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BRAINSAREFUN FEARLESS FRIDAY BLOG – Success with Reading, Math and Study Kills – Friday July 5, 2013

Rory Donaldson Reading Tips

 

LET DISCUSS READING, MATH AND STUDY SKILLS

What are schools looking for in new teachers? The following job posting was copied from a local school district. These are the subjects teachers are taught and expected to know. The implications of this post lead straight to illiteracy – not to what kids need to continue their educations and hold jobs with a future. I believe it's a terrible idea to believe kids can thrive without reading and math – all the rest is, for the most part, bunk! It's no wonder that over 50% of our kids can't succeed with reading and math. It should be time to declare our independence from ignorance. Or not.

Successful applicants were required to have:

  • Valid State Teaching Certificate with appropriate endorsements
  • Understanding Language Social Studies EALRs, Grade Level Expectations and OSPI Classroom-Based Assessments
  • Preferred training and or experience; or willingness to take course work to increase knowledge and use of the following instructional and management strategies, to include:

    • 1. Classroom Management Skills

    • 2. Workshop Approach

    • 3. Learner Centered Instruction

    • 4. Developmentally Appropriate Practices

    • 5. Assessment-driven instruction (performance, formative, summative)

    • 6. Brain Compatible Learning Theory

    • 7. Differentiation

    • 8. Familiarity with the basic concepts of Glasser's works in Choice Theory and Quality Schools

    • 9. Reading/Writing Process

    • 10. Gradual Release of Responsibility (To, With, By)

    • 11. Integrated Instructional Practice

    • 12. Anti bias, Multicultural Education

    • 13. Teaching/Learning Cycle (assessment, evaluation, planning, teaching)

    • 14. Professional Learning Communities

    • Preferred experience in working with children and families who are culturally, linguistically and racially diverse

  • Football Coaching Preferred

 
"The Reading/Writing Process?" What in the heck is that? Glasser is correct that the only behavior we can control is our own, but it's a shame that the behavior we choose isn't to teach kids to succeed with reading math. Seriously folks – far less "psychology" and far more " teaching to success." It's very hard to find a good football coach these days – let alone a teacher familiar with Positive Discipline and Study Skills. We have arrived at an educational moment where many of our teachers are being encouraged to not "teach," but to let kids "discover." I hope this moment passes quickly and teachers are trained to get back to doing what they love to do, "teach." You'll notice that the word "teach" doesn't even appear in the post. Wow!
 
Thanks for all you do to teach kids to succeed with reading and math. Let me know how I can help. 
 
Rory
 
P.S. We have 3 new solutions for sale over at Brainsarefun.com – flooding kids with reading and math success. You'll find them even easier to use. Your support not only allows me to develop new solutions, it provides free copies to parents, teachers and grandparents who need extra help.* Thanks.
 

* We know that some people don't have $24.95 right now to purchase Brainsarefun solutions, but still need success with reading and math this summer. If you need any of our solutions email me and I'll send them to you for free: rory@brainsarefun.com. I love to send stuff out for free. I love it when people buy our solutions. Either way kids win with reading and math. Thanks.

Rory Donaldson, reading, math and study-skills teacher. Brainsarefun founder. Fearless Friday Blog published fearlessly every Friday, © 2013 by Rory Donaldson, rory@brainsarefun.com, 860-304-3178.

Rory Donaldson

I flood kids with reading, math and study-skill success.