Reading to be be inspired and to self- educate about new changes.

Last summer I read a few books about different reading strategies and books on leadership.  This summer brings a professional need to educate myself about the new teacher evaluation system and brain research. 

Charlotte Danielson has written multiple books about best practices of exemplary teaching.  In our state of Illinois, evaluations are widely based on her research and models.  We have known for a few years that these changes in our evaluation system were going to take place.  I remember a few years ago a Superintendent and myself attempted to discuss this with fellow educators. They dismissed this as not important.  I sure hope they are taking notice now! Their jobs depend on it!

Below is one of Danielson's books I downloaded to my Kindle.  I hope to start reading it soon.


In addition to Danielson I've also been inspired to revisit the research of Robert Marzano and his team.  His website has been recently revised, www.marzanoresearch.com/site.  On his website anyone can sign up for the newsletter and weekly emails.  I personally enjoy reading and learning more about research that can help my students and colleagues. Stay tuned for more on this.

Lastly, our 3rd Grade teacher has been motivated to use "The Daily Five" in her classroom this year.  I'm looking forward to using it within other classrooms also.  I found my copies on www.amazon.com. Paperback and Kindle version...I got both! ha

It's been nearly a year!

I can't believe it has been nearly a year since I updated my blog. Life threw me several curve balls in the past 11 months and my priorities shifted a bit. Last May I was hired to be a Reading Teacher and Instructional Coach in a new district.  Instead of a classroom I have an office.  Wow, what a switch! We had two major health scares and now a new baby on the way! So, it's been a busy time. Hopefully I can get back to posting helpful and inspirational tips to all of you.

The  teacher blog world has exploded and become so wonderful.  I feel like a dinosaur in this realm. I will meet it's challenges and be bringing you more cool stuff.

Laugh of the Day Activity- Common Core

In our 6^th Grade Reading Class we will share in a minute or two of laughter with a “ Laugh of the Day”.  Every child will have the opportunity to read or share their weekly jokes to the class.  The same child is responsible for being the “Comdedian” all week.  We will have a rotating schedule to help keep us on track.  5 jokes should be submitted by the student 1 week before their spot in the rotation and approved by the teacher.  Jokes must be pure, age appropriate and non -discriminatory towards individuals.

We will keep these jokes and publish them at the end of the year.  Joke books and websites will be available for students as resources.

6^th grade Common Core Standards: RI.6.5 & 7, W.6.4,8,10

Team Teaching improves learning?

Does Team Teaching really improve learning?  You bet it does.  Not only is Team Teaching a proven teaching strategy it also helps teachers to learn to work together for a common purpose.  It goes without saying that a team can be hard to be apart of if there is a kink in the process.  Excellent collegue leadership and in-tuned Administration are a plus. 

While reading Leaders of Learning by Richard DuFour I found the 4 P's of success in people working together for student and school achievement.

" Success doesn't just happen.  It's the result of 4 P's, Planning, Preparation, Performance and Perseverence."

 Food for thought.

5 Princples of RtI

When planning and preparing for your year of RtI requirements there are five ideas to keep in mind.

• "All children can learn!"  Even if it's the simplest concept no matter what age they are.
• "Quality assessment informs instructional practices."  Purposeful assessment(s) should be the compass of your instruction. 
• "Quality teaching makes a difference. " It's a no-brainer that children need to have teachers and leaders who are knowledgeable about pedagogy and how to best teach/reach students.  For a few years I have said that a "warm body and a teaching certificate doesn't qualify them to teach children in our classrooms".  I have been a witness to teachers who got their jobs for who they are in a community rather than their abilities.  Sometimes the teacher employment process can be an unfair one... grr, I digress!  Please see some of my other posts for further opinionations on "quality teachers".  :)
• "Positive relationships within the classroom maximize learning."
• "Educators must work as a team." 

These principles are from a book I read this summer.

RTI SUCCESS, Proven Tools and Strategies for Schools and Classrooms. Written by Patricia Whitten, Kelli Esteves and Alice Woodrow, ISBN: 13-978-1-57542-320-3.

Summer Reading for Education

Most teachers I know try to read for enjoyment in the summer as an escape from our busy and stressful school year.  Then there are a few of us-geeks who enjoy reading about our profession and building our knowledge base.  So for those of you geeks who are looking for a book about how to improve schools I would "lightly" suggest the book Leverage Leadership: Building Exceptional Schools. I have been reading it on my kindle. The target audience for this book is Administration, Superintendents, Principals and some lead teachers.  It discusses the steps and attitudes people in leadership should have in order to lead effectively.  The book uses real life experiences of Superintendents whose schools are not meeting the state requirements, meaning AYP.   It walks you  through some great concepts, ideas to try and helpful research to consider.  It can get a bit boring and dry in some areas.  I am about 50% through it and finding myself skimming and scanning through some parts of the book.  Have a great summer!

Driven Schools

One of the many keys to a successful school is having teachers who are providing quality instruction.  In our profession a teacher who teaches strictly from a "manual" will not provide students with the tools to be successful.  An administration that allows teachers to remain in their comfort zones of teacher manuals and workbook pages and myriad of worksheets is also setting children and teachers up for failure.  Children do not learn from filling out worksheets!  It's boring and has little value to the learning process!!!  That old practice is not applicable in our fast moving, high-tech and otherwise progressive society.  I've heard teachers and even school board members start complaining about modern education with this sentence..."When I was in school....."  Guess what?  There is a reason our society and country have not been able to keep up with the world of academic progress.  It's a challenge to find solid teachers who are able to connect with children in a way that will help them to achieve in school and in life. 

Another adage: "There's more than one way to crack a nut".  Teachers who only teach or provide information in one way are providing a disadvantage rather than a successful opportunity for children to grow.  So...get cracking and be an awesome teacher.

Over to the right side of this blog I have added some links to help you validate or find researched based lessons and activities.