At a staff meeting about nine years back, our principal had us look at the previous year's test results, identify one or two areas of weakness, and then write a plan of action for improving that weak strand. Well, my colleagues and I recognized that Author's Purpose was a weak area for our third, fourth,  and  fifth graders that year. We wrote what we thought was a  fabulous  plan to help our students better understand the concept of Author's Purpose... and thus be better equipped to score higher in that area on the annual spring standardized tests. Our plan even included placement of a huge "pie" in the central part of the hallway, where each class wrote the titles of books they had read that fit into each category! As teachers, our confidence  soared  as State Assessment time approached! When assessment time arrived, however, my heart sank. As an ESL teacher, I was providing the accommodations of reading the ......

Have you ever looked out into the faces of the your students to see blank stares, wondering eyes, fiddling fingers, or students snoring?  I think it happens to all of us!  Also, do your students want snack time right after they walk in the door?  Do you find someone sneaking their snack or part of their lunch during class?  How about this....do you get hungry throughout the day and want to sneak a snack?  I know I do! Sooooooo.......here is some food for thought: Why not use food for motivation?  I know your pocket can't afford to use food for every lesson, but maybe one a month?  If you are in a district where parents are involved, get their help!  I can honestly say that my students have come back to visit after several years and still remember those lessons with food!  Here are some recipes for success in all subject areas: 1.  EXPLORERS AND CHOCOLATE After a lesson on explorers and the value of a cocoa bean, we made our v......

I love teaching author's purpose...maybe it's the cozy PIE image it conjures up, or maybe it's the fact that for most kids, this is a concept that they "get" for the most part (with a little bit of explaining and some hands on practice). It's kind of the opposite of long division that way, if you know what I mean! :) So, how do I teach author's purpose? I follow an 8 step recipe: 1. Use Mentor Texts Mentor texts are my go-to strategy for almost anything to do with reading and author's purpose is no exception. I round up some great examples for each of the three PIE strategies (Persuade, Inform, Entertain) and read them to the class over a few days. Sometimes we can even read just a few pages for the kids to get the gist of what the author was trying to do. Doing this as a whole class is always great because it reinforces the kids who are on the right track, and it helps the kids who are lost in the woods, to get some help ......