Category: Giveaway

On Teaching Students about Setting Goals

12/18/2013

Hello everyone. At this time of year, I start to think about the goals I have made for this year...whether I accomplished them or not. If so, how well. If not, why not. So, today's post is all about goals.
First, I tried to teach my students the importance of setting goals. I make sure that I say it in a way where the children felt comfortable with it. I included that everyone has something to work on or do. So, in order to work on it or do it, we often set goals. Even then young kindergarteners understood the concept. They enjoyed seeing their progress and achieving their goals. Not only that, but they felt like they had some say in what they were learning.
I tried to promote setting and achieving goals throughout the year. However, usually after major assessments, I would talk with children about their skills. The level of the conversation was based on the level of the child's understanding. Sometimes it was in the form of a simple choice. "What do you want to work on for your goal, learning more letters or learning more numbers?" Sometimes it was a little more specific. "You have five more letters to learn, you have 2 more numbers, or 10 more sounds. Which one do you want to work on for your goal?" Sometimes it was an open-ended question. "What would you like to work on for your goal?" Often they weren't true goals with specific steps and a specific time frame, etc. But, it was definitely a start for kindergarten students.
After the students chose their goals, I wrote them on a 3x5 index card similar to the one pictured. I named the goal and ideas of how to help the child achieve it. I also sent home a general note to parents explaining the goal setting, encouraging parents to help their children, and giving more ideas on how to practice each skill.
This was in addition to their normal work and homework. It wasn't graded or anything. It only helped them and never took away from their regular work. It did take a few minutes away from class time. But could often be done in a few minutes as they came in the door or finished an activity early, etc. I thought it was well worth it!

As stated earlier, this is the time of year when I think quite a bit about goals. It is true! I have been doing just that! I am considering my goals for next year.
I have some ideas and am planning some things for 2014. Yet, I would like to hear your comments, questions, ideas, inputs, and feedback as well. What would you like to see happen at DUO Education? New blog ideas? New classes? New programs? New services? New pages? Blogging more than once a week? Different page layouts? More activities? More news? More teaching strategies? More educational products? More guest bloggers? Please comment or contact me with any ideas. And, the more specific you can get, the better. Thank you!

This is the last post about the "Clarinda Cloud" giveaway contest for the year. This contest is in hopes of getting comments to help me with my goals by sharing your ideas for the site with me:

Here is the last "Clarinda Cloud" contest of the year! This one, everyone can do! All you have to do is answer a couple of questions. You can answer the ones here, the ones atwww.ClarindaCloud.com on Clarinda Cloud's Feelings Blog, or atwww.AuthorJodiDesautels.weebly.com on my author blog. Of course, answering them at all three is good too! LOL!
A winner will be chosen from all the entries at the end of the month. If nobody answers at least two of the questions, I will find a place to donate a copy. If you want to comment, but would rather donate a book to someone, feel free to do that as well. (Please, U.S. addresses only at this time.) Thank you!

Here are your two questions for this site:
1. Please explore the site and blog. What is your favorite blog post and why?
2. Please explore the site. What else would you like to see on the site and why? A class? If so, what kind? Another type of activity? If so, what kind? Homework help? More guest bloggers? If so, what kind? More teaching aids? If so, what kind? What would you like to see out of this site? What else would you like to see me offer?

*Also my ebooks, "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" and "Clarinda Cloud" are free today on Kindle. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to get your copies. I would love to know what you think of them. Thank you!

Next Wednesday is Christmas! I will not be posting on Wednesday, but will write a simple post on Tuesday wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

2 Comments

The "S" Stocking Activity

12/11/2013

4 Comments

Hi everyone! How are you today? I thought I would include an activity that I used to do with my kindergarten class about this time of year. It is a great activity to practice beginning sound for kindergarten and preschool classes.
Back then, I used a template that was drawn by someone else. This is a stocking that I drew. (LOL! I hope it looks like a stocking.)
The activity is simple. You ask children to fill the stocking with things that start with "s." That means they will draw things that start with "s" all over the stocking.
At this point in the year, my students were usually just starting to put letters and sounds together to write their own words. So, often I would have them try to label their drawings as well. For some of them, the labeling would just include making an "s" next to the object. For others, I would expect them to write down as many of the sounds in the word as they could.
I usually made a big deal out of this activity. It came at a perfect time to use it for some informal assessments. I would have the students color the items they drew as well as the stockings. Then, we would all get in a circle on the floor in order to share our drawings. Yes, I did one too! I also displayed them all on the wall or bulletin board.
I was able to assess things such as: the letter and sound correspondence, the ability to hear sounds in a word and write them down, fine motor skills, and speaking in a group.
Depending on your setting (home, public school, private school, etc.) and your limitations. You could also use this activity as the beginning to a talk about the tradition of hanging stockings at Christmas time. Or, you could ask children if there is anything in their stocking that they would like for Christmas.

