Literacy Speaks Volumes

Learners in our classrooms share the following characteristics: Students come to the classroom with prior knowledge and experiences. It is the teacher who must activate this prior understanding by building upon students' background knowledge in order to promote new learning. Students create deeper understandings by applying a strong factual and conceptual knowledge base to real-world contexts. Teachers must guide students to make meaningful connections by modeling their own thinking as well as by asking questions to guide higher-level thinking. Students are aware of how they learn best and how to monitor and reflect on their learning. Teachers must provide opportunities for students to regulate their own learning, and they must dedicate time to giding students to create optimal learning habits. One way to accomplish this goal is by presenting information through multiple representations--visual, auditory, as well as through cooperative-learning activities. Teache...

You will need the following: one pound of shrimp one-quarter cup of lime juice one-quarter cup of water one teaspoon of salt two tablespoons of olive oil three-quarter cup of minced celery one tablespoon of chopped chives two teaspoons of curry powder two peeled and chopped tomatoes one-quarter cup of flour one cup of fish stock four cups of hot cooked rice In a bowl, combine lime juice, water, and salt. Add shrimp and marinate for twenty minutes. Then drain and reserve liquid. Heat the olive oil in a skillet; add the onion, celery, chives, and curry powder. Cook for five minutes.  Add the tomatoes and cook for one more minute. Add the flour and stir to mix.  Gradually add the fish stock and the reserved shrimp liquid, stirring until it is a thick liquid. Add the shrimp to the mixture and cook just a few minutes until the shrimp is pink and done. Remove from the heat and serve warm over rice. 

The poet E. E. Cummings wrote that "the earth laughs in flowers." Would you agree with Cummings? What are some other ways that the earth might laugh and why? How does the earth laughing differ from the way humans laugh and why? Your Laughter by Pablo Neruda Take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away, but do not take from me your laughter. Do not take away the rose, the lance flower that you pluck, the water that suddenly bursts forth in joy, the sudden wave  of silver born in you. My struggle is harsh and I come back with eyes tired at times from having seen the unchanging earth, but when your laughter enters it rises to the sky seeking me and it opens for me all the doors of life. My love, in the darkest hour your laughter opens, and if suddenly you see my blood staining the stones of the street, laugh, because your laughter will be for my hands  like a fresh sword.

Write each of the following questions on an index card: Where did you grow up? Do you have any pets? Do you have any siblings? Do you know what your name means? What did you do this past weekend? What are your plans for this weekend? What do you like to do in your spare time? What is the first thing you do when you wake up? What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep? What is your middle name? What was the last thing you purchased? What is your favorite holiday? What is your favorite day of the week? If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be? What do you like ot do to relax? Are you a saver or a spender? Do you play any instruments? Have each student choose one card and stand up and answer it in front of the class.

8 ounces of softened goat cheese 3 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled 2 tablespoons of honey Place the goat cheese on a small serving platter. Drizzle the honey over the goat cheese. Sprinkle the bacon crumbles over the goat cheese. Serve with crackers.

The RTI framework is easily aligned to the intentional teaching that is necessary to differentiated instruction. RTI does require more frequent assessments or probes through progress monitoring Define the instructional focus. What is the student's specific learning problem? What are my academic goals for this student? What examples of his work do I have that proves that he's struggling with this specific problem? Develop an action plan. Which research-based strategies would be helpful for this student? How might I differentiate instruction for this student? How long will I implement this intervention before assessing the student's progress? Implement the action plan. Check for fidelity of instruction: Is the instruction being implemented appropriately, consistently, and completely? Do the student's performance and work samples indicate that the intervention is effective? Collect the student's work samples as evidence ...

"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." ~Oscar Wilde "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~Bernard M. Baruch "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson "Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." ~Marilyn Monroe "You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." ~Maya Angelou

You tell me that you don't like people. You only believe in yourself. You pity all those who lack your higher breeding. I can see why you have no one left. Could it be that you wear your fur on the inside? You prefer not to go out when the sky's too blue. Please grace us with all of your inner presence While your sly comments suck all of the air out of the room. Please don't rain on my parade and kill a perfect day. You're just wasting my time. You think that the world is going to pass you over As you wait for your crown. You know how to fake it. You always play until you break it. You make it so hard to be around you. Please don't rain on my parade as you try to bring me down. Go upon your mountain Where you can look down on all of us. You will start your fire just to get attention. You like the drama. God forbid we should bring you down.

You will need the following: 1 package of small tart shells 1 beaten egg 1 cup of brown sugar 1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup raisins 3 tablespoons heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Add the brown sugar to the egg and beat well. Add the butter and continue beating the mixture. Add the raisins, cream, and vanilla. Mix well. Add the pie mixture to the tart shells. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes or until filling is puffed and golden brown.

