Tag Archives: educators

On your mark, get set for the new school year…

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAI must admit that when August approached I started getting quite anxious.  I knew the new school year was approaching and was I prepared for it?

My goal once school ended was to get myself in the best physical shape to endure the rigors of teaching in the inner city.  I know that the fact that I kept myself fit definitely led to my excellent attendance record in school.  I rarely if ever got sick  I was very proud of being able to be there every school day (most years 186+ days).

For quite a few years I was given a program in June only to come back in September and told I was teaching a different grade level and subject area.  At first it was really trying mentally to accept the changes but after a while I was ready for anything.  Such is life in the New York City School System.

I have many pages on my website to help you prepare for the school year.

You can find many helpful pages in My Organizing pages collection

Back to School – Icebreakers

First Days of School

Orientation to Your School

Bulletin Boards

Classroom & Behavior Management

Learning Your Students’ Names

Organizing Your Classroom

Setting up Your Classroom

 

Best of luck and here’s wishing you an outstanding year of learning.

Students should be the real lead learners

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I think it is wonderful that so many principals are adopting the title “lead learner.” It is definitely a role they need to assume.

However, the real lead learner should be each student as they follow their pathway to discovery. I feel it is everyone’s duty to allow children to lead their own learning and to model being a “constant learner” for them.  Show them that they can succeed if they put their minds to the tasks they face.

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Let’s guide children but step out of their way as they lead their own learning. Make sure they are not afraid to try new things and learn from their mistakes. Give them the reins but be there if needed.

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My Learning from Mistakes page

securedownloadHave your students set their own learning goals at the beginning of the school year.  Periodically have them review these goals and make any needed changes.  A good time to do this is once a month around a holiday period (October-Halloween, November-Thanksgiving…).

My Goals Page

Please make sure to listen to your children/students and find out what they really want.  Our job as parents and educators is to guide them on their way to learning.

My What Students Want Page

 


 

 

 

 

 

I am inspired and you can be too!

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The motto for this year’s #tcea14 Convention & Exposition was “Get “Inspired.”  There are so many ways that you can get inspired.

During the past few weeks I attended some outstanding events that not only engaged me but re-energized me.  I met so many of my PLN that it would be impossible to list all of them.  I love you all and appreciate you.  #youmatter a lot to me.

#FETC14  – Florida

I only had the opportunity to spend one day at #FETC14 but it sure was jam packed with great experiences:

I took part in a fun app session delivered by @adambellow @kathyshrock @lesliefisher and @HallDavidson. Attend stimulating sessions at conferences or go to an edcamp where you can share what works with your students or learn from others.

I was fortunate to join @tomwhitby and @adambellow for a luncheon conversation.  Then we bumped into @rushtonh and I was able to have an enjoyable talk with him. Spend time with your PLN.  It is incredible the sharing and learning that takes place in these informal get togethers.

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I really enjoyed hanging out with my fellow #edchat moderators: @blairteach @kylepace @tomwhitby and archivist @jswiatek. Educational chats on Twitter are great opportunities for professional learning.  Take advantage of the incredible chats available.

The extremely well attended TweetUp gave me a chance to meet so many of my PLN.  It was nice to renew acquaintances and make new ones with great educators like @s_bearden @kristenswanson and @thomascmurray.

#TCEA14 – Texas

@tomwhitby and I had a fantastic time during #tcea14 and it was really special when we tweeted side by side while moderating Tuesday evening’s #edchat on: What would be the effect of building collaboration and reflection time into your work schedule?

Take part in chats and build your PLN.  Share your thoughts and learn how others feel.

@kenroyal  I definitely got the royal treatment from Ken who introduced me to so many of his friends in education.   It was so much fun hanging out with him.  It is amazing the connections that you make as you build a Twitter or Social Media Family.

@myclassflow Learned about this interactive lesson planning method that will engage students. Attending sessions gives you to opportunity to see first-hand technology that can help deliver your lessons.

