Califone Blog

Part of a continuing series of Califone guest bloggers.

Helen and I have talked about Futaba in our podcasts. It’s a great way to gamify student skill mastery with the assistance of a few headsets. A few days ago, two of my tech club kids and my lab aide created sets for PreK games in the app. Right now there aren’t many ready sets in the app for preschoolers. Creating sets and games was pretty easy. (more…)

With so many ways to use technology in the classroom, one of my most reliable uses is the use of the audio book.

As a middle teacher who teaches students whom have newly migrated to America, have special needs, or various other circumstances, I am challenged to meet the needs of each student not only individually, but also the whole class during the time given. I decided to go back to basics. Basics being, going back to what many of the elementary school teachers are already doing. Stations, and reading TO children. (more…)

Congratulations to Melissa Ranslow Beland, who’s the 8th of ten teachers to win a Spirit SD Learning Center! (more…)

Califone guest blog – one in a continuing series

Heard a good book lately? From Curious George before bed to the latest Grisham novel during a commute, people of all ages find joy in listening to stories. Hearing a book read out loud is also beneficial for young children, who learn important literacy skills that serve as the foundation for later success in reading. (more…)

Part of a continuing series of Califone guest bloggers.

I have three scenarios I often find difficult to deal with when teaching young English language learners. Scenario one is when I first walk into the room and try to motivate the children to choose to speak English. Scenario two occurs after the class ends. I gush to parents about how their children spoke and sang in English. Immediately, the parents ask the children a question in English and expect responses in English. I have yet to hear any of the children speak the English when put on the spot. Scenario three occurs when parents beg me to help their children with their pronunciation. (more…)

Califone guest blog – first in an occasional series.

Studying for eight hours every day can be tiresome. Most students find it increasingly difficult to focus on lectures as their minds wander off to dwell on other classes or events. That is why classrooms must become engaging again, and media players can help. (more…)