2 3/4 cup cherries 2/3 cup pineapple juice 1/4 cup corn syrup 2 2/3 tablespoon cornstarch 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup granulated sugar Enough pastry for one or two pie crusts Mix the juice with the corn syrup and bring to a boil.  Add the cornstarch and stir until the liquid is clear and thick. Remove the liquid from the heat and stir in the cherries.  When cool, turn into a pastry-lined pie pan and bake at 450 degrees for ten minutes. Then, reduce the heat to 350 and continue to bake for 25 more minutes. Where can I pick fresh cherries in Tennessee?

The most effective comprehension instruction must provide opportunities for students to integrate their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. This model of comprehension may help you plan within the reading workshop model. It includes the following five components: The teacher provides an explicit description of the strategy, including when and how the strategy should be used. The teacher models the strategy in action. The teacher plans for collaborative use of the strategy in action between students, with the teacher's support. The teacher provides guided practice using the strategy with gradual release of responsibility, leading students toward independent use. The teacher allows time for students to apply the strategy independently; the teacher supports students through guided practice until they are ready to apply the strategy independently.

You will need the following for this lesson: Examples of  book reviews written by adults and students Check out this site for some great examples. Highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils Copies of close read questions for the reviews Copies of a short story or narrative poem for students to read and review A book review is an in-depth, insightful analysis of a book. An effective review explains what the book is about and usually offers the reviewer's opinion. Begin the lesson by having students do a cold read of a book review. After students have read the book review, ask them to discuss what the book review does for the reader? What is the purpose of the book review? After the students have read and discussed the book review, have students go back through the review and annotate it . Let the students share their annotations with their classmates. The typical book review includes the title of the book, the author's name, a...

Creme Brulee is French for "burnt cream." It is a dessert consisting of a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel. It is normally served at room temperature. The custard base is traditionally flavored with vanilla, but can have a variety of other flavorings. This is a pencil sketch of the photograph above. To make Honey Vanilla Brulee, you will need the following: 1 quart of heavy cream 6 egg yolks 3/4 cup honey, divided 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon salt Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together cream, egg yolks, 1/2 cup of the honey, vanilla, and salt.  When very well combined, pour into eight 1/2 cup ramekins.  Place ramekins in a baking dish, and pour enough water into the baking dish to come about halfway up the outsides of the ramekins. Bake until set, about 35 to 45 minutes. Allow to cool. Drizzle remaining honey on each Brulee. Place in oven and broil quickly until honey begi...

A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word "castle", but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble.

An achievement is a bondage. It obliges one to a higher achievement.

You will need the following: 12 ounces of Brussels Sprouts 1 medium onion 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 cup vegetable broth 3 tablespoons of honey 1/2 teaspoon of salt 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon of lemon zest In a food processor, shred Brussels sprouts and onion. In a heavy saucepan, heat olive oil. Saute shredded sprouts and onion until they begin to brown. Stir in the stock, honey, salt, and red pepper. Stir occasionally until stock evaporates and sprouts are softened, about 15 to 20 minutes. Toss in lemon zest and serve immediately.

Fear an ignorant man more than a lion. Hmmm. Wise words indeed.

Shampoo is a hair care product typically in the form of viscous liquid, that is used for cleaning hair. Less commonly, shampoo is available in a bar form. Shampoo is used by applying it to wet hair. Closely associated with environmentalism, the "no poo" movement consists of people rejecting the societal norm of frequent shampoo use. Some adherents of the no-poo movement use baking soda or vinegar to wash their hair, while others use diluted honey. Other people use nothing, rinsing their hair only with conditioner.

Honey is a sweet food made by bees foraging nectar from flowers. Brie is a soft cow's milk cheese named after Brie, the French region from which it originated. It is pale in color with a slight grayish tinge under a rind of white mold. The whitish moldy rind is typically eaten, with its flavor depending largely upon the ingredients used and its manufacturing environment. "Mango Yellow" is a Brazilian movie about working-class people who engage in amorous and social encounters. Honey, Brie, and Mango Salad Recipe

The Rio Grande is one of the principal rivers in the southwest United States and Northern Mexico. The river serves as the natural border between Texas and Mexico.

My best friend has paws! Check out this awesome dog treat recipe!

Norse mythology is the body of mythology of the North Germanic people stemming from Norse Paganism and continuing after the Christianity of Scandinavia and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period. The northernmost extension of Germanic mythology, Norse mythology consists of tales of various deities, beings, and heroes derived from numerous sources from both before and after the Pagan period, including medieval manuscripts, archaeological representations, and folk tradition.

