We all need a break now and then, so when Melissa asked me to join her and her husband on a trip to Rockport, TX for Labor Day weekend I jumped! My family and I packed up Saturday morning and hit the road. I left without my computer, textbooks, and calendar! CRAZY – I KNOW! […]
Blog
Encouraging Readers
As a mom of three boys, a teacher to many students, and an educator of educators, I am constantly battling questions about students’ reading levels. Teachers also frequently ask questions like how many times students should read the same book, and if it matters what students are reading (magazines, graphic novels, etc.). Truthfully, I haven’t seen any research that proves a […]
Personal Narratives in Middle School
** Contact us if you would like Rogers Education Consulting to bring an engaging, hands-on, and evidence-based Writers’ Workshop session to your campus ** Last week I was so excited to work with middle school students in a Writers’ Workshop. I love that when I first tell the students that I am teaching a writing […]
Growing Readers in Middle School
This month I was hired to do the best job imaginable, model a Readers’ Workshop. At the end of March I took a whole cart of great fiction (mostly off the Lone Star Reading List) into 6 different sixth grade classrooms, with the one goal of hooking kids on a book. I prepared a mini-lesson […]
The Necessity of Historical Pictures
A teaching moment that I will never forget is back in 2008 teaching United States History to fifth graders. We were on our second day of Roanoke. The kids were highly engaged and we were deep in discussion for two full days. By the end of the second day we were beginning to think about […]
4 Songs for Teaching Confidence and Self-Worth
I am a true believer in using music and song lyrics in the classroom. Students are naturally captivated by music, so why not go there? It’s difficult to find music students will enjoy that have clean lyrics and send a great messages, so here are four songs I used this week in classrooms to help […]
The Importance of Book Talks
Last week I was reminded of the importance of book talks. I was visiting a classroom of middle school students who struggle with reading. These students have learned to dislike reading through countless hours spent “reading” books that are well above their reading level with content they don’t care about, and completing worksheet packets. When […]
Connecting to TCEA with Twitter
Love my PLN (Personal Learning Network)! I have been wallowing in my own self pity that, for another year, I am not registered and will not be attending the 2014 TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) annual conference. I am always envious of those who return, are rejuvenated, and have learned about all the newest gadgets, […]