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May 2020 Book Reviews
Hello friends! This was the third month of my social-distancing. I live alone so I have had plenty of time to read! Unfortunately I usually end up watching some trash TV (looking at you RHOBH). I have found it so hard during this time to focus on reading. But, I have read some good books this month! Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell This was my book club book for May. It is a bit of a thriller about a girl who goes missing and her mother dealing with the aftermath. Laurel is the mother of two girls, her youngest, and favorite daughter goes missing. 10 Years later, she…
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My April 2020 Book Reviews!
I am currently over 50 days into quarantine and social distancing and I have to be honest and say that I am not reading all the books like I thought I would be. Personally I am having a hard time maintaining focus long enough to read a book. I am trying to show myself grace within this time, while doing things to set myself up for success. I am maintaining my workout routines, trying to get up and do my hair a few days a week, put on real clothes, etc. Anyways, I digress, this month I read three pretty good books. Dead Wake by Erik Larson I have been…
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Teaching with Google Docs
I have been so overwhelmed with learning how to teach online. This fast paced jump from face to face teaching to “distance learning” has been very challenging. My school has been using Google Classroom and the Google Suite as our primary tool for teaching online. I have had to take a self-taught crash course on Google. Google Docs is a powerful tool for teaching online. A Little About Google Docs Google Docs can be most closely compared to Microsoft Word. It is a word processing software that is easily used for writing assignments, typing notes, writing letters, really anything you would use Microsoft Word for. I like Google Docs because…
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Have a Healthy Relationship with Social Media
I have always been a moderate social media user. I check it multiple times per day but I never really felt like I was addicted. Quarantine has changed things. Because I live alone, I have no one to talk to most of the time. I feel like I have tried to replace my normal daily social interactions with scrolling Facebook. But with the current political climate I feel like Facebook is not a healthy place to be. Don’t get me wrong, it is important to speak out for what is right. It is also important to be educated on current science of Coronavirus and how to keep yourself safe. But,…
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Tips for Google Classroom
So most of us have had to move our teaching online. Unfortunately, there is also no sign as to how long this is going to last. I am using Google Classroom for the first time and trying to figure it out as I go. To try and help you out, I compiled a list of tips for using Google Classroom! For context, I teach eighth-grade inclusion. I co-teach with a math teacher and an ELA teacher and together we are running classes. Create a classroom for each section Maintaining multiple Google Classrooms can seem overwhelming. Especially when this is something that is new to you. When I first started creating…
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March 2020 Book Reviews
Looking for something to read while in quarantine? I read a few books in the month of March that were pretty good! I am sure my April book reviews are going to have a lot more since there isn’t much else to do. Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner I had a hard time with this book, I think I took it out from the library three different times because I just couldn’t get through it. This is the story of two sisters growing up through a time where women were not typically encouraged to be themselves and be different. Jo is a lesbian in secret but follows the path of…
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Keep Yourself Sane During Social Distancing
So this is something that I don’t think any of us were prepared for. I personally live alone, but I have never wanted to spend 10 days (so far) in my house, by myself. Don’t get me wrong, I love some good alone time to relax and recharge, but this is tough. It gives me all the time in the world to dwell on every mistake I have ever made and all the things I am still hoping to accomplish… sounds fun, right? Well, I assume that a lot of us are in a new boat. A place that no one expected to be. Whether you are an essential worker…
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Tips for Homeschooling
During this difficult time in our country’s history, there are a lot of people who are homeschooling their children that have never even considered this before. Here are some tips to help you navigate these unfamiliar waters! You Need a Workspace Set up an area in the house where you are going to do all of your work. This is a good tip for kids and adults. Make sure that your workspace is free of distractions. Don’t set up your students to do their work right next to you where you will be having the news on the television. This will make it challenging for them to focus on their…
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February 2020 Book Reviews
I am determined this year to finally meet my ongoing goal of reading 50 books in a year. That works out to be about a book per week. I manifest it in my start today journal and I keep a book on me at all times! This month I read some interesting ones. Carnegie’s Maid by Marie Benedict It tells the story of a young girl that comes from Ireland to America to make money to send back to help her family. Clara is mistaken for a girl who is to become the maid to Andrew Carnegie’s mother. Clara sees this as an opportunity and she tries to fit into…
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Accommodations for Writing
I find helping students to write to be very challenging. For some people, it comes naturally and for some people, it can be a life long struggle. When I am developing an IEP with the parents and the rest of the team, it is important to include accommodations for students who have a writing disability so that they can be successful in the classroom. I have compiled a list of accommodations to share with you that could be helpful for your students. Obviously there is never a one size fits all solution to helping students. But these are just different ideas that I have tried for different students. Students who…