I had a fantastic barbecue dinner with @PaulRWood, @shannonmiller, @TomWhitby, @woscholar et al. was nourishing for body and mind.  It is amazing when educators get together and then discuss intellectual topics that stretch the mind.

EdTech Karoke was a wonderful opportunity to let your hair down and enjoy yourself.  Always enjoy talking with my buddy @kevinhoneycutt. Once again I came across @stevedembo and we both stated that some day we would have to just sit down and talk.  Having fun and learning is great for us and our students.

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I was honored to address the LIB-SIG group thank you @_MichelleCooper. The message to all educators should be to continue to do what you are doing but embrace technology and listen to #stuvoice.

Conferences and edcamps are invaluable as you get a chance to meet members of your PLN (Personal Learning Network) like @mattBgomez  @djakes @duncanbilingual @ipadSammy @RafranzDavis @TechNinjaTodd to discuss educational topics in person, groups or during sessions.  It is now wonderful that you can go to meetings and actually know people as a result of your being a connected educator.

Tuskegee Airmen at Fantasy of Flight – Florida

Thanks to @DennisDill and @MLMRobertson  I was able to accompany their students to a special presentation by three Tuskegee Airmen at the Fantasy of Flight.  These gentlemen gave an outstanding session explaining the struggles they faced and how they triumphed.  It was wonderful that they encouraged the students attending to get a good education and work hard.  My tweets caught the attention of @DianaLRendina who was attending the same presentation with her class.  It is always nice to meet members of my PLN.  Great also to connect with @KKStephens82 the Operations Manager of @fantasyofflight Take advantage of such learning opportunity field trips in person or virtually.

Take part in activities that will inspire you don’t wait for them to come to you.

 

Connect daily in person or online!

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I feel we should be concentrating on ways that educators, students and anyone interested in education can connect every day. October is #CE13 Connected Educator Month but we should be connecting every day in many different ways.

Connect with your students

Make sure you show them you care about them. Greet them each day by name. Keep up with their interests.  My #YouMatter page  Give them time to explore their passions
My Makerspaces page:  My Genius Hour page.

Connect your students to other classes around the world and with experts

Start connecting via Skype or Google Hangout with other classes.  Then take the initial meeting a step further by starting collaborating with them. My Mystery Location page.  Connect your students with experts outside the classroom to answer their questions. Adam Taylor @2ftgiraffe started #Scistuchat a monthly discussion that connects high school students and scientists.

Connect with your colleagues.

Share what you are doing and what you are learning as a result of your connecting online and offline.  Observe what they are doing with their students. 

Connect with other levels of education.

When my daughter was in sixth grade she and classmates connected with first grade students.  We need to connect elementary school students with middle & high school students and middle and high school students with higher education.  We can all learn from each other.

Connect with the parents/guardians of your students.

Find the best ways each parent wants to be communicated with.  Be transparent with them on what you are doing with their children.  Invite them in to the class to share their expertise.  Show them ways they can help you as a team improve the learning of their children.  Have hands-on workshops on how you are using technology for education.  Use such web tools as Remind101

Connect with the community.

Take the learning out into the area where you teach. Plan performances, art shows, science fairs in your public libraries, civic centers…  Connect with the members of your school community through the Chamber of Commerce and local organizations. Build relationships with businesses and local organizations  My School-Business Partnership Page

 

Connect via Social Media

Build a great PLN to connect with by following the hashtags on Twitter that pertain to your subject or grade level. My Educational Hashtags page. Seven days a week there are a plethora of chats for most grade levels and subject areas.  Participants in these chats represent a global audience of educators, students, parents and people interested in education.  Weekly Twitter Chat Schedule Use different social media connections like Facebook and LinkedIn to connect. 

Connect with your family. 

Step away from your technology devices and have some quality family time.  If your family is spread out connect with them via Skype or Google Hangouts.

 

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