Interesting Ways

Just ran across this resource from Tom Barrett called interesting ways.  It is a list of interesting ways to use items/ideas/resources in the classroom.

You HAVE to check these out!

http://goo.gl/EvRv


Here's what's there, I am using a couple from the "get to know your new class list."

• Get to Know Your New Class
• Use a Learning Platform in the Classroom
• Support Spelling in the Classroom
• Teach Reading Comprehension in the Classroom
• Use Web Conferencing in the Classroom
• Make Your Classroom a Sparkly Place to Learn
• Use Audio in Your Classroom
• Use Wallwisher in the Classroom
• Support Writing in the Classroom
• Use Google Wave in the Classroom (although Google has announced WAVE is on thew way out)
• Use an iPod Touch in the Classroom
• Nintendo Wii in the Classroom
• Use a Wiki in the Classroom
• Use a Visualizer in the Classroom
• Use Twitter in the Classroom
• Use Wordle in the Classroom
• Use Your Pocket Video Camera in the Classroom
• Use Google Docs in the Classroom
• Use Google Earth in the Classroom
• Use a Nintendo DS in the Classroom
• Use Search Engines in the Classroom
• Use Your Interactive Whiteboard in the Classroom
• Prezi in the Classroom
• Use Voicethread in the Classroom
• Use the iPad in the Classroom
• Use Google Search in the Classroom
• Use Google Maps in the Classroom

Homework and Deadlines

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52636849@N00/

We have been battling for years on homework.  To assign it, not to assign it, to count it, not to count it, what to assign, how much to assign, etc.

There are many new books and resources about homework practices.  My opinion, right now because it will probably change 20 time sin the next year, is that if it's meaningful and has a purpose, then it needs to be assigned, if not, don't assign it.

Here is a great article on how deadlines can be "fair and unbalanced" when it comes to homework and projects: http://goo.gl/HGWg

What's wrong with education?

I don't know if I'm excited about these movies or scared to see how bad the education system is.  One thing I know, these movie will be the talk of educators around the world.  I'm excited to be a part of the discussion on how to "fix" education to best meet the ever changing needs of our students.  Movie due out in the fall.

For more information: http://www.waitingforsuperman.com/ and http://www.thecartelmovie.com/

CNN Student News

CNN is bringing back daily news directed at the life of a student.  I'm excited about it.

Got 5 minutes in your class, catch up on your daily headlines...

Thank you CNN!



For more check out: http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

You decide...

Which is a more valuable resource for teachers?

http://www.teachers.tv/ 

or

http://teachertube.com/  

I believe..

Bring on 2010!

First days!

So I've been agonizing about what I'm going to do on the first days of school differently than I have done in the past.  I research many ideas using a number of blogs (here are two of my favorites:http://goo.gl/jgmd and http://goo.gl/G9Vf) and came up with two solutions.


1.  We're going to start a facebook page.  But only for our parents.  Since I teach 6th grade I have a little bit of hesitation about getting 11 year olds on facebook when the minimum age is suppose to be 13.  No worries.  This did not come without some resistance from staff members.  Funny.  Our administration is 100% for it, our teachers are not.  But that's for another blog post.

Check it out here: http://goo.gl/vDbY

2.  I'm going to use a paper pencil True False assessment to teach kids about me.  Then we're going to flip that and they are going to teach me about them.

3.  I'm also using wallwisher to have students collaborate online by brainstorming ideas to name their class (see every year my students name their class, this gives a sort of team mentality that helps make the year run smooth.).

Excited to try something new!

Welcome to 2010!

(photo credits: http://www.zazzle.com/happy_first_day_of_school_card-137598077267411672)