Required Reading

I woke up last night thinking about this topic, and decided I better write about it today, rather than put it off.

When I first started teaching, computerized comprehension testing was just taking off. You bought the tests on cd's and they were very expensive. It wasn't required that students read these books, but it was something we wanted them to try. We knew that students needed practice with comprehension, and these tests provided fairly good comprehension baselines. However, they offered very few books to test on, in comparison to what was available in the library and what kids were interested in reading. And although we have come quite far since then, not all books are included in these computerized comprehension programs still today.

You might wonder why I bring that up. But I've been wondering for MANY years about the effectiveness of requiring students to read books and take tests of items they aren't interested in. Now I'm not saying that kids should only read what interests them...We teach subjects all the time that kids aren't interested in. But I am saying that, in my experience, students do MUCH better taking these comprehension tests when reading books they are interested in.

For example, I know a second grader who consistently tests below grade level on all standardized tests. This child is advanced in spelling, can write at or just below grade-level, but struggles considerably with comprehension. Our school requires students to take a pre-determined amount of these comprehension tests each quarter. If this student is allowed to read books that are highly interesting to him, he has scored at 85% proficient on ALL tests. And what's more interesting to me, he reads books that are up to 4 grade levels higher than his current "reading level". This is just one example, I have seen it every year I have taught, with multiple students.

I guess I am wondering what to make of this data. Have other teachers seen this? Are you questioning some of your students' scores? I just wonder if we are putting to much emphasis on the amount of tests/points students are getting each quarter. When we should be focusing on the amount and types of books students are reading. I understand there is accountability in there. But don't we have reading blocks where we look at comprehension, fluency, inferences...Should we really be utilizing these computerized tests as part of their reading scores? If we are truly trying to raise lifelong readers, shouldn't we be encouraging young readers to read what interests them? Graphic novels (ie comic books), fantasy, sports, historical fiction, biographies, and science fiction, whether or not they are included in the computerized comprehension programs?

Let's Talk Jobs

Sorry I have been missing in action for a while! I decided to let my reader's choose the topic this week. I have had quite a few people ask me for advise on finding/landing a new job in eduction. With the economy the way it has been for the past couple of years, teaching jobs are rather hard to come by. Whether you are a teacher at the elementary level or college level, my advise to you it to apply for any and all jobs that look promising to you. This is probably the most redundant statement you have heard, but if you don't apply, you won't get hired.

Most preschool, elementary, and secondary teaching positions are posted (or applications are accepted) starting in February or March. Districts all have their own rules for applying, but most in my area have applicants fill out application packets that are held in the district office until an opening occurs. Then principals look through the applications and decide who should be granted an interview. From there you may need to send in more information to the specific school, or bring it to the interview. Look on the district website for specific rules and requirements for teaching jobs. But it's important to remember, these application packets are more than likely your one chance to get a principal's attention. Make sure you highlight your accomplishments and background, and have recommendations from prior teachers and administrators.

College positions are listed throughout the year. Just today I searched for college jobs and found multiple opportunities! These positions are filled through online applications. Search the area near where you live for all college opportunities. Just because there are no large colleges in your area does not mean that there are no jobs for you to do from home. Online colleges are a huge deal right now. They are always looking for staff members that work from home.

As for landing a position, I don't have a magic answer. I don't think there is one. I have sat on numerous hiring committees in the elementary setting. Each building principal is different and is looking for different types of teachers. You may be the perfect fit in one school, but not in another. Sometimes an applicant looks great on paper, but after a meeting it's decided employment wouldn't work.

Some advice: Don't lie anywhere on your application or in your resume. You might not think it is a big deal to say you were the "head of special educators anonymous" during your college career. But it only takes one phone call to prove that statement wrong. And if a potential employer finds something that isn't true, you have just lost the position, even if you were the best fit.

And we really do call references :) Let them know they are a reference for you, so that they are prepared with what they need to say. Also make sure they WANT to be a reference for you. Just because you worked together for 4 years, does not mean they would give you a glowing recommendation! Choose carefully! And make sure to update your letters of recommendation every couple of years. You may have been a fantastic teacher's aide 15 years ago, but I'm more interested in what you have been doing in the last 3 years or so...

Finally, be yourself. Do not try to be what the school wants you to be, or what you think they want you to be. You will be unhappy, and that will carry over to your students. If you don't fit, you don't fit. There is a position you will be a fit for somewhere. It might be disappointing, but that's how it goes.

And just a small final note, if there are no schools hiring in your district, and then all of a sudden one building is hiring 10 new teachers (and it isn't a new building) be leery. Find out why there is a turnover. Did the teachers all quit? Did they get reassigned to new buildings? Is there a new administrator, or some other type of shakeup? Ask around, you don't want to be surprised when school starts!

