Angelina Perez's Blog (108)

Like Reading and math, free online activities exist for all subjects… and writing is no exception. Check out the following free interactive writing activities, puzzles, quizzes and games that reinforce writing skills and encourage creativity:…

Good informative writing often begins by asking questions. “Why” questions often prompt some of the most interesting informative writing. You may wonder why relatives at a family reunion disagree so strongly about whether a particular flag should or should not be removed from state property. To understand the controversy, you could interview relatives on opposing sides of the issue, read articles and opinion pieces in newspapers or internet media outlets, or research the history of the…

With the implementation of the Common Core, teachers and administrators alike have made changes in their curriculum and instructional practices. To ease the transition between the old and new, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) has devised suggestions and a structure that will not only support the Common Core but also prepare students adequately for state assessments.

In the area of mathematics, there are many important…

Last week we looked at ways to prepare students for the PARCC assessment without falling prey to simply “teaching to the test”. With the following recommendations, math teachers will not only prepare their students for the new assessment but also continue to motivate them to enhance their mathematical proficiency.

Be aware of the “core” differences.

The PARCC test will reflect the Common Core Content standards, and those who have been teaching math for years must now adjust:…

A typical prompt you might see for an explanatory writing assignment might be to explain an old saying, such as “No news is good news.” Explaining an old saying can be a good exercise in clarifying something, which can help you write better on all of your writing assignments.

The challenge to explaining some old adages and sayings is that they refer to ways…

For teachers, getting a 3D printer into a classroom or lab setting is no easy feat. It will undoubtedly involve applying for a tech grant. Though the idea of having 3D printer technology available to enhance the learning experience of students is appealing to many teachers, the act of having to write out a lengthy grant to get one is not. Administrators take note: having your teachers apply for grants to procure 3D printing in their classroom is not leading, nor is it going to get you any…

It’s August, and two things are certain: it’s 100 degrees here in Texas (be glad if you live up north), and the new school year is upon us. One of my favorite bloggers, Jen Hatmaker, describes the feeling she gets as the activities of summer break begin to wear her down as a parent:

“The wheels have come off, dear ones. I did my part: the fun camps, the trips, the pool, the lake, the snow cones, the Good Times, and now it is all dead to me. I’ve reached the outer limits of my…

As parents, we often worry about how we can actively help ours children’s education. Most of us aren’t teachers; we do not work in schools. In fact, we do not always even understand the standards they are supposed to learn, let alone know how to help them. But there is one activity we can do regularly that keeps us engaged with our kids, and helps their education at the same time: reading.…

Good informative writing often begins by asking questions. “Why” questions often prompt some of the most interesting informative writing. You may wonder why relatives at a family reunion disagree so strongly about whether a particular flag should or should not be removed from state property. To understand the controversy, you could interview relatives on opposing sides of the issue, read articles and opinion pieces in newspapers or internet media outlets, or research the history of the…

Amidst much concern over the state of standardized testing across the nation, Little Ferry School District in North New Jersey has indicated it is one of several school districts pleased with the recent changes announced to next school year’s PARCC testing. In a recent article published in NorthJersey.com local news, a spokesperson for the district indicated the changes being made by PARCC are positive ones.



In May, the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College…

PARCC Practice Worksheets:

1. These Math and English PARCC Practice Worksheets are aimed towards providing an overview of the type of content that is available in Lumos StepUp™.

2. StepUp™ is designed to promote yearlong learning. It consists of hundreds of grade appropriate questions based on the new Common Core State Standards in both Mathematics & English…

One of the most overlooked learning resources is the local library. For decades, the library has provided patrons with the ability to access hundreds of documents and texts they would not be able to be able to use otherwise. But the library no longer relies solely on text sources. As part of the technology migration of the 21st century, the local library joins a variety of others in enhancing learning through library learning programs. These resources offer patrons access to hundreds of…

Success in school is rarely an accident: students who excel tend to exhibit similar traits. As you consider your son or daughter’s progress in school, ask yourself, which habits does your child already practice? Which areas are in need of improvement? The list below summarizes some key behaviors that many academically successful students share:…

You’ve been in school for a few months now, and the work is beginning to pile up. Between lesson plans, grading, report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and your personal life, it’s easy to lose yourself in the never-ending “to do” list. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some easy actions you can take to ease your stress and busy schedule:…

As a parent, you serve multiple roles – chauffeur, housekeeper, breadwinner, counselor, role model. When it comes to your child’s education, you may wonder what you can do to promote learning… especially if you don’t feel confident in all subject areas. However, you don’t need a degree in education to enhance your child’s educational experience. With these simple ideas, you can make a positive contribution by creating a supportive structure and environment for him/her to allow for…

From educational leaders to policy makers, much has been said about “21st century skills” that students need to have to succeed in school and beyond. However, what are these skills? Though organizations and websites abound (all touting their own versions of critical 21st century skills), several commonalities emerge. The terminology may differ, but the following seven skills encompass many of the themes from these various sources:…

Summer Learning loss is defined as “a loss of knowledge and skills . . . most commonly due to . . . . extended breaks [during the summertime] ” (from edglossary.org/learning-loss). Many teachers have certainly had the experience of taking the first month of school not only to introduce his or her rules and procedures to the class but also to get the kids back “up to speed” with thinking, remembering what…