Time To Teach

E45 We ask our students to read daily, but are we doing that ourselves? In this episode, I make the case about why educators should be reading. Listen to find out why educators should be reading frequently, and hear some of my tips to becoming an avid reader.   Show Notes 0:00 Intro 0:50 Episode introduction  2:00 Wins and Fails  8:55 Why we educators should be avid readers 33:20 How to become an avid reader as a busy educator 39:29 Episode conclusion  39:58 Outro    Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE Music provided by Audio Library youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8  

Time to Teach is currently on Spring Break. We'll be back in a couple of weeks. In the mean time, enjoy the beach, sun, some good books, and past episodes. Until next time!    Show Notes 0:00 Intro  0:51 Spring Break announcement  2:03 Wins and Fails Segment  4:41 Outro     

E44 In today's episode, I talk about the "game of school". For students who can sit and listen with relatively few obstacles to learning, the game of school comes easy. However, for other students, sitting, listening, and following all the rules of this game proves difficult. They grow frustrated, disillusioned, and experience many negative feelings surrounding school. Is there a better way we can serve these students? Or, do we just keep playing this game of school the same way, and these students are just out of luck?  These are my musings on this topic.  Show Notes 0:00 Intro  0:54 Episode intro 1:46 Wins and Fails Segment 7:46 Episode topic begins 37:07 Outro  Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativec

E43 Everyone loves the vibe of a Friday (myself included), and we all enjoy sleeping in. However, if all we do is live for the weekend, then we are missing a lot of life during the week. In today's episode, I examine the importance of valuing every day of the week, not just Fridays.  Show Notes 0:00 Intro 0:50 Episode topic intro 1:28 Wins and Fails Segment 6:07 Episode topic begins 38:15 Episode wrap up 38:35 Outro Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE Music provided by Audio Library youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8        

In today's episode, I sit with a couple of my colleagues to discuss international teaching. We look at ways that international teaching is different from teaching in one's home country, as well as share how we've grown and have been challenged by this experience. Teaching is tough, and teaching internationally adds another layer to the complexity. However, we all agree that the experience is worth it! Listen to find out about our personal experiencing with teaching internationally.    Show Notes: 0:00 Intro 0:55 Show Introduction 5:00 Introducing Lauren and Nicole 5:58 Wins and Fails (Room For Improvement) Segment 10:31 Episode topic begins Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

E41S6 In today's episode we explore the last part of designing amazing units: the evidence and learning activities. Amazing units don't just happen accidentally; they happen intentionally. Listen to find out how to plan for evidence that your students have met the learning objectives, and then learning experiences that lead to the unit's big ideas and objectives.  0:00 Intro  0:52 Episode introduction 3:44 Wins and Fails Segment 9:70 Episode topic begins (Evidence) 17:51 Lesson plans and learning activities 26:48 Episode and series 6 wrap up  28:44 Outro  Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE Music provided by Audio Library youtu.b

E40S6 In today's episode I talk about textbooks and worksheets, and why we should get rid of them (well, most of them). When thinking about abstract concepts, we teachers have the job of helping students solidify concepts and understandings. Textbooks and worksheets fall short of doing the job. Instead, we should be creating authentic experiences that truly effect student learning, unlike textbooks or worksheets. Listen to find out how a class can function without textbooks or worksheets. Show Notes 0:00 Intro 00:53 A word on the Florida shooting and the need for change.  20:45 Today's topic begins  43:08 Episode wrap up 43:48 Outro Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music r

E39S6 Today's episode looks at the essentials of essential questions. What makes a question essential? How can you form essential questions? Listen to find out the essentials of essential questions. Show notes: 0:00 Intro 0:49 Show introduction 1:28 Wins and Fails Segment 4:07 Episode topic begins (it's about time, honey...it's about time) 28:02 Episode Wrap Up 30:20 Student segment on the Paper Town Math Project 39:00 Outro Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE Music provided by Audio Library youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8  

E38S6 In today's episode I share the Paper Town Math Project that my students are currently working on. Students may only use specific shapes to create their town. Other than that, they're in total control. This project focuses on math, design, creation, building, problem solving and collaboration. Listen to find out all about the Paper Town Math Project. Show Notes 0:00 Intro 0:51 Episode Introduction 1:48 Update on the leg incident (ouch Charlie, that really hurts) 5:28 Wins and Fails Segment 11:08 A burning question answered 14:38 Let's get this episode started now...um...please; Paper town project explained 31:25 Conclusion and wrap up 34:06 Outro   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/

