“I Learn, You Learn, We Learn” Blog

Start the year off with a reading incentive program from Power to Learn. View requirements and submit your class application now at http://www.powertolearn.com
/reading_lounge/knicks_read_to_achieve/index.shtml
Even if you choose not to enter the incentive program, you can still use the Reading Lounge for a post card club and video books.

Literacy Debate : Online, R U Really Reading?
This is the first in a series of articles that will look at how the Internet and other technological and social forces are changing the way people read. NY Times Article and Graphic
What do you think?

A fish diagram? Must be another fun thing I missed when I was in school. Check this out, it looks like some fun for your students.
ClassTools.net is a simple-to-use Flash-based game creator that allows you to use templates to make your own addicting online games. The beauty here is that the hard […]

Here’s a really great resource for learning about the 8 strategies for reading comprehension:  Using Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing, Evaluating and Synthesizing. There are activities, lessons, audio clips, videos and professional development videos. 
Although the site is geared towards K-4, teachers who teach literacy at any level can get some really great […]

Here’s a site to stimulate literacy development. “Word play can ignite a love of language in general, which is essential in a lifetime of reading, writing, and higher thinking and learning.”
Choose various poetry kits to put together a poem ( or other word activities).
 Website - http://www.magneticpoetry.com/poetgame/mpgpick.htm
There is a Teacher Guide to provide ideas for using […]

Here’s a great site with many activities for keeping children in grades K-8 active and learning throughout the summer months.
Summer Bridge Activities includes games, fitness activities, reading activities and printable summer reading lists  for each grade level. 
In addition, Summer Bridge Activities has partnered with the MLS Works project  to provide guidelines for summer activities and learning. […]

Fill your’s and your child’s summer bag with numerous literacy activities. Studies have shown continuing reading, writing, listening and creating over the summer can boost a student’s literacy development and keep them on track for starting school in the fall.
Ten Ways for Parents to Help Prevent Brain Freeze - http://www.buddyproject.org/jfy/teachers/articles/summer.asp.  With a template for making […]

As a student, I was not fond of or good at writing poetry. I like poetry now, but still couldn’t write it if my life depended on it.
If your students are experiencing the same, frustration with poetry, try some ice breakers or lessons using this site: http://ettcweb.lr.k12.nj.us/forms/newpoem.htm.   This could end up being a very fun class when […]

Just a couple days after my post about “getting caught reading,” I’ve learned it will soon be time to “Get Caught Listening.” June is being dubbed National Audiobooks Month by the Association for American Publishers.
I have a long drive to work and back home. I’ve found I can relax more during the drive by […]

May is “Get Caught Reading Month. ”
Why not celebrate by ordering a set of FREE celebrity “Get Caught Reading Posters”  to hang in your room and school? Just pay a nominal shipping fee.
Visit the Get Caught Reading website for more information and lots and lots of reading tips , news and of course, the […]

Literacy is one of those ‘hot topics’ in the realm of education today.  Here’s a site you can add to your list of links to help students with writing and grammar. For you teachers, check out the drop down list  of PowerPoint presentations you can use with your students.

 Web Wednesday is a feature of the online Big Deal Book.  This Wednesday’s theme is using the visual arts to help increase information literacy and media literacy.
Check out the book for more online deals. You’ll find everything from grant opportunities to free and inexpensive finds.
 ENJOY!  
I See What You Mean
Visual literacy helps children to learn to […]

Visuword is a free online graphical dictionary and thesaurus that shows you the word , synonym and relationships in-between. 
 Just type in a word and watch the site generate a visualization right before your eyes. This would be great for a large screen classroom presentation!

Literacy @ Thematic Focus Archive in DEstreaming

Literacy is the foundation for an educated mind. Bring to life strategies for reading, writing
and listening.
Teaching topics that include video segments, lesson plans and student activities for all grade levels. Browse the Archives at DEstreaming Thematic Focus Archive  (open your DEstreaming account before clicking the thematic archive link)

“Instead of taking sides, we should think about howto use digital tools well”. This quote is from an article published yesterday in Education Week by Andrew A. Zucker.
The focus of the article is considering how technology can be used to focus on 6 key goals of education:
1. Student achievement
2. Making schools more engaging and relevant […]