Diana Nygard
Diana Nygard is a teacher who likes teaching English, Drama, and Spanish, and academic life skills. She enjoys New York City museum visits and international travel.
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- 8/21/2009
Education/Experience
M.Ed. in K-12 ESL at Jones International University. BA in Secondary English Education at SUNY-Oswego.Interests
Education, Parenting, Music, English, Spanish, Drama, History, NYC Museums, Recipes, Children, ESL, LibraryMotto
Education is the transmission of civilization. ~ Will DurantFavorites
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Displaying Results 1 - 83 (of 83) for All Content
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Encouraging Students to Become Strategic ReadersReading is problem solving. Reading unlocks a world of information in written form. A strategic reader applies effective methods throughout the process of reading: when approaching reading, while reading, and after reading.
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Can Schools Be Inclusive of ELL Students' Personal Heritage and Language in ESL Programs Today?Some educators believe that English-only is the only way to go. Others believe that any resource available - including bilingual education - to secure content learning is worth the effort.
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Teaching Beginning ELLs: To Teach Reading or Not to Teach Reading?There seems to be a mix of opinions and emotions surrounding literacy instruction for ELLs. The author puts forth the case that every English Language Learner should be taught reading - even beginners! -
What Helped Me Learn a Foreign Language?Do we learn a foreign language by routine and regimen and patterns, or by real world immersion and communication? This author needed both - totally. -
The Bodies Exhibition in New York CityCome see the amazing human body up close and personal by viewing actual specimens! You will gain an appreciation of your own body that you never anticipated.
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Early Childhood InterventionA brief description of early intervention for disabilities, the purpose of screening and diagnosis, and the ultimate goal of transition to mainstream options. It also touches on involvement of families in the process.
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A Brief Description of AutismThis is a brief summary of autism. What is it, and how can teachers make use of autistic students gifts to help them fit into the classroom?
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A Brief Description of Severe and Multiple DisabilitiesThis is a brief summary of severe and multiple disabilities. What are the causes and characteristics, and how can teachers accommodate them?
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Physical Disabilities, Other Health Impairments, and Traumatic Brain Injury in the ClassroomStudents with significant physical disabilities face special difficulties in the classroom, and so do their teachers and fellow classmates. Teachers can coordinate all members of the class to face the difficulties together.
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Challenges in the Future of Special EducationWith ongoing moans of "teaching to the test" and meeting state and national standards, what will become of students with special needs?
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A Brief History of Special EducationHere's a succinct history of Special Education in a nutshell, beginning from the Civil Rights Movement, leading to the National Defense Education Act of 1958, and continuing through No Child Left Behind and further.
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Emotional-Behavioral Disorders in the ClassroomEmotional-behavioral disorders require careful planning and accommodation in the classroom. These students face threats to their self-esteem and reduce their self-determination. Educators must facilitate better understanding among classmates. -
Handel's Messiah in Junior HighAn experienced musician recalls her earliest experience in learning challenging vocal music, Handel's Messiah. In junior high. The faith of a patient teacher made all the difference.
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Yes, a Thanksgiving ChickenOur family is not having a turkey gobbler for dinner this Thanksgiving. We're having chicken. Shocked? Find out why. -
How Can You Produce Really Creative Writing from Your Everyday Life?This article is one of a series with tips to bring out good writing from your own experience to help you see how your everyday life gives you good material to unlock your creative writing potential!
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Saving Money and Enjoying Culture with Museums on UsDo you want to get into great museums for free (and I don't mean museums that are already free)? Find out about this program I stumbled upon! -
Book Review of DK Eyewitness Companions: Art by Robert CummingTake a look at another great guide from DK Publishing: Art by Robert Cumming. It has basic but not boring info about art materials, types, styles, movements, and artists. I offer a personal reflection on my favorite art museum, too! -
Book Review of Crewel Yule: A Needlecraft Mystery by Monica FerrisFrom the mystery series A Needlecraft Mystery, Monica Ferris crafts an interesting and clever plot to find out whodunnit at the Nashville Needlework Market.
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What Are Your Favorite Stories?Great readers make great writers. This lesson plan will help you guide your creative writing students by examining favorite (and least favorite) books. Good for students, too! -
Changing the Everyday True Story to FictionThis article is one of a series called Really Creative Writing from My Everyday Life with tips, suggestions, and activities for bringing out good writing from your own experience. How can you use a journal entry to develop a fictional story?