E37S6 In today's episode, I continue my deep dive into the six facets of understanding. I specifically look at perspective, empathy and self knowledge as they pertain to one's understanding. Listen to find out about these six facets of understanding. If you didn't already, make sure you listen to facets one through three in episode 35 (linked below).   Show Notes 0:00 intro 0:48 Episode description and medical update 2:55 Wins and Fails Segment 9:11 Begin topic discussion (summary of part 1) 10:04 Facet 4: Perspective 14:43 Facet 5: Empathy 25:25 Facet 6: Self knowledge 26:28 Episode conclusion and wrap up 29:20 Outro Resources: Understanding Understanding Part 1 (Episode 35)   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC B

E36S6 In today's episode, I chat with Illinois teacher Carrie Baughcum about sketchnoting. Carrie has been using sketchnoting for several years and her knowledge on it is impressive. She also produces her own videos on sketchnoting (and more), so make sure to check that out in the show notes. You can find her on Twitter at @HeckAwesome. Listen to today's episode to learn about sketchnoting and how you can use it in your classroom.  Show Notes 0:00 Music Intro 00:50 Show intro 4:13 Chat with Carrie     Resources: Carrie's Youtube Channel Carrie's video: A Beginner's Guide to Sketchnoting   Research on Sketchnoting: Research Supporting Sketchnoting's Benefits... Google Doc with all the Links: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_... Research supporting sketchnotings benefits: http://www.math.lsa.umich.edu/~krasny... http://www.mathgiraffe.com/blog/dual-... http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/201... https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/b... http://inkfactorystudio.com/powerful-... http://www.coolcatteacher.c

E35S6 In this episode I take a deep dive into understanding. What exactly does understanding entail? What are the intricacies involved in understanding? Do you really understand what it means to understand? Listen to find out about the complexities of understanding. 0:00 Intro 0:49 Brief show description 2:00 Wins and Fails Segment 9:00 Episode topic begins-Understanding recap 11:21 Facet 1: Explanation 18:23 Facet 2: Interpretation 28:53 Facet 3: Application 38:53 Show summary 40:20 Outro References Understanding by Design-Edition 2 by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe Episode 31: Knowledge and Understanding   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.b

E34 In this bonus episode, I share some of my goals for the new year. I always make goals for myself, so the new year is no exception. Listen to find out the areas in which I hope to grow professionally this coming year.   Show Notes 0:00 Intro 0:42 Show intro 1:21 Wins and Fails segment 4:25 New Year, New Goals 6:18 Professional development through books 11:30 Be more active on Voxer 13:12 Grow my podcast 15:30 Non-linguistic representation 18:56 Conclusion 20:49 Outro        Don't forget, we're on winter recess. We'll be back by January 18th. In the mean time, catch up on past episodes. I'd also like to hear what your goals are for the new year. You can tweet them to me at: @TamiJ123   Resources Information on Talpa de Allende, Jalisco, Mexico Four O'clock Faculty   Contact information: Twitter: @TamiJ123 email: lidiajimenez@msn.com   Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: N

E33S6 Today we take a deep dive in unit goals. Goals are the glue of an amazing unit. As such, goals should be clearly defined and decided upon before diving into a unit. Listen to find out more about essential questions, skills, standards and big ideas as unit end goals.  Show Notes Reminder, this is the last episode before we go on winter recess. Our projected date to resume is January 18th. In the mean time, catch up on past episodes! Below is the show's time 0:00 Intro 0:45 Episode introduction and welcome 1:48 Winter Recess reminder 2:10 Shout outs 4:30 Wins and Fails Segment 10:50 Let's get this party (errr...episode) started! 11:46 Goals as the heart of backwards planning 15:20 grade level teams making end-goal decisions 16:40 Essential questions 18:17 Examples of Essential Questions and big ideas 24:31 Skills and end goals 30:02 Standards 35:03 Big Ideas 44:24 Episode wrap up 45:54 Outro Resources: My grade level's Animal unit plans. You can look at the way we have crafted our essential questions: Cl

