Start the month knowing some historical dates in January
For kids in school, knowing historical dates helps them relate to history and builds their general knowledge. The dates can be used in many classroom activities. These activities can help build relevance into everyday lessons. Knowing these dates will certainly impress your students!
Special Events This Month:
National Soup Month
National Thank You Month
National Eye Health Care Month
Universal Letter Writing Week
Historical Dates to Remember
January 1st Happy New Year/Betsy Ross’ Birthday
January 13th Poetry Break Day
January 15th Hat Day (The First Top Hat was worn in 1797)
January 17th Benjamin Franklin’s Birthday (1706)
January 19th Popcorn Day
January 20th Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
January 23rd National Pie Day
January 25th Chinese New Year (Year of the Rat)
January 29th National Puzzle Day
January 30th Franking D. Roosevelt born (1882) (23rd President)
There is something special when your child starts to be a writer. Writing gives children an opportunity to share their ideas and express their creativity. While writing kids get to use their pre-reading and writing skills in a way that is relevant to them. Writing prompts can help.
But writing is not easy and many new writers struggle when faced with a blank page. Writers, both novice and experienced, need lots of encouragement to be successful. But they also can benefit from getting some ideas (prompts) to get them started. Think of it as that “slight push” you give your child when they first learn to ride a 2-wheeler.
Writing Prompts Motivate
When creating prompts, think of different ideas that will spur an interest to write. Giving kids a variety of topics helps them extend their vocabulary and use different language skills. Kids can find their “voice” through writing poems, songs, jokes or stories. But don’t limit their choices to “common” types of writing. Encourage kids to see and find “writing” in the world around them. Commercials, plays, TV shows, ads, emails and blogs are all opportunities to share their writing.
Today’s technology can capture the attention of a wide range of audiences making it easier than ever to reach people on the other side of the world. I would never have dreamed 30 years ago that my thoughts on education would be seen worldwide! I am so honored to have so many blog readers. It’s the comments and ideas that I get from my readers, students, colleagues and parents that help me choose my posts. Thank YOU for helping so many kids learn.
Let’s use 2020 to develop some writers. Check out the new prompts that will be posted each month throughout the year to inspire our new authors.
January Writing Prompts
HAPPY NEW YEAR: Try creating a HAPPY NEW YEAR acrostic. Choose words or phrases that relate to your wishes for 2020. The H, for example could be “Hope I’ll learn how to dance this year.”
Say Something Nice in 2020: Everyone likes to hear a compliment. Choose 5 people in your life and write down a compliment and give it to them. You’re sure to get a smile.
Soup of the Day: Create a recipe for your favorite “unusual soup”. Perhaps one that makes you silly, old or talking another language! Write the 10-15 ingredients that make your soup special.
Winter Clothes: The winter season brings cold weather to many parts of the U.S. Dream up some new clothing ideas you would like to invent for your new winter clothes. Be creative. Maybe some skis attached to your flip flops?
Fortune Cookies: Fortune cookies have a piece of paper inside with a message. Write 5 messages that you would like to find in a fortune cookie.
Scientific studies have shown that kindness has a great number of physical and emotional benefits. Quotes about Kindness give students “the words” to motivate them to be kind. Kindness is best learned by feeling the emotion of caring for someone else and feeling cared for by others.
Each day we spend with kids is an opportunity to teach a piece of ourselves.
Happy New Year Friends! Welcome 2020!
Yeah! I achieved my 2019 Blog resolution to get the Threeringsconnections’ newsletter posted each month on time! I wasn’t sure if I could do it. However, the many followers and comments that I received throughout the year, motivated me to GET IT DONE! Let’s go 2020!
I hope you have a year filled with your hopes and dreams!
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!
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)
Math Thinking Skills:
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)
Why not add some Christmas jokes to your Christmas celebration this year?
As I sit watching the first snowfall of the year, I’m reminded of the snow days that my kids and I would enjoy together. Yes, there was some shoveling with hot chocolate afterwards, but we also played games, hung out in our pajamas and enjoyed the SNOWDAY!
With Thanksgiving behind us we look forward to Christmas a short 24 days away. Why not use some holiday time to teach your kids some Christmas/winter jokes? Joke telling helps kids learn new vocabulary, strengthens comprehension and helps communication skills. Best of all, the holidays are a great opportunity to laugh together as a family. Why not take some time to be silly this Christmas season and enjoy a laugh (or eye roll)? Merry Christmas!
Q.What Christmas song do wild animals sing at Christmas? Answer: Jungle Bells
Q. What happens if you eat Christmas decorations? Answer: You get tinselitus
Q. What do you call Santa when he stops moving? Answer: Santa Pause
Q.What comes at the end of Christmas Day? Answer: The letter “Y!”
Q.What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Answer: Snowflakes. (or Frosted Flakes!)
Q. What does an elf study in school? Answer: The elfabet.
Q. What do you get if you mix a vampire with a snowman? Answer: Frostbite!
Q. What does Santa suffer from whenever he gets stuck in a chimney? Answer: Santa Claustrophobia
Q. How do sheep wish each other happy holidays? Answer: Merry Christmas to ewe.
Q. What does Mrs. Claus say when there are clouds in the sky? Answer: It looks like rain, deer.
Q, What do you call a greedy elf? Answer: Elfish!
Q. Why wouldn’t the Christmas tree stand up? Answer: It had no legs.
Q. What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? Answer: A snowball.
Q. What did one snowman say another snowman? Answer: You’re cool.
Q.What is every parent’s favorite Christmas carol?Answer: Silent Night.
Q, What do you get when Santa plays detective? Answer: Santa clues!
Q. What falls but never gets hurt? Answer: Snow.
Q. What do you call a shark that delivers toys at Christmas? Answer: “Santa Jaws!”
Q. Where do snowmen keep their money? Answer: In a snow bank.
Q. What do snowmen like to do on the weekend? Answer: Chill out.
Q. What does Jack Frost like best about school? Answer: Snow and tell.
Kid: Knock, knock. Adult: Who’s there? Kid: Murray. Adult: Murray who? Kid: Murray Christmas, one and all!
Kid: Knock, knock. Adult: Who’s there? Kid: Pizza. Adult: Pizza, who? Kid: Pizza on earth, good will toward men!
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!
ThreeRingsConnections’ Blog Content Sept./Oct. 2018
October’s Most Popular Posts
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.
