Instructor (1990) articles from May 1999

Instructor (1990) archives from May 1999

Identify, preteach, connect.
May 1, 1999... A basic vocabulary strategy to boost comprehension - and reading success Early in my career, I resisted preteaching any words, believing that this strategy would bore students and create negative attitudes toward a book or topic. But a...

Arithmetic plus.(publishing a class book in one sitting)
May 1, 1999... Hone kids' reading, writing, and counting skills by publishing a class book in one sitting Did you know you can "publish" a book with young children in 45 minutes flat? You can if the book is a class collaborative. I discovered...

Turning the tide.(Orange County, FL, school district raises reading scores of students by up to two grade levels annually)
May 1, 1999... Find it hard to believe that a school district could raise the reading scores of struggling students by as much as two grade levels each year? Orange County, Florida, has - and the stunning achievement continues Every time we turn around,...

Don't stop now.(reading aloud to children)
May 1, 1999... A call to parents to read aloud to your children - no matter what their age When parents ask me what they can do to improve their fourth grader's or older child's reading skills, they are often surprised at the simplicity of my answer:...

Saving James.(case study of struggling first grader's success in improving reading skills under reading intervention program)
May 1, 1999... An advocate of Reading Recovery talks about the highly structured program - and the hope it brings to every child who struggles with the word, every teacher who yearns for his success James, a first grader, was one of the first children I...

Horse sense.(using horses for a variety of topics in an integrated cross-curricular unit in children's education)
May 1, 1999... With their beauty, power, and usefulness, horses are an exciting topic for an integrated, cross-curricular unit. As children become immersed in the equine world, they will broaden their vocabulary, participate in hands-on science and math,...

Dandelion.(poem)
May 1, 1999... Out of Green space, A sun: Bright for A day, burning Away to A husk, a Cratered moon: Burst In a week To dust: Seeding The infinite Lawn with Its starry Smithereens. Valerie Worth

Imagery is of the essence.(teaching children visualization and abstract thinking through poetry)
May 1, 1999... Imagery, words that create mental pictures, is the essence of poetry. Teaching children to visualize things they cannot see stimulates creativity and develops abstract-thinking skills. A delightful way to introduce your students to this...

Invitation from a mole.(poem)
May 1, 1999... come on down live among worms awhile taste dirt on the tip of your tongue smell the sweet damp feet of mushrooms listen to roots reaching deeper press your cheek against the cold face of a stone wear, the earth like a glove close goat eyes wrap...

Write on!(personal digital assistants and young children)
May 1, 1999... Even your most reluctant young writers will feel empowered by personal digital assistants I first learned about PDAs (personal digital assistants) almost two years ago, when I was part of a group of teachers piloting a writing program. I...

Here's to all the Ms. Frizzles!(personal narrative of real life teachers who inspired character in the book 'Magic School Bus')
May 1, 1999... Who is the most unforgettable teacher in our lives? That's easy: Ms. Frizzle - and it's not just her clothes that make her weird. She takes her kids on class trips where no class has gone before - "Inside a Hurricane," "Inside a Beehive," and...

It's the little things.
May 1, 1999... On those days you can't think of one reason to be glad you teach, a child comes up with a hug As a teacher, you are bombarded all day long, every day of the school year. Administrators demand your schedule, the principal wants more...