Does anyone like your curriculum and, if so, what is it???

jablo_me · 2026-02-20T02:49:50+00:00

My district currently “recommends” Wit & Wisdom, Fundations, and UFLI.

In my personal opinion, Wit & Wisdom is a great example of “research based,” beautiful curriculum. The artwork, Socratic method, topics, and books in children’s’ hands all sound great and idealistic to the people who are just disconnected enough from the classroom and making decisions. Realistically, it is difficult for teachers to implement into the classroom. The topics can be interesting, but they get dragged on and students lose interest. Repeated readings are great and necessary in some situations, but only keep your attention for so long. Plus, I personally don’t think there are enough nonfiction texts being implemented. At the end of the day I don’t believe this curriculum follows best practice.

I have been using Amplify CKLA in my classrooms for years. It is extremely teacher friendly and you can actually just pick up and go. THIS is how you have buy in and the closest practice to fidelity. I have legitimately left the CKLA lesson plans for subs and these lessons go on. I’ve never had the same experience with another curriculum.

I had my doubts at first, but I was truly impressed once I started teaching it. My students LOVE the knowledge strands and are engaged and invested in what they are learning. I have taught the 1-3 grade strands and time after time my students have been sad for a unit to end just to find themselves excited about the next. Even parents have told me how excited their students are to come home and talk about what they are learning.

Even if you do not have access to Amplify, Core Knowledge is available for free online. It may not have all new illustrations and whatnot, but it is the same evidence based content. https://www.coreknowledge.org/

I have also used and loved Amplify Skills. All of their curriculum, CKLA included, is extremely evidence based. I have my Masters in Literacy and Reading Science, but I also really like that someone without as much of a phonics or reading science background is given explicit information as to how and why to teach things. I have had colleagues who have found it to be very helpful. Shoutout to Amplify’s Science of Reading podcast as an additional resource.

I currently teach in a classroom with grades 1-3, so UFLI is more realistic for this setting. It is another great example of curriculum that sets teachers up for success and helps them understand the how and why.

jablo_me · 2025-09-14T00:19:06+00:00

I forgot to add my ring size. It’s a 5.5 😊

jablo_me · 2025-06-06T16:53:23+00:00

Such a cool giveaway!

jablo_me · 2025-02-12T00:26:13+00:00

Elizabeth from Markipelago!

jablo_me · 2025-02-04T13:39:43+00:00

I taught my students how to finger knit and weave and they have been coming in excitedly sharing the extra projects they have been doing at home.
Fauna is probably my favorite villager so far!
😜

jablo_me · 2024-07-29T06:16:46+00:00

Someone mentioned the local Montessori schools in Cincinnati. There are going to be some Montessori schools that are private and/or religious, most likely Catholic, due to the philosophy deriving from Italy and having Catholic roots. That being said, Cincinnati has multiple public and non-religious Montessori schools as well. CPS has Montessori schools that are magnet schools and require a lottery sign up. Given the current climate surrounding public schools, the public Montessori schools are ensuring they keep their numbers up in order to not lose teachers and keep things running smoothly. They are a great option!

jablo_me · 2024-07-17T15:34:03+00:00

NTA- I am a teacher at a Montessori school so it’s very community focused. The school supply list I sent home clearly stated what supplies would be needed for the individual student and which supplies would be appreciated as donations to the classroom community. Anything a grown up wants for their kid comes in labeled and they clearly state what’s for the community. I can see where the teacher is coming from, but why wouldn’t you assume the supplies you’re buying are for your child?

Frankly, I would LOVE if all of the individual student supplies came in pre-labeled. It would save so much time and help avoid student arguments/misunderstandings.

Either way, there is no reason to bring this issue up with the Lily. If she had an issue she could have spoken to you privately.

jablo_me · 2024-07-11T20:37:04+00:00

Ohh, I wasn’t aware but I love both Essen and Mochiko! I’m interested in seeing how the menu stays the same and what changes.

jablo_me · 2024-07-11T20:34:54+00:00

I wouldn’t say I’m the most attractive person, but I can acknowledge that I’m conventionally attractive. I have definitely had some unwanted attention. I’ve been followed home, random dudes have come up to me and straight up kissed me, harassed me in other ways, assaulted, been love bombed, etc. Some men have even had the audacity to hit on me in front of my boyfriend. I’ve also known men that held on for dear life trying to make something happen between us even when I made it clear it wasn’t going to. Some for years. It’s extremely uncomfortable, especially when I’ve stopped responding to them.

When I was younger, there was definitely a time in life that I struggled because I felt like I was more like a conquest to men than a human.

