My Final Post on this Blog
This school year is a year of transition for me. With this final blog post, I want to say thank you for five years of blogging comments, support and readership. I have enjoyed this journey with Marshall Public School staff.
Nancy will take over with blogging in January. I look forward to following her and will continue to share "copyright morsels" with her to post on her blog as this is part of my personal goals.
As this is my final blog post on this blog, I encourage you to consider blogging with your students. The following article: 19 Ways to Use Blogs with Students offers ideas that are only a start. As mentioned in the referenced article, blogging can start now with students as young as kindergarten. In addition to the blogging tool available to students through their Office 365 Microsoft (email) accounts, some other blogging sites to consider for students older than thirteen are: Blogger and WordPress. For younger students, their Office 365 Microsoft (email) accounts or Kidblog are great to keep student safe and secure in the blogging environment. To get started, begin with a simple concept that will be manageable for you and your students. Make it a daily or weekly way to reflect, converse, or share what students are learning in your class.
Copyright Morsel
As I mentioned above, I will continue to share ideas about copyright through Nancy's blog. This week I am sharing an article that is one to read and share with staff and students. Students search for pictures to enhance and illustrate projects, but do they or teachers consider copyright? Check out the following article to learn more about copyright and pictures: 12 Most Picture Perfect Ways to Ensure You're Legally Using Online Photos,
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
District Wide Information
11 Alternatives to "Round Robin" (and "Popcorn") Reading
I am not sure how many teachers still incorporate Round Robin Reading, Popcorn Reading or others listed in this article. The alternatives not only improve comprehension and fluency, but also improve the self-esteem and confidence of students of struggling and English Language Learners as they grow as readers. Some of my favorites as an elementary teacher were choral reading, partner reading, and teacher read aloud. Teacher read aloud is a great way to model reading to students at all ages. Next time you are planning to have students read aloud in class, consider some of these alternate ideas.
Copyright Morsel
Copyright for Librarians and Teachers, in a Nutshell, by Carrie Russell, is an article that helps to clarify the concept of "work for hire." "Work for hire" is where you have created a lesson or teaching unit to be used as a part of your job as a teacher. The ownership of this work is owned by the school district that employs you. For more information, read the article.
I am not sure how many teachers still incorporate Round Robin Reading, Popcorn Reading or others listed in this article. The alternatives not only improve comprehension and fluency, but also improve the self-esteem and confidence of students of struggling and English Language Learners as they grow as readers. Some of my favorites as an elementary teacher were choral reading, partner reading, and teacher read aloud. Teacher read aloud is a great way to model reading to students at all ages. Next time you are planning to have students read aloud in class, consider some of these alternate ideas.
Copyright Morsel
Copyright for Librarians and Teachers, in a Nutshell, by Carrie Russell, is an article that helps to clarify the concept of "work for hire." "Work for hire" is where you have created a lesson or teaching unit to be used as a part of your job as a teacher. The ownership of this work is owned by the school district that employs you. For more information, read the article.
Sunday, December 7, 2014
District Wide Information
A Love of Reading?
Seven ways schools kill the love of reading in kids - and 4 principles to help restore it continues the concern we as educators should change. As much as we focus on trying to teach students to read by 3rd grade, how do we counteract students as readers by killing the love of reading in students? I continue to read articles such as this one and others that I have posted this fall. I continue to share these articles to help change the focus of reading most prevalent in our schools. Let's try to help students maintain or regain a love of reading through supporting their autonomy in choosing books they want to read. Let students realize when book isn't what they thought it was going to be and allow them to choose again. The part where reading for enjoyment improves student achievement will occur after the culture and climate of the love of reading is developed.
Copyright Morsel
The attached video is another resource to provide clarity for copyright. This video is approximately six minutes long, but provides a excellent explanation of what copyright is and how it can be used. Check it out to review copyright.
Seven ways schools kill the love of reading in kids - and 4 principles to help restore it continues the concern we as educators should change. As much as we focus on trying to teach students to read by 3rd grade, how do we counteract students as readers by killing the love of reading in students? I continue to read articles such as this one and others that I have posted this fall. I continue to share these articles to help change the focus of reading most prevalent in our schools. Let's try to help students maintain or regain a love of reading through supporting their autonomy in choosing books they want to read. Let students realize when book isn't what they thought it was going to be and allow them to choose again. The part where reading for enjoyment improves student achievement will occur after the culture and climate of the love of reading is developed.
