Scientific studies have shown that kindness has a great number of physical and emotional benefits. So what can we do at home and school to promote kindness? Remember, for kids to learn it’s a combination of what we say and do. Sometimes for kids to learn they just need a few simple words to promote an action. Quotes about Kindness give students “the words”. Kindness is best learned by feeling the emotion of caring for someone else and feeling cared for by others.
The Great Kindness Challenge (GKC) is a proactive and positively powerful anti-bullying tool. It is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible at school. The School Edition Toolkit provides a checklist of 50 kind acts, students take the challenge and prove that bullying is weak and kindness is strength.
All students, grades K-12 are encouraged to participate in the event this year, January 27-31st. The program is a powerful tool to actively engages students, teachers, administration, families and community in creating a school culture of acceptance, tolerance, unity and respect. The 50 kind acts are to be accomplished anytime on campus. The students are encouraged to continue sharing their kindness at home, in their communities and in our world.
November: Creativity, Expression and Knowledge = Education
Eleven months down in 2019, how are you doing on those New Years Resolutions? If you are still working on catching up on professional development, take a look at this month’s newsletter. All 12 November posts are below, as well as ALL the posts since I started the blog in September 2018. My New Year’s Resolution to get the Threeringsconnections’ newsletter out on a timely, consistent schedule is accomplished: 11 down and 1 more to go! Have a great month!
I choose my favorites each month for different reasons. Sometimes it’s timeliness, a hot education topic, student teacher needs or as a family and friends resource. Sometimes, it’s just, BECAUSE. Enjoy!
My local friends the closest location is Danbury, Ct. (Approximately 40 mins. from Fishkill area.
Scholastic Books Warehouse offers for a limited a limited time only deep discounts on books. This holiday you can purchase “Buy One, Get One Box” from hundreds of books, gifts, and school supplies. There is even a Build a Box opportunity! Refresh your school, home, and classroom libraries, and stock up on gifts for everyone.
For every item you buy, choose an item of equal or lesser value for FREE
Shop from a large assortment of already reduced items
No limits on how many items you can buy
Build-a-Box is included with the BOGO offer (yes, Danbury has it)
Perfect way to maximize school purchase orders, grants, and Title 1 funds
Coupon is $10.00 off a purchase of $100.00. OR $25.00 off a purchase of $100.00 using Scholastic Dollars.
Danbury, CT Warehouse Sale:
Weekday Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday Hours: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Closed Sundays
The Danbury location is a Build-a-Box event. As many books as you can fit in a box for less than $29.95.
Positive thoughts that Most People Are Good can help get us through a tough day.
Thank you Luke Byran for performing this song and David Frasier, Ed Hill & Josh Kear for writing the song. Some days you just need to be reminded that “Most People Are Good”. Even if you don’t break into song; take a look at these lyrics and make it a good day!
I believe kids oughta stay kids as long as they can Turn off the screen, go climb a tree, get dirt on their hands I believe we gotta forgive and make amends ‘Cause nobody gets a second chance to make new old friends I believe in working hard for what you’ve got Even if it don’t add up to a hell of a lot
I believe most people are good And most mama’s oughta qualify for sainthood I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights I believe you love who you love Ain’t nothing you should ever be ashamed of I believe this world ain’t half as bad as it looks I believe most people are good
I believe them streets of gold are worth the work But I still wanna go even if they were paved in dirt I believe that youth is spent well on the young ‘Cause wisdom in your teens would be a lot less fun I believe if you just go by the nightly news Your faith in all mankind would be the first thing you lose
I believe most people are good And most mama’s oughta qualify for sainthood I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights I believe you love who you love Ain’t nothing you should ever be ashamed of I believe this world ain’t half as bad as it looks I believe most people are good
I believe that days go slow and years go fast And every breath’s a gift, the first one to the last
I believe most people are good And most mama’s oughta qualify for sainthood I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights I believe you love who you love Ain’t nothing you should ever be ashamed of I believe this world ain’t half as bad as it looks
I believe most people are good I believe most people are good
Motivating kids to learn? Here’s what I learned a long time ago. Kids don’t always do what you want them to do. I’m hearing parents all over the world saying “that’s certainly true”. Yes, folks and you might experience it from birth to adulthood!