Notes and Announcements

Yes, first of all, I would like to say that I am gearing up for some exciting things in 2014. I would like to do what I can to bring more traffic to the site, get more interaction, and supply more educational information, services, activities, etc. My hope is to build a nice community or even "family" of educators and learners. If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them. Feel free to comment here or contact me.
Secondly, my ebooks are going to be free on Kindle on December 17th and 18th. It would be a great time to check them out and perhaps even give a review! Please check out "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun" on Amazon.com. Taking advantage of an ebook giveaway is a great way to pick up new books, decide whether you would like to have a book in softcover, or write a review for an author. I am not a big fan of ebooks for children. However, they do make it easier to bring along your child's favorite books for vacations, trips to the movies, shopping trips, etc. If you have any questions or comments about my books, or ideas for me to use in future books, that you would like to share with me, please feel free to contact me.
Speaking of book giveaways, I am going to be co-hosting (with author/illustrator Virginia Wright) and participating in a Facebook event called, "2nd Annual Author Christmas Giveaway," on December 17th. Various authors are going to be getting together online to give away their books either in ebook form or softcover form. If you are on Facebook, please feel free to stop by. You are all welcome! It is a great way to chat with authors online!
Also, please remember that I am having a book giveaway contest for "Clarinda Cloud" for the month of December. Really, I am looking for feedback on my sites and interaction. However, I am happy to giveaway a book in the process. It is a win/win for both of us, right? Please follow the links for the blog posts on these sites for more information and to comment. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you!
*DUO Education Learning Blog
*Clarinda Cloud's Feeling Blog
*What is New with Jodi Desautels?

4 Comments

"Snowman's 'Noggin and Neck' Award" and the Importance of Wordless Books

12/4/2013

6 Comments

Hi everyone! I saw this whimsical little cover come across my Facebook page. Aren't the snowmen adorable? I am FB friends with the author, so I inquired about it!
"Snowman's 'Noggin and Neck' Award" by Joyce Mitchell is primarily a wordless book. The book is about Prancer and Blitzen (two of Santa's reindeer) go around the neighborhood looking at all the snowmen. The only words are an introduction, an ending, and labels for the home where the snowman was built.
Wordless books like this one have great educational value. It leaves so much for the imagination of young children who can't read. Wordless books get children thinking about the story, by getting them to look at the picture and make up their own story. This leads to using the pictures as cues for figuring out the words as a strategy when they really start to read.
In this particular book, where the images are similar... different looking snowmen in various yards. Venn diagrams can be done on two different images at a time. It is a great book for lessons on similarities and differences. And, the topic of cute little snowmen makes it that much more exciting for the children, especially in the winter months.
"Snowman's 'Noggin and Neck' Award" is currently only available as an ebook at the moment. You can find it on Amazon.com by pressing the title text or the picture image.

You can connect with Joyce on her Facebook page. She has other children's books listed there. I haven't read all of them, but hope you find one that you enjoy!

Notes and Announcements:

*First of all, you may have noticed, but Clarinda Cloud is getting a new cover! Instead of the plain cover that she has now, she is getting the one below. So, if you see it, know that it is the same great story with a different cover. She will be unavailable for a day or two during the switch.
*Secondly, I am always looking for guest bloggers, friendly and inspiring educational sites to visit, etc. I also give shout outs at times...for innovative educational sites and ideas. If you would like to guest blog or if you have an educational site, article, or product you would like me to see... please feel free to contact me.

Here is the last "Clarinda Cloud" contest of the year! This one, everyone can do! All you have to do is answer a couple of questions. You can answer the ones here, the ones at www.ClarindaCloud.com on Clarinda Cloud's Feelings Blog, or at www.AuthorJodiDesautels.weebly.com on my author blog. Of course, answering them at all three is good too! LOL!
A winner will be chosen from all the entries at the end of the month. If nobody answers at least two of the questions, I will find a place to donate a copy. If you want to comment, but would rather donate a book to someone, feel free to do that as well. Thank you!

Here are your two questions for this site:
1. Please explore the site and blog. What is your favorite blog post and why?
2. Please explore the site. What else would you like to see on the site and why? A class? If so, what kind? Another type of activity? If so, what kind? Homework help? More guest bloggers? If so, what kind? More teaching aids? If so, what kind? What would you like to see out of this site? What else would you like to see me offer?

