Life Long Learner

The school year is over for me, which is always a bittersweet feeling. I must admit, I don't think I've ever made it through the last day of school without shedding at least 1 tear. This year was no different. The tears are happy and sad. So, today, let's focus on the happy. Now I am completely focused on being a mother to my awesome children. My kids are such a gift to me - they bring me joy, and I love spending so much time with them. Most of all, I love to watch them interact as brother and sister...the hugs, the fights, the laughter, the mischief! Last summer I really liked the Literacy Challenge I set for myself. This summer my goal is to keep my shelfari shelf up to date with all the books we read on a daily basis. What? You don't know shelfari? Well, check out my digital bookshelf at the bottom of this page! Go to www.shelfari.com and start making your very own digital bookshelf! I hope to write a short review of select books. Check out my shelf if you are looki...

This morning while I was tutoring a high school student I saw another former student walk by in the hallway. I waved to her and continued on with my tutoring lesson. Next thing I knew this young lady was stretching her arms out exclaiming, "Mrs. Birkhead!!!! You're Back!!!!" We embraced, and I explained to her that I come once a week to the high school to work with a student. She went on to tell me about how successful she has been in school, and that, thanks to me, she loved to read and has moved from self-contained English to inclusion English. This little story is the reason I teach. I want to make a difference in the world, and I know I can do that by teaching students how to read, and how to positively contribute to society. I taught this young lady English in 9th grade 2 years ago. I no longer work at the high school. Yet, when she saw me this morning SHE stopped what she was doing. SHE turned around, SHE entered the library, SHE walked all the way to the back room...

Chrysa Smith, author of The Adventures of the Poodle Posse Series recently visited my school. This was such an exciting day for the students and teachers. I love hearing how ideas can transform into stories, and this author had a wonderful message for our students - Stories lie right under our noses! Chrysa Smith combines her love of dogs with her love of writing to create doggie adventures based on her poodles. She showed pictures of her real poodle posse, and the students could instantly relate to her. The photographs helped the students to see that many fictional characters are based on real people (or pets!) Then, she shared large stick puppet versions of her poodle posse. Our students loved these, and instantly felt connected to Woody, Archie, Daisy, and Bobby! Chrysa Smith explained to students how she took real stories and TWISTED them to make an adventure. Our students understood her simplistic language, and actively participated with Ms. Smith as she told her storie...

I feel like a child waiting for Santa to arrive on Christmas morning. The waiting is finally over for the third installment of the Hunger Games Series. I preordered the book, just like I did with the Harry Potter Series, but, much to my dismay, amazon has let me down. All day yesterday I found myself peeking at the window in search of the small brown cardboard box. I went as far as unlocking all three locks on my front door just to be sure the box wasn't hiding somewhere I couldn't see from my window. No book. So, my waiting continues. Part of me loves the feeling of anticipation, and the other part just wants to delve into the book to see what happens to my friends in Mockingjay. Even though I will not be able to devote an entire day to reading this book, I still can't wait to hold it in my hands and unlock the adventure of this book. I love to read series of books. I become attached to the characters in the stories, and consider these fictional people my friends. I love t...

I find that reading aloud to students is a great way to model so many qualities of a good reader. Fluency - students can hear your voice, and your expression as you read the text Adjusting reading rate - slowing or speeding my voice so it fits with the story Rereading - emphasizing an important part or clarifying a part that was confusing Monitoring Comprehension - stopping to think about how well you understand the story Predicting & Adjusting Predictions - confirming predictions and adjusting as you read Making connections - with previous text & with background knowledge Drawing conclusions - have the kids see your "AHA" moments Summarizing & Paraphrasing - what was this about/put it in your own words Voicing confusion - letting students know that you don't understand Questioning - These are just some of the many strategies we use when we read aloud. Try to point out to your students what strategy you are using as you use it during a read aloud, so they reme...