Copyright Morsel
The attached video is another resource to provide clarity for copyright. This video is approximately six minutes long, but provides a excellent explanation of what copyright is and how it can be used. Check it out to review copyright.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
District Wide Information
Marshall High School Community Book Sale
Please come support the annual Community Book Sale starts Tuesday, Dec. 2nd and runs through Monday, Dec. 8th. The sale is open until 6 PM on Tuesday, Dec. 2nd and Thursday, Dec. 4th. All merchandise is 50% off. The profits from this sale along with collaboration with the public library will bring an author to Marshall High School and the Marshall-Lyon County Library.
Copyright Morsel
Know Your Copyrights is an article to use as a reference for teachers to know what they can do when using works in their teaching. This article is written with higher education teachers in mind, but the essence of all that is presented is applicable to all teachers. As I continue to provide tidbits about copyright each week, hopefully you will find some of the resources helpful in your teaching.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
District Wide Information
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is an outstanding resource for educators, parents, kids, families and schools. It offers reviews and ratings for movies, tv shows, games, apps and much more. It also provides excellent resources for educators in terms of digital citizenship (this is the resource I used for our district wide digital citizenship course resources), 1:1 essentials, professional development to name a few. New is Parent Concerns/Common Sense Media where screen time, cyberbullying, privacy and internet safety, Facebook, Instagram, social media, learning with technology, and special needs and learning difficulties are the topics of focus for parents. Each topic includes FAQ's, articles and video resources. Check this out and share this fantastic resource with parents in your classroom.
Copyright - A Fair(y) Use Tale
This week's copyright resource is the video below addressing fair use.
Common Sense Media is an outstanding resource for educators, parents, kids, families and schools. It offers reviews and ratings for movies, tv shows, games, apps and much more. It also provides excellent resources for educators in terms of digital citizenship (this is the resource I used for our district wide digital citizenship course resources), 1:1 essentials, professional development to name a few. New is Parent Concerns/Common Sense Media where screen time, cyberbullying, privacy and internet safety, Facebook, Instagram, social media, learning with technology, and special needs and learning difficulties are the topics of focus for parents. Each topic includes FAQ's, articles and video resources. Check this out and share this fantastic resource with parents in your classroom.
Copyright - A Fair(y) Use Tale
This week's copyright resource is the video below addressing fair use.
Sunday, November 16, 2014
District Wide Information
Getting Kids to Love Reading
I continue to search, find and read about ideas to get kids to love reading. I love reading and know much about why reading is beneficial to you no matter your age, but getting kids to love reading is something that doesn't happen with taking an AR quiz or writing a book report. As in this article, Jon Scieszka on How to Get Kids to Love Reading, the focus isn't on how important or good it is to love reading, but allowing kids to read what they love is the beginning of developing that love for reading. Gretchen Rubin's post Now I Stop Reading a Book If I Don't Enjoy It. Do You? reminds us that we have the permission to stop reading a book if we are not enjoying it. My son loved reading the Artemis Fowl series when he was young. I wanted to read them too to share what he enjoyed and to be able to tell other students, "Hey read this book, it is great!" I tried several times to read the first book in the Artemis Fowl series. I never finished it. It still sits in my "books to read" pile on my night stand, but I continue to choose other books over this one. It is important for kids to learn that it is just as important to abandon a book they aren't enjoying as it is to read books because we can't put them down. This is that love of reading.
Copyright
Copyright with Cyberbee offers information about copyright for teachers and students. It also has an interactive Q & A resource to incorporate with lessons as appropriate for what you are teaching. Check it out and help raise student awareness about copyright.
