My son's taste in music is eclectic: Broadway show tunes, the Beatles, Elvis, Notorious B.I.G. He comes by it honestly. We are all equal opportunity when it comes to music in our house. A few weeks ago my son watched Six Pack with Kenny Rogers. Since then he has been on a Kenny kick. We … Continue reading The Gambler-#BLOG365 Day 165 #IMMOOC
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What is Improvement? -#BLOG365 Day 153 #IMMOOC #ascdl2l
Yesterday I participated in a webinar through ASCD hosted by Steve Gruenert. School Culture Recharged: Strategies to Energize Your Staff and Culture focused on the book by the same title and presented strategies for making school culture an ally. One question from the webinar keeps nagging at my brain: how does your school define the concept of "improvement?" … Continue reading What is Improvement? -#BLOG365 Day 153 #IMMOOC #ascdl2l
Thrashing Blindly or Reaching-#BLOG365 Day 149
I have been reading The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How. by Daniel Coyle. One quote that has stuck out for me is: The trick is to choose a goal just beyond your present abilities; to target the struggle. Thrashing blindly doesn’t help. Reaching does. Targeting the struggle. Reaching. There are … Continue reading Thrashing Blindly or Reaching-#BLOG365 Day 149
Variability Matters -#BLOG365 Day 146
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WClnVjCEVM I heard about this TED-Ed Talk at EdCamp Orange a few weeks ago and was finally able to watch it yesterday. Todd Rose makes the case for differentiation in a simple, yet profound discussion about the variability of learning and the beauty that can be found in diversity.
You Can Do the Cube-#BLOG365 Day 144
My son was born in the wrong century. He is an old soul through and through. This weekend while cleaning out his room we came upon his Rubik's Cube. I honestly can't remember when he got it. I don't think it's been used in over a year. He told me he wanted to take it … Continue reading You Can Do the Cube-#BLOG365 Day 144
There’s a duty to be done and I say aye-#BLOG365 Day 125
Not to throw out my credentials or anything, but I was a Girl Scout. By default I am always prepared. After all the Girl Scout motto is "Be Prepared." Sadly, this week I was not prepared. Sometimes it happens. My days don't quite go as I expected. The challenges I confront are not ones I'm … Continue reading There’s a duty to be done and I say aye-#BLOG365 Day 125
#whereissasha Our Exam Crazed System – #BLOG365 Day 124
No surprise I am anti-exams. Exams don't give us a clear picture of student understanding. They don't prepare students for 21st century careers. They cause anxiety for our students. They encourage low level thinking and regurgitation. They don't encourage collaboration or creativity. Last night #whereissasha blew up on social media. The teacher in me knew … Continue reading #whereissasha Our Exam Crazed System – #BLOG365 Day 124
A Problem Party – #BLOG365 Day 120
I have been reading The Unstoppable Writing Teacher by Colleen Cruz. In the first chapter she writes about anticipating and solving problems in the classroom. She suggests "that you celebrate once you find the problem you will attack first." Yes, it's true, problems are opportunities. Wallowing in them doesn't help us. Attacking them, studying them, … Continue reading A Problem Party – #BLOG365 Day 120
Teacher as Pivot Point-#BLOG365 Day 118 #edchat #IMMOOC
One of my son's favorite words is pivot. He heard it a lot during the election cycle and now uses it anytime he notices someone divert or spins from one topic of conversation to another. He is quick to point out the pivots of our family and friends and there were plenty to hear … Continue reading Teacher as Pivot Point-#BLOG365 Day 118 #edchat #IMMOOC
Iterations- #BLOG365 Day 116
Iteration is one of my all time favorite words. I latched onto it while in grad school as we discussed exhibitions and the iterative process of museum design. But, I quickly recognized moments of iteration throughout my life. So, when I read this blog post, 13 Things Crucial for Your Success [In Any Field] by … Continue reading Iterations- #BLOG365 Day 116
Jill Cross 