We had an opportunity to have some homeschooling parents evaluate our membership site. We have had a great response. I am sharing one with you today from Homegronw Mommy. Thank you!
http://www.homegrownmommy.com/2009/10/21/the-old-schoolhouse-magazine-crew-review-abc-teach-website/>>
Friday, November 6, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Planning for 2010
Every year I make goals for what I would like to see added, or changed on abcteach. This coming year will be my tenth anniversary. It has been a fun ride, but I feel in many ways we are still in our infancy as we are busy upgrading, and providing teachers what they need.
This year will bring some staff changes. Some are leaving to pursue their own dreams, and some are joining to be part of our new direction. Change is a good thing. It brings with it excitement and "newness" which is needed in any project.
My main goal for 2010 is to stay current, to provide materials that will help new and veteran teachers meet the needs of the 21st century. Watch for new themes, new interactives , and more variety that comes with the addition of new staff.
I am always looking for good writers with an education background. Interested?
Sandy
abcteach
This year will bring some staff changes. Some are leaving to pursue their own dreams, and some are joining to be part of our new direction. Change is a good thing. It brings with it excitement and "newness" which is needed in any project.
My main goal for 2010 is to stay current, to provide materials that will help new and veteran teachers meet the needs of the 21st century. Watch for new themes, new interactives , and more variety that comes with the addition of new staff.
I am always looking for good writers with an education background. Interested?
Sandy
abcteach
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
October Sample Activities
Check out our sample selection of printables.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=112730&id=28071168636
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=112730&id=28071168636
Interviewed on Twitter
Check out my Twitview...an inteview via Twitter. I had to use 140 characters or less to answer the questions.
http://entrepreneurenclave.com/2009/10/13/abcteach-former-elementary-teacher-turned-entrepreneur/
http://entrepreneurenclave.com/2009/10/13/abcteach-former-elementary-teacher-turned-entrepreneur/
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Learning Centers
Learning centers can be an exciting addition to a classroom. They make it possible to offer a variety of activities that can be completed by students in teams or individually. Some planning and modeling in advance will help ensure successful learning centers.
The Basics:Each learning center needs to be set up so that the students have all the materials and direction they need. This could include:
* a sign or label for the center – Math Center; Simple Machines: Lever* clear directions or a stated goal for the center project* all the materials needed in order to complete the activity
The current classroom lessons or themes will determine the type of learning centers you choose. There are several ways to organize learning centers. It isn’t necessary to organize all the centers in the same way. It is often useful to adapt several different approaches to fit the needs of the students. Organizational approaches include:
* By theme: Coral Reef, Simple Machines, Plants, etc.* By learning styles: auditory, tactile, visual, etc.* By subject: math, spelling, language, science, social studies, and computer skills.
Preparation:
* Take time to present each center.* Explain the purpose of each center.* Show the materials the students will be using.* Go over the directions; show them where the directions will be posted.* Review any reporting system or checklists that should be completed.* Show where materials are stored between sessions (this could be folders, baskets, computer files…).* Schedule help for younger students. Recruit students from upper grades, parents, seniors, high school co-op students, and so on for help.* Take time to present the rules.* Present the behavior expectations for each center.* Demonstrate the expected behavior, and have students practice modeling the behavior. Examples of this might be:
o practicing voice levels;
o practicing walking from center to center;
o practicing the appropriate handling of materials.
* Announce a planned phrase that you will use to get the attention of your entire class. The point is to have a phrase the students recognize. Tell them that by the time you finish the phrase they should all be still, quiet, and ready to listen. Practice this prior to using the learning centers. The phrase can vary by age group. Here are some suggestions:
o For primary: 1, 2, 3, all eyes on me!
o For elementary: May I please have your attention.
* Discuss the importance of respecting each team member’s materials and ideas, and of listening to one another. Appoint group leaders when necessary.
Setting up the classroom:The way you set up learning centers in the classroom will depend on your class space and the method you use for learning centers. Center groups should generally not exceed five students. There are some basic set-ups that work well with any size class.
* Center areas can be placed around the room, including rug areas, reading nooks, and space outside the classroom. This is a good set-up if you will be teaching lessons and students will be using the centers at different times throughout the day.* Centers can be organized in baskets that are put on tables or groups of desks during a designated center time. Students are then assigned to each center and rotate as scheduled or organized by you.* Center folders can be assigned to groups. Each group of students working together can carry their materials with them to designated areas in the room.* Computer activities will depend on your access to computers.
Records and Assessments:How you assess the students will naturally vary with your teaching methods and types of learning centers you choose. I have found that even young students can self-assess and keep track of their work with help. Here are some ideas:
* checklists: Provide checklists for students to self-check the activities completed.* Goal Sheets/Portfolio Assessments
o How did I do today?
o What would I like to do tomorrow?
