New Resources for Teachers

Recently elementary reading coaches and the librarians at Ellis Jr. High and THS were give several copies of professional books for each school's professional library.

Check out these book titles:
Language may be a teacher’s most powerful tool. Every day the words, phrases, tone, and pace you use have the power to help students develop self-control, build their sense of belonging, and gain skills and knowledge.

This book, by an author with more than twenty years of experience teaching children and educators, will help you recognize the influence your words have on the children you teach. It will show you how to use language more skillfully, building a classroom where students feel safe, respected, appreciated, and excited about learning. Read an adapted excerpt by visiting:

http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/bookstore/rp_powerofwords.html

Full of practical tips, real life anecdotes, and concrete examples, this warm and thought- provoking guide includes specific suggestions about language to adopt and language to avoid.

Topics include:

using language to help children envision success
open-ended questions that stretch children’s thinking
listening and using silence skillfully
the 3 Rs of teacher language: reinforcing, reminding, and redirecting
saying what you mean and meaning what you say
giving brief, concrete instructions
offering meaningful, specific encouragement

The sensible approach this book advocates is backed by research and proven through decades of successful practice in elementary classrooms nationwide. It offers ideas beginners can try immediately and a wealth of guidance and support for those farther along in the process of changing their language.
*************************************************************************************** Remember our Institute Speaker, Dr. Barbara Blackburn? Several copies of her two books, "Classroom Motivation from A to Z" and Classroom Instruction from A to Z" are now available in each school along with a copy of the study guides for these titles.

**************************************************************************************** Attention all 2nd through 5th grade teachers!

You should be receiving a copy of REAL WORLD COMPREHENSION PRACTICE.

A description of this teaching tool: Build students' reading comprehension of real-world texts. This series features 24 reproducible examples of nonfiction texts - such as a drive-through menu board or an Internet search screen - followed by a standardized test-based practice page and a creative practice page. Ideal for year-round practice or extra lessons prior to testing. 80 pages.

Enjoy these new materials and if you have an opportunity, thank Mr. Campbell and Kay Busby when you see them. Mr. Campbell gave the approval to spend the Federal Funds and Mrs. Busby helped order the items.