So, getting kids motivated to learn is sometimes a combination of timing, strategies and luck. Check out some of the strategies below that might get them motivated to learn. They may even think it’s their idea!
Show a Love of Learning – Be enthusiastic about learning by showing interest in your child’s interests and learning new things.
Make a Game Out of It – Kids love games, so why not learn something in a game format. You can sing it, dance it out or just play a game. Add a bit of whimsy will make you both smile.
Learn Something New Every Day – Try to teach your child at least one thing new every day. It doesn’t have to be big, just something. That’s at least 365 things!
Give up control (sort of) – Power struggles can start at an early age so try giving your child choices of what they want and how they want to learn it. Remember, you goal is to get them to learn, why not guide them some choice? You’ve already limited their choices, so it becomes a win-win!
Encourage learning styles – Kids have different preferences and styles of how they like to learn. Knowing your child’s preferences can help engage them in learning. For young kids it’s good to give them experiences in all the different learning styles. There are 7 basic learning styles
Kinesthetic/Physical – Learning through movement
Verbal – Learning through language activities
Auditory – Learn best through listening
Solitary – Learn best alone
Social – Learn best in a group
Visual – Learn best through seeing things
Mathematical/Logical – Problem solving using hands on items.
Learning becomes fun when kids are interested in learning. It doesn’t really matter if it’s dinosaurs, trucks or skyscrapers. If kids are reading, talking and asking questions they are building background knowledge and learning. Getting them to want to learn is the trick.
Thanksgiving jokes can add some fun to your celebration.
Why not add some Thanksgiving jokes to your Thanksgiving celebration this year?
Teaching kids to appreciate jokes is a great opportunity to laugh together as a family. Why not take some time to be silly this Thanksgiving and enjoy a laugh (or eye roll). Happy Thanksgiving!
Math Thinking Skills can be strengthened when solving problems.
Some students in the Primary Grades need additional math activities that goes beyond calculation skills. For those kids we need to nurture a love of math while challenging them to deepen their mathematical understanding and thinking skills. This month we’ll look at some problem solving involving counting body parts. (really, we’re looking at early multiplication which is repeated addition)
Don’t forget to use 1 of your 6 problem solving strategies
Draw a picture
Guess and Check
Use a table or list
Find a pattern
Logical reasoning
Draw a picture Working backwards (try a simpler version first)
Math Thinking Skills: What Comes Next?
Question One: 3, 6, 9, ___, ___. ___ What numbers go on the lines?
Question Two: 8,10,12, ____, ____, ____ What numbers go on the lines?
Question Three: Declan started his trip to Poughkeepsie on Sunday with spending money of $20.00. Each day of his vacation he spent $3.00. On Thursday morning, he boarded the train to go back to NYC. He had not spent any money that morning. How much money does he have remaining from his original $20.00? Since he had not spent any money on Thursday, how much money does he have left?
Question Four: 2, 5, 9, 14, ____, ____, ____. What numbers go on the lines?
Question Five: 5, 50, 500, 5000, 50000 ____ What is the next number in this sequence?
MATH THINKING ANSWERS
Question One: 12, 15, 18, Counting by 3’s starting at 12.
Question Two: 14, 16 18. Counting by 2’s starting at 8.
Question Three: $8.00 remaining. He spent $3.00 on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday for a total spent of $12.00.
Question Four: 20, 27, 35 The difference between each number on the line increases by 1, starting with a difference of 3 between 2 and 5.
Question Five: Each number is multiplied by 10. Look carefully and you’ll see that each number adds another 0.
When we attend public events in South Carolina, we witness an outpouring of respect for veterans. Whether it’s an outdoor concert, a ballgame or a theater performance; there is always a few minutes set aside to recognize veterans in the audience. Sometimes it’s a general announcement but other times it’s highlighting by years of service or the branch in which they served. As each one stands to be recognized they are humble and appreciative of the recognition. Yes, folks for me, it’s always a “goosebumps on your arms” moment.
In a world where there seems to be fewer heroes, veterans are on my list. I salute your courage and your sacrifice. Thank you from an American who truly appreciates your willingness to serve our country.