I continue to search, find and read about ideas to get kids to love reading. I love reading and know much about why reading is beneficial to you no matter your age, but getting kids to love reading is something that doesn't happen with taking an AR quiz or writing a book report. As in this article, Jon Scieszka on How to Get Kids to Love Reading, the focus isn't on how important or good it is to love reading, but allowing kids to read what they love is the beginning of developing that love for reading. Gretchen Rubin's post Now I Stop Reading a Book If I Don't Enjoy It. Do You? reminds us that we have the permission to stop reading a book if we are not enjoying it. My son loved reading the Artemis Fowl series when he was young. I wanted to read them too to share what he enjoyed and to be able to tell other students, "Hey read this book, it is great!" I tried several times to read the first book in the Artemis Fowl series. I never finished it. It still sits in my "books to read" pile on my night stand, but I continue to choose other books over this one. It is important for kids to learn that it is just as important to abandon a book they aren't enjoying as it is to read books because we can't put them down. This is that love of reading.
Copyright
Copyright with Cyberbee offers information about copyright for teachers and students. It also has an interactive Q & A resource to incorporate with lessons as appropriate for what you are teaching. Check it out and help raise student awareness about copyright.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
District Wide Information
Happy 50th Birthday Flat Stanley!
I still have the Flat Stanley book I ordered from Scholastic book orders when I was in elementary school. He has been modified, but after 50 years many students love to read Flat Stanley books as well as participate in activities where they travel or take Flat Stanley on family vacations or around town. What a great way to excite students with reading! Author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney on Twitter celebrates Flat Stanley's 50th Birthday while on his book promotion tour for his newest book, The Long Haul.
Copyright
As a part of Auburn University's Digital Citizenship website, I am focusing on two areas:
Copyright for Teachers and Copyright & Plagiarism for Students. Both of these website pages have excellent information to help clarify and better understand copyright. Both pages include excellent videos. The first video found in Copyright & Plagiarism for Students provides some parameters as to how much of a source can be used and how without violating copyright. The second video illustrates what plagiarism is, how it can be avoided and more. I encourage teachers to review these pages and consider incorporating the student information in lessons or projects that involve research or making multi-media presentations.
I still have the Flat Stanley book I ordered from Scholastic book orders when I was in elementary school. He has been modified, but after 50 years many students love to read Flat Stanley books as well as participate in activities where they travel or take Flat Stanley on family vacations or around town. What a great way to excite students with reading! Author of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney on Twitter celebrates Flat Stanley's 50th Birthday while on his book promotion tour for his newest book, The Long Haul.
Copyright
As a part of Auburn University's Digital Citizenship website, I am focusing on two areas:
Copyright for Teachers and Copyright & Plagiarism for Students. Both of these website pages have excellent information to help clarify and better understand copyright. Both pages include excellent videos. The first video found in Copyright & Plagiarism for Students provides some parameters as to how much of a source can be used and how without violating copyright. The second video illustrates what plagiarism is, how it can be avoided and more. I encourage teachers to review these pages and consider incorporating the student information in lessons or projects that involve research or making multi-media presentations.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
District Wide Information
5 Tips for Helping a Student Find the Right Book
I continue to find articles and ideas to help teachers to reach out to students to develop a love of reading just like they love their favorite food, and to help students make reading a part of their daily lives just like eating, brushing teeth or sleeping. The linked article offers 5 tips for helping students find the right book to read. I notice that one reference for this article is The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I am currently reading her second book titled, Reading in the Wild. Another reference for this article is Kelly Gallagher's Reading Reasons. This book is a series of mini-lessons aimed to motivate middle school and high school students to read. It explains "real world" reasons why students should be readers.
Copyright Morsel
Copyright Morsel is a new addition to my weekly postings in Media Info Bits to provide copyright information in small amounts. This week I have included the following short video (approx. four minutes):Copyright Is video. This video helps to illustrate what copyright is, and to help understand the importance of copyright.
I continue to find articles and ideas to help teachers to reach out to students to develop a love of reading just like they love their favorite food, and to help students make reading a part of their daily lives just like eating, brushing teeth or sleeping. The linked article offers 5 tips for helping students find the right book to read. I notice that one reference for this article is The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller. I am currently reading her second book titled, Reading in the Wild. Another reference for this article is Kelly Gallagher's Reading Reasons. This book is a series of mini-lessons aimed to motivate middle school and high school students to read. It explains "real world" reasons why students should be readers.
