Wendy Says

Teachers, raise your hand if reading time is your favorite part of the day! Without a doubt, one of the most frustrating issues a teacher has to deal with is reading. In a normal classroom, you may have a few students who are dyslexic, some who might need glasses but don’t know it, others who barely get by, and of course, the few whiz kids who are beyond their age level. Thanks to teacher’s aides and volunteers, you can usually divide your students into categories of similar skill levels. We know that the better a child’s reading foundation is, the better his/her chances are at succeeding in school.

The availability of the computer and internet in the classroom has profoundly changed our teaching strategies. We already know that our young students can easily outdo us when it comes to digital games, so I want to share with you a couple websites that are using current technology designed to help all of us. I’m in support of anything that can make a difficult job easier, especially when it’s free!

1.    Children’s Storybooks Online (Magic Keys) 

• This site provides illustrated stories for children from the beginner level to young adult.
• Many of the stories also come with audio capabilities.
• Because this is a free site, there are several ads displayed. In this case, I suggest you check them out as they offer even more ways to effectively enhance your teaching success.
• Click on any story, and you will see that you can easily control what page you are on. If your classroom has a projector that you can access with your computer, you can easily share this with everyone at the same time. Conversely, just using your monitor is useful for a small group.
• Book choices are limited, but it is a great place to begin.

2.    ABC Fast Phonics 

• This is a sister site to the above one and is a phonics tutorial with sound and cartoons for all ages.
• The homepage is cheerful and colorful, which is an immediate attention-getter.
• It offers a variety of words and topics and then breaks them down into phonetic categories that are easy to understand.
• The learning activities are handled like games which takes away much of the apprehension experienced by the children; this is the kind of thing they’ve been doing since they were old enough to push buttons on toddler-style keyboards!
• Be sure to note in the right sidebar that the site is included in the Association for Library Services for Children.

By doing a Google search for “free online books,” you will be amazed at how many resources are out there. Technology is here to stay, and it is our job, as well as our responsibility, to make the best use of it as possible. Teachers, you can do this!

We’ve all been there; trying to enjoy a peaceful dinner at a restaurant or watch a movie in the theatre, when a person speaking loudly into a cell phone breaks our auditory solitude. We cast annoyed glances, maybe even a reprimanding look towards the offender, who very often doesn’t even register our frustration. This frustrates us more.

Many times these cell-phone abusers are adults who ought to know better; after all, most seem to be professionals who are carrying on some type of business so urgent they can’t wait until after they’ve eaten their beef and broccoli to discuss it. But many times the cellular-gabbers are teenagers who probably haven’t been instructed in basic cell phone etiquette. They live what they see, so to speak, and mimic the behaviors of those around them.

Texting is another issue that seems to be cropping up in the news with relative frequency. Adolescents are able to text without even looking at the keypad, rendering it an effective tool for cheating on tests and sending answers to their friends. Students are also sending text messages to threaten and intimidate students, and the harassment is having detrimental consequences for many teens.

It’s estimated that children as young at 8 years old own and use cell phones. But are parents giving them any instruction on phone etiquette? Not to talk on their cell phones in a library, while checking out at a store, and not answering a ringing cell when they are speaking to someone in person? Not to text while at a family party, or especially while driving?

Michelle Cimino tackles this very issue in her book, Cell Phone Etiquette, Observations from a Mom. She unabashedly admits to her love and obsession with cell phones and their many benefits, such as “…the allure of being available to your customers…and the beauty of being able to find my daughter…” She’s not just a fan of cellular technology, she also feels it’s important to teach kids how to use their devices—which includes texting—at appropriate times and in respectful ways.

Cimino uses her life experience as a mom of two teenage daughters, along with her own observations, to provide parents, teachers, and students a go-to guide for appropriate cell phone use. The best part of Cimino’s book however, is the comprehensive list of texting acronyms located at the end. Parents and educators would be well advised to copy this list and post it near the bed or keep a copy in your briefcase or purse and commit it to memory. One of the most effective tools for making sure your children are using technology appropriately (and your attempts at keeping them safe as well) is a parent’s ability to know what children are saying in their conversations with each other. If parents and teachers aren’t familiar with the likes of “404,” “10,” or “LTTIC,” which are acronyms for “I haven’t a clue,”  “parent is watching,” and “look the teacher is coming,” respectively, they will be left out in the cold when it comes to deciphering messages and may miss an important opportunity to intervene. It will also help you text your own children, who may respond better to “OMDB” (“over my dead body”) than hearing you utter the word “no” when they ask to attend a late-night party in a secluded location.

Not all teens and tweens misuse their cell phones, but educating them about respectful ways to use technology in public will go along way towards a happy, smiling community; where people can enjoy their movie and dinner in peace. For more information about cell phone etiquette and texting tips, check out Michelle’s website at: http://www.getmanners.com. BB4N!