Justify and Tell Why!

How many time have you asked your students, did you find the evidence? Probably more times than you breath in a day.   Student get tired of just using one way to find evidence to support their claims.  Recently, I came across the article below.   

8 Creative ways to help kids find the Evidence in Non Fiction

In the article, it gave teachers ways to help build the skill of finding evidence.  We often use the question, "How do you know?"  without thinking about have we taught them how they know? 

The article is a quick read and can help you support those students who are struggling at supporting their claims or making a claim. 

Motivation for a New Year?

I often look for solutions for my teachers to common problems we face in our classrooms.  One problem that seems to happen frequently is student's lack of motivation in school.  Since we are moving into "testing season", Is it imperative that we help students engage, develop the ambition, and tenacity to be their best at all times?  

The other day I came across a blog that was posted from The Mailbox on Facebook. This 17 year veteran uses flashlights to motivate her students to read.  Although simple enough, a dollar flashlight from the Dollar Store, students couldn't wait to read and even asked for more reading time.  Using this simple tool she pushes student to engage in independent reading, overcome hang ups they have about reading independently, and affords them the steadfastness to be better readers through practice.   Now that is some MOTIVATION!  

See snippets of her posts on motivation below or read the full blog with the link.  Look for her update for Finger Flashlights in the link. 

 http://headoverheelsforteaching.blogspot.com/2013/10/spark-student-motivation-flashlight.html?m=1

What do you do to motivate your students to be their best?   I would love to share your ideas with my staff!

Happy New Year!  



~Amie