Feb. 1, 2016

INTERACTIVE WORD WALLS

U.CAN on Jan. 25th was a fabulous time of reflection on the work we did with Dr. Julie Jackson. Every conversation was meaningful and the collaboration among our staff made me feel grateful to be working with a group of teachers that are committed to growth, based on researched practices, to help our students. Here are the questions that were used to guide team discussions:

1. Does it contain student generated material?
   
2. What TEKS are being addressed?
   
3. Does it include process skills and/or TEKS verbs?
   
4. Are words arranged to organize learning? (Visual Literacy)
   
5. Is it used by students and teachers to support instruction? To support writing in class?
   
6. Does it include any part of a claim, evidence and reasoning statement?
   
7. Can you tell what stage of the unit of study students are currently in based on the wall development?
   

Please continue to use these questions and invite other staff members to give you feedback. Many of you requested for interactive word walls photos to be uploaded because you did not get to visit all classrooms during UCAN. Please upload them to this folder.

If you have any other ideas of how we can utilize this same type of UCAN process, please share them me.

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!

Oct. 5, 2015

As I was reading Twitter, I ran across this graphic.  It was a great
reminder of our district's student-centered platform goal.
"Student-centered learning platform will include multiple approaches
to the content, process and product and include a classroom
environment that fosters differentiated instruction and engagement."
How do you learn best?

February 16, 2015

I know everyone that has ever tried Go Noodle loves it. Research shows that short bursts of physical activity have positive health benefits and also lead to improved student performance.  It also has the added benefit to make your classroom fun and keeping the students wondering what you might do at your next transition. The best part is that you are completing a spiral review while the students are engaged. What more could you ask for? 

Once you sign up and pick your school, you’ll see a message at the bottom that says you have access to Plus provided by Cook Children’s.  http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/02/prweb12493617.htm

I’m guessing that those who already have accounts will probably see it too if you’ve picked our school.

Language Arts/Reading:  Take at look at this on how to use it as an interactive class game with grammar that you can customize to meet your

needs:

  

http://support.gonoodle.com/knowledgebase/articles/383851-about-montana-james-gonoodle-plus

Math: Please go look at the Math Category Matrix to see all the specific skills for each grade level you can choose from.  (K-5) Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom to see it. 

http://support.gonoodle.com/knowledgebase/articles/301162-about-mega-math-marathon-gonoodle-plus

This is worth your time!