Sharing Good Things

*These are things I observed during the 2008-09 school year.

*Markeeta Gillenwater, formerly 3^rd, Baxter, uses a round stick-up light on the table when she is working with reading groups. If the light is on, the other students know not to disturb.  Works great!

*Sarah Wehrman, 4^th, Algood, killed two birds with one stone by using Jean Fritz books with her advanced readers to teach reading and the American Revolution.

*Beverly Calfee, formerly 3rd, Northeast, used opportunities for art in genre studies in writing and creating beautiful special projects. 

*Eunesa Harris, 4^th, Baxter, has a great word web (shared with her by a colleague) that she uses to do word work: vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms, structural analysis, etc.  She said I could share, so ask me for a copy.  update:  This web is type of Frayer model discussed during the August 7 standards training.

*Beth Poe, 2^nd, Sycamore, creatively uses Animalia by Graham Base, with her advanced students for enrichment.  The possibilities go on and on.  Contact Beth for specifics.

*Janey Bassett, 4th, Sycamore, wove magic with her students when she read aloud Follow the Stars connecting reading and social studies.  I was in awe as she transported them back to a time out of their realm of knowledge and made it come alive.

*Daphne Rippetoe, 3^rd, Algood, has students draw pictures of what they visualize as they listen to taped reading selections.  Several write sentences describing their drawings, then share with the class.  This is a keeper. 

*2nd grade teachers, Cane Creek, have got the Harcourt Assessment down pat!  They use it not only for testing many ways, but also to help identify kids for Tier 2 intervention.  Way to go, Terri, Leigh, Avanell, Tammy and Dana! 

*Jean Webb, Margaret Maxwell, and Jenny Daniels, K, Capshaw, successfully used literature circles with advanced K students to develop reading writing, and thinking skills.

*Patty Sloan, formerly 4th, Park View, drew laughter and the total attention of her students as she read aloud My Life as a Worm.  Patty has a bit of actress within her.  

*I love, love, love the various ways I have seen the Promethean boards used in your classrooms.  Keep up the excellent work!  

Such talent in our county!  I have enjoyed learning from so many of you, as well as being entertained!