The 21st Century Skills Framework - Visualize it!

To help all of us understand how and why 21st Century Skills are important in school environments, a close look at this graphic from Partnership For 21st Century Skills will put them into perspective.
Underneath the graphic are downloadable pdf files as well as links to specific skills and their corresponding student outcomes and support systerms.
In addition to this informational graphic, feel free to explore other tabs on the website to learn more.

Framework for 21st Century Learning.  Partnership for 21st Century Skills website. Current.
http://www.p21.org/overview

Amazing Site for Math Vocabulary Development!

This is a must-see and a must-use website from the Granite School District in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The opening screen focuses on math vocabulary both with cards alphabetically arranged by grade level.  Also terrific is the Template section and the Activities and Lessons.   Great website to explore what fits for your Title I students.  In the Language Arts tabs, look in "Resources" for great ideas.

Granite School District website - current.  http://www.graniteschools.org/depart/teachinglearning/curriculuminstruction/math/Pages/MathematicsVocabulary.aspx

Looking for Guidance in CC math?

We all looking for ways to implement the changed expectations of Common Core.  This website, Illustrative Mathematics is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a resource to various stakeholders. 
      What we are interested in, of course, is what we as Title I math teachers, can do to help our struggling math students.  This is a perfect website for real world applications done in an illustrative way.  Especially good for our many ELL students.  There are many ideas here so spend a bit of time searching the site.  Organized by K-8 Standards, High School Standards, and Practice Standards (which is in draft form.)  Well worth your time.

Ilustrative Mathematics.  Current . Institiute for Mathenmatics & Education. 
http://www.illustrativemathematics.org/

Vocabulary is Essential for Common Core Success

Catherine Gewertz responds to Sarah Sparks article, "Students Must Learn More Words, Say Studies" which I have posted on 2/7 /13.  She connects one of the six anchor standards for the language strand of the standards to success in Common Core.  Gewertz translates this to what teachers can do in early elementary school with specific examples teachers can use from K to grade 5.  Great examples!

What do you do in your Title I groups to improve academic vocabulary?  Share your comments.

Building Vocabulary Cruial to Common-Core Success, New Research Says.  Catherine Gewertz. 2.12.13.  Education Week - Curriculum Matters
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2013/02/building_vocabulary_is_key_new.html?qs=common_core&cmp=ENL-CCO-NEWS2

Try this Whiteboard Lesson Decomposing Fractions

Here's a great interactive whiteboard lesson for decomosing fractions using time or money.  I normally don't subscribe to Dreambox Learning because of it's commercial nature.  However, now since Dreambox has a blog, I am rethinking a subscription.  Each month they will be offering Free Teacher Tools.  This one looks like it would be very applicable to our Title I classes with fractions as a learning goal.  Understanding time and money is crucial & in the context of fractions - a huge winner!  Note that the lesson has a chart correlating the content to the Common Core Standard in Math for 3rd grade.  (Doesn't mean that we would use the lesson for 3rd graders with our low performing students.)

For you math T1 teachers, try this using Mimio and let us know what you think.

Teacher Tool of the Month:  Decomposing Fractions Using Time or Money.  Ramil. 2.15.13  The DreamBox Learning Blog
http://www.dreambox.com/blog/decomposing-fractions-using-time-or-money

Confused Yourself? Your Students? That's Great!

Recent research from brain scientists tell us that although confusion seems like an obstacle it really is a positive when it comes to learning.  So often we as teachers present problem solving situations with as little confusion as possible.  That could well be the wrong approach.  Although this article is written for adults, the basic themes and strategies can be transferred to students.  However, it's best to try them yourselves.  Then as you find out how they work, you can teach them to your students.
Very interesting!  Well worth reading and experimenting.  (Check out the embedded links.)

Why Confusion Can Be a Good Thing.  Annie Murphy Paul. 2.18.13.  Mind/Shift
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/02/why-confusion-can-be-a-good-thing/

How to Cultivate a Love of Reading in Students

Amidst all the multimedia options and Common Core's stress on close reading and increased non-fiction, how do we instill a love of reading?   Popular blogger, Elen Aguilar offers 10 ways that teachers, parents, and administrators can help.   She means old fashioned "paper" books.
Some of her strategies are approprate for Title I classes, others not since they need investment from other stakeholders.  I particularly like strategies 8, 9, and 10. 

What strategies do you use to encourage students to read for recreation?

Ten Ways to Cultimate a Love of Reading in Students. Elena Aguilar. 2.13.13. edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/cultivating-love-reading-students-elena-aguilar