Copyright Morsel
Copyright Morsel is a new addition to my weekly postings in Media Info Bits to provide copyright information in small amounts. This week I have included the following short video (approx. four minutes):Copyright Is video. This video helps to illustrate what copyright is, and to help understand the importance of copyright.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
District Wide Information
TED-Ed is a great resource and a tool we have used for flipped learning in the MarshallTech4Teachers course. Check out these two resources:
TED-Ed and Periodic Videos - The periodic videos have a video and lesson for each element in the periodic table. The part I like about TED-Ed video/lessons is with the watch, think, dig deeper, discuss, and finally components help students to focus on important aspects to the video.
TED-Ed Comma story - Commas are confusing for students to learn. This video offers another way to think about commas and how to use them.
In addition to the videos discussed above, TED-Ed is great for professional development too. A great example is Simon Sinek - Why good leaders make you feel safe.
Check out TED-Ed and these great videos.
TED-Ed and Periodic Videos - The periodic videos have a video and lesson for each element in the periodic table. The part I like about TED-Ed video/lessons is with the watch, think, dig deeper, discuss, and finally components help students to focus on important aspects to the video.
TED-Ed Comma story - Commas are confusing for students to learn. This video offers another way to think about commas and how to use them.
In addition to the videos discussed above, TED-Ed is great for professional development too. A great example is Simon Sinek - Why good leaders make you feel safe.
Check out TED-Ed and these great videos.
Sunday, October 19, 2014
District Wide Information
How to Keep Students Engaged, What's Killing Engagement, and How to Get Them Back
Twitter is a great way for me to find professional articles and connect to other experts in education. I found this paper tweeted by Ian Jukes, the co-director of the 21st Century Fluency Project. In reading through this paper, many of the ideas are not earth shattering, but yet simple and sensible. Sometimes reflecting on our own teaching can help to re-evaluate ways that we can work to better engage students. I really like the the short chapters titled, "What's Killing Student Engagement," "How Can I Force Students to Spend More Time Learning," and "Keeping Students Engaged: A Student's Perspective."
This paper is organized nicely so you can read the chapters you feel may be most helpful to you and your classes.
Twitter is a great way for me to find professional articles and connect to other experts in education. I found this paper tweeted by Ian Jukes, the co-director of the 21st Century Fluency Project. In reading through this paper, many of the ideas are not earth shattering, but yet simple and sensible. Sometimes reflecting on our own teaching can help to re-evaluate ways that we can work to better engage students. I really like the the short chapters titled, "What's Killing Student Engagement," "How Can I Force Students to Spend More Time Learning," and "Keeping Students Engaged: A Student's Perspective."
This paper is organized nicely so you can read the chapters you feel may be most helpful to you and your classes.
Sunday, October 12, 2014
District Wide Information
Digital Citizenship
During workshop week at the beginning of the school year, I explained that the district did not renew the iSafe curriculum. I shared that a Schoology course of lessons would be available for teachers to use to meet erate funding requirements in teaching students about cyberbullying, appropriate online behavior, and social networking. These lessons are available to teachers, but if you have other lessons or resources that address these three areas, you may use your own resources.
In conjunction with digital citizenship, I thought sharing this infographic and article could offer information to teachers to address this topic in a manner appropriate for their students. I am not suggesting that you show this infographic to students, but there may be aspects that can be helpful in cyberbullying and appropriate online behavior lessons. This Graphic Shows How to Remove Embarrassing Photos From Social Media.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
District Wide Information
October is National Bullying Prevention Month
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see Jonathan Friesen, Minnesota author, speak again. His powerful message stirs your emotions and makes you think about mental illness, disabilities, how we, as teachers, have no idea what students lives are really like outside of school.
He spoke last year at MHS to the students. His message to students and educators is, "Every student has two questions, 'Does anyone see me? Am I visible? Does anyone like what they see?'" Jonathan shares how he was treated by students and teachers, he shares life with Tourette's Syndrome, Epilepsy and Panic Attacks, now he shares his message through his writing and speaking engagements. His message continues to resonate through books he has written. Jerk, his first book received the Schneider Family Book Award, honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Check out his website http://www.jonathanfriesen.com/ His books are available at the high school and middle school media centers, if you are interested in reading them to your class or just for your own reading. His books are quick to read, but well written. I cannot wait to read his newest book to be released in December titled, Both of Me.