6 Comments

Rhyming Word Search, Giveaway Contest, and More

11/13/2013

5 Comments

Hi everyone! Today I am featuring a word search. This one is a rhyming word search. There are many "make your own word search" programs out there. I did this one using Microsoft Word and Photoshop. I also put a prompt to write a sentence using one of the set of rhyming words at the bottom.
I think word searches are fun teaching tools to help with reading and spelling. Word recognition and recognizing the correct spelling of a word are helpful reading skills.
Feel free to use this one. Also, if you have any ideas or requests for any other word searches, please feel free to comment or contact me. Thank you!

Giveaway Contest

Everyone likes a chance for a free book, right? Do you know the name of the waterfall pictured here? Do you know where in the world is Clarinda Cloud? If so, comment your answer for a chance to win the book. I will give you a hint. It is in my home state of Vermont! If you don't know.... that is okay. Please comment your suggestion of an elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor where I should donate the book if nobody guesses the correct answer. (U.S. addresses only at this time, please.) A free "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" will be given away at the beginning of next month either way. Thank you!

Please Explore the Site

I just want to remind everyone that it is a good idea to explore the site on a regular basis. I try to add things often. There is much more to this site than the blog. (Although, I try to make the DUO Education Learning Blog fun and informative as well.)
Speaking of adding things regularly, I am thinking about making the picture to the left DUO Education's new logo. What do you think?
Anyway, there are many helpful pages on DUO Education. Do you or do you know anyone who needs help in math, reading, writing, or study skills? DUO Education offers online tutoring services. It is affordable, individualized, and friendly. How about having an author or illustrator guest speak in your class or library with The Storyteller's Tale Webinar series via the internet? I also have pages with books, activities, and posters that I have created. And... don't forget the game room, where you can play non-violent, educational and strategic games.
I constantly try to make DUO Education: new, fun, appealing, educational, insightful, inspiring, and different. I try to make it a community of learning. Please, let me be a resource for you... and if there is anything you want to share, promote, ask, or whatever... please feel free to contact me.

5 Comments

Another Book Giveaway Contest and Fill in the Silly Nouns Sheet

11/6/2013

8 Comments

Hi everyone! Last month I started a monthly giveaway from now until the end of the year. Nobody guessed where Clarinda Cloud was, so I will be donating a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" to a library. By the way, she was at Hartman's Farm Stand in Sheldon, Vermont. (Please stop in, if you are in the area. They have great produce. And, no, I am not related nor do I get paid in anyway for saying that.)
Time for another book giveaway contest! As you can see the "Clarinda Cloud Activity Book" is Photoshopped into a picture of a waterfall. Which waterfall is it? Do you know? Where in the world is Clarinda Cloud? Please comment your answer for a chance to get a free copy and if you don't know, please just comment the name of the elementary school, daycare, library, or children's counselor in the U.S. where you would want me to donate it if nobody guesses. (U.S. addresses only at this time, please.) Good luck!

Now, for the educational news of the day: LOL! (I can't say that... a chance to win a wonderful activity book focused on identifying and sharing feelings as well as other basic skills is fantastic educational news as well!) I have been creating educational materials and activities lately. Here is one on nouns.
Many times children will enjoy learning if you make it fun or silly! I know I enjoy learning if it is fun... not always when it is silly, but sometimes. This activity is based upon the old "Madlibs" game. It just prompts the child to fill in a noun. The answer is correct if there is a noun on the line. But... you can challenge the student to fill in the silliest noun for the sentence.
The great thing about a sheet like this is that you can use it for multiple purposes. It can be used simply as a language arts lesson. But.... you can also use it as a bunch of writing prompts for silly and imaginative stories. You can use it as a lesson in description. You can also have students draw a picture depicting each sentence. There are man possibilities!
Please feel free to use me as a resource. If there is a particular activity or skill that you want addressed, feel free to comment below or contact me. Thank you!

