Prefixes and suffixes

I am going to use Beyonce's Irreplaceable to highlight prefixes and suffixes.  It is something that the kids already know and understand.  I want to help them to determine that affixes have the power to change word meanings. 

Beyonce-Irreplaceable+lyrics

Persuasive Speech Example

We are studying persuasive writing.  What better way to highlight this skill than in political speeches?

Barack Obama Speech at 2004 DNC Convention

Thanksgiving 2010

Holiday Whiplash:  

Why is it that the holidays are on a rampage? I guess it has always been this way, but this year it is getting on my nerves. They bring out Christmas lights in late October/ early November.  Harvest decorations hardly have a chance.  Halloween candy is out in early September.  Easter candy is out before the Valentine's hearts are eaten.  I'm all for holiday celebrations, but can I get a chance to celebrate one before the next one eases in? Just a thought...................

Author's Purpose Youtube Video

The kids need to understand the author's purpose for writing a particular passage.  This is a great little video to play anytime you are discussing the purpose behind an author's writing.

Author's Purpose From Comprehension Learning Upgrade

Watch and Learn Developing Fluency Questions

Do you think that there are some students who will not learn the materials in a regular classroom?  the teacher in the video is not doing anything that is radically different that the regular classroom teacher, why are the kids responding to the guided prompts for her if they cannot do it in their daily classrooms? Are we over schooling these kids?  Why go to after school, when you just got out of school?  How much school is too much?

Teaching Third Grade -Watch and Learn Developing Fluency Video

In this video, the speakers discuss fluency.  Fluency is the thorn in my side as a third grade teacher because up until now, the students have been drilled to just call the words as fast as they can, a phenomenon known as diebels.  I am constantly telling the students to slow down, read with expression, and to pause at the appropriate breaks such as at a comma.  It is almost like I am teaching to read, really read, and not just call words on a page.

Watch & Learn: Developing Fluency

Class Blogs Reviewed!

1. I chose to review Taylors Lakes Primary School Art blog .  I love to see kids being creative with art materials.  I have never been much of an artist, but I always loved art class in school.  It is one place where there is truly no right or wrong way to do things.  I particularly like the Fantastic Fiji Joy creation.  Purple is my favorite color, and the details are very intricate.  It is always good to give kids another medium for expression.  We must get away from cookie cutter education. Eight learning intelligences have been identified, yet we continue to teach to one or two.
.http://tlpsart.edublogs.org/2010/10/28/fantastic-fiji-ahoy/comment-page-1/#comment-279

2. I chose to review Georgetown Elementary School.  The section I commented on was about NPR's new segment called Save a Word.. I considered being an etymologist at one point because words and their origins are absolutely fascinating. If you think about it, how do words get a meaning?  We all agree to it.  That is why the English language is so fascinating.-bank means a place to store your money and a side of a river.
http://georgetown.edublogs.org/2010/11/16/save-a-word/

3. I also found a great website called MR P TECH TEACH, and it is basically just great interactive games.  I could really use this with my third grade class.  After they have completed an assignment, I give them free time to take an Accelerated Reader test on the computer.  These games are also a great academic activity for  them to try.  I am trying to incorporate technology into my lesson plans, so educational games are a great way to do it.
http://teachtech.edublogs.org/23-grade/

4. For a second grade class  in Brisbane Australia, building a monster was fun and educational.  2R shining stars is a blog that highlights the Monster Project completed by students in different classes.  At some point the students came together, and built the monster.  The project encouraged collaboration and communication between classes.  As we get older, we tend to not want to work in groups, but students in younger grades do not have that built in bias against group work. I work with students along this same age group, and they want to be in groups when they are working.  I want to foster their natural tendencies into a cooperative approach to the challengers of third grade as well as in everyday life.

http://2rshiningstars.blogspot.com/

Infographics Powerpoint

I recently discovered a new technique for information distribution.  It is called Infographics.  The name really says it all.  The idea is information displayed graphically so that it can be easily related and understood by all.  The appeals of it are endless because it is a visual representation.   I saved my PowerPoint in Google Docs.
This is a link to it.

LaMareshia Johnson's Infographic PowerPoint.ppt

http://vimeo.com/15866184--This is a ink for Turn It Off, a video by Nigel Upchurch that highlights the fact that we all need to reduce our Carbon footprint, and turn off our computers. Every little bit helps.

Education Today and Tomorrow paragraph 21st Century Learning

A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions. - Anonymous

 This video highlights the fact that we are still teaching in ways that are counterproductive to the interests of the United  States.  Other developed nations are taking the lead in education.  The video highlights China in particular.  We have lost the focus of what education should be, a way to empower and prepare the next generation for success. When we are unwilling or unable to adapt to the new technology wave sweeping our nation, we are stifling the growth of our children.  


We ask them to leave home, when even the most meager family has some sort of technology, and more likely than not, they have a game of some sort. We ask them to sit stationary in a desk for up to six hours.  No wonder they love PE and lunch so much, at least they get to move and talk to each other.  the question s related to this video are on an earlier post.  Thanks for your time and interest.

Video questions for Education Today and Tomorrow 21st Century Leaning

Thought provoking questions:

• Are we truly shaping our students to be innovators? 
• Are we preparing them for the future or the past? 
• Is the United States becoming inferior in education to other nations?
• Can we reach those innovative thinkers without trying to teach them in a cookie cutter style?

Education Today and Tomorrow

Working girl

I recently got a job teaching third grade in Meridian, MS.  My school is West Hills Elementary.  The other teachers have been so nice and friendly to me.  I absolutely love it there.  The kids are challenging- behavior wise; therefore, I am struggling to find a behavior management plan that has an impact on them. I am a TEACHER! Miracles never cease.

Introduction Revised

I am LaMareshia Johnson, a 30 year old graduate of The University of West Alabama.  I have a dual degree in Early Childhood/ Elementary Education.  I am currently working on my graduate degree in the same subjects as well. I also have an Associate in Arts degree from the Alabama Southern Community College.

I am a mother of three great kids, Christina (11), Mya (7), and Zachary (4).

I have worked in education for five years as a Headstart teacher, and from that experience I feel that three important qualities that every teacher should possess are: patience, fairness, and a love for children.