Another way to recognize National Bullying Prevention Month is to check out the weekly events planned at Stomp Out Bullying. Simple things can make a difference. Jonathon says, "Teach with your heart, not your head."
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see Jonathan Friesen, Minnesota author, speak again. His powerful message stirs your emotions and makes you think about mental illness, disabilities, how we, as teachers, have no idea what students lives are really like outside of school.
He spoke last year at MHS to the students. His message to students and educators is, "Every student has two questions, 'Does anyone see me? Am I visible? Does anyone like what they see?'" Jonathan shares how he was treated by students and teachers, he shares life with Tourette's Syndrome, Epilepsy and Panic Attacks, now he shares his message through his writing and speaking engagements. His message continues to resonate through books he has written. Jerk, his first book received the Schneider Family Book Award, honors an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Check out his website http://www.jonathanfriesen.com/ His books are available at the high school and middle school media centers, if you are interested in reading them to your class or just for your own reading. His books are quick to read, but well written. I cannot wait to read his newest book to be released in December titled, Both of Me.
Another way to recognize National Bullying Prevention Month is to check out the weekly events planned at Stomp Out Bullying. Simple things can make a difference. Jonathon says, "Teach with your heart, not your head."
Sunday, September 28, 2014
District Wide Information
PhET Simulations
As I browsed the poster sessions at the ISTE Conference this summer, I learned about
PhET Simulations. This resource is brought to you by the University of Colorado Boulder. It is simulations presented in a fun, interactive and research-based manner for free. You can search the simulations by grade level including simulations for elementary, middle, high school and university levels. The content of the simulations cover physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math. Check out these fantastic web-based simulations (they are written in Flash and Java).
Socratic Smackdown and the Institute of Play
Learning and play seem to be a great way to engage students. Socratic Smackdown is a game for students in grades 6-12. From what I read about the game, it sounds like a great way for students to learn discussion strategies and prepare them for AP courses they have the opportunity to take at the high school. The game Socratic Smackdown can be based on around a text-based question or organized around a debate question. This game is found on the site Institute of Play where there are more games. Some are print and play game and others are online. If you took MarshallTech4Teachers and are interested in gaming, check out this site!
As I browsed the poster sessions at the ISTE Conference this summer, I learned about
PhET Simulations. This resource is brought to you by the University of Colorado Boulder. It is simulations presented in a fun, interactive and research-based manner for free. You can search the simulations by grade level including simulations for elementary, middle, high school and university levels. The content of the simulations cover physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and math. Check out these fantastic web-based simulations (they are written in Flash and Java).
Socratic Smackdown and the Institute of Play
Learning and play seem to be a great way to engage students. Socratic Smackdown is a game for students in grades 6-12. From what I read about the game, it sounds like a great way for students to learn discussion strategies and prepare them for AP courses they have the opportunity to take at the high school. The game Socratic Smackdown can be based on around a text-based question or organized around a debate question. This game is found on the site Institute of Play where there are more games. Some are print and play game and others are online. If you took MarshallTech4Teachers and are interested in gaming, check out this site!
Sunday, September 21, 2014
District Wide Information
Banned Book Week
Banned Book Week (Sept. 21-27, 2014) and Banned Website Awareness Day (Sept. 24) are among my favorite celebrations in the library world. Banned Book Week celebrates the freedom to read.
The 2013 top 10 challenged books include:
Banned Book Week (Sept. 21-27, 2014) and Banned Website Awareness Day (Sept. 24) are among my favorite celebrations in the library world. Banned Book Week celebrates the freedom to read.
The 2013 top 10 challenged books include:
How many of these books are popular in your classroom?
Banned Website Awareness Day is to raise awareness of overly restricted blocking of educational websites and academically useful social media sites. Fortunately, we do not seem to have this problem in our school district.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
District Wide Information
How to Watch the Internet in Real-Time
I find fascinating articles and information on Twitter, this article caught my eye this summer. I thought it was fascinating enough to share with you. It is amazing how we do not realize, statistically speaking, how rapidly the internet grows each second as accounts are set-up, email is sent, advertisements make money, and much more. This link How to Watch the Internet in Real-Time starts at zero when you click on it and from there the internet statistics change at an amazing rate.