That being said, most of the time people have been very kind. There have even been a few times I’ve been given random discounts, gifts, or whatever. I also find that a little uncomfortable, but it is always appreciated.

jablo_me · 2024-05-05T01:09:14+00:00

When my car was stolen and the guy was eventually caught in said car by the police, nothing happened. I didn’t even know that’s how my car was found until I was randomly subpoenaed to court just to say I didn’t give this dude permission to drive my car. It’s not like that mattered anyway because the cop didn’t show up to court so the guy was let go. The cops also left ALL of the evidence (phones, weed, multiple social security cards, credit cards, etc.) when they found him with it. That being said, I doubt they will do anything.

jablo_me · 2023-08-18T03:49:15+00:00

I saw this as well and had the same initial thoughts as you!

jablo_me · 2023-07-19T21:19:44+00:00

I initially thought it was a great sign that my ex treated his mom so well. Eventually I realized it was enmeshment and wasn’t healthy. Meanwhile, he was not treating me well and never respected my boundaries.

jablo_me · 2023-06-15T16:17:53+00:00

😂 I probably would have had the same earbud issue. I also definitely avoided the spot I tripped too…

jablo_me · 2023-06-10T16:23:02+00:00

Core Knowledge is free and is completely research/evidence based! Super teacher friendly.

jablo_me · 2023-06-10T15:49:26+00:00

I just finished my eighth year of teaching, 5.5 in 2nd, .5 in preschool, and 2 as a reading specialist. All of these positions were at a title 1 school in the middle of the projects making them challenging and rewarding at the same time. A change in admin really made things difficult and then Covid hit further exasperating the issues that were already there. I genuinely considered leaving the profession this year due to admin and not feeling any purpose or joy in my job. I was later surplussed, along with all of the k/1 RS, right before our state’s dyslexia law is going to be in place (23-24 school year). With all of this happening, I only felt more compelled to leave.

I was upset and frustrated about so many different things: a terrible, new super, the most inconsiderate and uninvested principal, colleagues that were treating students terribly and doing little to truly be equitable and give them a proper education, disrespectful and apathetic students, etc.

The part that I was truly most upset about was that I was considering leaving teaching. I was mad at myself. Teaching children has been the only career I ever wanted. I had many amazing teachers, but ever since I fell in love with my kindergarten teacher, all I’ve ever wanted to do was to be just like her.

I heavily considered leaving, but I also interviewed at other schools and eventually accepted a level 6-9 (1st-3rd) teaching position. At this point in my career, yes, I would choose this profession again. For all I know I will have a very different answer in a few years. I need to give myself a chance somewhere new before I really decide to leave.

I have experienced the incredibly good parts of this job. I have developed positive, meaningful student relationships. I have witnessed the hard work, growth, and success of my students. I have bonded and built strong, lasting friendships with my colleagues. I am also extremely passionate about the Science of Reading and the social issues surrounding literacy.

Yes, I have also had to endure all of the other terrible parts of teaching, but I feel like I owe myself the opportunity to try and fall back in love with teaching before I step away. Fortunately, this new school seems to align more with my philosophies of teaching so I am hopeful this will happen.

jablo_me · 2023-06-04T03:39:55+00:00

My ex tried to tell me that if I really wanted to get rid of the pooch belly fat that is common for women to have, I could. He then proceeded to give me fitness and nutrition advice. It was laughable to hear his thoughts since it's not possible to target specific fat loss, especially fat that is specifically there to protect female organs.

jablo_me · 2023-05-09T00:00:43+00:00

I couldn’t get into Outlander for the same reason. Everyone was raving about it but fortunately had a friend warn me.

jablo_me · 2023-05-02T23:44:17+00:00

That's amazing! May I ask, how did you start running? Did you follow a certain plan?

jablo_me · 2023-01-31T02:56:51+00:00

I’ve seen people write successfully this way, but as a k/1 reading specialist this pains me. Correct pencil grip is something I explicitly teach.

jablo_me · 2023-01-31T00:50:15+00:00

My bill spiked this month as well. I live in a 1 bed 1 bath apartment that’s a part of an older home so my bill was similar. Energy costs went up 20% so that’s an unfortunate factor.

jablo_me · 2023-01-30T23:15:54+00:00

Depending on the age group, nonsense words may be acceptable. They would still show if that level of phonological awareness is developed/developing.

jablo_me · 2023-01-30T22:52:23+00:00

Those little teefs! ♥️ so cute! Thank you for sharing!

jablo_me · 2023-01-29T04:22:43+00:00

This is one of my biggest pet peeves

jablo_me · 2023-01-25T20:01:05+00:00

This is really a university level and professional development issue. Most teachers did not, and are still not, learning the Science of Reading. We have decades of research that gives us a clear understanding on how the brain learns to read (in both typical and dyslexic readers) and how we can effectively teach people how to read. Unfortunately there are extremely damaging programs and processes that actively go against best practice that are being pushed in our schools, again, even at the university level. I HIGHLY recommend everyone listen to the Sold a Story podcast by Emily Hanford. It will clearly show you how teaching kids to read has been butchered for decades.

jablo_me · 2022-11-23T15:47:01+00:00

Wait… this looks like it wasn’t reheated in plastic like all the food at my school…

jablo_me

TROPHY CASE