Helping teachers create an environment where students can grow!

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A Teacher’s Daze, Independent consultant, education, resources, teachers, collaboration

Take Time to Build a Relationship with Every Student

My focus is to help teachers build a positive relationship with every student, as well as an inviting classroom for learning.

A Peek inside my classroom!

Check out this video I made for my "kiddos" to enjoy and also as a way to communicate with parents, by  bringing a little bit of their child's classroom time, home. This video showcases my students learning and having fun while doing it. 


I used various video apps to make this video, such as Magisto, IMovie, and even uses a segment  I made with me as a speaking avatar!  It's great to be able to bring the classroom home to their parents!

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A Teacher’s Daze Blog

     I will always be a teacher.  I began a journey of teaching  from an early age.  Since starting school at age five, I loved the thrill of coming home and playing “school,” with my stuffed animals, dolls, and any friends I could coerce.  

     After 28 years as a classroom teacher, I still love the excitement of Fall and the coming of a new school year.  

     I started writing this blog because I love to share the awesome experiences and triumps, I’ve had as a teacher, as well as to share the 

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Best Anchor Charts for ELA

July 7, 2019|Anchor Charts

This is an excellent example of a chart students refer to again and again, especially when responding to a writing prompt.
This is an excellent example of a chart students refer to again and again, especially when responding to a writing prompt.

What Makes the Best Anchor Charts? 

If I see students referring back, again and again, to an anchor chart in my classroom, I know the space on my classroom wall is being used well. On the other hand, if an anchor chart rarely gets a second glance, the space is wasted.  As difficult as it is to take down a chart you spent time and energy making, and all teachers know we do not have much of either, the space is best used for a more effective chart or resource.  


Tips for making effective anchor charts 

  • Focus on one objective
  • The chart should be easy to read
  • Keep it simple 
  • Use MNEMONICs when possible
  • The anchor chart should be pleasing to the eye

The anchor charts, below, are among the top charts that are tried and true resources for students year after year!

Once students can identify one of these four ways they can use to help understand a word's meaning, the light goes on in their brain and they will use this knowledge for the rest of their lives!
Once students can identify one of these four ways they can use to help understand a word's meaning, the light goes on in their brain and they will use this knowledge for the rest of their lives!

Theme vs main idea is often hard for students to understand how they are different. This is THE best anchor chart I have ever made to help students understand the difference.
Theme vs main idea is often hard for students to understand how they are different. This is THE best anchor chart I have ever made to help students understand the difference.

This anchor chart is an example of what I call “On-going Novel Anchor Charts.”  This chart helps students identify direct and indirect characterization of characters, while students are reading and discussing the novel. 

After the class worked together to build This anchor chart, for the character of Auggie, from the dynamic book Wonder by R. J. Palacio, they were more confident when building their own charts about other characters.  Model. Model. Model.  There is no better substitute!!

When students have a tangible guideline that they can refer, It lessens anxiety about what to do, and students are able to focus on the task at hand.  

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Teachers Make a Difference

Good or bad, teachers influence the lives of students.  

All Posts

Best Anchor Charts for ELA

July 7, 2019|Anchor Charts

This is an excellent example of a chart students refer to again and again, especially when responding to a writing prompt.
This is an excellent example of a chart students refer to again and again, especially when responding to a writing prompt.

What Makes the Best Anchor Charts? 

If I see students referring back, again and again, to an anchor chart in my classroom, I know the space on my classroom wall is being used well. On the other hand, if an anchor chart rarely gets a second glance, the space is wasted.  As difficult as it is to take down a chart you spent time and energy making, and all teachers know we do not have much of either, the space is best used for a more effective chart or resource.  


Tips for making effective anchor charts 

  • Focus on one objective
  • The chart should be easy to read
  • Keep it simple 
  • Use MNEMONICs when possible
  • The anchor chart should be pleasing to the eye

The anchor charts, below, are among the top charts that are tried and true resources for students year after year!

