Blog 3"Dedicated Educators+Involved Parents+Motivated Children=Effective Education" ~Stephanie Esposito

BLOG 3:
Chapters 3&4
Vocabulary/Concept Vitalizer:

1. Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening (PALS)- PALS is the state-provided screening tool for Virginia’s Early Intervention Reading Initiative (EIRI). The purpose of the EIRI is to reduce the number of children with reading problems by detecting those problems early and providing research-based, small-group intervention. By screening K-3 students with PALS, participating school divisions identify struggling readers and receive incentive funds for intervention. All students not meeting the Entry Level benchmark for their grade level must receive intervention services in addition to their regular classroom instruction.

-       PALS & special education: Since PALS is a school-wide screening instrument for all children in grades K-3, all students, including students with disabilities, are screened. The only exception is students with IEPs exempting them from participation.

2. “Theming”- technique used for integrating learning experiences and helping students appreciate the interrelatedness of what they’re learning.

3. Ophthalmologists (p.60)- the branch of medicine that deals with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. The term ophthalmologist refers to a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems.

4. “The learning environment is the ‘weather’ that affects virtually everything that transpires in the classroom” (Tomlinson, 2004, p. 43)- As teachers, our goal is to ensure that every child who enters our classrooms feels safe, validated, individually important, and successful. Here are some classroom techniques to help in doing so:

o   Flexible grouping patterns

o   Cooperative learning activities

o   Choice boards/Choice contracts

o   Meaningful assignments, Student Interest

o   Hand shake, high five, or hug

5. “Democratic Learning Environment”- A learning environment where students are engaged and active participants in the learning process. Students are viewed as “peer educators” who share knowledge. Student choice plays a major role in this environment, which is a huge motivational factor.

Literary Luminator~

Passage 1: “If the parents don’t know how to help the kids, then, teach them too!” (p. 33)

In order for students to reach their fullest potential, they need academic support both at school and in their homes. As teachers, it is our job to communicate with parents/guardians and give them the support and assistance so that they can help the child as well. We also need to build a positive relationship with students and their families to help student achievement.

Passage 2: “Even the lowest performing students will participate when the choice is theirs, and they take pride in the final product” (p. 46).

As mentioned before, student choice is a huge motivational factor. When students are given the opportunity to make decisions, education becomes enjoyable, rather than a chore. Even the smallest choices go a long ways; letting students choose whether they work at their desks or sit on the floor, voting on a read-aloud book, writing a poem or drawing a picture.

Passage 3: “…frequently sidestepping standard practices to address the realities of student lives in an effort to ensure that the home lives of students do not limit their educational opportunities” (pp. 50-51).

As teachers, we need to be aware of our students’ home lives and be insightful to them. Things that are happening outside of school WILL influence how are students learn and act. It is important to be aware, but more important to act upon our awareness and sometimes stepping back from teaching and taking caring of what’s going on outside of school is the answer.

References:

http://pals.virginia.edu/rd-background.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://www.graniteschools.org/departments/educatorsupport/induction/differentiation/Pages/CreatingPositiveClassroomClimate.aspx