Catherine Alongi

I called anime a "cartoon" 3 years ago and my class about bit my head off, I just never understood the genre... A student recommended I watch Komi Can't Communicate and I have a whole new respect for the genre (and a new show to talk about with my student!) #buildrelationships

Check out these exhibits from #NHD2006 to help you brainstorm some ideas for #NHD2024.

Mentor examples of NHD exhibits

Who is ready to start looking for #NHD2024 topic ideas? ✋ Check out nhd.org/theme for access to the #NHD2024 theme book, theme video, theme resources, and more.

Morning meeting idea

As someone who taught reading intervention at middle school in a school that focused on a phonics-centric Science of Reading approach, here are a few concerns I see with this new trend and how it might be applied to older students: 1. I worry that we will focus so much on skill development that we fail to see the need for reading for pleasure in order to develop reading endurance. At the middle school level, one of the key elements in helping students increase their reading scores was the role of endurance. 2. An emphasis on phonics, blending, and phonemic awareness at the middle school level sometimes fails to recognize the role of critical thinking, vocabulary, and prior knowledge in reading comprehension. I’ve seen highly fluent readers fail reading tests for these reasons. 3. The one-size-fits-all systematic approach that rejects balance might work at younger levels but the reasons a 13 year old is behind will often be far more varied. 4. I’m really worried that some of the people screaming the loudest about research haven’t read the research in-depth and seen the limitations in actual studies, the nuances in the finding, and the context of the studies (rarely about middle school) 5. I want to make sure we are paying attention to accessibility. I know many people who are dyslexic and became avid readers once they could use voice-to-text and audio readers. My fear is that readying will be defined solely as decoding written text and certain people who might thrive as readers will be forced to do drills where they lean into their weakness without learning about assistive technology. I’m no expert in early literacy but I am concerned with prescriptive approaches that treat middle school students in the same way as a second graders. I’m worried about prescriptive, singular solutions.

My partner in crime - we make an outstanding team ❤️ can't wait to see what next year holds #fhesfamily #fhesilluminates

The last 26 days of school had G for "Game Day!" Sixth graders played their favorite board games with their friends 🎲 #fhesfamily #fhesilluminates #last26days

The last 26 days of school had E is for Exercise Day! 6th graders got additional exercise time to get their legs and muscles moving on the track!! #fhesfamily #fhesilluminates #endoftheyear #last26days #exercise

The Last 26 days of school had "C" is for "Catching up with friends" 6th graders brought a ball to pass around while catching up with people we don't always play with at recess #last26days #fhesilluminates #fhesfamily #6thgrade

Feeling appreciated ❤️ ⚘️🪻🌻 #TeacherAppreciationWeek #fhesfsmily #fhesilluminates

You know it's exhibition time when... #fhesfamily #fhesilluminates #pbl #nationalhistoryday

Hands on science - learning about capillary action and surface tension #fhesilluminates #fhesfamily #science

❤️ #besties #workwives

Look at all of those fractions!! We had some future chefs and bakers in room 101 today for our Annual Fall Fractions Feast!! Who doesn't love hands on learning and eating food?! #fhesilluminates #mathchat #somuchfood

@ms_grzankowski I'm reading this with my kiddos too, I'm absolutely taking this idea!! I love it!! Thanks for sharing

Checkout all of the PRIME behaviors being demonstrated by our Flint Hill Falcons!! Keep showing your PRIME behavior and get your name added to the PRIME Showcase!! #fhesprimetime #fhesilluminates #fhesfamily

Our October Diversity showcase is quickly coming together! Thank you 6th graders for all of your art representations of our celebrated holidays and traditions! Families, keep sending in your photos! @MsRadin1st #fhescelebratesdiversity #fhesilluminates #fhesfamily #diversity

September Diversity Showcase in the main foyer... Be on the lookout for our October holidays, traditions, and celebrations. @MsRadin1st #FHEScelebratesDiversity #fhesilluminates #fhesfamily

Who doesn't love using food to understand math concepts?! Marshmallow Ratios! #fhesfamily #fhesilluminates #mathchat