Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to Scrapbooks That Teach! We are your #1 resource for motivation-to-retention activities,  home to academic scrapbooking. We are licensed teachers just like you and we want to "take care of our kids" just like you. Scrapbooks That Teach is pro-teacher. We are devoted to promoting teacher leaders who continue their craft in the classroom day-after-day without recognition for the incredible skill levels you possess and the efforts you put forth to maintain the curiosity in your classroom. Each year we see the differences in student skill levels and their attitudes toward learning. We stay abreast of these changes and realize that assisting students to be proactive and who will take pride in their work makes our job all the more easier. We expect students who choose to academic scrapbook to follow the directions of the assignment as provided by you, their teacher. We do advocate for giving students a choice whenever possible to complete assignments that match their individual way of learning and help them to feel comfortable with the curriculum. And, frankly, it is a great classroom behavior management plan that focuses on prevention. None of us like the reactivity or having to switch hats to address aberrant student behavior, right? Be sure to recognize yourself by looking at our products for professional fun and referring your equally hard-working colleagues to us. When you make a referral, you earn points that are accumulated for an A.S.K. of choice. (10 points for a referral and 100 points for a free A.S.K.- we keep track for you since you have enough to worry about on your desk at work.) 

Academic scrapbooking falls under the category of differentiated instruction. Differentiated instruction is the means of choice for most teachers these days as the needs of our learners change and we need to include all students in our classes regardless of skill levels. As you know, differentiated instruction encourages personal choice for students to demonstrate their skill levels in a manner that is comfortable to them. The other aspect of differentiated instruction that I like is that is does not make assumptions about presumed beginning skill levels. It is easy to address all skill levels because students manage the assignment in a way that works for them. I can sigh some relief because it takes some pressure off me as a teacher as I prepare students for the assignment. I remain vigilant in my efforts to ensure that students understand the assignment and the purpose of the assignment. I can rest easy at night knowing that my students are competent in providing a response to the assignment.

I suppose before you can sigh with relief, you want to know if this type of student response is gradable. Absolutely and to get you started, I am providing a free download: a grading rubric. And, because we all have those days where we need a break and are in-between units, or decide to take a personal day, I have a Down Time Plan for you to download for free. If I may offer a suggestion, at the beginning of the school year, set up the Down Time Plan in a plastic tub or basket for under your desk, and keep it updated after each use while the students are working independently. Also, the beginning of the school year is a great time to introduce academic scrapbooking to your students. (But, don't forget to download and print out enough copies of the academic scrapbooking letter to send home with your students for parent signature before your class starts using their photos.)

Good Luck and Happy Academic Scrapping!

Heidi W.