Wow Story

LSEM > Wow Story
Dec
04
Creative Engagement

My Enrich (Gifted) students have been working on a STEM project based on the book, “Iggy Peck Architect” by Andrea Beaty. For this project the students chose a famous architectural structure to research. Some examples include: The Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Leaning Tower of Pisa, and St. Peter’s Basilica. While researching their structures, they took […]

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Nov
27
Vertical Learning Works!

My 3rd grade students have been working on rounding by tens and hundreds. One student, K, really struggles with this. She had trouble understanding the concept of the “bossy number” telling the number in the tens or hundreds place what to do (round up or stay the same). While students were working independently on IXL, […]

Posted in: Wow Story,
Nov
13
A Lasting Impact

In September, my school hosted Grandparents day. Parents and family came to fellowship, engage in games, and speak with teachers. As I was making rounds throughout the building, I happened to stroll down the main hallway when I felt someone come up and hug me saying “Mr. Diaz!”. I turned and it was a student […]

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Nov
06
Acting to Improve Reading

Last year a student and I read and acted out a play together.  This student, who went from sounding out many words and had difficulty with comprehension, was now excited to read her part.  Knowing she was a character and not herself, allowed her to open up and shine. We read through it a couple […]

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Oct
30
The Importance of Practice

When I think of the word “WOW” I think of something exciting, something new, something amazing.  My WOW story is none of those things, and is, in fact, quite the opposite. CH is in third grade, and has been receiving Title 1 Services his entire school career.  This year he really, really, really does not […]

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Oct
16
The Sticky Note

We live in a world filled with technology. We use it in our lives every day. Assistive Technology is also vital in special education. Students using devices to communicate, a pen reading words to a student, audiobooks allowing for better comprehension. But sometimes all it takes is sticky notes! I’ve been working with a student […]

Posted in: Wow Story,
Oct
09
Incredible Growth, Incredible Child

On July 31st, one of Let It Shine’s most amazing students graduated. O was a student at Let It Shine for 3 school years, joining the school at age 3. O came into the classroom with few to no words, difficulty taking steps, and little to no desire to play with peers. When presented with […]

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Oct
02
Play A Game!

In my Book Bunch (Reading Intervention) groups, I incorporate game-based learning as much as possible. We play games such as Find the Sight Word, Roll and Read, Ned’s Head, Sink My Battleship, and various other seasonal and holiday-themed games. Research shows that game-based learning is tied to improved growth mindset and student engagement. Playing games […]

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Sep
25
Serving More

I have been allowed to construct and implement a school wide program to help teach and promote executive functioning skills. This opportunity has allowed me to expand the reach of my services to all students in the school.  I went from serving a few (around 10 students) to reaching the minds, hearts, and futures of […]

Posted in: Wow Story,
Sep
04
The Journey

Sometimes it isn’t the big reveal with all the sirens and lights, or even the figurative lightbulb. Sometimes it is looking back over the past three years and knowing the difference the journey has made. Brantley is one of those kids. He is a sweet rambunctious boy who is just peaking in maturity and finding […]

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