Ready, Set, Teach! Teacher Blog

Language may be a teacher’s most powerful tool, for words do more than deliver content. They also play a huge part in whether children develop self-control, build a sense of belonging, and gain academic and social skills and knowledge.

This warm and thought-provoking book shows how you can use words, tone, and pacing to build a classroom where students feel safe, respected, appreciated, and excited about learning. Denton, an educator with over twenty years of experience teaching children and adults, offers practical tips (including language to avoid and language to adopt), real-life anecdotes, and concrete examples. Topics include:

using language to help children envision success
open-ended questions that stretch children’s thinking
listening and using silence skillfully
the 3 Rs of teacher language: reinforcing, reminding, and redirecting
saying what you mean and meaning what you say
giving brief, concrete instructions
offering meaningful, specific encouragement

The sensible approach this book advocates is backed by research and proven through decades of successful practice in elementary classrooms nationwide. It offers ideas beginners can try immediately and a wealth of guidance and support for those farther along in the process of changing their language.

See www.responsiveclassroom.org for ordering details.

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Teacher Preparation Article

Posted by hblount on January 5th, 2010

See the attached link for an interesting article regarding teacher preparation programs.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122224872

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New Course Offerings

Posted by hblount on December 15th, 2009

As the semester comes to an end, we realize that many of you have been working with your schools deciding on course offerings for the 2010-2011 school year. Let us know what you think your school will be offering. This will be very helpful as The Center makes decisions on what new materials to develop.

Heather Blount

The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences

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Midwinter Professional Development Conference

Posted by hblount on December 7th, 2009

Mark your calendars to attend the
2010 FCSTAT Midwinter Professional Development Conference

January 21-23, 2010
Kerrville, Texas

See the following link for registration and hotel information. http://www.fcstat.org/Conference/2010CallLetterMidwinter.pdf

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New Title Suggestions

Posted by hblount on November 20th, 2009

As mentioned in my previous post, we are revising the Reaching to Teach! student book to address the new TEKS and improve the readability. As we are making revisions, we have the option of renaming the book as well. If you have any suggestions for a new title please let us know.

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New Ready, Set, Teach! Book – Looking for Input

Posted by hblount on November 18th, 2009

The Curriculum Center for Family and Consumer Sciences is currently in the process of revising the Reaching To Teach! I & II student book to align to the new TEKS and courses. We welcome any suggestions and ideas for the new edition. Feel free to post your comments to the blog or call or email suggestions to me. Your input is valuable as we work to make this new book useful for you and your students.

Heather Blount

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