* Final Assessments: Generally, the completion of the learning center task is assessed on the basis of pre-established criteria. Students can:
o present their projects to the class
o turn in projects for teacher evaluation
o self-evaluate
o have group/peer evaluations
Time for clean up:
* Allow plenty of time for orderly cleaning of each center. (about 5-10 minutes)* Students should put the center materials back in place for the next group.* Students should have a place to put their finished and unfinished work.
Posted by Sandy Kemsley, Founder
The Basics:Each learning center needs to be set up so that the students have all the materials and direction they need. This could include:
* a sign or label for the center – Math Center; Simple Machines: Lever* clear directions or a stated goal for the center project* all the materials needed in order to complete the activity
The current classroom lessons or themes will determine the type of learning centers you choose. There are several ways to organize learning centers. It isn’t necessary to organize all the centers in the same way. It is often useful to adapt several different approaches to fit the needs of the students. Organizational approaches include:
* By theme: Coral Reef, Simple Machines, Plants, etc.* By learning styles: auditory, tactile, visual, etc.* By subject: math, spelling, language, science, social studies, and computer skills.
Preparation:
* Take time to present each center.* Explain the purpose of each center.* Show the materials the students will be using.* Go over the directions; show them where the directions will be posted.* Review any reporting system or checklists that should be completed.* Show where materials are stored between sessions (this could be folders, baskets, computer files…).* Schedule help for younger students. Recruit students from upper grades, parents, seniors, high school co-op students, and so on for help.* Take time to present the rules.* Present the behavior expectations for each center.* Demonstrate the expected behavior, and have students practice modeling the behavior. Examples of this might be:
o practicing voice levels;
o practicing walking from center to center;
o practicing the appropriate handling of materials.
* Announce a planned phrase that you will use to get the attention of your entire class. The point is to have a phrase the students recognize. Tell them that by the time you finish the phrase they should all be still, quiet, and ready to listen. Practice this prior to using the learning centers. The phrase can vary by age group. Here are some suggestions:
o For primary: 1, 2, 3, all eyes on me!
o For elementary: May I please have your attention.
* Discuss the importance of respecting each team member’s materials and ideas, and of listening to one another. Appoint group leaders when necessary.
Setting up the classroom:The way you set up learning centers in the classroom will depend on your class space and the method you use for learning centers. Center groups should generally not exceed five students. There are some basic set-ups that work well with any size class.
* Center areas can be placed around the room, including rug areas, reading nooks, and space outside the classroom. This is a good set-up if you will be teaching lessons and students will be using the centers at different times throughout the day.* Centers can be organized in baskets that are put on tables or groups of desks during a designated center time. Students are then assigned to each center and rotate as scheduled or organized by you.* Center folders can be assigned to groups. Each group of students working together can carry their materials with them to designated areas in the room.* Computer activities will depend on your access to computers.
Records and Assessments:How you assess the students will naturally vary with your teaching methods and types of learning centers you choose. I have found that even young students can self-assess and keep track of their work with help. Here are some ideas:
* checklists: Provide checklists for students to self-check the activities completed.* Goal Sheets/Portfolio Assessments
o How did I do today?
o What would I like to do tomorrow?
* Final Assessments: Generally, the completion of the learning center task is assessed on the basis of pre-established criteria. Students can:
o present their projects to the class
o turn in projects for teacher evaluation
o self-evaluate
o have group/peer evaluations
Time for clean up:
* Allow plenty of time for orderly cleaning of each center. (about 5-10 minutes)* Students should put the center materials back in place for the next group.* Students should have a place to put their finished and unfinished work.
Posted by Sandy Kemsley, Founder
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Educators' Royal Treatment
Ken Royal's site, The Educators' Royal Treatment, provides a place for educators and technology leaders to share their ideas. This is definitely a favorite. If you have an idea to share contact Ken Royal.
When I think back to March 2000, so much has changed. I connected with Ken while he was still teaching and abcteach was in its infancy. Communicating and networking by email was the norm in those days (not that many years ago). It was fun for me to communicate with Ken and to know someone was interested in what I was trying to do. I was able to communicate with his classroom as they studied the rain forest. Fun!
Things have changed and there are more and more ways to communicate globally. If you are finding it hard to keep up with the new technology and how it might apply to your classroom, check out Ken's site. I do.
The Educator's Royal Treatment
When I think back to March 2000, so much has changed. I connected with Ken while he was still teaching and abcteach was in its infancy. Communicating and networking by email was the norm in those days (not that many years ago). It was fun for me to communicate with Ken and to know someone was interested in what I was trying to do. I was able to communicate with his classroom as they studied the rain forest. Fun!
Things have changed and there are more and more ways to communicate globally. If you are finding it hard to keep up with the new technology and how it might apply to your classroom, check out Ken's site. I do.
