dawnmeyer's blog

Tuning In to Transitions

In a classroom, routines provide a vital structure.  Many educators have found that music plays an important role in providing transition between classroom activities.  Playing a specific song cues students to complete the task at hand and prepare for the next activity.  Different songs can be used for different types of transitions.  For students that may show anxiety with hurried expectations or for special education students who may need more time making the mental transition, music allows them the opportunity to complete their activity without panicking that they don't have enough time.

Simple Way to Improve Test Performance

All students, from Kindergarten through high school, have some level of test anxiety.  Yet, research conducted by the University of Chicago shows that by giving students the opportunity to write their worries on paper just prior to completing a test can improve test performance.  Teaching your students to let go on their worries allows them to complete assessments to the best of their ability.  Do you currently use this method in your classroom?  If so, we'd love to hear from you.  If you'll implement this technique this coming year, please come back and share with us your experience!

High School Reading

What strategies are you using in your secondary classroom to get students connected to their nonfiction reading in every subject area?

 

Ron Ritchart, Mark Church, and Karin Morrison offer several strategies in their book, Making Thinking Visible.  One suggestion is using the 4 C's: connections, challenge, concepts, and changes (p. 140). 

Sing a Song!

Do you use music in your classroom?  Yes, music appreciation and music theory are important, but are you using music to teach content?  Songs help to energize learning activities, increase attention and improve memory - something every teacher desires for every student. 

 

Welcome 2013!

At Flexible Creativity, we wish educators near and far a successful and enriching 2013!  We look forward to partnering with new schools and districts across the United States and strengthening our relationship with current partners in building strong academic programs and achieveing your educational objectives.  Have a wonderful new year!

Free Resources

Are you using the many free resources provided by Flexible Creativity?  You will find a wide-range of materials are available for download at no charge!  Click here for a direct link. 

 

Mulligan Visits Montana

Dr. Dan Mulligan presented the keynote address at the Math in the Mountains conference in Montana last August.  The conference focused on the implementation of and successful teaching and learning strategies associated with the Common Core standards.  Read the attached artcile by Hilary Matheson and published in The Daily Inter Lake for comments about the conference by Dr. Mulligan and conference participants.

 

Virginia Checkpoints!

We are delighted to begin a rolling release of our much anticipated Virginia mathematics modified technology-enhanced items (TEI).  This initial launch will pair our modified TEI mathematics checkpoint tests with our unique mathematics observation form.  This duo will provide an unparalleled resource for classrooms, schools and divisions across the Commonwealth of Virginia to excel.  With the use of these resources, your teachers and students will tackle the 2012-2013 mathematics standards assessments with confidence.  Beginning the week of September 24, 2012, grades 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 will

Social Surprise!

We promised a surprise for those who follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter) or followed our blog - and that time has come!

 

As our way of saying THANK YOU for your support, we are offering you an unparalleled offer - 75% off any resource(s) on the Flexible Creativity website (excluding books and manipulatives ordered via Amazon).  Use code SOCIAL75 at checkout to receive this discount.  Hurry!  This limited time offer expires Wednesday, August 29!

*Limit one redemption per user. 

Simply Better!

In his book, Simply Better: Doing What Matters Most to Change the Odds for Student Success, Bryan Goodwin simplifies the research to show how five essential practices can vastly increase student achievement.  We already know what works in schools so there is no need to reinvent the wheel - we just need to focus on getting it right!

 

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