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What Do I Have to Do? Using Tener to Describe Tasks and Other ThingsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use the verb tener to say what one has to do, as well as temporary conditions.
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Adjective-Noun AgreementFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to make adjectives agree with the nouns they modify. Comes with an exercise, too!
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Comparisons with GustarFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to show degree of preference using verbs like gustar. Comes with exercises!
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Third-person Verbs that Take the Indirect Object: Copulative VerbsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use a special construction to express likes and dislikes. Watch out! This construction is inside-out.
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Why Are Public Performances Important in Our SocietyWhy do we love to perform and watch people perform? There's something deep inside us as people - and members of society - that craves it. Let's take a look at why! -
Verbs that Express Desires, Needs, and IntentionsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," we show how to use certain verbs together to show desires, needs, and intentions with conjugated verbs and infinitives.
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Stem-Changing Verbs in the Present TenseFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to conjugate stem-changing verbs, like querer or venir, in the present tense. Comes with an exercise, too.
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Verbs - the Simple Present TenseFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense. Comes with exercises too!
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Reflexive Verbs and Their PronounsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use reflexive verbs and pronouns, me, te, se, nos, os, se, to talk about what people do "to themselves" as in their daily routine!
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Subjects and Their Pronouns in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article presents the basic principles of subjects in sentences, and how to convert them to pronouns. Comes with an exercise!
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Conjugating Verbs and How They Are Used with Subjects in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to generally use verbs, and how to conjugate them according to a pattern. Comes with an exercise!
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The Preterite TenseFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use the preterite, or simple past, tense. It includes a review of general conjugation, the preterite pattern, and some irregular verbs.
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Two Compound Tenses with the Helping Verb HaberFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to form the construction of two compound tenses, present perfect and past perfect, using haber.
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A Review of the Bay Street Theatre's the Picture Show: Dinner and a MovieA review of a clever little idea for combining Sag Harbor's Bay Street Theatre and The American Hotel in one evening for only $25!
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Nouns and Their Articles in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use nouns with their definite and indefinite articles, and how to read a noun dictionary entry.
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Funny Conversations and Eavesdroppings from My LifeHere are four short whimsical conversations I either overheard or was part of that just struck me funny.
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Stir-fry Recipes Perfect for Summer and Late FallHere are some stir-fry recipes to match the crisper fall atmosphere. And you'll also feel good about being frugal with the end-of-summer harvest.
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Spanish: Expressing the Negative and the AffirmativeFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use negative and positive words to talk about what things are and aren't!
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Indirect Object Pronouns in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article presents the Spanish indirect object pronouns: me, te, le, nos, os, les. Comes with a practice exercise.
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Spanish Tidbits for Beginners - The Imperfect Tense in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article explains the use of the past tense called imperfect. Comes with story starters, too!
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Learn Foreign Language Independently After Classes Are All OverSo, you took a foreign language at school, did well, and want to continue? This article gives you tips for ways you can continue learning, divided into expense categories.
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A Review of Three Great Books on Grammar, Punctuation, and WordsThis is a review of three fun books on English: Woe Is I, Eats, Shoots & Leaves, and The Best of an Almanac of Words at Play.
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Study Suggestions for Practicing a Foreign Language at Home and in the Real World Outside of ClassYou can get the most out of your foreign language class by following these tips while at home and outside school in authentic situations.
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Study Suggestions for Learning a Foreign Language Before and During ClassYou can get the most out of your foreign language class by following these tips on your way to school and during class.
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The Different Spanish Forms of You: Which Do I Use?From the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article offers general guidelines for when to use which "you" in Spanish.
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Modifying Phrases in SpanishFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article presents some common modifying phrases to bring colorful information to your sentence.
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Spanish - Forming Questions, Negative Statements, and Negative QuestionsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to form questions, and negative statements and questions. Comes with an exercise, too!
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Fall Beauty in Unexpected PlacesBeautiful and thoughtful scenes of fall where leaves are a common theme - sometimes making an unheralded appearance. -
SailboatsThis story was inspired during a creative writing workshop activity for schoolchildren called At the Lake.
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By the HudsonThis story was inspired during a creative writing workshop activity for schoolchildren called At the Lake. -
My Little Spot at the LakeThis story was inspired during a creative writing workshop activity for schoolchildren called At the Lake.
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There's Something About Water for InspirationThis article is one of a series with tips to bring out good writing from your own experience to help you see how your everyday life gives you good material to unlock your creative writing potential!