Good luck in your endeavors!

Halloween Science Activities

About this time of year I always get emails or messages about effective and fun Halloween science projects. Whether you home school, are a classroom teacher, or are having a party at your house, the following ideas can help make your day go smoothly!

One really cheap idea is to make make screeching balloons. All you do is place a penny inside a balloon. Blow it up (with the penny in it), tie it off and swirl. This makes the most irritating sound, hence screeching balloons! You can also use a hex nut in place of the penny, but in my experience, the hex nut normally has some uneven pieces and pops the balloon...Tie this in with a unit on sound...

Another idea is dry ice. Now I do NOT believe children should be in contact with the dry ice. Use this as a presentation idea only. Place dry ice in various sized and shaped containers. Add glowing powder, or glow sticks and turn out the lights for an interesting effect. Add some Dawn Dish soap to the water, then add some dry ice, and get a bubble effect. And of course, no party would be complete without dry ice drinks. Again, make sure an adult is in charge and no children get dry ice!  If you are doing this in science you can talk about liquids, solids, and gases.

The most requested activity I am asked to make is "slime". I like to use Elmer's Gel Glue, but if you can't find any, use regular glue. Empty an entire bottle into a bowl. Fill the empty glue bottle with hot/warm water. Empty into the same bowl with glue. Mix together well. At this point, you can add food coloring if you want, or some glow powder, or glitter...In another bowl mix a spoonful of borax laundry detergent with a few tablespoons of warm water...Slowly mix the borax solution into the glue solution. This forms the slime, which can be taught in science as polymers.

These are just a few ideas that you can do quickly and without spending too much! Have a Happy Halloween!

"Singapore" Math

Educators, if this blog does not catch your interest, I don't know what will! That is not a slam! As I have traveled the country discussing education, the one concept for math that has continually come up is Singapore math. What is Singapore math? If I use bar modeling, aren't I teaching Singapore math? We are not Singapore, why should we teach like their teachers? The questions go on and on! Seriously, I have pages of them!

So, what is "Singapore Math"? This is a question that has multiple correct answers. To begin with, the TINY country of Singapore was not scoring very high on the international math skills tests in the 1980's and before...The TIMSS (Teachers in International Mathematics and Science Study) as it is referred to, is a way that different countries are able to compare their student data with other countries. So, Singapore was performing horribly. Long story made short for blogging, they decided to revamp and create their own program utilizing high performing countries best practices. They then came up with a curriculum that teaches mathematical concepts by way of doing hands on activities, ie using manipulatives, using pictures, and then teaching the abstract mathematical equation. By 1992, they started performing at the top of the TIMSS report. Fifteen years later, they are still performing at the tops of the TIMSS report. As shown with this data, Singapore's success is not a fluke. It is a systematically valid way of teaching mathematical concepts to children.

The famous, "I am using bar modeling, therefore I am teaching the Singapore way." I think I have heard this in every inservice or training I have conducted or sat through in the last 2 years. I hate to burst your bubble, but bar modeling is NOT the only item taught in Singapore math. The basis of Singapore math is word problems...Yes the dreaded word problem...The program is based on word problems and ways to solve them. Pictorial representations are a part of it as well. So is learning basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. And yes, bar modeling is a major part of the Singapore curriculum, but by far is not the only pictoral piece.

And finally, I realize we do not live in Singapore! The point is not to be like Singapore...The point is that they have created a successful program for their students who were at one time one of the lowest performing mathematical countries in the world. We would be crazy to ignore this fact. Educators of mathematics must look at the concepts and procedures that are taught in Singapore math and objectively decide if it is a preferred teaching form for their classrooms/schools. Remember, the core standards that have been adopted in many states based much of their mathematical weight on Singapore math. It is actually noted in the standards themselves!

And on a side note, my children go to school in a district that has chosen NOT to utilize the Singapore curriculum. I am not ok with that. I make sure that when they bring homework home, or when we have free time on the weekends, that we "play" school. During this time I am constantly teaching the concrete-pictorial-abstract mode that has made Singapore math successful. I refuse to let my children fall through the cracks when it comes to math. And although I completely support my local school district, I am allowed to have an opinion on best mathematical practices. My opinion is that Singapore math will be beneficial to my children, and therefore I will continue to supplement them at home with strategies that will hopefully make their future math classes easier. This does not mean that I belittle the program they are using. I am sure there are positive aspect in their minds or they wouldn't use it.