Claudette Colvin, Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
As teachers consider plans for teaching about Civil Rights, Black History Month, or other related standards, the award winning (Newbery Honor, Robert F. Sibert Honor, YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction finalist, National Book Award Winner, and Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Honor) story Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose is an outstanding story that illustrates how students can make a difference. Claudette Colvin, is still alive at 75 years old. I read the following article The Story of Claudette Colvin: Students as Historians this summer and felt this story is one I wanted to post on my blog and teachers might consider incorporating in their teaching. Check out the linked sites as well as the book available (at West Side and the Middle School) in the district.
I find fascinating articles and information on Twitter, this article caught my eye this summer. I thought it was fascinating enough to share with you. It is amazing how we do not realize, statistically speaking, how rapidly the internet grows each second as accounts are set-up, email is sent, advertisements make money, and much more. This link How to Watch the Internet in Real-Time starts at zero when you click on it and from there the internet statistics change at an amazing rate.
Claudette Colvin, Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose
As teachers consider plans for teaching about Civil Rights, Black History Month, or other related standards, the award winning (Newbery Honor, Robert F. Sibert Honor, YALSA Award for Excellence in Non-fiction finalist, National Book Award Winner, and Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Honor) story Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice by Phillip Hoose is an outstanding story that illustrates how students can make a difference. Claudette Colvin, is still alive at 75 years old. I read the following article The Story of Claudette Colvin: Students as Historians this summer and felt this story is one I wanted to post on my blog and teachers might consider incorporating in their teaching. Check out the linked sites as well as the book available (at West Side and the Middle School) in the district.
Sunday, September 7, 2014
District Wide Information
This week I am sharing two articles I think you might want to check out!
321 Free Tools for Teachers
Teachers love the word "free," and the linked article 321 Free Tools for Teachers offers many web 2.0 tools that you may want to check out. This is organized by topic including free tools to create infographics, which follows up from last week's post about visual information. Two other topics I want to highlight help in terms of copyright compliance: Sites to download Royalty Free and Creative Commons Music for teachers, and free Stock Photos sites for teachers. Check some of these sites out! Share the with students too.
6 Ways Teachers Kill the Joy of Reading
I am guilty of some of these practices as a classroom teacher. I continue to have a great interest in helping students develop a "life-long love of reading," as many teachers do. I also follow leaders of reading on Twitter and repeatedly hear how we as teachers work to encourage students to love reading, but we also counteract this by our practices as indicated in this article. Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer and Reading In The Wild, shares many best practices to encourage and develop students in our classrooms as "real" readers.
321 Free Tools for Teachers
Teachers love the word "free," and the linked article 321 Free Tools for Teachers offers many web 2.0 tools that you may want to check out. This is organized by topic including free tools to create infographics, which follows up from last week's post about visual information. Two other topics I want to highlight help in terms of copyright compliance: Sites to download Royalty Free and Creative Commons Music for teachers, and free Stock Photos sites for teachers. Check some of these sites out! Share the with students too.
6 Ways Teachers Kill the Joy of Reading
I am guilty of some of these practices as a classroom teacher. I continue to have a great interest in helping students develop a "life-long love of reading," as many teachers do. I also follow leaders of reading on Twitter and repeatedly hear how we as teachers work to encourage students to love reading, but we also counteract this by our practices as indicated in this article. Donalyn Miller, author of The Book Whisperer and Reading In The Wild, shares many best practices to encourage and develop students in our classrooms as "real" readers.
