S.M.A.R.T. News
April/May 2008

Better Tools

Generous Support for S.M.A.R.T. Mentoring by Nancy Farnham

S.M.A.R.T. Summer Parent Letter by Cindy Harvey

Better Training

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) by MLRC Mentors

S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood Update by Nancy Farnham

Better Results

Be S.M.A.R.T. For Fall by Cindy Harvey

S.M.A.R.T. For Two Year Olds? No Way!! interview with Karen Burton

 

Spelling’s a Snap with “Slap It, Clap It, Snap It"
by Cindy Harvey

Bette Traxler, 1st grade teacher in LeCenter, has seen great spelling gains by adding ovement and a beat to her spelling practice. You all know that “MOVEMENT ANCHORS LEARNING” and academics done to a rhythmic beat (e.g. a metronome) are more easily learned. Bette combined both of these principles with what she knows kids love – hand games.

Here’s how it works for practicing the word “cat” with a group or whole class:
• Teacher says “cat.” Then all slap legs one time for each letter as they spell “cat.” (3 slaps, 3 letters)
• Then, all clap hands one time for each letter as they spell “cat.” (3 claps, 3 letters)
• Then, all snap fingers one time for each letter as you spell “cat.” (3 snaps, 3 letters)
• Then, all say “cat.”
• Then, do the same for the next word, and the next, etc.

She also says it’s been very helpful to do with Word Wall words.
Even try it with math facts. Example: 5+2=7 – slap on the 5, 2, and 7 (3 beats) while saying 5+2=7, then clap on the 5, 2, and 7 while saying 5+2=7, then snap on the 5, 2, and 7 while saying 5+2=7.

Here’s what some of the first graders had to say about it:
Lucas said, "I think ‘Slap it, Clap it, Snap it’ makes my brain connect!"
Pablo thinks, "When we do ‘hard-work-bigger-brain-worksheets,’ the ‘Slap it, Clap it, Snap it’ helps us do the work faster."
Vanessa declared, "Our brains grow doing the S.M.A.R.T. claps."

Don’t be surprised to find kids slapping to spell as they write at their seats! It reminds me of the movie, “Akeelah and the Bee,” when she taps her leg as she spells on stage! This technique would also be great to encourage kids to do at home when they practice spelling, math, or practically anything!
Thanks, Bette!!

Register Now for S.M.A.R.T. Summer Workshops

Check Out New FRAP Workshop (Fairmont Reading Acceleration Program)

(workshop schedule)
(FRAP Brochure)

Teacher Feedback


 “I am a ‘seasoned’ teacher of 31 years and this is the first program I’m really excited to add to my teaching repertoire. I feel I’m going to be a better educator with what I’ve learned this week!”

SMART workshop participant, July 2007


“This is the best workshop I’ve been to by far! Very helpful and useful info. – from start to finish! Also very FUN.”

SMART workshop participant, August 2007

“SMART has made an incredible difference in my classroom!  Not only have my DIBELS scores skyrocketed, but I see many other benefits as well.  The students stay on task, work well in small groups, and their large and fine motor skills are great.  I am a true believer in the SMART program and I share the benefits at every opportunity.”

Stacie Francsi, Kindergarten teacher   Short Mountain Elem., TN
Date  3-11-08


“For the first time ever, my kids can read ALL of the other kids’ names!”

Head Start teacher in Mahube  

Give us your feedback!  We all get LOTS of newsletters so we want you to keep reading ours!  Tell us, please, what you liked and and what we can improve and email comments to
charvey@actg.org.
Thanks & enjoy your summer rejuvenation time!

 
CONTENT

Generous Support for S.M.A.R.T. Mentoring by Nancy Farnham

The MLRC is very proud to announce bridge funding from three Minnesota foundations to support mentoring in more than 40 of our state’s public schools - General Mills, the Northland Foundation, and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation.
(more)

S.M.A.R.T. Summer Parent Letter by Cindy Harvey


Help keep those stimulated brains S.M.A.R.T. this summer!

Here’s a sample letter to parents with ideas for them to do just that! Since your students understand the many ways they have gotten S.M.A.R.T. this school year, review the ideas in the letter first with them. They can help their parents understand why and how to do some of the activities. Add your own ideas or revise in any way to best fit your children and community!
(more)

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) by MLRC Mentors

As mentors travel to many schools watching teachers masterfully integrate their required academic content with S.M.A.R.T. activities or using S.M.A.R.T. methods to teach their curriculum, they encounter questions from teachers, many of which are common and frequently asked. We've compiled some of these frequently asked questions below with answers agreed upon by our mentors in the field.
(more)

S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood Update by Nancy Farnham

The S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood pilot continues to provide exciting insight into how we make adaptations from the very successful S.M.A.R.T. Elementary Program for the Early Childhood teacher and younger child!  
(more)

Be S.M.A.R.T. For Fall! by Cindy Harvey

It’s not too soon to think about next year’s S.M.A.R.T. program... And, yes, we understand that you are probably feeling way too busy right now to even think about it!

But because we understand that fall is also an extra busy time, we've put together a few ideas to consider so the tasks don‘t take time away from your summer or get pushed aside for more urgent needs in the fall.

Hope you find our ideas helpful in your planning!
(more)

S.M.A.R.T. For Two Year Olds? No Way!! interview with Karen Burton

Some teachers are taking parts of the S.M.A.R.T. elementary program and implementing those components with three and four year olds while the S.M.A.R.T. Early Childhood program is under construction.

But, did you know that we have a classroom of two year olds doing the S.M.A.R.T. Program at Torah Academy in St. Louis Park, MN? It is the only two-year old S.M.A.R.T. class in the country that we know about (and most likely, the world). You might ask, "How in the world does anyone get two year olds to walk heel-toe, spin in one spot, or do reflex exercises?" Karen Burton is the director of Torah Tots (for ages 2-5) and teaches the two-year old group. Read about what it's like to incorporate S.M.A.R.T. into a toddler's day - a unique and fun experience!
(more)


 


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www.themlrc.org