Effective Writing Strategies

Teaching writing seams to be one of the hardest subjects to teach in my school day.  In the article To Teach Effective Writing, Model Effective Writing (2014) it states that teachers can be an effective writing teacher if they model their writing.  Teachers need to model writing of their own and model writing that goes with the lesson that is being taught.

When I teach first grade writing the class and I write a story together.  It is our class writing piece.  I also use a story of my own to model.  I make the story fun and interesting with a lot of details and fancy words.   Additionally I show a writing piece from another first grade student that is exceeding first grade standards so that the students can see that another first grader can write amazing stories.  This helps the students see what is expected and they are challenged.

Furthermore, the writing workshop model lends to the students writing to their own interests.  I think students are more engaged in their writing when they can write about their own small moments they have had or write about something they know a lot about.

All in all it is important that teachers model the writing that they are expecting from their students.  Teachers also need to be a writer themselves and share their own writing with their students.  Students should be able to critique the teachers writing.  Just like most other things in life students learn how to write by learning from an effective writer.

Cutler, D (2014, June)  To Teach Effective Writing, Model Effective Writing.  Edutopia  Retrieved June 23, 2014 from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teach-and-model-effective-writing-david-cutler

Ipads in special education classrooms

Are Ipads an asset to a special education classroom?  There is some research out there on Ipads in the classroom however there has only been about four years of research done because Ipads are a new technology in the classroom.
Anya Kamenentz in the article iPads in special ed: What does the research say? states that iPads are a good tool to have in the classroom of students with disabilities.  The iPads are touchscreen so they are easy for the students to use.  Even a student that had control over only one finger was able to communicate using an iPad.  The Ipads are making it easier for students to communicate because they can use pictures to describe how they are feeling or using the pictures instead of words.  Furthermore, students can hear what they are reading which is a text to speech feature that the iPad has for these students.
I have an iPad in my classroom for an ASD (autism spectrum disorder) student.  I believe that it helps the student to communicate.  It is also teaching him basic skills that he needs for reading and writing.  The iPad keeps him engaged in the curriculum.  It is very hard to keep him engaged in the classroom however the iPad is very engaging for him.

Anya Kamenetz states that the iPads may be engaging however she wonders if it is just because they are a new tool for students to use.  This will need more research as time goes on because the research sample size is small and the advantages have mixed feelings.  Teachers did report that they have more independent workers and less behavior problems when they used iPads in the classroom.

Kamenetz, A. (2014, June 13) iPads in special ed: What does the research say?,npr Ed How Learning Happens.  Retrieved June 17, 2014 from http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/06/13/321058641/ipads-in-special-ed-what-does-the-research-say

The Fearful Summer Slide

All teachers in early elementary think about this topic and the end of each school year.  Will my students read throughout the summer?  Many students do not read and experience the summer slide (students fall back in reading levels). 

There are several ways to help the summer slide.  The school that I currently teach at has an option for students to take home 15 books and then trade the books at the book mobile two times over the summer.  The book mobile is located near their neighborhood and moves around to neighborhoods on a scheduled day.    In the article The Summer Slide in English Language Arts by Edutopia it suggests sending students home with books, magazines or things that students are willing and able to read.

There are several other ideas that can be put in place for students to be engaged in over the summer.  Edutopia suggests creating a blog for students to discuss books.  They could also join a blog that interests them like sports, music, technology or even discuss video games.  I think these are great ideas to get students reading and writing without them realizing they are preventing the summer slide.

The summer slide is a big topic amongst our staff.  We try to encourage students and parents to do some reading over the summer.  It is so important for our students and they probably wouldn't mind reading if it was presented to them in ways that is fun for them.

Stopping the Summer Slide in English Language Arts (2014, June 5)  Edutopia  Retrieved June 9, 2014 from www.edutopia.org/blog/summer-slide-english-language-arts-terry-heick

Facebook in the classroom

I would have never thought to use facebook in the classroom.  I have read about all of the uses of facebook however is it the right technology for the classroom?
Will Richardson has some great ideas for using facebook and getting students engaged in learning.  The most important idea is to set up a private group so that students in your class can only talk to each other.  Facebook reminds me of a classroom blog and has many of the same benefits of a blog. 
There is one problem that many schools have this site blocked on the computers because facebook can be used inappropriately and students could become friends of strangers.  Then we have to worry about safety of the students.
Richardson tells a story about a teacher who uses facebook in a high school history class.  His students were engaged and the enrollment of his class increase considerably.  He says that facebook built a strong classroom community and the private site continued even after the class ended.  (p. 137) Richardson also explains how a high school library uses facebook for library services.  The library is able to post information about the library, information about books and even videos.  If you think about it what better place to put information about books.  If students are always reading facebook they could read a book review and be attracted to a book.
 I think facebook would be a way to get students involved but I am not convinced that school districts and parents would "go for it".  What are your thoughts?

Richardson, W (2010)  Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms. Corwin a Sage Co.