Monday, September 1, 2014
District Wide Information
Learning Visually
With tools available today, teachers and students can create visuals to help convey information. The article How Visuals Help Us Learn provides information as to how we learn better with visuals in addition to some do's and don'ts when using visuals. This article refers to another article A Periodic Table to Help You Choose the Best Type of Visualization where A Periodic Table of Visualization allows you to mouse-over each type of visualization to help you find the best kind for the material you are presenting. Another type of visualization that has become very popular and is an alternate way for students to present what they are learning in you class is infographics. CoolCatTeacher, Vicki Davis, posted Infographic Tools for Kids. This offers many great infographic websites as well as comic creators. The infographic creators highlighted in this article are great for both teachers and students. Make your teaching more visual with these tools.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
District Wide Information
A Student's School Community
As we begin this school year, it is important for our school community to remember that teachers aren't the only important people in student lives. As the TED talk Jarrett Krosoczka: Why Lunch Ladies are Heroes explains that lunch ladies are heroes for students, but so are custodians and all other staff in our school community. Some students connect with teachers but others do not. We do not always realize how a smile, a simple "hello" or some other connection can make the day of a student. We all make a difference, and this isn't something we learn in college or grad school. Let's make a difference for our students this year!
As we begin this school year, it is important for our school community to remember that teachers aren't the only important people in student lives. As the TED talk Jarrett Krosoczka: Why Lunch Ladies are Heroes explains that lunch ladies are heroes for students, but so are custodians and all other staff in our school community. Some students connect with teachers but others do not. We do not always realize how a smile, a simple "hello" or some other connection can make the day of a student. We all make a difference, and this isn't something we learn in college or grad school. Let's make a difference for our students this year!
Sunday, August 17, 2014
District Wide Information
Welcome to the 2014-2015 school year!
This year begins with many positive changes in Marshall Public Schools. With that I would like everyone to welcome Nancy Thooft (formerly 8th grade science teacher), media specialist, to our Media Centers.
Nancy and I are starting the school year with device deployment Monday and Tuesday at Park Side, and with the help of Shelly Moe and Joan Winter, we will be working to organize the media centers at both Park Side and West Side. Both were moved over the summer and there is much work to be done before being able to open either one. Media lesson and story time schedules at PS and WS will not be available for sign-up until later this week. Thank you for your patience.
We worked on setting up new student computer accounts for the HS and MA-TEC this weekend. We will continue to work on new student computer accounts for the MS, WS and PS this week. PS and WS teachers should send us a class list as has been done in years past.
This year begins with many positive changes in Marshall Public Schools. With that I would like everyone to welcome Nancy Thooft (formerly 8th grade science teacher), media specialist, to our Media Centers.
Nancy and I are starting the school year with device deployment Monday and Tuesday at Park Side, and with the help of Shelly Moe and Joan Winter, we will be working to organize the media centers at both Park Side and West Side. Both were moved over the summer and there is much work to be done before being able to open either one. Media lesson and story time schedules at PS and WS will not be available for sign-up until later this week. Thank you for your patience.
We worked on setting up new student computer accounts for the HS and MA-TEC this weekend. We will continue to work on new student computer accounts for the MS, WS and PS this week. PS and WS teachers should send us a class list as has been done in years past.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
District Wide Information
The Enjoyment of Reading and Reading Achievement
I close this year of blog posts with more regarding reading and reading achievement. Kylene Beers blog post article titled What the Research Says About the Enjoyment of Reading and Reading Achievement supports the Summer Reading Check-out Program the media centers are trying this week for students across the district. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact me. I will be looking at feedback and data from the reading logs that will be sent home when students check out books. In this article Kylene has the following books as "must reads" for teaching professionals:
Book Love by Penny Kittle
Making the Match by Teri Lesesne
Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller (we have copies of this in our media centers)
You Gotta Be the Book by Jeff Wilhelm
Enjoy the summer! We have an exciting school year in 2014-2015 with the first year of the 1:1 Digital Learning Plan coming to fruition.
I close this year of blog posts with more regarding reading and reading achievement. Kylene Beers blog post article titled What the Research Says About the Enjoyment of Reading and Reading Achievement supports the Summer Reading Check-out Program the media centers are trying this week for students across the district. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact me. I will be looking at feedback and data from the reading logs that will be sent home when students check out books. In this article Kylene has the following books as "must reads" for teaching professionals:
Book Love by Penny Kittle
Making the Match by Teri Lesesne
Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller (we have copies of this in our media centers)
You Gotta Be the Book by Jeff Wilhelm
Enjoy the summer! We have an exciting school year in 2014-2015 with the first year of the 1:1 Digital Learning Plan coming to fruition.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
