Week 8:   I am going to go a different route with my blog this week. I really enjoyed watching Inside Anna's Classroom. It brought everything we have been doing in Heartlines full circle for me. The video included the IEFA content, best educational practices that meet not only the Essential Understandings, but also the Common Core Standards, and gave the students a chance to interact in a safe environment. It was a nice way to get some more ideas for the Unit we are designing.

I found the video to be inspirational and it reminded me of some of the coursework I engaged in while achieving my Master's Degree, which is in literacy. One of the best texts we used had different strategies for teaching reading in all core areas. This is where I first learned of the entry/exit ticket and anticipation guides. The book was divided into strategies to be used before reading, during reading, and after reading. I used these a lot, but my teaching kind of changed after our school began working at becoming an RTI school. We are still doing this, but are encouraged to not entirely give up  our best practices, even though they are not part of the research based teacher's guide. I was kind of getting disheartened, but the common core as well as encouragement from our superintendent is helping me get back in the groove.

Those are all reasons I found Inside Anna's Classroom so inspiring. It took me back to the days when I think I was a more effective teacher. Not that I don't do any of that stuff anymore, but it is a reminder to stand up for what you know is best for students, even if you are not agreed with by all.

The book, in case you are interested, is Teaching Reading in Social Studies, Science, and Math: Practical Ways to Weave Comprehension Strategies Into Your Content Area Teaching by Laura Robb.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1255405.Teaching_Reading_in_Social_Studies_Science_and_Math