Sticky Notes - Cool Ideas!

Ben Johnson lists and explains the power of the simple sticky note with 10 examples, many of which could easily be used in Title I.  He concludes it is a simple way to get student feedback, give praise, help with organization, study helps, and give behavior remarks.  Really great tips!
This article is not to be missed!
Any other ideas you've used for sticky notes?

Tools for Teaching:  The Amazing Sticky Note. Ben Johnson. 9.10.12.  Edutopia - Student Engagement.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/sticky-note-teaching-tool-ben-johnson

Can We Help Our Introverted Students in Title I?

We teachers love stimulating discussion, collaborative teamwork with students actively engaged in our lessons.  After all we're trying to adapt our lessons to meet  the 21st Century skills in Common Core.  So what do we do with that reserved, very shy  student who rarely responds and doesn't particate in collaborate work with other students?  These are our introverts.  Can we change them?  Do we want to change them? 

"Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D., makes the case that the brain chemistry in introverts is markedly different than that of extroverts. In short, processing pathways in introverts are longer and more complex than the pathways found in extroverts, thus it takes them longer to process information, which causes a problem in our schools."

We live in a extrovert-dominant world and forget to provide the environment needed for introverts.  One answer seems to lie in the internet - an ideal space needed for them to learn and freedom to explore.  Collaboration with others can be done alone in collective creations and sharing opportunities.

Note:  There are a couple of embedded links that offer more background and information about introverted students.
Very interesting.  What have you done to help your shy introverted students?  Share your ideas with your colleagues.

Embracing Introversion:  Ways to Stimulate Reserved Students in the Classroom. Tony Baldasaro. 9.10.12 Edutopia- What Works in Education.
(Scroll down the webpage to the article.)  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/introverted-students-in-classroom-tony-baldasaro

Financial Knowledge - An Issue for Teachers & Students

Here is a fantastic article about basic understanding of financial management.  Most all of us believe that a basic course in financial literacy would be great at the high school level.  But problems abound.  Not only is curriculum an issue, but teachers are an issue, because adults as a whole have little understanding themselves. Who qualifies as a teacher?  Good question.   A great read!  An important read!  Be sure to read the many comments after the article.....quite enlightening to be sure.
What is your take as a math teacher?

True or False: Many Americans Don't Understand the Basics of Investing. Andrea Coombes. 9.4.12.The Wall Street Journal.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444812704577605232303164416.html?mod=dist_smartbrief

CC Expectations - Short & To the Point

Are you short on time?  Most of you are.  We understand that work-related duties take up most of your day. 
If you are not clear about Common Core and what is expected, this article is for you.  It's short and too the point. 
Feel free however, to explore other blog posts that offer more details and ideas for implementation in your Title I classes.  We are an important piece of the pie especially as our schools make adjustments also.  We'll help one another.

Send your questions to me and I'll see if I can refer you somewhere to find some answers. We encourage you to try different lesson styles with CC in mind and share them with colleagues at our staff meetings.

Quick Guide to the Common Core:  Key Expectations Explained.  Tom Vander Art. 9.7.12.  Education Week - Innovation
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/on_innovation/2012/09/quick_guide_to_the_common_core_key_expectations_explained.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2

Why Should Non-fiction Be So Important?

Bill Ferriter quotes Walter Dean Myers, noted young adult novelist and National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literacy...

“We all know we should eat right and we should exercise, but reading is treated as if it’s this wonderful adjunct…We’re still thinking in terms of enticing kids to read with a sports book or a book about war. We’re suggesting that they’re missing something if they don’t read but, actually, we’re condemning kids to a lesser life. If you had a sick patient, you would not try to entice them to take their medicine. You would tell them, ‘Take this or you’re going to die.’ We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.”

Ferriter continues and adds, Reading NONFICTION is not optional.  Most kids read fiction these days and he urges kids and teachers to explore nonfiction content, especially for kids over the age of ll. He urges teachers to model interesting nonfiction topics by sharing biographies and adventure stories that really happened.  Help students find books that support their personal interest is a great gift.

An aside:  My son, Dan, hated to read when he was a pre-teen.  However, you'd never guess what he was attacted to and consumed with a passion....The World Book Encyclopedia in our family room!  Book by book, he read with enthusiasm, even looking forward to each year's updates.  Today at 40 years old, he has the same kind of reading preference, looking up "stuff" to learn about things he's interested in....still no fiction for Dan!

Reading nonfiction is not optional.  Bill Ferriter. 9.6.12. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Education - Literacy
http://smartblogs.com/education/2012/09/06/reading-nonfiction-not-optional/

Please Don't Miss This Insightful Response to CC!

I hope all LEX teachers read this article by Marc Tucker, world renown researcher and president of the National Center on Education and the Economy.  Tucker's thoughts in this article are responses to a Washington Post article on 8.15 by Marion Brady who wrote about 8 problems with Common Core State Standards. 

Tucker responds to each "problem" with eloquent, insightful prose with thoughts that integrate and elevate the CC  standards to the larger purpose of education.
Teachers...please read this using "close" reading.  Go slow and savor Tucker's language and thoughts.

[Interesting embedded link to National Academy on 21st century skills. - Report brief about Education for Life and Work available downloadable in pdf. Click further and you can read various chapter online.]

What do you think about Tucker's response?

8 Problems With the Common Core State Standards?  I Don't Think So.  Marc Tucker. 9.5.12. Education Week Top Performers
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/top_performers/2012/09/8_problems_with_the_common_core_state_standards_i_dont_think_so.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2

What is The Value of Pre-Screening Kindergarteners?

We are screening our Title I students in Kindergarten and some First Graders for pre-reading skills.  This article covers both sides of the Kindergarten Screener debate - "Yes, it's and good idea" and "No, for children this young." 
Screening in this article covers more areas than our screener for pre-reading skills.  The consensus among kindergarten teachers say that the information is extremely helpful and establishes a beginning point from which to build success.
The same can be said for the value of our LEX pre-screener.  Especially with a time-frame of 2 hours per week, results will help teachers target instruction. 
For you teachers of pre-readers, how is our screener working for you?  What information has been the most helpful?  Where would you like to see improvement?  Please enter your comments below.

Should We Screen Entering Kindergarten Students for Readiness? Stu Silberman. 9.5.12. Education Week - Public Engagement & Ed Reform. 
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/engagement_and_reform/2012/09/should_we_screen_entering_kindergarten_students_for_readiness.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2