Phonemic awareness (PA), defined as the proficient and automatic access to the sounds in spoken words, is necessary for efficient sight-word storage and phonics (Kilpatrick, 2016). Regretfully, many teachers are guilty of using practices that involve traditional sight-word activities, including the use of flash cards with high frequency words and word walls displaying thematic vocabulary… Read More A Few SOUND Ways to AMP Up Phonemic Awareness Instruction
Teaching Vocabulary in the Math Classroom
In their article, What’s the Big Deal About Vocabulary, Dunstan and Tyminski state, “The Frayer model (Frayer, Frederick, & Klausmeier 1969) is a graphic organizer that allows students to use inquiry to learn new concepts in mathematics and science.” Use it to make a literacy-math connection for your students (Dunston & Tyminski, 2013). To teach students… Read More Teaching Vocabulary in the Math Classroom
New Math Resources from the VDOE
The 2016 Virginia Mathematics Standards of Learning are now fully implemented and will be assessed starting in Spring 2018. The VDOE has resources available to support implementation of the 2016 standards. 2016 Mathematics Curriculum Framework Documents Updated Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework documents are available on the VDOE’s website. The updated curriculum documents include… Read More New Math Resources from the VDOE
Leadership Tools and Literacy Walk-through Protocols
Walk-throughs provide a snap shot of student learning. Protocols can effectively structure classroom visits and focus them to observe for components of effective instruction. Brief, frequent, routine classroom visits with explicit “look-fors” can be powerful opportunities for collaboration between educational leaders and teachers (Protheroe, 2009). Literacy Walk-throughs Principals and literacy leaders can access this collection… Read More Leadership Tools and Literacy Walk-through Protocols
How to Promote a Positive Math Culture at Your School
School leaders play an integral role in setting the stage for a positive, inclusive mathematics learning environment. Here are five ways that administrators can promote a math-positive culture: 1. Recognize and Support Effective Math Teaching In a school with a high-quality mathematics program, every student has the opportunity to learn challenging, worthwhile, engaging, and relevant mathematics (Seeley,… Read More How to Promote a Positive Math Culture at Your School
Math Resources for Administrators
There are many books in the T-TAC ODU Lending Library that are excellent resources for administrators seeking to promote mathematical best practices in their schools. Here are a few new math resources that are available: What Principals Need to Know About Teaching and Learning Mathematics This must-have resource offers a knowledge base to improve mathematics… Read More Math Resources for Administrators
Summer Reading Lists for Students
The International Literacy Association has published their Choices Reading Lists. They are available for Free Download. They include: Children’s Choices—approximately 100 titles recommended by children for children. Teachers’ Choices—books rated by teachers, librarians, and reading specialists as outstanding for curriculum use. Young Adults’ Choices—books selected by teenage reviewers. Literacy Daily is a weekly themed book review… Read More Summer Reading Lists for Students