Parents can review reading strategies taught at school at home.
The State of Tennessee believes that by teaching reading strategies to parents, parents can help their child at home. They’ve got it right. Of course, parents want to help their kids. Why not give them some basic information? Yeah Tennessee!
When the state of Tennessee set a goal in 2007, to increase literacy skills for children across the state, they decided to enlist the help of parents. The Tennessee State Improvement Grant document was created to support family members to help their children at home. The document outlines reading strategies for parents to use with their child at home.
Although this document was created over 10 years ago, it is still a good document to help families. The information has good ideas and is user-friendly. It is also a great refresher for new teachers, student teachers and classroom substitutes. The overview includes:
Five Areas of Reading Instruction
How to Choose the Right Book at the Right Reading Level
Vocabulary Building Strategies
Reading Comprehension Strategies
Sometimes, we just need a little help from our friends. Thank you Tennessee!
Used Bookstore at Poughkeepsie Library: Boardman Road branch
Great opportunity to fill your bookshelves at home or in your classroom. The book store has a selection of over 20,000 high-quality used books, cds, dvds and audiobooks. Books are organized and sorted to make shopping a breeze.
Entrance to the Friends’ Book Store is on the south side of the building – just look for the blue awning.
Store hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.
Telephone: 845-485-3445 x 3423
Cash, checks (with valid ID) and MasterCard, Visa, and
Discover cards are accepted.
Follow them on Facebook too to check out special sales and events:
Thinking is the hardest work any one can do – Henry Ford
Ten months down in 2019, how are you doing on those New Years Resolutions? If you are still working on catching up on professional development, take a look at this month’s newsletter. All 12 October posts are below, as well as ALL the posts since I started the blog in September 2018. My New Year’s Resolution to get the Threeringsconnections’ newsletter out on a timely, consistent schedule is accomplished: 10 down and 2 more to go! Have a great month!
As regular readers know, at the end of each month I share the three most popular posts from the last month. I thought people might find it interesting to see what everyone else was looking at. Enjoy!
I choose my favorites each month for different reasons. Sometimes it’s timeliness, a hot education topic, student teacher needs or as a family and friends resource. Sometimes, it’s just, BECAUSE. Enjoy!
The Concepts of Print (COP) assessment was created by Marie Clay (1993), The assessment includes items to assess a child’s knowledge of both print and written language skills. These two skills work together to help children learn to read and write.
Many students entering kindergarten understand that a book tells a story (the print has meaning). However, very few understand “how print works”. Concepts of Print (COP) skills involves kids knowing parts of a book (using the correct terms) and understanding the letter/writing concepts included. Since many parents and teachers read to children daily; why not add a few of the COP skills.
Concepts of Print (COP) in Daily Reading
Point to the Following Parts of the Book
Front and back of the book.
Binding.
Top and bottom of a picture.
Title Page.
Author’s Name (define that the author writes the book).
Illustrator’s name (define that the illustrator draws the pictures).
Show How to Read a Book
A sentence is read from left to right.
Pages are read from left to right.
Point to each word while you read.
Read pages from left to right.
A story has a beginning and end.
Words and Writing in Books: Basics
A capital letter is at the beginning of a sentence.
Words and sentences have capital letters and lower case letters.
Point out 1 word in a sentence, Point out 2 words.
Point out that a word is made up of a group of letters.
A comma explains to the reader that it tells the reader to pause or slowdown.
There are punctuation marks at the end of a sentences (period, question mark, exclamation mark) Explain that the marks tell the reader how to read.
Research: Clay, M. M. (1993). An observation survey of early literacy achievement. Heinemann, 361 Hanover St., Portsmouth, NH 03801-3912.
As parents and educators, we know we must teach our kids skills to support scientific thinking. But, how do we encourage kids to explore science? Why not, share stories about Jane Goodall? Scientists, like most kids, are curious and want to know answers. The great thing about studying scientists is there are many branches. So, there surely is a topic to motivate all kids. Seems like a perfect match!