You will need the following: 6 split chicken breasts 1/4 cup of honey 1 beaten egg 4 divided tablespoons of olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of pepper 1 tablespoon of onion powder 1 cup of fine breadcrumbs 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans 1/2 cup of finely chopped parsley With a mallet, pound each chicken breast until very flat. Set aside. In a bowl, whisk together honey, egg, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, salt, pepper, and onion powder. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs and pecans.  Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Dep each chicken breast in the honey mixture, coating both sides. Repeat this process in the breadcrumb mixture, coating evenly. Fry chicken in the hot skillet until center is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes on each side.  Serve hot with parsley on top. Garnish with whole pecans.

In the Paleozoic Era, the entire territory of the Gulf of Finland was covered by a sea. Modern relief was formed as a result of the glacier activities. Its retreat formed Littorina Sea. Some four thousand years ago, the sea receded, and the shoals became its islands. Saimaa is a lake in southeastern Finland. At approximately 4400 square kilometers, it is the largest lake in Finland, and the fourth largest natural freshwater lake in Europe. It was formed by glacial melting at the end of the Ice Age. Major towns on the lakeshore include Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Varkaus, and Joensuu. The Vuoksi River flows from Saimaa to Lake Ladoga. Most of the lake is spotted with islands, and narrow canals divide the lake into many parts, each having their own names. Thus, Saimaa exhibits all major types of a lake in Finland at different levels of eutrophication. The Russian writer Maxim Gorky went into exile near the shores of Lake Saimaa for a period of time aft...

The Gulf of Finland is the easternmost arm of the Baltic sea. It extends between Finland and Estonia all the way to St. Petersburg in Russia, where the River Neva drains into it. Other major cities around the gulf include Helsinki and Tallinn. The eastern parts of the Gulf of Finland belong to Russia, and some of Russia's most important harbors are located near St. Petersburg. Here is a recipe for Passover Meatballs: These moist and slightly sweet meatballs are popular with family and friends during the spring holiday season. They're bound to become a tradition at your house. 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup water, divided 1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion, divided 1/2 cup matzo meal 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 pounds ground beef 1 can tomato sauce 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup onion, matzo meal, salt and pepper. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-inch b...

Finnish is the language spoken by the majority of the population in Finland and by ethnic Finns outside Finland. It is one of two official languages of Finland and an official minority language in Sweden. in Sweden, both standard Finnish and Meankieli, a Finnish dialect, is spoken. The Kven language, a dialect of Finnish, is spoken in Norway by a minority group of Finnish descent.

Today, I'm beginning with the word "Finland". The Republic of Finland is a sovereign state in Europe. A peninsula with the Gulf of Finland to the south, and the Gulf of Bothnia to the west, the country has land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east. Estonia is south of the country across the Gulf of Finland. Finland is situated in the geographical region of Fennoscandia which also includes Scandinavia. Finland's population is 5.5 million, staying roughly on the same level over the past few years. The majority of the population is concentrated in the southern region. In terms of area, it is the 8th largest country in Europe and the most sparsely populated country in the European Union. What is a Puffin Bird? Puffins are any of three small species of alcids in the bird genus Fratercula with a brightly colored beak during the breeding season. These are pelagic seabirds that feed primarily by diving in the w...

A painter is a rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or another small boat, and used for typing up or towing. Ideally, the length of the painter should be no longer than the length of the boat, especially on small craft, to prevent fouling the propeller of an outboard engine. Canoes being used in moving water or whitewater are rigged with a painter at both the bow and the stern. In addition to the functions listed above, a canoe's painter can be used for lining the boat down difficult sections, self-rescue, and boat recovery. Knots A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind itself to another line or an object. Knots have been the subject of interest for their ancient origins, their common uses, and the area of knot theory. There is a large variety of ...

A painting of some waterlilies on Lake Okeechobee. An Impressionist painting of waterlilies on Lake Okeechobee. Modern painting of waterlilies on Lake Okeechobee.

Louis II was the grandson of Charlemagne and the third son of the succeeding emperor of Francia, Louis the Pious and his first wife, Ermengarde of Hesbaye. he received the appellation Germanicus shortly after his death in recognition of the fact that the bulk of his territory had been in the former Germania. Louis II was made the King of Bavaria from 817 following the Emperor Charlemagne's practice of bestowing a local kingdom on a family member who then served as one of his lieutenants and the local governor. He ruled in Regensburg, the old capital of Bavaria. When his father, Louis I, partitioned the empire toward the end of his reign in 840, he was made King of East Francia, a region that spanned the Elbe Drainage Basin from Jutland southeasterly through the Thuringian Forest into modern Bavaria, from the Treaty of Verdun in 843 until his death. His early years were partly spent at the court of his grandfather, Charlemagne, whose special affection he is said...