Skip to content
LOGIN / REGISTER
  • 0
  • Read Like A Rockstar
  • Black History Month
  • Critical Conversations
  • Culture
  • Grade Level
  • Martin Luther King Day
  • Math Warm-Ups
  • Reading
  • Rock Star T-Shirts
  • Service
  • Social Studies - History
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing
  • Close Menu
    • Blog
    • Home
    • Shop
    • FAQs
    • About
    • Rock Star T-Shirts

    2 for Tuesday

    admin June 16, 2015 0 Comments

    I am linking up with Chalk One Up for the Teacher to bring you the deal of the week!


    My Text Dependent Writing Prompts and Partner Reading pack will be 20% off today only!!


    Building Sight Words, Reading Fluency, and Comprehension.

    admin June 14, 2015 0 Comments

    Grab this resource now!!

    Recent Posts

    • Set Up For Social Studies: Kindergarten A 90 Day (Or Less) Social Studies Curriculum
    • Set Up For Social Studies for First Grade: A 90 Day (or Less) Social Studies Curriculum
    • Not Your Average Christmas
    • Inauguration Day for Primary Students
    • The Truth About Thanksgiving

    Recent Comments

    • Elaine on Anti-Racist Classroom Posters
    • Elaine on The Truth About Thanksgiving
    • Patti Loftus on The Truth About Thanksgiving
    • Armetha on Anti-Racist Classroom Posters
    • Brooke wingert on Anti-Racist Classroom Posters
    In my opinion, giving children the appropriate lan In my opinion, giving children the appropriate language to discuss hard things going on in the world and allowing them to have a safe space to speak and ask questions, teaches kids how to manage their emotional discomfort and stress levels. It is also my belief that when adults start thinking about the conversations they're going to have with children (especially as it pertains to racism and white supremacy), they project their OWN feelings and background knowledge onto the child, thinking the child will connect with the information the same way that they (the adults) do.
Imagine being a child, knowing something crazy went down yesterday, but no one will give you information about it. They say, "Don't worry. It was nothing." Kids aren't dumb.
Going back to my earthquake analogy, can you see how that actually wouldn't help a child? They know something happened! Not being open about it will confuse them and probably make them feel even more scared. They can't name it. They don't know if it will happen again or what they can do to help. You've let them know feelings around scary things going on in the world are off the table, so they will have no one to process these feelings with. How will they become informed citizens if we never inform them? If you wait too long, they will become adults who just say it's "fake news", because to their knowledge, things like that just don't happen. On the other hand, we also have adults that can't have these discussions because when their children ask them what they can do about it, their parents will have to explain that they are complicit... that they actually casted a vote for this.
    If you voted for the leader of this, don't try to If you voted for the leader of this, don't try to distance yourself now. You can't say, "I voted for Trump, but not this." This is Trump. You can't talk about "them" when you're in the group, too. And stop being shocked. This is America. 
When you talk to your kids about this, what will you say? When you teach your students about this, what words will you use?
    @teachmrreed recently asked what does the phrase, @teachmrreed recently asked what does the phrase, "Believe Black kids." mean to you? For me it's believing in them and also believing the experiences they choose to trust sharing with us. Over the years I have had many students, my own and other teachers kids, share experiences of racism or unfair treatment with me. We need to believe them and hear them out instead of racially gaslighting them. Some teachers proclaim that racial things never happen to their students... possibly... but it could be that they don't trust you with their experiences based on how a previous teacher responded to them or what they have or haven't seen you do to show them you would believe them.
Image ID: a white square that says: RACIAL GASLIGHTING IN THE CLASSROOM SOUNDS LIKE:
1 “I’m sure they didn’t mean it that way.”
2. “That’s a very serious accusation.”
3. “I think they were just joking. They weren’t trying  to be racist.”
4. “Not everything is about race. I think you’re being too sensitive.”
5. “If you would just calm down, maybe I could listen to what you’re saying.”
6. “Are you sure that’s what happened?”
My thoughts about these gaslighting statements that I've been hearing since I was a child:
1. It doesn't matter how they meant it. Impact matters more than intent especially when it comes to racism.
2. Yeah, it is. That's why I'm bringing it up.
3. Racism is never a joke. What's funny? They weren't trying to be racist and yet they were.
4. Actually, most things are. You have the privilege to ignore race, so I can see how you would think that. I'm not being too sensitive. You're too apathetic. 1/10 stars. Would not recommend.
5. Racism or an injustice happened and you don't get to tone police how I react to it. Stop detracting from what I said by focusing on how I said it. Racism is wrong whether I whisper about it or yell angrily about it. 
6. Are you insulting my intelligence? Of course I'm sure. I don't appreciate the assumption that I am not intelligent enough to assess and process what was said or done to me.
    I am so excited to be teaching this virtual PD on I am so excited to be teaching this virtual PD on math in the K-1 classroom! Over my years in primary, I grew to love the way that I ran my math block, and I'm so excited to share my tips and tricks with all of you attending the Now That's What I Call Teaching virtual PD!  My students were always engaged and amazing growth was happening once I really deepened my understanding of how math could be taught to my students. This was done through trial and error over a decade in K-2, feedback from coaches and admin, and my ongoing research of best practices for students. Hope to "see" you there! ((Link in bio to register))
Image ID: There are two images The first image is of Naomi with the title of a session that says, "This is how we do math." Both backgrounds are colorful. The Now That's What I Call Teaching logo is displayed, as well as the name Naomi O'Brien.
The second image says, "Learn how to effectively execute any math lesson using the I do it, we do it, you do it x 2 model! A fun element has been added in that's sure to grab your students' attention and keep it! I'll walk you through how to check for understanding model effectively and clear up misconceptions."
    Friends and family, I still have an Android. I ca Friends and family, I still have an Android.  I can't see your fireworks or your confetti. 💀🤣 I just get a typed out message of what could have been, but I appreciate it and love you all the same. 🤣❤️ Happy New Year!
Image ID: a white square that says Happy New Year (sent with fireworks or confetti)
    It's been quite a year. The highs were high and th It's been quite a year. The highs were high and the lows were low. I'm looking forward, prayerfully, at whatever 2021 has in store for me. 
If I had to pick a word for the year it would be: boundaries. I need another word though: productivity. I've put healthy boundaries in place and tried to keep them up as much as possible wherever they were needed. I've kept my eyes on a prize and worked hard daily to take steps towards that goal. I am proud of myself! Happy New Year!
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Read Like a Rock Star • The Spot of Engaging K-2 Ideas and Resources •