want to be a reading specialist and need your suggestions

by LM

Nov 11, 2010

I taught 6th grade special education my first year and quickly realized that if you can't read well by 6th grade, it's pretty tough to make it through most classes. This led me to go back to early education in an attempt to see what kids were missing. I have loved teaching kindergarten for the last 6 years and am about to complete a Masters degree ...See More

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Nicole S. One more resource: [link removed]

My READING GAMES (instructional) ONLINE MEGALIST is still a pretty good list of resources galore (not just games). There are a few broken links because I haven't updated in awhile. There are some instructional games here and there that should be deleted because they don't align with my reading instruction ...See More

Nov 16, 2010

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Nicole S. This document provides a good review of knowledge that is expected of a reading specialist. A past employer used it as a basis for interview questions when hiring another reading specialist for our department. The last quarter of the document is a test to determine your competency on the information presented. Many undergraduate and even graduate c...See More

Nov 20, 2010

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In search of talented students

by Leah Larson

Nov 11, 2010

YALDAH Magazine, a magazine "for Jewish girls, by Jewish girls" is now accepting applications for its annual Editorial Board. Jewish girls ages 8-15 may apply for a year working behind the scenes at a national magazine! We're specifically looking for talented writers, but also have openings for illustrators, photographers, and more.

For m...See More

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websites for literacy centers

by ruth

Nov 15, 2010

HELP! I need websites for literacy centers for our reading and technology centers. ASAP!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks.

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Mae in Texas The majority of resources on my site are for literacy. Mae

Nov 17, 2010

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Mrs. D On 11/16/10, Nicole S. wrote: > The absolutely best online resource for literacy centers is > featured by the Florida Center for Reading Research. This is > a top site for most well-informed reading specialists. The > centers are research based and cover a wide array of > abilities and areas of literacy. It is a lot to print out, >...See More

Nov 18, 2010

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Literature Unit Ideas

by Mrs. Devli

Nov 18, 2010

Hi Everyone! I am currently developing a unit based on Character traits using The Outsiders. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on how I can incorporate Reader's Theater and technology, like creating a modern day version? Too much? I just want the students to have fun, but still comprehend the story...

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How do I make my lesson more interesting

by Ms. F

Nov 18, 2010

I am currently an intern at a public school for a third grade class. I have been put in charge of running the lessons on persuasive letter writing. I need to make sure that my students are able to write persuasive letters which involves a decent amount of critical thinking. I have been showing them examples of my own letters (which I try to make fu...See More

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Sara I'd say first - lose the graphic organizer. I've never seen any class whose eyes don't glaze over when we bring out the graphic organizer. Let's remember that graphic organizers were one adult's idea of what would well with children - and then it spread. Do graphic organizers work for you? Venn diagrams? I think it just confuses the kids - it doesn...See MoreI'd say first - lose the graphic organizer. I've never seen any class whose eyes don't glaze over when we bring out the graphic organizer. Let's remember that graphic organizers were one adult's idea of what would well with children - and then it spread. Do graphic organizers work for you? Venn diagrams? I think it just confuses the kids - it doesn't really help them organize their thoughts. Kids' brains by their very nature aren't orderly places - we spent a lot of time and energy trying to organize kid's brains which by Nature aren't organized.

I think it was the same person who came up with the idea of graphic organizers who decided that third graders should write persuasive letters... These kids spend their days persuading. Ask them how they persuaded their parents to have a birthday party? How they persuaded their friend to come play at their house instead of the other way around? Ask me how I persuaded my mother to let me stop piano lessons...

They can persuade and they do it everyday and without benefit of a graphic organizer. Just get them to list their top three reasons for .... asking the Richest Person on Earth for money. ( it doesn't matter who that person is - gently discourage class discussion on that) Then have them circle the reason they think is the best reason. Ask them to star * the reason they think will work (they can be the same).

Then have them write a letter to the Richest Person on Earth asking for money. Have them read their letters aloud but better - ask them for permission for you to read their letters aloud. To really hear/process/and enjoy a letter read aloud, it needs to be read by a good aloud reader - which is usually not the kids who barrel through without pausing. Timing is everything.

Why are you worrying about 'informative'? The very concept of a 'persuasive letter' is plenty informative for 3rd graders. Really they should be writing fun stories - not persuasive letters - but that's the sad state of education today.

But yes I agree - there should be some spark, some joy, some fun or they forget it as soon as they've heard it and - what's wrong with school being fun as well as informative?

Nothing's wrong with that and putting some fun in the day makes everyone's day better including yours as well as theirs. What's fun to you? let some of yourself come through - be a bit of a diva. I tell every young teacher to take an acting class - it really helps with teaching.

Also - peruse youtube, no kidding. Punch in'fun writing lessons'. If you have a video projector connected to your computer, there are some good things on youtube for teaching writing in a fun way. But closer at hand is your creative well-spring. Be light-hearted. The curriculum is plenty informative... what would have been fun to you as a child? Let that be your guide.

Post back if you want more praise - any teacher who's looking to put more fun in the school day deserves to be praised.

>

Nov 19, 2010

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Michelle I recently researched a web-based activity in which the students were given a fictional task of becoming assistant speech writers to the President, and were asked to write a persuasive speech on a topic that is relevant in current events. It was really engaging and well-planned, with a lot of supplemental resources. I think the best way to teach pe...See More

Nov 21, 2010

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Writing Prgram for Elementary grades

by slc

Nov 18, 2010

Can someone recommend a writing program for the elementary grades K-6? We are looking for something new. Thanks

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And recite the Qur'an slowly and in a pleasant tone(73-4)

by homequranteacher

Nov 19, 2010

Assalam-u-Alaikum:

join our institute for learning recitation of holy quran in a right tone. our institute is providing Quranic translation, tafseer and fiqh studies as well.

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I need low level, high interest chapter books...

by Reading Aim

Nov 19, 2010

Hello - I have 5 students in my classroom who read at a level I. I am having a hard time finding chapter books that are at their level and their interest. You can only read so many "Frog and Toad". I would love any suggestions that you have - They are in fifth grade...

Thanks!

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