Well... It has been a while....

I have spent all my time getting ready lately....
FOR MY KINDERGARTEN CLASSROOM!!!!
I am so absolutely excited. I have been asked to take over in a Kinder classroom
through the end of the year, and who knows........ ;)

Well...
I have been very busy painting furniture and getting everything ready to start on Monday!!
Ah, the nerves are definitely starting.

I am so very thankful for my wonderful family and boyfriend that has helped me survive this week.
I know they are ready for me to clean the house up....
It is a mess here!

I will post classroom pictures soon!!


Meanwhile, I have started selling this awesome makeup - younique!
Please check out my page, I have a virtual party going on. It is really awesome, the mascara is the absolute best.....
Check it out....

www.youniqueproducts.com/TessSharp

Tess

Just a Bit of Information

So, I have decided to tell you something very important. 
Currently, I am looking for my first teaching job.

As I have mentioned before, I am a recent college graduate. 
I love teaching and right now I sub. Well, my ultimate goal is to be 
a special education teacher. Because of this goal, I have been working 
on putting a portfolio together. However, I am unsure of what to include
for a special educator portfolio. I would be carrying this portfolio
to interviews with me. I was curious if any of you had idea about what I should include. 
I would really appreciate the input. I have a general education portfolio finished,

but I feel like I will need a separate one for Special Education. 
Anyways, I look forward to reading your comments.

By the way,

I have found 2 AWESOME blogs. . . Check them out! :) 
Extra Special Teaching

Around the Kampfire

That's all for now!
Thanks for reading,
Tess

Graphic Organizers Set #2

Up and going on TPT.
Already having downloads on my last one! Please check it out, I look forward to reading your feedback.

Here is the 2nd pack - Fact and Opinion - FREEBIE

Graphic Organizer Set #2 FREEBIE

And the Link to Set #1 - Context Clue Graphic Organizers - FREEBIE (Forgot to add an actual link. Hey, I am new to this thing!)

Graphic Organizer Set #1 FREEBIE


Also, check out my tic-tac-toe literacy learning stations pack. It includes a variety of tic-tac-toe boards with tons of visual. I made it with my unique learners in mind! :) It would be great, does cost $5.50.

Tic-Tac-Toe Learning Stations (Literacy) $

Hey fellow bloggers!

Here I have attached a link to a new document in my tpt store! :) Graphic Organizer #1 : Context Clues  .... YES, it's free! Go on over and download it! :)

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Context-Clues-Graphic-Organizers-1138762

:)

Have Fun!

Research

Hi all, I decided to pull in some references that prove that Graphic Organizers are great (as if anyone needs more proof!)

According to NICHY.com

Findings

1. Semantic organizers, cognitive maps with a mnemonic and framed outlines were all found to be highly effective in improving reading comprehension. Cognitive maps without a mnemonic were found to be moderately effective.
2. Graphic organizers were effective regardless of whether they were implemented by teachers or researchers.
3. Students using graphic organizers significantly outperformed their peers who did not use graphic organizers regardless of whether they developed their own graphic organizers or used teacher- or researcher-generated ones.
4. Students ranging in age from elementary to high school all benefited significantly from using graphic organizers.

Institute for the Advancement of Research in Education, July 2003 

Graphic Organizers increase learning. 

As a tool to support students’ thinking and learning processes, the 29 

research studies have shown that graphic organizers help students: 

• brainstorm ideas. 

• develop, organize, and communicate ideas. 

• see connections, patterns, and relationships. 

• assess and share prior knowledge. 

• develop vocabulary. 

• highlight important ideas. 

• classify or categorize concepts, ideas, and information. 

• improve social interaction between students, and facilitate group work and 

 collaboration. 

• guide review and study. 

Graphic organizers have been found to improve students’ reading 

comprehension at all levels, first grade through high school. …NRP (National 

Reading Panel) cited graphic and semantic organizers (including story maps) 

as one of seven categories of instruction that is the most effective in 

improving reading comprehension. 

Mentoring Minds.com says

Research shows that graphic organizers are key to assisting students to improve 
academic performance. In creating an organizer, pertinent aspects of a concept 
or topic are arranged into a pattern using labels. This process is one that 
research suggests aids comprehension for several reasons: 
• Graphic organizers match the mind. As researcher David P. Ausubel has 
shown, the mind arranges and stores information in an orderly fashion. 
New information about a concept is filed into an existing framework of 
categories called a schema. A schema already contains preexisting 
knowledge about that concept. Graphic organizers arrange information in 
a visual pattern that complements this framework, making information 
easier to understand and learn. 
• Organizers demonstrate how concepts are linked to prior knowledge to aid 
in comprehension. 
• Organizers aid the memory as opposed to recalling key points from an 
extended text. 
• Organizers help retain information readily when higher thought processes 
are involved. 
• Organizers engage the learner with a combination of the spoken word with 
printed text and diagrams. 

Tata for now! 

Tess

A Little About Muah! :)

Hey, 

My name is Tess and I live in Texas. I graduated in December with my teaching degree in general education and special education. I will say this again and again - my heart is with the students who receive special education!

I started this blog because I couldn't find one about graphic organizers. I am a graphic organizer fanatic and want to use them in ALL subject areas. I felt this would be a great place to share graphic organizers and work on making my TPT store more popular! 

My love for graphic organizers is somewhat because of my SPED kids (and my own preference for learning). They are very visual learners, they need the hands-on look and feel of a graphic organizer. I can give them worksheets all day long, but there is really no point in it. Graphic organizers give my kiddos the chance to understand and talk through their responses to various stimuli (e.g. their academics). 

My only thing is - I want graphic organizers to make sense. Too many times I see gorgeous graphic organizers, but they don't have a real meaning to the students. I like for the pictures to represent the concept that the student is working on. For example, I like to use a magnifying glass when discussing context clues, and a physics’ ball when talking about making predictions. 

In addition to graphic organizers, I enjoy foldables. These always seem to keep students involved with their work - which is awesome! 

Anyways, I will get off of my soapbox, SSSSOOOOO.... thanks for visiting and I hope you will come back soon! :) 

P.S. MY FAVORITE COLOR IS PURPLE! :)