Are You a Trainer or an Educator?

Think about the title of this blog entry.Yyou might not be able to tell the difference so easily.  Rather than defining the differences here, you need to read this article first, then answer the question in the title.  Maybe you are a bit of both...let's see.

Education builds character.  Jim Dillon. 6.9.13. SmartBlog on Education.
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/06/09/education-builds-character/?utm_source=brief

Deeper Learning - Key to College & Career Success

Read how a small charter high school in an immigrant section of San Francisco promotes deeper learning in preparation for a portfolio defense needed to graduate.  The school offers opportunities for students to practice 21st Century skills, such as critical thinking, working collaboratively and developing a "learning to learn" mindset.  Leon, daughter of immigrant parents from Nicaragua, tells her story, one that is leading her to college, a path she never envisioned.  She and other graduates feel that deeper learning has prepared them better to meet educational and career paths after high school.

Deeper Learning Inspires Dreams of the Stage.  Peter Schurmann. 6.9.14. New America Media - Education
http://newamericamedia.org/2014/06/deeper-learning-inspires-dreams-of-the-stage.php

Stategies to Help Those Tough Kids

We remember those tough kids in our classes for quite a few years.  Why?  They probably stretched us to become better teachers.  We learned from them, not only for teaching ideas but to develop better sensitivity to students with significant issues.  This excellent article presents five tips for teaching tough kids.  All are worth spending time with and thinking how best we could use them for our own difficult students.

5 Tips for Teaching the Tough Kids.  Josh Work.  6.11.14.  edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/tips-for-teaching-tough-kids-josh-work

Motivating Lessons Help ELLs

Much has been said about ELL education.  What works is what engages ELLs to practice, practice, and more practice.  This article identifies types of lessons that promote engagement, not boredom nor frustration.  The author, Tamara Sturak, names an online program (Learning Upgrade) that offers a reading and math curriculum that includes, songs, games, and bright colors.   Not mentioned in the article, but which we in Learning Exchange know is true, is the use of Mimio to engage students in the learning process, not only for ELLs but for all students.

Here's how engaging lessons motivate English learners.  Tamara Sturak. 6.10.14. eSchoolNews
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/06/10/english-learner-student-425/3/

A Student Thinks, "If I Could Only....."

Author, Angela Maiers, states that every student is curious about something and is quite passionate about it.  It is up to adults in their lives to allow that passion to flourish....that means we as teachers need to encourage them.  Genius Hour is that regular time during class where students can pursue their dreams and passions.  Who started this idea?  Google, not surprisingly.  Out of that opportunity to explore, Gmail and Google News were born.  This article is so very inspiring that classroom teachers everywhere will want to have their own Genius Hour.

Genius hour: Making time for passion in the classroom.  Angela Maiers. 6.11.14.  SmartBlog on Education.
http://smartblogs.com/education/2014/06/11/genius-hour-making-time-for-passion-in-the-classroom/?utm_source=brief

Tips to Reach the Reluctant Learner

In this fascinating article a former student connects with his high school teacher and ends up giving 10 tips to a workshop she was giving, called "Motivating the Reluctant Learner."  All of us can learn something from several of Eddie's 10 tips.  Just Excellent!

How to Reach Reluctant Learners.  Nancy Barile. 5.27.14.  Education Week Teacher.
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2014/05/27/ctq_barile_motivating.html?cmp=ENL-TU-MOSTPOP

Instilling Curiosity is Our Job

We teachers need to understand that curiosity is the impetus for students wanting to learn.  In school curiosity is difficult to inspire, but possible by encouraging students to explore in the search to find something new and different. As a result students will be hungry for knowledge. How have you instilled curiosity in your students?  Share your thoughts below in Comments.

How Can Teachers Foster Curiosity?  Erik Shonstrom. 6.4.14. Education Week.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/06/04/33shonstrom.h33.html?cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2