8 Comments

An Old Time Reading Activity

10/30/2013

2 Comments

Hi everyone! Today I decided to recreate an activity page that I did for my brother years ago, when I was first teaching him how to read and spell. I was only like seven or eight at the time.
This is a simple match the word to the picture activity. It can be used as part of a spelling or reading lesson. Here I drew simple pictures. And, I mixed up the labels for the pictures on the right hand side.
Why did I choose to show you this activity? I did it for a few different reasons.
First of all, I did it to give you some insight as to the type of activities I used to teach my brother reading and spelling when I was a young child. Apparently a teacher gave me similar activity at one time. I enjoyed it, so I thought my brother would enjoy it as well. What a wonderful way to tell that it is an effective tool... have a child spontaneously give the same activity to her brother in "playing school."
Secondly, this activity is fairly easy to do. And, you don't have to be an artist in order to do it. When I was little, sometimes I would give blank squares and have my brother even draw the pictures. And, today, there is clipart that can be easily used at home. I did this in Photoshop, but back then I did it with pencil and paper. Sometimes, I would turn it into a coloring activity as well and have my brother color the pictures after he was done the matching.
Finally, this activity in an example of something that can be done together with your child. I had a homeschooling mom tell me once that she wanted to wait until she could buy a curriculum until she taught her children. But... there are things you can do without a curriculum. Learning doesn't always need a curriculum. Learning can be a spontaneous, spur of the moment sort of thing.
The point is... the most effective teaching is when you make the subject fun. It isn't the curriculum you choose. It isn't something that has to be complicated. Sometimes the motivation to learn is to spend some quality time with a loved one. You don't have to be perfect at teaching, just willing to try.

Please remember that you still have a chance to get a copy of Clarinda Cloud donated to your favorite elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor. I have already given the hint that this photo was taken in Franklin County, Vermont. Yes, "Clarinda Cloud" is on a tractor. The tractor is at a place that sells many pumpkins. Any idea where it might be? That is okay... even if you don't, please comment with the name of the elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor you would like to receive the book. (Please, U.S. addresses only at this time.) I will donate one, even if nobody knows the answer. Good luck! Thank you!

2 Comments

Mixed Multiplication Quiz

10/23/2013

2 Comments

Hi everyone! Not too long ago, I shared a presentation on multiplication practice. I have decided to show how the same presentation format can be used as a multiplication quiz.
This format would be great for in class quizzes, for a small group or whole group activity, for homework, and for schools as well as homeschoolers. There are 20 multiplication questions here. Each has a five second delay in order to give time for answering the question. The quiz has a frame instructing students to number their papers from one to twenty if it is to be a written quiz. You can pause the presentation to allow time to do that, if the given time is not long enough.
I know that this technology could serve great purposes as learning tools. If you have a subject or skill you would like me in which you would like me to use for a presentation, please feel free to contact me.

Reminder:

There is still time to tell me where you think I should donate a copy of "Clarinda Cloud." Do you know where this photo was taken? It seems to be difficult. To be true, Vermonters may have an advantage. I will give you a hint. It was taken in Franklin County, Vermont. Do you know where?
If you want a chance to win a copy of "Clarinda Cloud" for yourself, you can comment the name of the place on my author site. If you don't know, still leave a comment as to which elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor I should donate a copy. (If nobody guesses, I am still going to donate a copy. Please only U.S. addresses at this time.)
Good luck! Thank you!

2 Comments

Clarinda Cloud Joins the Bullying Awareness/Anti-bullying Campaign

10/16/2013

4 Comments

Hi everyone! How are you? October is violence awareness month. (I hope I have that title correct.) Anyway, bullying behavior is a growing form of violence. It is one that has touched my community lately. We had a girl take her own life not long ago because of the bullying with which she was tormented. It is sad.
Bullying takes place at school, at home, in the neighborhood, and over the internet. There are even sites that seem to promote bullying behaviors.
So, I have decided to do my part to try to stop the bullying and the torment that comes from the bullying behaviors. Here is one of my posters on bullying awareness/antibullying/bullying prevention.
Clarinda Cloud is a character in two of my currently published children's books. I am hoping she is headed towards stardom and hope she will make a great anti-bullying spokescloud. Her message is always that the healthy sharing of feelings is so important. She always shares her feelings and wants to encourage others to share their feelings as well. For those of you who don't know the books featuring Clarinda Cloud and who would like to see these books focusing on feelings, here they are:

Do you know any programs that could use Clarinda Cloud as spokescloud or a Clarinda Cloud poster on bullying awareness or bullying prevention? If so, please contact me. If you want to know more about Clarinda Cloud and her message, please go to her website at www.ClarindaCloud.com. Thank you!

Notes and Notices:

There is still time to guess where this photo was taken in order to win a free copy of Clarinda Cloud or an educational school, daycare, library, or children's counselor of your choosing. (Please, only US addresses at this time.) If you want to win it for yourself, please make your comment at my author blog.
I will give you a hint. This is taken in my home state. I am not looking for a country or a state though. For this photo, I am looking for either town/city or a specific place. And, no, it is not in my back yard. It is in someone's or some business' back yard though.
Don't know where it is? That is okay! Please comment with the name of an elementary school, daycare, library, or children's counselor where you think I should send it anyway. I will still give a copy to an elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor in the US. Good luck!