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Spanish Direct Object Pronouns: The BasicsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use direct object pronouns: me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las. Comes with an exercise, too!
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Demonstratives: Adjectives and PronounsFrom the series "Spanish Tidbits for Beginners," this article shows how to use demonstrative adjectives and pronouns: this, that, these, and those.
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Comparatives and Superlatives and Using Adjectives as NounsFrom the series called Spanish Tidbits for Beginners, this article covers the grammar basics of comparatives, superlatives, and forming nouns from adjectives.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Giving and Receiving CritiquesThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for giving positive, helpful critiques - and for receiving them, too.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Managing an AudienceThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for dealing with all that an audience brings to a performance.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Reading Storybooks to Children (or Anybody!)This article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. These here are for reading storybooks to a group! Good for teachers or performers!
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Creating a Characterization Using the BodyThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for creating distinct characters in your reading by giving them a special look.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Creating a Characterization Using the VoiceThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for creating distinct characters in your reading by giving them voices.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: DictionThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for using proper diction and pronunciation.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Body PresentationThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for using your body to advantage while reading aloud.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: The Voice and ProjectionThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for using your voice to advantage.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: A Cold ReadingThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for reading your selection if you've never seen it before.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Making Decisions for the InterpretationThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for making choices leading to your interpretation.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Preparing Reading MaterialThis article is one of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. The tips here are for getting to know your selection before you interpret it.
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Oral Interpretation for Performance: Selecting Reading MaterialOne of a series called Oral Interpretation for Performance with tips on preparing to interpret and read aloud written material in public. This one guides you to choosing the best reading selection.
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Developing an Actor's Character: The Self-InterviewActors can use these probing questions to get to know the character they're playing. They are pretty flexible and can be added to or subtracted from to pain a more complete picture. -
14 Tips and Tricks for Foreign Language LearningLearning a new language can be a lot of work, but can also be fun and natural. Here are 14 tips you can easily use!
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Guide for Play Goers: Good Etiquette or Bad Manners?To make the theatre going experience enjoyable for everyone - actors and fellow audience members alike - let's follow these tips for good manners.
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Guide for Play Goers: Suspend Your Disbelief While Watching a PlayPlaygoers need to be ready to pretend while watching a play to make the most of the experience. These tips are also good for Drama and English teachers, and homeschoolers, too!
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You're Never Too Old to LearnWhy should adults spend time learning new things, especially if they're set in their career? Find out here with some unexpected reasons for why learning never should stop, no matter how old you are!
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Negative Labels: How Do They Impact the Academic Success of a Student?Negative labels, tags, or names - intentional or inadvertent - can affect the academics achievement of students. Here's a warning for watching out for negative labels, and reminders to speak positively.
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Choosing Good High School English Materials for Homeschooling: How Do We Do THAT?How do parents choose good English materials for their homeschoolers? This article gives tips and perspectives to help guide you to the choice that's right for your child.
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Study-for-the-Test TipsSimple but super helpful study tips for getting ready for a test.
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Pulling Off the High School Research PaperThe research paper is so important for the homeschooler's portfolio and for academics skills, too. This article guides parents into a sensible schedule for organizing the research paper. Tips for Co-Ops, too!
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Choosing Good High School English Materials for Home Schooling: What Ingredients?The vital elements of a good secondary English curriculum are detailed here to guide parents to choosing materials for their children.
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What in the World Am I Reading?High school and college students have the power to learn important skills while they read literature - and develop into critical thinkers by asking themselves the right questions. -
English Isn't Just for Breakfast AnymoreThis article gives students practical tips on using English as a tool for all their school subjects and their job, not just taking it as a course itself.
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How Can I Help My Home-Schooled Child Use the Library?This guide provides some helpful tips for parents and their students using the library to do schoolwork, either as a focal point of their education or as a supplement to it.
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How Can You Practice the Basics of English?: Grammar and Public Speaking SkillsSecondary students can find these tips helpful to meet the challenges of grammar and oral skills for success in school and the workplace.
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How Can You Practice the Basics of English? Spelling and VocabularyMiddle and high school students get some helpful tips to practice spelling and vocabulary as keys to success in school and in the work world.
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The Five A's for Helping Your Older Child's Vocabulary GrowthTake a look at the five A's for better vocabulary development for students in middle school and high school - not just for school success, but for overall communication skills!