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