Learning with Mrs. R

Who Am I?

My name is Kelly Rodriguez. I am 31 years old and a mom to two amazing kids. My son Lucas is 4 and my daughter Chloe is 2. I recently moved from the Bay Area, where I was born and raised, to Roseville, California where my husband and I bought our first house.

I have taught 3rd grade for the past two years in Cupertino Union School District. I have absolutely loved every minute of it! Through these past two year, I have found that I am passionate about creating engaging and challenging lessons where students flourish both academically and socially. In my class, I utilize Whole Brain Teaching strategies to engage my students. And if you walked into my room, you would likely see kids singing and dancing, as I think students learn so much through music. Lastly, I set the stage to engage, by transforming my classroom. You might see my room one day set up as the four major regions of California and then a restaurant the next day where I am teaching fractions. A quote that Chris Pombonyo, Seminole County Teacher of the Year, has stuck with me and transformed my teaching which is "You want your students to come in on Monday talking about your lesson from Friday."

 Differentiated teaching and Learning Activities

In order to meet the needs of all students, I incorporate whole brain teaching strategies that include all parts of the brain: auditory, visual, and motor cortex. In addition, I use a lot of G.L.A.D. strategies. One method I have used that has shown to be beneficial is lesson sketch. This is where I read a section of passage and the students make a mental image and then transfer it to a picture on their whiteboards. I frequently stop to allow students to draw what they hear me read. At the end of the passage, the students teach their partner what I read while using their pictures to help support them. While using this strategy, I can support my English Language learners by showing them a picture to help them. They can they draw a picture that helps them remember what they saw and heard. I used this method a lot during science and social studies.