October Scientist of the Month: Jane Goodall
1934-present
Jane Goodall is an anthropologist that is best known for studying chimpanzees in the wild. Growing up, she loved animals. One of her favorite toys was a toy chimpanzee. Jane started studying chimpanzees in 1960 and continues to do it today. Jane made some important discoveries.
Personalities were seen in chimpanzees, just like people.
People aren’t the only ones that make tools. So do chimpanzees! Jane observed them using a piece of grass as a tool.
Chimpanzees are meat eaters.
Chimpanzees communicate through various ways including through sounds, touch, body language, calls and facial expressions.
Quotes Made Famous by Ms. Goodall
Above all we must realize that each of us makes a difference with our life. Each of us impacts the world around us every single day. We have a choice to use the gift of our life to make the world a better place – or not to bother.
Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference.
What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
Jane continues to study chimpanzees in Africa. She has won many awards and has written many articles and books. There have also been documentaries made about Jane’s work with chimpanzees.
How do you meet the reading needs of a child that is 2 full grade levels above the rest of your students in class? It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it can be very difficult for a classroom teacher. Of course, you must differentiate for the advanced reader, but how do you do that for 1 child when the others are at least 8 levels below your precocious reader? Here are some ideas to help you and your advanced readers.
4 Ways to Help Advanced Readers
Find their interests- The sooner than you find their interests, the sooner you can help them find appropriate books for themselves. Like all readers, it is important that they be encouraged to read books that they will find challenging but approachable.
Guided Reading Group of 1 – One person does not a group make! So, how can you engage your advanced reader in a discussion group? Putting them in a regular guided reading group with students reading multiple grade levels lower than them will be of limited value to them. Perhaps there are other children in another class that can help form a group. A classroom volunteer can also be a wonderful reading buddy.
Student Driven Independent Reading–TheSchoolwide Enhanced Model Reading (SEM-R) approach allows a student to read a book at their own interest and reading level and check in with the teacher during scheduled reading conferences. The SEM-R approach is flexible enough to be used with individual students or a small group of students as needed.
Skill-based groups – A popular way of meeting the needs of your gifted reader is to consider using some skill-based groups. Although the reading level may be different, a skills group can review and reinforce skills that your gifted reader may find valuable. In order to become even better readers skill development is necessary.
As a teacher, your gifted readers need you just as much as the other students in the class. They just may need your attention in a different way.
Math Thinking Skills can be strengthened when solving problems.
Some students in the Primary Grades need additional math activities that goes beyond calculation skills. For those kids we need to nurture a love of math while challenging them to deepen their mathematical understanding and thinking skills. This month we’ll look at some problem solving involving counting body parts. (good practice in repeated addition which is…… multiplication).
Don’t forget to use 1 of your 6 problem solving strategies
Draw a picture
Guess and Check
Use a table or list
Find a pattern
Logical reasoning
Draw a picture Working backwards (try a simpler version first)
Math Thinking Skills: Count Them Up
Abby went to see the animals on a farm in Wappingers Falls. She saw 20 chickens. How many chicken heads did she see? How many legs do the chickens have all together?
Teagan went to the Bronx Zoo. She saw a tree with 9 monkeys. How many fingers did the monkeys have all together?
Connall has a dog and a cat. If the dog and cat wore animal shoes, how many shoes would Connall have to buy?
In Emily’s family there are 3 children and 2 adults. How many heads do they have all together? How many legs do they have all together? How many fingers do they have all together? How many eyes do they have all together?
Meghan loves spiders. She saw 4 spiders in GG’s garage. How many legs do the spiders have in all? HINT: You must know how many legs spiders have.
Lowyn saw 5 Ladybugs on the peonies in GG’s yard. When she counted all the legs on the Ladybugs, how many legs did she count? HINT: You must know how many legs ALL INSECTS HAVE.
The spiders were planning to have a dance party. It was going to be a big party and they were only going to allow 102 spiders to attend. IF all the spiders went to the party, how many dance shoes will they have to order? If the dance shoes only come as a pair, how many pairs of shoes will they have to order for all 102 spiders to have dance shoes?
ANSWERS
20 heads and 40 legs
90 fingers because each of the 9 monkeys have 10 fingers.
