Lori Towles

Mom * Wife * Educator * Innovation + Learning Coach

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@mrsrpritchard @ClerMontElem That’s where I would be too! Playground shade is crucial!

[Jason Kennedy | Stop Teaching & Design Learning! @letsquitteachin]

The kids are here!
Remember, they are not:
SPED kids
EIP kids
RTI kids
Bad kid
504 kids
"Those" kids
Low kids
_____ kids.

Kids are kids.
First, love them
Then learn them.
We don't love labels.
We love learners.
We teach learners, not labels.
Love, believe & challenge ALL kids.

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@HartmanJaysa @AssmanMiss @LIBERTYSCHOOLS @ShoalCreekStars Amazing group!

[Dr. Paul J Bloomberg @bloomberg_paul]

Decodable Text Reading Science 👇🏼

“There's really never a time that kids should be limited to only decodable text, and certainly not after they have learned all the most basic grapheme-phoneme correspondences. The research on decodable texts is extremely thin, and the few studies that have compared using decodables to using other texts have either non-significant or very modest outcomes.

Keep in mind that we don't read decodable text so that we can read more decodable text. We read decodable text to practice what we've been learning in our phonics instruction so that we can read ANY text.

My main reason for wanting kids to be reading less controlled text is for their statistical learning. Decodables by their very nature skew the probabilities that a particular grapheme will represent a particular phoneme. So, for example, I may read one decodable text designed to practice the /ē/ sound for EA and another designed to practice the /ĕ/ sound. If I never have opportunities to read uncontrolled text, I may think these grapheme-phoneme correspondences occur with similar frequency, when /ē/ is FAR more common.

Part of learning to decode is learning which correspondence is most likely to help me successfully decode a word. In the case of EA, I'd be much better off trying /ē/ before /ĕ/. A teacher may explicitly state which one is more common, but extensive experience encountering the grapheme in authentically structured text is what really helps solidify those understandings.

So, all this is to say that decodable texts are terrific for practicing new GPCs, but uncontrolled text also provides important practice opportunities. If you want kids to be able to read ANY text, you can't restrict them to only practicing with decodable text.”

~ Dr. Holly Lane

[KCTV5 News @KCTV5]

A family in Liberty, Mo is whole again, now that Cpt. Jesse Hernandez has returned home from a 325-day employment in Africa. His first mission? Have lunch with his son at Alexander Doniphan Elementary School. https://t.co/7TPWWIS9sc

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

PBL planning with these Franklin teams and @acpeletz today. So much amazing learning the works! @LPSFranklinElem

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@matthewkrohne That sweater is amazing!

[Allison Carter @WHMrsCarter]

Our class has been making connections to what we do daily at school to the LPS Graduate Profile! #Lpsleads #whcats

The students thought it reminded them of being a Lifelong Leaner ❤️

[Jonathan Alsheimer @mr_Alsheimer]

We all have an opportunity to impact the climate and culture of the halls and classrooms within our school.

We all play a part ❤️🙌 in students saying, “I love it here!”

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@RyanSouza_9009 Grateful for @JamieG6708 and @mrsrpritchard giving their time and support to provide students these experiences. They are both amazing!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@FirstiesIn5 @GreatMindsEd Gosh, I love that moment! And that wait time! That strategy is his now, so exciting!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@FirstiesIn5 @LibertyEdFdn @LPSFranklinElem Go Fran!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@HartmanJaysa @LillianSchuElem This is one of my faves this year! Great idea!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@FirstiesIn5 @NCTM @LPSFranklinElem Can’t wait to hear about all you learn!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@Wisekinder @ADdolphins Doniphan has the most beautiful playground views!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

Twining today with these fall color vibes! 🍂🍁🍂

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

Feeling the 💙 @LPSFranklinElem on Coaches Day! So grateful to work with such amazing educators in such a wonderful school.

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

@bcunningham61 @ADdolphins This is one of the best things I have ever seen! These are perfect!

[Lori Towles @loritowles]

You’ve got mail! Thanks @ToebbenAmy and @HartmanJaysa for the sweet postcard. Grateful for you both & excited for an amazing year @LPSFranklinElem !