I just finished a virtual meetup with one of my professional learning networks and I'm reflecting on the power of connections and the impact they have had on my practice. Through these connections I am spurned to action. I am positively accountable. Our collective knowledge and experiences make us better educators and better people. And, … Continue reading Power of Connections – #BLOG365 Day 57
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Lead Like a Lollipop! – #BLOG365 Day 56
https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership?language=en Candy and leadership chats. What could be more fun right before Halloween? I love this TED Talk on leadership and unleashing the inner leader in all of us. Today we are hosting a Teacher Academy meeting at our school and the theme is leadership. More often than not, when I think of leadership I … Continue reading Lead Like a Lollipop! – #BLOG365 Day 56
Boo! Grades! -#BLOG365 Day 55
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h4GD2feZ8Q&app=desktop The scariest thing this October isn't the spooky Halloween costumes or frightful decorations. It's not haunted houses or zombies. It's our grading culture. The Wicked Witch of Education! Look, there's been a lot of research on grading and grading systems. Despite the fact that these studies show grades actually demotivate students, we continue … Continue reading Boo! Grades! -#BLOG365 Day 55
Assessment for Learning – #BLOG365 Day 54
I read this post from Meghan Everette a few days ago on class size that made me think of a study by Sir Paul Black and Professor Dylan Wiliam. They found that assessment for learning had a bigger impact than class size on student achievement. Assessment for learning relies heavily on pre-assessments, clear communication … Continue reading Assessment for Learning – #BLOG365 Day 54
Museum Monday: Quick Tips for Using Objects in the Classroom – #BLOG365 Day 53
Last week I did a blog post for ASCD Inservice. I love this info graphic created from my writing. Check out my post, Unleash the Power of Objects in Your Classroom, here.
I Don’t Want to Forget – #BLOG365 Day 52
The day we got you. With our last $150 in cash. We were broke and newly married. Our luck turned around after you adopted us. Daddy taking you into the shower with him for baths. How much you loved to walk. Tugging and pulling and sniffing everything. Having to buy a real mailbox because you … Continue reading I Don’t Want to Forget – #BLOG365 Day 52
I Think I’ll Just Wait – #BLOG365 Day 51
As I grow older I find myself more and more in tune with who I am as a person. I wish I had this insight as a young adult. Oh well! One thing I have come to terms with over the years is the fact that I am a bit of a procrastinator. I might take … Continue reading I Think I’ll Just Wait – #BLOG365 Day 51
Me on the Map: Networked Educators – #BLOG365 #IMMOOC Day 50
So, I am still struggling with teacher empowerment, looking for inventive ways to inspire sharing and unleash the inner teacher leader in others. I read this blog post today, Why Even the Worst Bloggers Are Making Us Smarter. In it, the author writes "we do not work in a sealed-off, Rodin Thinker fashion." I'm also reminded of … Continue reading Me on the Map: Networked Educators – #BLOG365 #IMMOOC Day 50
Piling On – #BLOG365 Day 49 #IMMOOC
I am not that far removed from the classroom. Just a little over a year ago I was in the classroom teaching World History. I strive to keep the perspective of a teacher as an important element in my daily practice. I have worked in urban and suburban schools. Both environments offer their own … Continue reading Piling On – #BLOG365 Day 49 #IMMOOC
Is Our Instruction Respectful? – #BLOG365 #IMMOOC Day 48
I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be a respectful educator. I don't mean respectful with our colleagues. I mean with our students. For me, this goes beyond how we speak and act with our students. It is much deeper. Being a respectful teacher also means we are positive, polite, and reflective … Continue reading Is Our Instruction Respectful? – #BLOG365 #IMMOOC Day 48
Jill Cross 