Tolerance

I thought I would take to my blog to discuss today's Spirit Day. This probably doesn't fit in as a "teacher blog", but I feel that it is a teachable moment, and you can use it or ignore it, as you see fit! And although it is a subject that can get very political, I choose not to politicize it. Instead I think of it is as a time, to review what acceptable behavior looks like. Whether you are a parent, teacher, sibling, or friend, acceptable behavior should look the same to all of us. Bullying is NOT acceptable behavior. No excuses, it's not acceptable. I don't care if the person isn't up to your "standard", doesn't like "cool" things, wears glasses, likes Japanese cartoon characters, has a birth mark, eats vegetables, has purple hair, or likes rainbows...Nothing gives you the right to criticize or condemn another person. It is hurtful, hateful, and will not end well for anyone...Think of it this way. Where would we be without those people who you deem "uncool"? Would we be blogging, using technology, curing diseases, learning about other cultures, having a discussion about tolerance? Everyone makes their way on this planet in their own individual way. What is right for you, might not work for me. What is right for me, you may find outrageous. That is ok. We are not meant to be carbon copies of one another. Rather than make life more difficult than it already is, why don't we practice love rather than hate? Embrace differences and learn from them.

Freelance Writing

I thought I would spend this week's blog talking about freelance writing. In my case, freelance writing was just thrown in my lap. I am not a trained writer. I mean, I took college writing, but never focused on it. You can probably tell in my blogs that I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, an author. But I like to write, and always secretly hoped to be able to create something that someone other than my mother would be happy to read.

How did I get involved in freelance writing? I was a teacher who had young children, and wanted to be at home during their early years. I thought I would substitute a couple times a month and go back to teaching after my kids were in school. However, I had a friend who was working as a freelance writer, and had emailed me an upcoming math writing position. I submitted my resume and was contacted by the company to do a "trial problem". Long story short, I was offered a "freelance" position. I had no idea what that really meant, but I took it, and wrote online math curriculum for my first project. After the math project, I found an online education company looking for writers. During that time I wrote math, social studies, and English curriculum. I have also done many correlations for different companies.

So what is freelance writing and how can you get involved? This is a difficult question to answer. Freelance writing is self-employed writing. You write from home whenever you can, on whatever subject the company needs you to write about. I was lucky to have someone on the inside. They were able to send me job opportunities and reputable website information. I could call them with questions and be confident that they would have the answers I would need. If you don't know someone who already does freelance writing, I would recommend using a search site, like google, and search freelance writing. I always search for "education freelance writer" or "curriculum freelance writer". Some of the larger publishing companies do hire freelance writers to work on their projects. I am more likely to apply for a job if it is from a company I have heard of. I do not apply for jobs if the company is unknown, or if during my research I find questionable information about a certain hiring company. I also don't send resumes out with tons of personal information. I send the basics, some information about recent jobs, and an email/phone number to reach me at. I must verbally converse with someone before I send out references or more in-depth information. Phishing scams are out there, and you need to be very watchful to ensure that you don't fall victim to people trying to gain a new online identity!

I hope this information helps you a bit. If you need specific information or want to ask me more questions, please feel free to comment on this blog. Have a great week!

My First Blog

So I've been told for months that I should start blogging. Blogging, really? Who wants to hear me talk? Especially about the hot button topic of education? Well, I've folded to the pressure and am going to try this out. What will my first blog talk about? I don't know. I'm really just typing as I think.
Well, let's start with math. It's something I am comfortable with. As a former educator, and current math consultant, I feel that teachers often feel overwhelmed and under-educated about teaching math and math concepts. Whether this is a personal issue with math, or an issue with the curriculum they are trying to teach, being uncomfortable teaching a core subject cannot end well for students.
Students learn best, in my experience, when taught with passion. It is hard to be passionate about a subject you don't understand.
My advice? Ask for help...Even if you are a professional teacher, meaning someone with more than 3 years experience. Being able to ask for help is the first step. Take a college course. Most states require teachers to complete a certain amount of credit hours to be re-certified, so take a math class...Be open minded. Things are taught quite differently than they used to be. Things are even being taught differently than they were last year, so new teachers coming right out of college must be able to be open minded as well! Being able to meet these changes with an open mind may make things easier. I don't guarantee it, but it couldn't hurt! Training, training, training. I know the last thing you want to hear is that you should attend more training, but I really think quality training can be the difference between a positive and negative math year. This does not have to be done in the traditional way of someone coming in and talking all day. There are webcasts, blogs, teacher discussions, and of course meetings, just to name a few! And finally, having a quality program you believe in. I don't care which program it is (well maybe I do, but I won't insert the name this time). If you feel strongly about it, and teach it with passion, your kids are going to benefit.
So here it is. My first blog. Surprisingly it was fun! Please feel free to comment, ask questions, tell me something you would like me to talk about!