8 shoes (4 for the dog and 4 for the cat)
5 heads, 10 legs, 50 fingers, 10 eyes
Spiders have 8 legs. 4 spiders = 8+8+8+8 = 32 legs
Ladybugs are Insects and insects have 6 legs. 6+6+6+6+6= 30 legs
Spiders have 8 legs. 102 spiders = 102+102+102+102+102+102+102+102=816 legs OR 408 pairs of shoes Each spider would get 4 pairs of shoes for their feet.
A movement to introduce students to the basics of computer science.
I’ve heard about it. I’ve supported the teachers in my school to try it. Now… it’s time for me to sit down for an “Hour of Code”. OK friends, maybe longer than an hour!
The Hour of Code movement is a grassroots movement that has already introduced over 100 million students worldwide to the basics of computer science. The program was started to give every student an opportunity to try computer science for one hour. In an hour anybody can learn the basics of “code” by participating in computer science activities. Computer science helps nurture problem-solving skills, logic and creativity. All skills that are important to pursue a 21st century career path. Our elementary school first participated in an Hour of Code in 2015 during Computer Science Education Week (held in early December each year).
Today, Hour of Code activities are available year-round (tutorials and activities). The one-hour tutorials are available in over 45 languages. The tutorials are self-guided, and all materials are free of charge. Planning guides are easy to read and available for every age and experience-level, from kindergarten and up. Schools can enroll their class and enjoy the fun. The tutorials work on all devices and browsers and there are also unplugged activities for groups that can’t accommodate the tutorials! Code.org is the ultimate resource if you are learning about an Hour of Code or you are already working on it with your kids.
Hour of Code: One Hour Later….
Well, it was longer than an hour but……I worked on an activity to code my characters to dance! See Dance Party. No experience necessary, easy to do and fun! Can’t wait to have my grandkids try it!
Thinking about giving it a try? Computer Science Education Week 2019 will be held December 9-15. Be part of the largest learning event in history. Certainly, worth a look. However, it you can’t wait until December, try some of the links. Have fun!
Including Historical Dates in lessons gives relevance to learning.
For kids in school, knowing historical dates helps them relate to history and builds their general
knowledge. Knowing these dates
can help teachers engage students in conversations and students may even be
impressed by their teachers historical knowledge!
Knowing historical dates provides opportunities for students to learn history and build their general knowledge. Take a look and impress your students!
Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela
Nine months down in 2019, how are you doing on those New Years Resolutions? If you are still working on catching up on professional development, take a look at this month’s newsletter. All 13 September posts are below, as well as ALL the posts since I started the blog in September 2018. My New Year’s Resolution to get the Threeringsconnections’ newsletter out on a timely, consistent schedule is accomplished: 9 down and 3 more to go! Have a great month!
Asking the right comprehension questions will strengthen your child’s reading.
For teachers and kids, the beginning of the school year means “Reading Assessments”. We test to see if our students’ reading levels have increased, remained the same or decreased over the summer. However, although we get an independent reading level, we know that the reading level may not always be 100% accurate. Asking the right comprehension questions can help kids be better readers.
The following Behaviors/Skills and Questions can be useful when working with students who are at an independent reading level from K through N.
Knowing the skills and behaviors at levels above and below a student’s level will help teachers and parents ask better questions to support comprehension. This strategy can help our students on their independent reading level as well as our Review/Reinforcement and Enrichment students.
Comprehension/Behaviors Skills (F & P Levels K/L)
Uses
dialogue to understand characters
Infers
cause and effect by understanding characters and events
Understands
how problems and events are related
Searches
for information to confirm predictions
Use
evidence from the story to support their ideas or thinking
Makes
predictions based on prior knowledge and the text
Predicts
the solution to the problem
Identifies
important ideas in the text
Makes
predictions based on character traits
Comprehension Questions (F & P Levels K/L)
Retell the story in
detail
Who is speaking? How do you know?
Does what you just read
remind you of anything? How does this
help you better understand the text?
Describe (character’s
name) in detail.
What happened? Why did it happen?
What in the story makes
you think that?
What do you think will
happen next? Why?
What caused (problem or
event) to happen? How do you know?
What do you think
(character’s name) will do? Why?
