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Teacher Feature

Brad Entrekin
5th Grade
ELCO Intermediate School
Myerstown, PA

Give an example of a lesson you teach that incorporates visual learning?
A: One of my favorite lessons to teach through the use of visuals is one on vocabulary. In this lesson, the students work in groups to complete their selected vocabulary word using enlarged graphic organizers, like Frayer diagrams. By the end of the lesson the class has an array of visuals at their disposal as a constant reminder of what they’ve learned.

Who or what motivates and inspires you to be a teacher?
A: My parents and family have been my constant motivation through life. They have always encouraged me to pick a goal and strive to be the best I can be to achieve success.

What teaching strategy do you find helps your students best grasp a lesson?
A: I firmly believe in extending student’s thinking skills. Whenever you can take a lesson and incorporate higher-level thinking, the students have the opportunity to build upon that skill and assimilate new information for future learning.

Name the most important thing you hope students take away from your class.
A: I’ve always tried to instill a life-long love for learning. It’s important to me that my students take what they learned in my classroom and apply it to their life.

What’s your favorite quote or comment from a student?
A: "I never realized the importance of making connections to what I already know."

January & February Events

Stop by the VariQuest booth at a conference near you!

January 21-24 – Booth #428 at the National Title I Conference in Seattle, WA

February 2-3 – Chicago Principals & Administrators Association Annual Education Conference in Chicago, IL

February 7-9 – Annual Statewide ESEA/NCLB Conference in Chicago, IL

February 13-15 – Booth #70 at the Midwest Education Technology Conference in St. Louis, MO

If you have an idea for future content, feedback, questions or comments about this issue, we’d love to hear from you. Please click here to send us your feedback.

School Spotlight

Eastern Lebanon County (ELCO) Intermediate School

A few hours northwest of Philadelphia, in Myerstown, PA, you will find a state of the art new school building that is home to 400 students in 3rd-5th grades. When deciding what resources and technology to add to their school, Principal Laurie Bowersox had VariQuest Visual Learning Tools at the top of her list. Continue reading to learn how ELCO Intermediate staff has embraced the new technology and integrated the VariQuest Cutout Maker and Poster Maker into instruction. Read more.

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In the Know

Now Available On-Demand - VariQuest Professional Development Webinar

Have you had a chance to view our latest Professional Development webinar: Instructional Strategies for ELL Students Using VariQuest? View the archived video here and learn how two California schools are supporting English language learners using visual strategies that foster language development and academic achievement. The webinar features Donna Tonry, Principal at Sherman Oaks Elementary School and Cindy Lubke, Resource Teacher and Literacy Coach at Sunnyslope Elementary School. All archived webinars are available at www.variquest.com/webinars.

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VariQuest Honored by Two Prestigious Awards

We are pleased to announce that VariQuest has been named a winner of the 2011 "Cool Tool Awards" by EdTech Digest! The e-zine is calling the finalists and winners “some of the best and brightest in the education and technology world.” To view the complete article online including all the winners, visit here. In addition, we are excited to share that VariQuest has been selected as the eSchool Media's “Readers’ Choice Award” honoree for 2012. We are thrilled that VariQuest has been recognized by readers of eSchool News, eCampus News, and eClassroom News as a valuable educational tool and would like to extend a special thank you to all those who nominated VariQuest!

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VariQuest Tip of the Month: Using the State Standards Alignment Tool with VariQuest Learning Modules

VariQuest Learning Modules help pre-K through 6th grade teachers with lessons and activities that incorporate visual and hands-on learning strategies to reinforce basic skills and supplement your school's curriculum. Each includes a CD with 30-118 cutout shapes, fonts and/or collections and an Activity Guide containing 10 Learning Activities. All Learning Module Activities have been aligned to English language arts (ELA), math, science and social studies standards for all 50 states, as well as to Common Core state standards for both ELA and math. The content and activities within each guide have been validated and aligned to the most current standards by subject matter experts at Academic Benchmarks. To view the standards alignment, go to www.variquest.com/state-standards and start by selecting one or all Learning Modules. Then, narrow your search by choosing your state, subject and grade level. Each report can be emailed or downloaded as a Microsoft® Excel file.

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Classroom Ideas

This month, we’d like to share how you can incorporate VariQuest tools into your classroom instruction when celebrating the New Year and Presidents’ Day. If you have a unique application idea or lesson, please contact us and you may be featured in the next eNewsletter!

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Celebrating All New Year’s Traditions

Now that school is back in session, start a discussion with your class about New Year’s traditions. Ask your students what time of year they celebrate New Year’s and have them share their traditions. Read more.

New Year’s Resolution Essays

For older students, begin with a discussion about New Year’s resolutions. Ask students to explain what resolutions are and why many people make resolutions at the start of a New Year. Read more.

U.S. Presidents’ Fun Facts Game

In recognition of Presidents’ Day on February 20th, prepare a fun lesson that shares little-known facts about our former U.S. Presidents. In preparation, collect a variety of interesting facts about the Presidents like their favorite foods, former jobs, or hometowns. Read more.