Please take the time to explore the site. I am creating customized header pictures for some pages of DUO Education and doing what I can to make the site more effective, more efficient, and more appealing! I want it to have a professional and appealing look, as well as have the individualized and unique feel.
Just a reminder, I update the site often, so please check back and explore often. Also, if you have an educational need, concern, tip, strategy, post, etc.... that you would like to share, please feel free to contact me. Thank you!

4 Comments

Where in the World is Clarinda Cloud?

10/9/2013

4 Comments

Hi everyone! I am going to do something a little bit different today! Everyone likes a contest, right? And, everyone likes to get something for free, right? Well, I am going to try this contest monthly for the rest of the year and see what happens. I know what you are saying, "but this isn't educational and you only write about educational things." Right? Well, this is educational!
Treasure hunts and asking probing questions about text or images are effective ways of educating people. Also, they are fun strategies to use in education. I am just modeling this technique. LOL! Also, the books that I am featuring ARE EDUCATIONAL! So, there is education all over this blog post! LOL!
Okay. Here is how it works. I will post pictures each month of a book featuring Clarinda Cloud and ask "Where in the World is Clarinda Cloud?" (That is the name of the contest.) For the first person who comments where it is, I will send a copy of the book featured to the elementary school, library, daycare, or child counselor of your choice. (Only U.S. addresses at this time.)
Want to win the book yourself, that is fine too! Please make your comment on my author blog here! Yes, DUO Education will be competing with my author site, located at www.authorjodidesautels.weebly.com.
Don't know the answer? Comment anyway! If nobody guesses the correct answer, I will put all the suggestions from DUO Education and from my author site in a hat and send it to the elementary school, library, daycare, or children's counselor of your choice. When you make the comments here, please also tell me one thing you think I could do to make this site more effective. Thank you!
I think this is a great educational activity and a great way to get some awareness for Clarinda Cloud and the books in which she is featured. Speaking of Clarinda Cloud, have you gone over to check out her new site yet at www.ClarindaCloud.com?

4 Comments

Education Isn't My Only Passion and Giveaway

9/4/2013

2 Comments

Hi everyone! As some of you may know, education is not my only passion. I also enjoy writing and illustrating children's books.
The picture on the left is a poster of my current published books. All of them are educational in nature. Two of them, "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun," are free on Kindle September 3rd and 4th.
I write books that are educational, wholesome, relatable, age appropriate, and fun! I want children to be able to get involved, to explore, to get excited about reading and learning!
I believe that reading and education is so important, especially at an early age. I have seen so many studies that say, that most of our foundation is built before kindergarten. Often that foundation effects the directions our paths will take us.
I used to teach kindergarten and enjoyed it! My students were so young and full of awe! They taught me as much as I taught them. They enjoyed learning and I did everything I could to continue that legacy! Maybe that is why I enjoy writing children's books the most.
Please take a moment to check out my books! You can find links for them on the top of the page. Just press on the book icons. Or, you can press the links here for "Clarinda Cloud" and "Johnny's Adventure Makes Reading Fun." Thank you!
This current give away is turning out to be my most successful one thus far! I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share my posts, download my books, write reviews, etc. You have all been so helpful!
I would like to feature one of my reviews here. This is a review by Author Lorieen D. Henry:
5.0 out of 5 stars Identifying Feelings September 3, 2013
By Author Lorieen D. Henry
Format:Kindle Edition
Great Book! My daughter really enjoyed the book. I appreciated the way the author helped to address feelings. I'd recommend this book for 2-6 year olds.
Thank you Lorieen. I like to reward those who are helpful, so to visit her site, please press the link here. She doesn't know I am doing this, so please tell her that I sent you. Thank you.

Submit

2 Comments

<<Previous

On Teaching Students about Setting Goals

The "S" Stocking Activity

Notes and Announcements

"Snowman's 'Noggin and Neck' Award" and the Importance of Wordless Books

Notes and Announcements:

Rhyming Word Search, Giveaway Contest, and More

Giveaway Contest

Please Explore the Site

Another Book Giveaway Contest and Fill in the Silly Nouns Sheet

An Old Time Reading Activity

Mixed Multiplication Quiz

Reminder:

Clarinda Cloud Joins the Bullying Awareness/Anti-bullying Campaign

Notes and Notices:

Where in the World is Clarinda Cloud?

Education Isn't My Only Passion and Giveaway

I am constantly trying new things and finding ways to make the site better. I look forward to being able to better help you. Please take a minute to fill out the following survey. If you have other thoughts, please feel free to use the contact me page. Thank you.

Jodi Desautels

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