America, We Have a Problem. I’ve been having some thoughts…. And these thoughts are starting to scream at me as I’ve had the opportunity to talk with others in education on this issue. Working in a public school, I am very aware of the attendance issues we have in our schools and its impact. This […]
Author: teacherfigura
Writing is Thinking
Since I started my journey in the teaching world, I recognized the importance of writing. However, when I would voice my concerns that we should be focusing more on writing instruction and integrating it into all contents, I was met with considerable push-back. I couldn’t understand why. As I gained experience and talked with different […]
The Impact of World Knowledge
Knowledge, like Velcro, sticks best to other related knowledge. -Natalie Wexler What is World Knowledge? World knowledge is the knowledge a person learns about the world around them. We gain this knowledge any time we go out into the world and explore new things and places. World knowledge, also known as background knowledge, is built […]
Behavior is Communication
A Child’s Inherent Desire I wanna be the best daughter in the whole wide world, and I wanna see them smile all the time. ‘Cause when they’re happy, it feels like sunshine and rainbows inside my heart. I love my mommy and daddy so much, and I wanna be the bestest little girl for them. […]
Reflection and Its Crucial Role in Success
What is Reflection? I’m sure most of us are familiar with reflection and its role in our lives. Some of us reflect more than others. True reflecting is taking time to fully evaluate our past actions. By reflecting, we can revisit the past and look at it through different lenses and perspectives. Maybe we got […]
The Best Tool of the Dyslexia Teacher
Using the Tools You Have Sometimes, we as teachers and caregivers get bogged down in the idea that we have to buy all the latest and greatest tools to help our kids learn to read. However, this does not have to be the case. I have found great benefit out of using the tools around […]
The Importance of Sequencing in Dyslexic Children
A True Story… I’d like to talk a minute today about the importance of sequencing. It is an often overlooked problem for dyslexic children. Yes, it can be frustrating that they struggle to remember the days of the week and months of the year. Yes, it can be frustrating that it takes them so long […]
How to Celebrate Gratitude with Literacy
The dining room is adorned with autumnal hues—rich reds, golden yellows, and rustic browns. The air carries the comforting aroma of roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and a hint of cinnamon. A long, polished wooden table is the centerpiece, surrounded by mismatched but lovingly worn chairs. Plates clink softly as they’re filled with generous portions of […]
Dyslexia: The Invisible Disability
Dyslexia is just one of many invisible disabilities. It cannot be viewed on the outside. It is not noticed by passers-by. However, it is very real… and very impactful. The problem with invisible disabilities is that people you meet expect you to be “normal.” In the case of dyslexia, the most common thought from people […]
State Assessments
This is a hot topic. I’m not going to go down the rabbit hole of “should we” or “shouldn’t we”, but I do want to talk about what it is and what it isn’t. It IS an assessment of your social and economical status. It IS an assessment of your access to the world. How […]