The Educator's Royal Treatment
July/August
Free site users and members used lots of our July holiday materials - from patriotic writing prompts for Independence Day to coloring pages for Canada Day. We also saw lots of our summertime activities being downloaded - reading logs, crafts, projects, and more. Summer is a great time to explore abcteach. Parents can help their children keep up with what they learned in school, and teachers can get an early start on preparing a dazzling school year.
In August, we’re sure many of you are already focusing on back to school, and so are we. We have a collection of nearly a hundred back to school documents on the free site, and another two hundred on the member site. Whether you’re looking for desk tags, bulletin board ideas, “getting to know you” games, or large welcome posters, abcteach has you covered.
I hope you’ll let us know what you’ve used, what you’ve loved, and what you’d like to see more of in the coming months. Requests can take some time, so if there’s something you’d like to see in the upcoming school year, let us know now! We really do love hearing from our users.
The links in the text above are for abcteach members. Below is a link to the back to school materials on our free site:
Back to School
Anne Johnson, abcteach editor
In August, we’re sure many of you are already focusing on back to school, and so are we. We have a collection of nearly a hundred back to school documents on the free site, and another two hundred on the member site. Whether you’re looking for desk tags, bulletin board ideas, “getting to know you” games, or large welcome posters, abcteach has you covered.
I hope you’ll let us know what you’ve used, what you’ve loved, and what you’d like to see more of in the coming months. Requests can take some time, so if there’s something you’d like to see in the upcoming school year, let us know now! We really do love hearing from our users.
The links in the text above are for abcteach members. Below is a link to the back to school materials on our free site:
Back to School
Anne Johnson, abcteach editor
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Check out Teaching Extras on abcteach.com
Teaching Extras are all the little things that you need to make your classroom interesting and organized. There are desk tags, name tags, bulletin board trims, book report templates, calendars, and much more. Go to http://www.abcteach.com/directory/teaching_extras/ .
Sunday, July 19, 2009
World News for Kids
Check out this site for World News for Kids. Your child or students will love the easy to understand videos explaing news from around the world. Let me know what you think?
http://www.englishraven.com/wnk.html
http://www.englishraven.com/wnk.html
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Fourth of July
Check out our Fourth of July printable materials on abcteach. http://www.abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/independence_day
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Ideas for Teaching a Multi-Grade, Multi-Age, or Multi-Level Class
Teaching a multi-grade classroom has its challenges. Even a single-grade classroom has students learning at different levels. Many things you do in a single-grade classroom to accommodate those differences will apply to the multi-grade classroom as well.
Teaching Using Themes
If you are in a school that allows flexibility, then teaching by themes is a great way to address varying levels of student ability. Here are some helpful hints:
* Social studies and science themes lend themselves particularly well to teaching a range of levels and skills. Adaptable themes that I’ve taught include habitats and biomes, landmarks, countries, and simple machines.
* Once you have chosen your themes, it’s good to get a variety of books at different reading levels for your classroom library (usually borrowed from your media center). Include fictional books as well as informational books. Other supplies (photographs, souvenirs, etc.), where applicable, should also be made available in the classroom.
* Students do not need to be grouped by grade for everything. Assignments can also be adjusted according to ability rather than grade level. You can also group students by interest, either by shared interest or to create diversity.
* Assignments that generally are easy for individual assessment are writing assignments, research projects, reports, presentations, map skills, and spelling. Include a word wall with a wide range of vocabulary.
* Themes that originate in one subject can easily expand to cover other subject areas as well. For example, a book report on a historical fiction novel is a great language arts/history crossover. Math can also be incorporated with a different-subject theme by using graphs and charts.
Teaching Two or More Defined Curricula
If you need to include defined curricula for each grade, you can use the theme approach when it fits. If you need to keep the grades or subjects separated, there are ways to make this easier for you.To teach separated lessons, it is helpful to have independent activities for one group while actively teaching the other. These independent activities can involve reading and writing, as well as hands-on centers.
Students who are not in a group with you can be working on book reports, silent reading, spelling activities, and math practice sheets. When they have completed their assignments, students should be able to go to learning or activity centers, where they can quietly practice the skills further. Computer work, if available, is often a good option for independent work. Learning games can be played quietly by two students.It is important to spend time going over the procedures for using learning centers and independent work. The older your students are, the easier this will be.Planning is the key to a smoothly-run classroom. With a little planning, a multi-grade classroom can be vibrant, fun, and fully educational -for both the students and you!
Posted by Sandy Kemsley, Founder
Teaching Using Themes
If you are in a school that allows flexibility, then teaching by themes is a great way to address varying levels of student ability. Here are some helpful hints:
* Social studies and science themes lend themselves particularly well to teaching a range of levels and skills. Adaptable themes that I’ve taught include habitats and biomes, landmarks, countries, and simple machines.
