My name is Christine Nelson. I live in Valatie, NY with my two adorable little girls Emma and Lana, my two handsome boys Simon and Crosby, and my amazing husband Isaac. I have a dog named Rayla and my yellow lab Finn. Can you guess what movie I like?
I have been teaching at Taconic Hills since 2002. I have a master degree in Reading and a BA in Elementary Education and Drama. I directed the Elementary Drama program for Taconic Hills for 5 years.
I love my job. I get to explore and learn with your wonderful children. Every child has something special to contribute. I gear my teaching strategies and techniques to what the childeren need.
I love to dress-up and have fun learning and motivating the students.. Students have fun when you have fun!
I also love teaching through the arts. I am a high believer in this quote. "The true purpose of arts education is not necessarily to create more professional dancers or artist. (It's) to create more complete human beings who are critical thinkers, who have curious minds, who can lead productive lives."
-kelly Pollock-
This year in First grade we will be using an amazing type of instruction called Whole Brain Teaching. Whole Brain Teaching is a research based system that utilizes all areas of the brain, keeps children engaged throughout their lessons, and helps them retain much more information than the standard lecture-discussion model.
Whole Brain Teaching is a highly interactive form of instruction that delivers information to students in short “chunks.” Kids then teach what they have just learned to their partners, using hand-gestures to help remember specific vocabulary. While students teach each other, the teacher walks around the room to discover who understands the lesson and who needs more instruction.
Research shows that children retain more information when they have an opportunity to put it into their own words and use gestures to emphasize key instructional units …plus, it’s amazingly fun! For more information about Whole Brain Teaching please contact me, or go to www.WholeBrainTeaching.com.
Rule # 1= Following directions quickly
Rule # 2= Raise your hand for permission to speak and leave your seat
Rule # 3= Respect others, yourself, and your school
Rule # 4= Make smart choices
Rule #5= Make your dear teacher happy.
You can also send a note in with your child in the morning. In your note please indicate how you would like me to get back to you; email, phone, or response note.