Nov. 16, 2015

I heard this quote and it has really resonated with me.  Many days we do the same routine and follow our same habits because it is comfortable. Our students do not come to school for comfort, they show up to molded and prepared for the future.  

Good is simply not good enough anymore if we want to prepare today's students to be productive

citizens in our ever changing society.  I am heavy hearted about Paris and the responsibility that we as educators have to teach not only content but personal responsibility. It does not matter what a scholar's situation is outside of school, we have 7 hours a day to impact them. If you are still reading this- I hope you feel this same passion to move onto better & best because our scholars deserve it!

Oct. 19, 2015

Have you heard of this costume wearing-tech savvy-engaging teacher from Seattle? Mr. Heath really stretches me to think outside of the box to reach students. I've shared a video of one of his math lessons below - I hope he inspires you too!

Follow him on Twitter @teachheath

Check out his website!

Sept. 21, 2015

Engaging & Effective iPad Practices

Here are some ideas and sample lessons that come from all grade levels in GCISD including Specials!  (PE, art and music this means you too!) Please remember, you must be logged into GCISD Schoolwires to access the links.

GCISD-Elementary 1:1 iPad Initiative  is a Google site that contains all of the resources used for 1:1 iPad professional learning used throughout the district.  This Google site has a plethora of information but today I want to highlight the “Sample Workflow Lessons”.   You will find the link in the right column near the bottom.  Select your grade level and then your just click through the samples for all subjects.  Here is a 3rd grade example:

Another amazing GCISD resource is a blog that our instructional technology coaches write.  Each week the blog has relevant connections to your classrooms.  Be sure to subscribe to the GCISD LEAD with Technology blog TODAY if you are not already receiving weekly emails with their current blog post. 

http://gcisdleadwithtechnology.blogspot.com/

March 23, 2015

What are you colleagues saying?  Here are 2 comments that were shared with me about Wednesday’s ELA training.  Please ask Catha, Valerie, Alejandra, Jennifer and Deron about it because they all had great things to share. 

Reading workshop was amazing. Wonderful presenter!! She shared components of Readers Workshop with specific things to do. She shared about the classroom library, anchor charts and more. Not to mention, links to awesome resources. This was worth every minute!

One thing I'm looking forward to is the session on planning.  It's one thing to have the desire to do a Reading Workshop with your students and it's an entirely different thing to do it.  While I know I will enjoy Reading Workshop, I really have no idea how to effectively plan one.  Really looking to that session on April 15.

You can still sign up for the remaining classes:

Session 2, April 1, 3:30-5:00 - Readers' Notebooks and Reading Logs

http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3196 

Session 3, April 15, 3:30-5:00 - Read Aloud with Accountable Talk AND Planning Mini-lessons for Workshop

http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3197

Session 4, May 6, 3:30-5:00 - Writing about Reading and Conferring with Readers

http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3198

Session 5, May 20, 3:30-5:00 - Sharing my Reading: Book Talks, Book Partners, Book Clubs

http://eduphoria.gcisd.net/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3199

September 29, 2014

This week I wanted to focus on a resource that is located within the Social Studies curriculum and probably other places I am not aware of. The nice part is, at our fingertips, we have access to BEST PRACTICE TEACHING STRATEGIES that are easily incorporated into lessons at all grade levels in ANY SUBJECT. This week’s focus is just on the Collaboration strand. Things like this just make me happy! :)

In the curriculum, under Social Studies, there is this link to instructional strategies. 

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WICOR- is research based BEST PRACTICE strategies to engage students in these categories: Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading.

LET'S FOCUS ON COLLABORATION: Fostering teamwork skills through activities like Give and Get, Give One to Get One, Inside Outside Circle, Talk a Mile a Minute, Think-Pair-Share

Please take a few moments and review or preview for the first time “best practices” strategies to include in your classroom. If the link doesn’t answer all of your questions on how to incorporate it into your classroom, I will be happy to get you more information or help clarify. Please invite me to come see you using one of these, or similar, with your students. One way to keep students engaged is by providing a variety of activities to keep lessons interesting!!

THANKS TO JENNIFER SCHULTZ for sharing this great visual posted below that she found on Twitter. This is an awesome AND authentic example of S.A.M.R., which we have been discussing in PLC's. And... it IS pumpkin season!