* Once you have chosen your themes, it’s good to get a variety of books at different reading levels for your classroom library (usually borrowed from your media center). Include fictional books as well as informational books. Other supplies (photographs, souvenirs, etc.), where applicable, should also be made available in the classroom.
* Students do not need to be grouped by grade for everything. Assignments can also be adjusted according to ability rather than grade level. You can also group students by interest, either by shared interest or to create diversity.
* Assignments that generally are easy for individual assessment are writing assignments, research projects, reports, presentations, map skills, and spelling. Include a word wall with a wide range of vocabulary.
* Themes that originate in one subject can easily expand to cover other subject areas as well. For example, a book report on a historical fiction novel is a great language arts/history crossover. Math can also be incorporated with a different-subject theme by using graphs and charts.
Teaching Two or More Defined Curricula
If you need to include defined curricula for each grade, you can use the theme approach when it fits. If you need to keep the grades or subjects separated, there are ways to make this easier for you.To teach separated lessons, it is helpful to have independent activities for one group while actively teaching the other. These independent activities can involve reading and writing, as well as hands-on centers.
Students who are not in a group with you can be working on book reports, silent reading, spelling activities, and math practice sheets. When they have completed their assignments, students should be able to go to learning or activity centers, where they can quietly practice the skills further. Computer work, if available, is often a good option for independent work. Learning games can be played quietly by two students.It is important to spend time going over the procedures for using learning centers and independent work. The older your students are, the easier this will be.Planning is the key to a smoothly-run classroom. With a little planning, a multi-grade classroom can be vibrant, fun, and fully educational -for both the students and you!
Posted by Sandy Kemsley, Founder
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Summer Memberships available for two more weeks.
Over 1200 visitors signed up for the Summer Promotion on abcteach. The summer membership give you access to everything on the membership site for three months. The promotion ends in two weeks. Check it out here. http://www.abcteach.com/summer_promo.php
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
May/June abcteach update
Free site users and members used gift ideas, teacher appreciation materials, and other great teaching supplies from abcteach in May. We provided a range of materials for the May holidays, including Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.We know that many of you are approaching the end of the school year. We are here to help! http://www.abcteach.com/
Members have already been using lots of our end of the year materials - from candy wrapper covers and graduation certificates to writing prompts and summer projects. In the month of June, we also have materials for Father’s Day and Flag Day. You may also want to check the huge range of materials available for summer– reading logs, crafts, and more!I hope you’ll let us know what you’ve used, what you’ve loved, and what you’d like to see more of in the coming months. We really do love hearing your opinions!
Posted by Anne Johnson, Editor
Members have already been using lots of our end of the year materials - from candy wrapper covers and graduation certificates to writing prompts and summer projects. In the month of June, we also have materials for Father’s Day and Flag Day. You may also want to check the huge range of materials available for summer– reading logs, crafts, and more!I hope you’ll let us know what you’ve used, what you’ve loved, and what you’d like to see more of in the coming months. We really do love hearing your opinions!
Posted by Anne Johnson, Editor
Monday, May 25, 2009
New Sports Section
This summer we will be adding a new sports section on both the free and membership sites. We have a lot planned. There are some samples posted.
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/sports_physical_education/
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/basics/sports_physical_education/
Monday, May 18, 2009
abcteach -- special summer rate
Stephen suggested a three-month trial for parents and teachers. It has been a success with over 500 signing up the first few weeks. The special $9.95 price will last until the end of June. It is a good way to check out the over 35,000+ materials.
Check out our video on the promotion page.
http://www.abcteach.com/summer_promo.php
Check out our video on the promotion page.
http://www.abcteach.com/summer_promo.php
Thursday, May 14, 2009
abcteach and me
I love abcteach.com. I created it, so I am bias. While it started as my "giving back" to a profession I loved, it now is a challenging business. But, I still have the goal of making life easier for my visitors. That is why when the trend is to take more and more free materials off educational sites, I still provide LOTS of free materials. The membership site is awesome and supports the site operation.
I love abcteach, like I loved my classroom. It is the freedom to create, provide, and teach. I listen to my visitors needs, offer my own ideas, and collaborate with others with the hopes of providing materials that teachers, parents and homeschoolers want. Their "thank you" emails are rewarding.
I have a abcteachBlog on the site ( http://www.abcteach.com/blog/ ) that keeps everyone updated. This blog is for me to unwind, share, and just talk.
I love abcteach, like I loved my classroom. It is the freedom to create, provide, and teach. I listen to my visitors needs, offer my own ideas, and collaborate with others with the hopes of providing materials that teachers, parents and homeschoolers want. Their "thank you" emails are rewarding.
I have a abcteachBlog on the site ( http://www.abcteach.com/blog/ ) that keeps everyone updated. This blog is for me to unwind, share, and just talk.
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