Groovy Educator

YouTube Video Teaching Writing Skills and Vocabulary Through Conversation In this relatively short video, I model how you can use conversations to build your child's vocabulary.  Through questioning and rephrasing, you are modeling appropriate language skills.  This in turn improves your child's ability to write because usually if a child can say it, he/she can write it (even if words are sounded out). In the video, I begin by asking what my daughter wants to talk about and she replies "fans."  Then she goes on to say "So today we will be talking about fans."  She automatically went into an introduction without even realizing she was stating the topic (probably because her mom's a teacher).  By giving her a choice on the topic, she is more interested in the conversation.  This builds engagement. A little while later in the video, I state "Apparently my daughter is a fan of fans."  I am intentionally modeling another way to use ...

The cereal box is a powerful tool for teaching in so many ways.  Here are some ideas: Shapes Explain the difference between a rectangle and a rectangular prisim Circle all the shapes you can find on the box and write a list to record what you found. On a different day repeat the previous activity but then transfer the information into a Venn Diagram (two circles that intersect/overlap).  Write the shapes that were on both boxes in the area where the circles overlap.  That shows what was the same on both boxes.  Write what was different in the other areas.  (I will have to upload a photograph on this in the future.) Discuss how rectangular prisms can stack and slide but not roll.  Test it out.   Compare the size of the rectangles on the sides of the box to the front of the box. Trace the box to make a large rectangle and then draw a picture using shapes you found on the box. Math There are endless adding and subtracting activities th...

I'm sorry that I have not been posting as much as in the past!  I am trying to start up Lowery's Loft in addition to my GroovyEducator endeavors. Lowery's Loft is a place where you can find items "Vintage to New and Affordable Too!" Right now I am trying different categories of items like costume jewelry, purses/handbags, toys, games, collectibles, etc.  Later I plan to include some school items like treasure box lots, books, and teacher friendly items. I have never been a jewelry person but it is turning into a passion.  I LOVE learning about the history of some of the vintage items.  I marvel at pins that are sixty years old and appear new!  I image where each item may have traveled and even its origin and the artist's "vision" or inspiration. Quality costume jewelry is perfect for elementary school teachers.  It looks nice and its affordable.  If it breaks or is lost, it will not break the bank.  Working with young children and constan...