E32S6 It's time to reflect on what in the world we are doing with grades. What is our goal with them, and is it an effective way to drive learning? I argue for a standards-based system and letting go of traditional grades. Listen to find out why. 0:00 Intro 2:16 Wins and Fails Segment (I called it a series instead of segment...silly me...my brain doesn't function well on Friday evening apparently). 8:38 Episode topic begins: Can We Reflect On Grades, Again? 10:06 What are we doing with grades and are we consistent? 11:25 Is standards-based only for lower elementary? Well, is it? 12:54 Focusing on standards 14:26 Does going gradeless mean we forget about objectives, goals, standards and skills? 16:53 Understanding and performance as an end goal as opposed to content as an end goal 22:47 Closing 23:23 Outro Contact information: Twitter: @TamiJ123 email: lidiajimenez@msn.com Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebo

E31S6 Before we can begin to understand how to design amazing units, it's critical to understand the difference between knowledge and understanding. This episode takes a deep dive into what these terms mean, and their role in an amazing unit.   0:00 Intro 0:41 Episode Introduction 3:00 Wins and fails for the week 9:15 Let's get this episode party started! 12:19 Is knowledge and understanding the same? 19:33 Definition of understanding 26:37 The idea of transfer 38:21 Episode wrap up Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox youtu.be/8BXNwnxaVQE Music provided by Audio Library youtu.be/MkNeIUgNPQ8  

E30S6: Amazing units are impactful, well planned out, and serve a greater purpose other than just inside a school's walls. Such units don't happen accidentally, but by design. In this episode, I explain the essential components that go into amazing unit planning. Show Notes 0:00 Intro 0:45 Intro to unit 6 1:46 Winter recess notice 3:53 Wins and Fails segment 6:49 Planning Backwards: What you need to know 9:53 Backwards design and what that actually means 11:31 Enduring understandings and big ideas 15:00 Essential questions 17:50 Asking good essential questions 23:11 Evidence 27:25 Learning activities 30:01 Episode summary 32:16 Closing 32:40 Outro Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach Facebook Page Teachers For Effective Curriculum Facebook Group (Facebook Group) My Blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Every learner is special and unique with his or her own strengths and areas of improvements. The idea of teaching to each student is a daunting one. In this last episode of a 3-part mini series, I explain how I differentiate and teach to each learner during writing workshop. Learn how you can juggle all the needs of your students while staying sane. 0:00 Intro 0:57 Episode Introduction 2:19 Wins and fails for the week segment 7:19 Getting this party started (the party that is this episode) 8:42 Writing Workshop and writing within a genre 12:30 Writing Workshop in my classroom (the components) 14:35 Independent writing time, and what I'm doing then 15:20 Teaching to student goals 18:20 How I assess writing strengths and needs of my students 20:40 How I track my anecdotal notes 22:15 Conclusion 24:15 Outro Contact me: Twitter: @TamiJ123 How do you achieve differentiation? I'd love to hear from you. Podcast show notes & to listen online: Time to Teach Website Links Time to Teach on Facebook Teachers For Ef

This week I explain how I differentiate and teach to each learner during our word work time. Each student is special and unique, and their instruction should be too. Listen to find out how to specialize and differentiate your word work block.  0:00 Intro 3:50 Wins and fails for the week  9:37 Let the show begin! 11:30 What word work looks like in my classroom 12:56 Whole group teaching 15:10 Small group teaching and the rest of the class 20:51 Words Their Way- A little about this word study program  26:02 Conclusion  26:29 Outro  References: Teaching to Each Learner Part 1   Contact: Twitter: @TamiJ123 Podcast show notes & listen online: Links Time to Teach Website Facebook page:Time to Teach Facebook Groups: Teachers For Effective Curriculum Teachers Who Podcast  (for educators who podcast)  My blog: Notes From A First Grade Classroom   Music Credits: Adventures by A Himitsu @a-himitsu Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b... Music released by Argofox you

Teaching to each student's needs seems a daunting task, but it is not impossible. Here I discuss how I juggle whole group teaching along with teaching to the needs of each of my students during our Reading Workshop.   0:00 Intro  0:42 Introducing today's topic 1:34  Wins and fails of the week 4:52 Teaching to each learner-let's get this party started! 6:42 Teaching to each learner in reading 9:09 Observations 11:03 Phonemic awareness assessment 12:00 Continued observations and flexible groups 12:56 What my students do when I am conferring or working with a small group 14:00 The power of conferring 17:02 How I conduct my student conferences 20:44 Mini lessons to the whole class 24:00 Conferring in small groups 26:30 Small groups  29:40 Conclusion 30:53 Outro