Once students can identify one of these four ways they can use to help understand a word's meaning, the light goes on in their brain and they will use this knowledge for the rest of their lives!
Once students can identify one of these four ways they can use to help understand a word's meaning, the light goes on in their brain and they will use this knowledge for the rest of their lives!

Theme vs main idea is often hard for students to understand how they are different. This is THE best anchor chart I have ever made to help students understand the difference.
Theme vs main idea is often hard for students to understand how they are different. This is THE best anchor chart I have ever made to help students understand the difference.

This anchor chart is an example of what I call “On-going Novel Anchor Charts.”  This chart helps students identify direct and indirect characterization of characters, while students are reading and discussing the novel. 

After the class worked together to build This anchor chart, for the character of Auggie, from the dynamic book Wonder by R. J. Palacio, they were more confident when building their own charts about other characters.  Model. Model. Model.  There is no better substitute!!

When students have a tangible guideline that they can refer, It lessens anxiety about what to do, and students are able to focus on the task at hand.  

Share this post:

About Me

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My Background

I received my B.S. Degree in secondary English education from Mississippi State University. and later took graduate courses, encompassing a myriad of classes from digital media and videography to courses on the major Southern Writers.  


Little did I know, this was the beginning, not the end of my education.  After 28 years in the classroom, I can say, without a doubt, that I learned more from my students than I ever learned from formal education.  


I began teaching high school English at the age of twenty-two, and I have never lost my passion to teach.  


My love of teaching is contagious. I love sharing ideas and resources with co-workers, which has led to a new journey in education as an independent consultant, specializing in helping motivate and encourage teachers, by sharing “tried and true” methods I have used over a span of twenty-eight years as a classroom teacher,  over my 28 year career teaching high-school English, journalism, video production, drama, public speaking, as well as teaching middle school language arts for seven years.  


My main focus as a consultant is to help teachers integrate technology into their lessons, as well as a myriad of creative methods I have successfully used year after year to motivate all students, even reluctant learners.  


Also, I specialize in helping teachers develop classroom management strategies that work. 

 

Seeing the light come back into the eyes of discouraged and overwhelmed educators makes my job as an educational consultant rewarding. 


I believe all teachers need encouragement, no matter how long they have been teaching, and sometimes that is enough to help teachers gain confidence in themselves, which ultimately makes them better teachers.  

It’s amazing how the classroom environment feels when all students feel equally important.

My Family

I am a wife, mother of three boys, a daughter, a sister and a friend, Also, I am an author, a song-writer, and a singer. I have a myriad of hobbies that range from hand-lettering to crocheting.  As a life-long learner, I am constantly seeking new experiences and an open mind to try new things.  I am a voracious reader and especially love to listen to audiobooks, while going about my day to day tasks.  

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About Me

When I'm not working, I love spending time with my three boys, my two daughters by marriage, my husband, extended family and friends and three little girls, who call me G.G. I am so blessed.  


I am also a published song-writer and singer and love singing on stage and connect with the audience through testimony and song.  I  also love to paint, crochet, sew, and a myriad of other crafts.   


Reading is something I do, every day.  As time has gone by and my life has gotten busier, I especially love the convenience of reading audio books.  



Audiobooks in the Classroom

Using refurbished ipods is a great way to start Audiobook Reading Groups.

Using Audiobooks in the Classroom is one of the Best Ways to Encourage Reluctant Readers

A nook in my classroom set up with an audiobook reading center.

Audiobook "Reading Groups"

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Check out my Blog

Check out my blog and subscribe to receive valuable tips about how to set up a cost efficient audiobook reading center.  It's worth it!  

Contact Me

Get in Touch

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How can I help?

Every teacher, whether veteran or novice, is an evolving learner!  My hope is to be able to share ideas with other educators, as well as give voice for other educators to share ideas.  Collaboration with each other is one of the most powerful tools teachers have.  

Angela Sanders Adams

Video

Check out this great video

The Key to Student Success

Students who know their teachers care about them are far more likely to have confidence in their own abilities and try harder.  Sometimes it makes a world of difference to know that one person believes in you.