December 2014

East TN Title I Conference

Just wanted to pass along all the good
things I took away from the conference.
Please dont hesitate to see me if you
want more information! -Kim2

Lester Laminack
Mentor Texts
I added these to my class library!
Feel free to check them out!
Trouper

Loneliness, Dogs, Pets, Kindness and

Compassion---Point of View

The
Invisible
Boy

Theme/Subject

The Book
with No
Pictures

Theme/Subject

The Girl
and the
Bicycle

Bullying, Acceptance, Differences,

Friendship---Point of View, Strong
Lead, Internal vs External Storyline
Imaginative, Humorous, Ease
Tension---Fluency, Concept of Print,
Non-Sense Words

Theme/Subject
Persistence, Determination, Hard
Work---Language Development, Story
Structure, Sequencing, Cause/Effect

Theme/Subject
Apt. 3

Theme/Subject

Theme/Subject

Character Values, Culture and

Diversity, Friendship---Sequencing,
Visualization, Point of View,

The Most
Magnificent
Thing

Perseverance, Determination, Belief in

Oneself, Confidence---Character
Development, Pronoun Usage, Effective
Endings, Growth Mindset

Theme/Subject
What do
you do with
an Idea?

Inspiring, Curiosity, Perseverance,

Determination---Character Development,
Sequencing, Cause/Effect, Growth
Mindset, Generating Ideas in Writing

Theme/Subject
Telephone

Depicts the telephone game,

Communication, Gossiping
Predictions, Text Artwork
Connection

Lester Laminack
Quotes

Reading is like breathing it inwriting is breathing it out.

First read a book like youre watching a movie-focus on the

storyre-visit a good book (movie) again and notice more
detailsfeelings, characters, setting
Close the gap between whats present on the page and present in the mind

Ipad Apps
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Zoo-AR is an
Augmented Reality
application with a
variety of animals and
insects available for
viewing in 3D.

issue, date

First Step Grade 1 Math Zoo is a unique app

combining comprehensive learning with high
quality entertainment and fun for children ages 4
to 8 years. The app has a captivating Zoo Picnic
theme that keeps children engaged and
motivated while learning new skills. Children
answer math questions to earn coins that they
can use to add more animals to the zoo and to
buy picnic items. Dinah, the dinosaur is the zoo
guide who helps children navigate through the
zoo and the math questions. Children can take a
break and visit the interactive zoo where they
learn quick facts about the animals.

ENGAGE YOUR CLASS IN ANY EBOOK, PDF, OR ARTICLE- Subtext()

supports teachers in their Common Core instruction and helps students
move closer to test readiness by encouraging them to analyze what they read, articulate what
they think, and make connections between texts and the outside world.
Teachers can embed instruction right in the pages of nearly any digital text. Because notes are
linked to a specific passage, theres a natural emphasis on close reading, citing text evidence, and
supporting claims.

Websites
Dr. Flora Joy presented a session on Laughter and Learning! The ideas shared would be
great to incorporate within ELA, as well as, brain breaks! She provided a wealth of
resources that can be accessed at http://storytellingworld.com/ Enter the code 60606
Jan Richardson, Ph.D., is a literacy consultant and author who earned her Ph.D. studying
struggling readers. Jans website brings a new awareness of what can be done to
motivate, engage and accelerate every student, especially those that struggle.
http://www.janrichardsonguidedreading.com/home
GoNoOdle is SOOO FUN! It embeds brain breaks and movement into your instruction. The
students get moving while practicing fluency in core-subjects. The movement is tied
closely to the content. This is one worth trying out! https://www.gonoodle.com/home
2

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When you lend a hand, you make the team stronger,

and
issue,
date
when the team is stronger, the children are the ones who
truly benefit.

Ron Clark

I had the privilege of seeing Ron

Clark speak while at the ETTC. What a motivator! My summarization will not do it justice! One thought I find
myself thinking back on is his thoughts on the different types of teachers and how they impact the school
culture.

Runners - A go-getter. Hard workers who are always giving it their all. Like Buzz Lightyear they
are always trying to go to infinity and beyond.
Joggers - They do one school project and do it well. Joggers are good, dedicated workers, but
they dont always go above and beyond besides that one big project they do each year. Joggers are
great to have on the team and are necessary. However, they do not always go the extra mile.
Walkers - Many walkers can do but wont. Many times they spend more time complaining. Some
walkers want to do, but they either dont know how or just cant keep up. Coaxing can help some of
the walkers.
Interval Trainer is a walker who dresses up in runners clothes.
They are the can do/wont do type. They will put on a dog and pony
show and will go on and on about what they do although they arent
actually doing it. When someone is looking at them, they are
running. All other times, they are actually walking.
Sitters - These are your do nothings. They do as little as
possible and are often unhappy as they are doing that.
Rons point was: administrators should focus on the runners. The
hardest workers do not require a lot. Encourage and motivate the
top. Your motivated joggers and walkers will grow due to influence
of the go-getters and dedicated workers.
Reflections:
I understand that the generalization of teachers is not meant to be taken as an
actuality or to make light of the hard work of teachers. It is simply a humorous spoof on
what goes on in the workplace. You cant help but think of which type of teacher you are
and how you can make a positive impact on others. There is so much more to the day-today dynamic of educators. But ultimately the end result is the same. By encouraging and
empowering educators, they will pay it forward through the
dedication they have to empower their students to achieve.

I added his book to my professional collection.

Feel free to borrow it anytime!

My Takeaways from

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Fixed vs Growth Mindset:

issue, date
A Key Piece of the Academic Achievement Puzzle
Establishing high expectations is a must for all
educators. I agree that students should be
encouraged to challenge themselves and go
beyond their comfort zone to take more
risks. Students will view the meaning of
learning differently and open their minds
more widely.
Students will surely benefit from a growth
mindset because they will see themselves
having the opportunities to be smart.
Intelligence is indeed based on students'
willingness and determination to expand
their knowledge.

Our society needs

children who are
willing to progress,
not for their
teachers or their
parents, but for
themselves.

Growth mindset is
the key to unlocking
childrens motivation
to learn and, in
turn, develop selfesteem where it is
lacking.

Students won't change their mindset in an environment void

of caring and kindness. They have to feel, and believe, that a
change in thinking will produce a change in results, and that
their teacher will notice, care, and value their journey.
Learning is a partnership. It is about valuing students for who
and where they are at the beginning, and celebrating their
growth overtime in authentic and meaningful ways.

Research on growth mindset shows that students who believe

they can grow their basic abilities have greater motivation and
higher achievement than do students who believe their abilities
are fixed, and that teachers can influence students' mindsets.