Search Results for: blog creating story maps

Sandborn Fire Insurance Maps Now Online

Posted on by

Have you ever looked at a Sandborn Map? The University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library recently added more of them to its digital collection of historic maps. Genealogists can use these maps to learn a little bit more about their ancestors, especially if those ancestors lived in Utah. The Sandborn Maps are a series of maps designed by a surveyor named D.A. Sandborn. They are of commercial, industrial and residential sections of various cities. The maps were created between 1867 and 1969. The purpose of creating these detailed maps was to assist agents at fire insurance companies to determine … Continue reading →

Creating Story Maps

Posted on by

In conjunction with the previous reading series discussions, I have given some tips and ideas for enhancing reading instruction. One method that teachers can use to help children make more sense of what they are reading is to introduce students to story maps. In the beginning teachers can model using a graphic organizer such as a map. The teacher can then explain to the students its usefulness and when it would be appropriate to use. The students can then practice using a map on their own. Using a simple story map that describes a selection’s elements such as setting, characters, … Continue reading →

Students Use Zunes Instead of Books

Technology has made homework a completely different experience lately. That is because instead of taking home books, students at one rural New Mexico school are taking home MP3 player, Zunes to be exact. Teachers at the school were given a $400 bonus for coming up with lessons that could be podcasted or watched in video, and taken home to review by students. Microsoft supplied 100 students with Zunes for free in exchange for data from the school that indicated whether or not the student’s test scores have increased through use of the Zunes. The Zunes normally retail for $300. Students … Continue reading →

Education Week in Review: June 7- June 13

Posted on by

Education has made the news in several cases over the past week. While continuing the discussion about reading, I also threw in some tips about helping children make proper book selections. Issues were also discussed from Connecticut, Michigan, and the federal government. Sunday, June 8 Reading in the Second and Third Grade Classrooms This article continues the discussion of reading and how reading instruction should appear in the second and third grades. More Reading in Second and Third Grade Education.families.com/blog/more-reading-in-second-and-third-grade More reading skills and instructional tips are provided here for the second and third grade classrooms. Creating Story Maps This … Continue reading →

More Reading Comprehension Instruction

Posted on by

In one of my latest reading series articles, I began discussing reading comprehension instruction. There are several techniques that teachers and parents can use to strengthen a child’s reading comprehension skills. Some techniques already introduced include self monitoring, graphic organizers, and answering questions. In addition to these three, there are also several more. Creating questions: While some teachers ask students questions, other teachers instruct the children to create their own questions. Sometimes the students will create questions for themselves and sometimes they will create questions for other students to answer. By creating their own questions, students learn to tune in … Continue reading →

Family Fun Week in Review

From fondue to maps to dancing to creating stories to revisting memories, we’ve had a busy week over at the Family Fun section. We had lots of good ideas this week for relaxing, teaching, and enjoying your family. And most important of all, we gave ideas for making and recording memories. Jeff reminded us that sometimes the best fun and most special memories don’t have to cost a thing in Build an Indoor Fort. I’ve never known a child who wasn’t delighted by a blanket fort! Lauri suggested that you Draw a Map With Your Kids. She also shared ideas … Continue reading →

Adoption Transitions #3 Starting Your Child’s Lifebook

Mothers often spend hours creating baby books or scrapbooks for our children. A Lifebook is a special kind of baby–scrap book for adopted children. Just as a mother often writes milestones and important tid-bits of information in a child’s baby book, a lifebook is where adopted children might look for the story of their lives. There are many ways families can help children answer the important questions and understand their own unique history. “Life books, ecomaps, lifemaps, and lifepaths are all tools used by foster/adoptive parents and children’s therapists to help children of various ages understand and find ways to … Continue reading →