Vann-Ray Blog

The Adventures of Gemo

This is another early reader I wrote for my grandson.  It's called The Adventures of Gemo. Take a look at the comparison video below:  The Adventures of Gemo

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New Resources for Teachers & Students

We are releasing several new resources for teachers and students.  You can find all of these on Amazon.  We are releasing Reading Quizzes for Grades K - 6. We are releasing Early Readers with Sight Words for Grade 1.  We would love for you to use ...

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Xantu Learns to Read & Think I'll Go Fishin

Mimsy (aka Dr. Odom) spends the evening with a group of 1st graders at a local elementary school.  She is reading them a couple of books she wrote for 1st Grade students, specifically for Clemens (her grandson). These books are filled with sight ...

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EARLY READERS RELEASED

Literacy is so very important. I see how my own grandson struggles with his reading in first grade. I keep asking myself, "Why?" What is the root cause of his struggles? Is it unrealistic expectations for first grade students? Is it some genetic or ...

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My 2¢ on What We Need to Improve Education for All

So... NAEP scores are out... So... School report cards are out... So... News Media have their reports out... 1. I don't negate the data nor the fact that we all can do better in our great State! 2. But I also know educators across the state are ...

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FREE ACT WEBINAR

There will be a 1 hour webinar on Blackboard Collaborate to go over ACT English strategies on Thursday, September 12 at 6PM.  This is a Free Webinar.  Join us if you can. The link will be provided on Thursday, so keep watching.  

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STREAMSing with Maracas

Check Out the STREAMSing with Maracas Kit from Vann-Ray! $150.00 Introductory Price Includes: Materials for 30 maracas Logins for 30 kids + 1 teacher Booklet for teacher Online portal for 1 year supporting STREAMS

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Going Green - Vann Ray STEM KITS PROPOSAL

Going Green We are GOING GREEN at Vann Ray, LLC. Our STEM KIT ENDEAVOR is in the planning stages, and we need input from our great educators.  Our kits will be designed to have all needed supplies, curriculum to support teacher, assessment ...

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Coming Soon: Whether You STEM It, STEAM It, or STREAM It, Make Science Spectacular!

Whether You STEM It, STEAM It, or STREAM, Make Science Spectacular! Experiments for Spectacular Science As a 21st Century Evaluator and former science teacher, I love seeing students embrace science. Science was truly my first love. I had two ...

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Funny Things I Learn From Kids

I've been working this week at my local high school... always brings back memories... and I always love getting to know each group of students I have.  I've been providing ACT prep for about seven years now.  While I do enjoy helping kids ...

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Investing in Our Future

Someone recently made a statement: "People only care about children when they are babies." Well, I'll be the first to admit I love a baby.  But I also love kids at all ages.  They remind me of my youth, and as I approach 50 this year, I need to ...

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Tests Are Coming!

Are you ready?  It's that time of year again!  Time for tests.  I don't think anyone truly loves a test... well maybe a few folks. But they are a necessary evil.  Are you prepared?  Do you think you have what it takes to score well? Do tests ...

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Social Media Bashing

There is a phenomenon that I've noticed for quite some time now.  It took people a while... a few years in fact to get brave enough... but suddenly out of nowhere the bashing started.  Confrontation from behind the plasma screen grew ...

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I'm a Senior, and I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. Help!

It’s October 31, 2018.  Seniors are starting to come to the realization they will soon need to make some adulting choices.  Let’s face it; this is a scary time for them. Like wearing a bad Halloween costume at the cool kid’s party, students ...

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