I just discovered Snagglebox.com blog and found some great "stuff" as they name it for students on Autism spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders, plus just good plain old advice.  

Check them out! Some items are free and others are very reasonable.  Great job Snagglebox!
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Math Solutions has a great set of videos called "Explain It To Me" for the "big idea" of the eight practices in the Standards for Mathematical Practices posted ont he Math Solutions site.  Really helpful for me and my students.   Check them out!

Explain It To Me Videos from Math Solutions

Standards for Mathematical Practice    

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During my normal, daily search of the internet for tools and tips I ran across this website and wanted to share this link for common core standards checklists. 

Here's information about what you will find on the site: "Our common core standards checklists are just what you need to help you keep track of the standards taught in your classroom. Use these to make sure you are addressing all that you need to teach throughout the course of the school year. Keep track of when you have introduced, retaught and assessed each indicator." 
These documents are by grade level and by subject,then broken down by domains and strands. They are great ways to keep track when they were taught, retaught, assessed, etc. 

I have been using these sing school started and have passed them along to my fellow teachers, but I realized I hadn't posted them for my web friends and colleagues. 

Great stuff!

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Presentation Tips for All (Including Teachers)

Dale Carnegie had it right long ago -- we should remember to use his tips in our classrooms as well.  Check out the presentation tips and use these the next time you are teaching a lesson in your classroom, making a presentation to the administration, or to a community group.

The kids are back! Welcome "Scholars!"

While some parts of the country are still on Summer vacation, we are back in school and half-way through our first full week. 

Gosh how I missed my students and working with them. I knew I was longing to get back and see that spark of knowledge ignite into a full flame, but I didn't realize how much until at Open House I had such a rush talking with parents, getting knee hugs from returning students and meeting new students who weren't quite sure what Kindergarten was really all about. 

The wide-eyed look of awe as they walked past my room looking for their teacher was priceless. I have a picture of Mike Wazowski hanging next to my door with his hand raised high ready to be called upon to answer a question. Several wanted me to be their teacher because of Mike. They related to Mike. They want to be Mike.

The students in my room are called "Scholars" intentionally. That is what my dream is for each of them, to become "Scholars" in whatever they choose to do: be it a University, a trade school, a post high school career training -- whatever they can become they will need to be doing scholarly work. It is my desire to lead them, to inspire them, to coach them, and to move out of their way when necessary in order for them to keep the excitement and awe they felt on this first week of school for the rest of their life.

We are off to a great start and with passion, hard-work and the drive to excel they will each become "Mike" in their own way. We will all make it to see our dreams fulfilled and are hopes realized. We have written those hopes and dreams down. We review them daily, and don't let anyone or anything get it our way as we pursue our dreams and our achievements. 

Go Mike! 

"Knowledge must never be feared, 

wisdom must always be pursued, 

and excellence must be 

at the center of everything."

- Arthur Clawson, Founder, MU (Monster's University)

Summertime is still learning time!

"May you fill your brain with grains of learning this Summer!"

Fill your bucket this Summer with grains of simple learning and don't let the Summer slump get to you or your child. 

I have prepared some game ideas which are both practical and fun on this link to help parents,   grandparents, child care providers and others with some ideas, videos and websites that will keep our children learning throughout the Summer.  Remember learning should be fun and should be done with someone!  

You can visit the page by clicking HERE!

Improve Listening using this simple method

Improve Listening!

When I first read this I thought it wouldn't work. 

But then I decided to try it. I was wrong. 

The students did exactly what Michael said. Following his simple method allowed my students (and it works on adults, too!) to learn to listen for the directions and instructions when they are provided. 

Please read his complete article titled: 

A Simple Way To Improve Listening

by MICHAEL LINSIN on OCTOBER 27, 2012