Weekly resources...

New vocabulary lessons from ReadWorks

Great ideas for Bell-Ringer Exercises

Teaching Empathy: Turning a Lesson Plan into a Life Skill

Whole Brain Teaching

Visual Storytelling: 5 Cool Projects that Combine Art and Writing

Three Tips for Classroom Blogging Projects

Make Literacy Learning Fun with Storytelling and Puppetry (recorded webinar)

The benefits of a Slower Pace

Happy Learning!

Some new resources...

Here are some of the great things I've stumbled upon over the last couple of weeks. Enjoy!

Get resources for your classroom through Chevron’s Fuel Your School Campaign 

Strategies for Writers-Teacher Resources 

Vocabulary ideas from Corbett Harrison 

Check out Flocabulary's newest resources. They now have videos for the primary grades! 

Myth-Busting Differentiated Instruction: 3 Myths and 3 Truths
31 Incredible Bulletin Boards for Back to School

Did you know our brains are wired from birth to understand stories? Stories provide a familiar framework for students (and adults) to understand unfamiliar concepts. Check out the resources below for more.

TED video series on storytelling

Storytelling Activities & Lesson Ideas

Read more about the facinating science behind storytelling in Story Proof

Summer Learning Fun!

It is not uncommon for students to experience what is sometimes called the "summer slide," and I'm not talking about a slide into a pool. Just like sports and music, reading and math require regular practice; a 2-3 month break from practice means that kids return to school with brains that are out of shape. Below you will find a variety of resources to help you help your kids keep their brains in shape! 

Ideas & Resources from the Department of Education
http://www.ed.gov/blog/2014/03/stopping-the-summer-slide/

Grade Based Activities from Jump Start
http://www.jumpstart.com/parents/activities/grade-based-activities

10 Ways to Prevent the Summer Slide
http://littlescholarsllc.wordpress.com/10-ways-to-prevent-summer-slide/

Online Story Time from Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588 

MWE Library Blog--Mrs. Lewis has even more ideas for Reading Fun!
http://mwelibrary.blogspot.com/

Visit the Scholastic Parents' page for awesome resources and daily tips about ways to help grow great readers.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/

Scholastic's Summer Reading Challenge
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/collection/more-reading-resources/keep-your-kids-reading-all-summer-long

Summer Reading Resources from Reading is Fundamental
http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/summer-reading-slide.htm

Hands-on Math Games for all ages
http://motionmathgames.com/summer-fun-with-four-math-concepts/

Simple Tips for Summer Math Learning from PBS
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/math/math-tips-for-parents/summer-math/

Math Tips for Every Grade
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/slideshows/6350-math-tips-for-parents.gs?page=1

Cosmic Kids Yoga: Don't forget to keep bodies in shape too!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5uIZ2KOZZeQDQo_Gsi_qbQ

Download and Print a Summer Fun Packet
https://app.box.com/s/pzyd6h3biob3yabch7ou

Thanks to Barry Lane for sharing!

The 4 Things That Make Great Teachers from Stone Sky Films on Vimeo.

I'm so thankful to work with so many people that possess these 4 characteristics.

Reasoning & Patient Problem-solving

Worth the 12 minutes!

5th Grade Math Resources Symbaloo

Join the Fun!

Complete an Hour of Code Challenge: http://code.org/learn