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On Teaching Students about Setting Goals

12/18/2013

2 Comments

 
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     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!

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     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!

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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!

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     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

 
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     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

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     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

Education Isn't My Only Passion and Giveaway

9/4/2013

2 Comments

 
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     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.

    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.

Submit
2 Comments

Introducing a New Educational Webinar Service in the Works

4/17/2013

8 Comments

 
     DUO Education has some great things in the works!!!!  Today, I would like to present one of them.  I am currently working on a creating a webinar service that connects young adult and children's authors and illustrators with students.  It would almost be like the author/illustrator was making a school visit, only it would be on the internet instead of in person.
     I have already got quite a bit of interest for this program from authors.  I just thought of adding the illustrators.  I believe this would be both beneficial for the authors, illustrators, and the students... as well as broaden the audience of the program.  This could be marketed to art classes as well as library classes and literacy classes.  I have already talked with someone who works in an elementary school and have some support there.
     I am so excited!  This idea seems to be catching on like wild fire!  Now, I just need to work out some of the logistics:  Which author/illustrator will be on which show?  How will schools find out or sign up?  What will the format of each program be?  How will the webinar interface work?  Which one will work best?
     Currently, I am working on gathering a list of authors and/or illustrators who would like to be a part of the program.  For now, I cannot offer any payment.  I need to know how it will work out and what my expenses will be.  So, for now... it will be plenty of free exposure to the authors and illustrators who write and/or illustrate children's books and YA books.  If you are interested, please contact me through the contact page at this link /contact-me.html, message me on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jodi.gabert?ref=tn_tnmn, or email me at duo_dynamics@yahoo.com with your name, title(s), genres(s), reading level(s), audience level(s), and any site or contact information you would like to share.  Also, please share, share, share about this program!!!! Help me to get the word out and make this a success for all!  
     I will be on the list to present some of my books.  Shown here are two of my books.  More are in the works!
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You could have your books listed too!  I will do my best to help promote you and your books as well as the program.  
     Yes... I keep calling it "a webinar" or "the program" because I have not decided on an official name for it yet.  If you have any ideas, please let me know.  I would also be happy to hear any suggestions on the logistics!  Please consider this great idea!  I look forward to hearing from you!  I believe that this would be a great learning opportunity for many, many students!  Thank you!

On a Related Note.....

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     I would like to introduce a very close friend of mine, Angie Harris.  She is an author and illustrator who is on my list as well.  Her books include a YA/Adult book titled, "The Realm" and children's book titled, "Momma's Little Helpers."
     She also presents a webinar which helped give me my idea called "The Weekly Bookclub Webinar."  This is a similar program for adult audiences which takes place on the weekend.  Her program is free for authors and readers.  Please check it out at http://angieharris.weebly.com/weekly-bookclub-webinar.html!  I have attended her webinars on more than one occasion.  They are informal, entertaining, and informational!  It is a growing success!  Congrats Angie!

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    Jodi Desautels

         Jodi Desautels is a wife and mother.  She is a life-long learner, educator, author, illustrator, crafter, creator, and photographer.  She lives by two rules:  "The Golden Rule" and "Live. Laugh. Love."

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