Intervention for Gifted Students:

This is something that our district struggles with. We have students who do well on state-standardized tests but whose attendance and behavior issues make it a challenge for those students to well in class. This story on the blog is a very sad account of one student, Kevin, who struggled and was unable to receive the help within the public school system and within his family get the supports to be successful in school. This story made me realize what a responsibility we have to our students to a make sure they are successful.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/intervention-gifted-students-ben-johnson

The Importance of Internet Safety:

This article was key in talking about internet safety when it comes to teachers and the responsibility that we have in keeping them safe online. There is some train of thought that speaks of keeping students safe online from door to door, from the time they leave their home to the time they come back home. However, this can raise some concerns with PDAs and cell phones which all access the internet. So while a student is on the bus, who should be held responsible for what that student is doing online. I think that as educators we must teach them how to stay safe. However, here is something that needs to be said for parents stepping up to the plate and being held accountable for their kids safety. Both parties need to be held responsible for the safety of our kids online.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/internet-safety-importance-heather-wolpert-gawron

Unlocking Mastery Learning:

This article was all about personal learning pacing things out at an individual students' pace. We spent most of the day today as a District School Improvement Team talking about differentiated instruction. The information in this article is very similar to what we spoke about at our team meeting. Differentiated instruction is a huge part of student learning. It makes no sense to keep advanced students back who are ready to move in. On the other hand the students who need to take more time need to be moving at pace that is right for them. That is part of unlocking mastery learning.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/unlocking-learning-mastery-terry-heick

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/open-letter-to-writing-instructors-lauren-griffin
This blog opened my eyes to all of the tools that we use as educators in order to enhance student learning. I was keeping a mental tally of all of the tools that I use in my own classroom such as portfolios, rubrics, etc. I think that this was a great reminder of why we do what we do, in order to make our expectations clear to the students so that they can learn the best. It was a great way to reflect on my practices this year and look at what I want to practice next year.

Looking back on the school year:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/school-year-end-review-lisa-dabbs
This blog offers three useful Web 2.0 tools to unpack student learning this summer. I cannot wait to dive into some of these tools and start playing with them! I love Symbaloo, such a great user friendly tool to help kids keep track of important tools on the web. After reading this blog I will continue to explore the web and now it will be the focus of keeping my students learning this summer.

How to Make Consequences Work:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-to-make-consequences-work-richard-curwin
One thing that stood out to me is that how we implement consequences is more important than what those consequences are. Consistency is key when it comes to discipline and consequences. I find myself guilty of this occasionally. I find myself asking some of my well-behaved students to quiet down while some of the more difficult students will immediately fill out a responsible thinking sheet in order to get their behavior under control. That is something I have realized and will continue to work on in order to have a more consistent behavior plan in my classroom.

Hi my name is Amanda, and I'm a  Google addict. I use it daily wether on my Iphone, laptop, or desktop. Within the first 2 weeks of class my students know that if I don't know an answer to a question they can wallk to the computer and Google the answer to share with the class. I tell them that half the battle is knowing where to look, and for most of us in this genration, Google is where you look! However I had no idea that google made so many changes and was so dynamic! This article opened my eyes to what a huge system this really is, and for me a very valuable teaching resource!

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/52-changes-to-google-in-april-smarter-local-more-relevant.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+readwriteweb+%28ReadWriteWeb%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Burned out? Yeah you could say that! Maybe it's this time of year, or maybe it is the heat. Whatever the cause it is definitely happening, and only in year 3 of teaching, I'm in trouble! The article talks about our brains going into survival mode. I can say that I am auto pilot at this pint, and am trying my best to liven up my lessons to re-engage students who have checked out, and a teacher who is counting down the days right alongside them!:) In all honestly, I love my class and will be sad to see them go but for now I can blame the burnout on my neurons, RIGHT!?!


http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teacher-burnout-neurology-judy-willis-md

End of the Year Projects:

(In response to the Blog on Edutopia about 6 engaging end of the year projects) The article is about how kids totally check out at the end of the year and need to continue to be engaged. I really liked the idea about having the students doing a Portfolio Showcase or a commercial to display what they know in a creative way. At this point of the year it can seem like you are grasping at straws to get the kids to take an active part of their learning. Love the ideas presented here!
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/end-of-year-engaging-projects-rebecca-alber

This is regarding a blog on 5 tips to avoid teacher burnout. One thing that really made sense to me was tip #2... GO HOME! I think we get so caught up working in our classrooms that we can forget that we do have to go home and have a life beyond the 4 walls of the classroom. My first 2 years teaching I saw my chalkboard 10 times more than my husband! I was in my classroom every weekend, early in the morning, and also late every evening. Finally I realized that I had to find balance in my life. Another take away is the tip that we need to know what we assessing. Having that in the forefront of youjr mind makes your time more effective in the classroom.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-to-avoid-teacher-burnout-andrew-miller

Collaborative Team Teaching in 2013?!?

This blog is in response to an EDUtopia blog I read regarding Collaborative Team Teaching or CTT. I personally take particular interest in this as myself and another teacher are thinking of team teaching for 2 subjects next year. One quote that stood out to me was, "Both teachers must come to a mutual agreement that they are equals in the classroom, and students must perceive both teachers as invaluable members of the classroom community." (Marisa Kaplan) I agree with this. I think that we occasionally forget how many decision we make daily in our classroom. Our time truly is our time when we are teaching. When you commit to team teaching you have then committed to sharing time with another teacher. If both teachers are flexible and dynamic it shouldn't be a problem. I am looking forward to the challenges and the new experiences that team teaching will bring next year. I am also grateful for new administration who will allow teachers to form professional learning communities and the ability to team teach,

May In the Classroom:

As I returned from a substitute on Friday the note that was left for me was short and sweet. "A Friday in May.... WOW!" I had to conceal a chuckle as I knew exactly what the sub was thinking! I don't think many others who are not in our profession would understand the idea of Spring Fever in quite the way that we understand it. The students get down right squirrely as they are counting down the final days of school (17 days for us, but who's counting?!?)
As the school year wraps up we all begin to do some self-reflection. I find myself asking, did I do these kids justice? Did I give them the tools that they need in order to be successful next year? In my case I am sending my students on to their first year in the Middle School. So with my last 17 days I will try and remind them of the most important lesson... that they had a friend, an ally, and someone who really cared and will continue to care about them, even after 4th grade is over.

Pintrest and Education

Pintrest and Education. Time-Saver or Time-Sucker?

I was browsing Pintrest last night and while I was pinning useful ideas for classroom use I started to wonder, are these things that I will actually implement? On Pintrest you can pin anything from craft ideas, to Common Core Curriculum materials. The array of things that are available on this online smorgasborg is neverending it seems!  Has Pintrest taken over the days of the Mailbox magazine? It seems like Pintrest for the classroom may be a better version of what the Mailbox and teacher subsciption magazines used to offer us. Instead of those subscriptions costing the teacher or the district money, Pintrest is free of charge. Instead of getting dusty on the teacher's lounge shelf, Pintrest is kept handy at all times right on a smart-phone, tablet, or Laptop. So for now I will continue to pin away in the hopes that some day (Summertime I'm sure) I will have the time and resources to bring these wonderful ideas into my classroom.