Have 'Gumption' - Move Forward to Excellence

For teachers as well as manyothers, this is the time of year where we reflect and look forward to a year better than last year.  How to we do this?  With 'gumption' declares Vicki Davis, author of today's article.  Little steps are fine but big steps require gumption.  What are her recommended steps to make this year a one of greatness?  Each of her steps are explained carefully but they require you to go forth with gumption in order to make a difference.

1. Learn From Mistakes and Move On Smarter
2. Set Audacious goals
3. Make Epic Memories

What has made a difference to improve your teaching life?  Please share your thoughts in the Comments below.


3 Steps to Make 2015 Epic. Vicki Davis.  01.02.15. edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/3-steps-make-2015-epic-vicki-davis

Benefits & Growing Popularity of Personalized Learning

In the Summit Public Schools in California, teachers do not teach lessons at all. Instead, students use semi-autonomous guides relating to a syllabus; the teachers are available to help when asked. Teachers also lead group discussions or manage group projects devoting time to do what an automated system can't do easily. Students set their own goals and use a personalized dashboard.  The system provides regular feedback to the student & teacher.  Systems like this are growing across the country.  Results are showing gains in achievement, especially in math. But even more importantly, students are in charge of their own learning and are much more motivated. 
     The reading program mentioned in the article is Curriculet.  https://www.curriculet.com/


Personalised learning lets children study at their own pace.  Hal Hodson. 01.02.15.  NewScientist - Tech
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22530024.200-personalised-learning-lets-children-study-at-their-own-pace.html#.VKsd7Wd0wdU

Project Based Learning - An Amazing Collaboration!

This small group of high schoolers who had experience with robotics teamed up with a local university to do cancer research.  What an amazing partnership!  We promote project-based learning in the real world and this one certainly is a true winner.  Read how these juniors and seniors collaborated regularly with university staff using Skype and produced excellent results! 
While your high schoolers are not apt to engage is such ground-breaking studies, it is a fine example of engaged kids doing something extremely meaningful.  Guess we don't have to worry about these students ever finding a job.


Dawson High students pursue cancer breakthroughs with school project.  Kieran Nicholson.  12.28.14. The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_27207587/dawson-high-students-pursue-cancer-breakthroughs-school-project

The Psychology of Middle School Students

While not strategic in nature, this article is pre-requisite for middle school teachers who have never taught this age group or have never had children their own at this age.  It is really important to understand the thinking behind the kids at this vulnerable, changing age. Effective teaching will depend on your understanding.  So learn, remember, and chuckle!


8 Things I Know for Sure about Middle School Kids. Jenniver Gonzalez.  12.28.14.  Middle Web
http://www.middleweb.com/19645/8-things-about-middle-school-kids/


Anything else you'd like to add?  After reading the article, share your thoughts in the  Comment section below.

Vocabulary Tips from Dr. Marzano

The following tips are listed from Dr. Marzano's book Vocabulary Games for the Classroom by Linday Carleton and Robert J. Marzano, 2010.  Each are summarized briefly in this article but expanded more fully in the book.  The list is long and your questions aren't answered here.  Please read the article.

• Use data from student responses during game play to guide a three-step process of direct vocabulary instruction. The three-step process helps teachers apply direct instruction postgame to improve student understanding of specific terms.
• The first two steps of the three-step process involve (1) identifying difficult vocabulary terms and (2) clarifying their definitions
• The last step of the three-step process involves students amending previous entries of a vocabulary notebook—a space for students to track understanding of specific terms as definitions are learned and expanded upon.
• To be effective, vocabulary games should be based on relevant topics that students understand.
• When creating new vocabulary games, each game should be constructed into five categories.
• Classroom games can be adapted for younger students in the following ways:
• Ideally, after each game is played, students should review the terms in their vocabulary notebooks that were addressed in the games.
• Only teachers know their class well enough to decide how much competition is appropriate.
• Teachers should identify what students know and do not know about the difficult terms.
• There is an effective six-step process for teaching new terms.
• Direct vocabulary instruction is fundamental to effective teaching.
• Note:  Data collected as far back as 1941 indicates there is roughly a 6,000-word gap between students at the 25th and 50th percentiles on standardized test in grades 4–12.

Have you used any of these tips in your classroom?  What have worked well?  Not so well?  What changes might you make the next time?  After reading the article, share your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Tips From Dr. Marzano - Vocabulary Games for the Classroom.  12.14.  Marzano Research
http://www.marzanoresearch.com/resources/tips/vgftc_tips_archive

Teachers: Time to Relect on What's Most Important

This wonderful article by Sarah Brown Wessling, teacher of the year in 2010 and Teacher Laureate for the Teaching Channel has reposted this article about reflecting about what's important in teaching.  Very insightful and worthwhile your time in reading and reflecting.  Here are her 3 main questions for reflection...

• What are the three things that make a successful teacher?
• What are the three things that make a successful learner?
• What has been the hardest thing you've faced as a teacher and how did you deal with it?

Sarah shares her responses to these questions.  Can you identify with her answers?  What keeps you in the teaching field when so many have given up and left for another profession?  After reading her article, please return here and share your Comments with others.  You may help them immensely!


Teachers:  Three Questions for Reflection.  Sarah Brown Wessling. written 11.21.13 and posted 01.03.15.  TCH Teaching Channel
https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/2013/11/21/self-reflection-comes-in-threes/?utm_source=Teaching+Channel+Newsletter&utm_campaign=33015760bf-Newsletter_January_3_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_23c3feb22a-33015760bf-294497157

Changing Your Mindset

What kind of teacher will you be in 2015?  Now is the time most people make resolutions that they will not keep very long, if at all.  Deidra Gammill, blogger for CTQ (Center for Teaching Quality)  reflected this New Year's and decided that changing her mindset will make the most difference to her students.  Read her entry.  We might all learn something.  I know I have.  Please share your thoughts in the Comment section below.


I Don't Want New Resolutions for 2015; I Want a New Mindset.  01/01/2015.  CTQ- Center for Teaching Quality
http://www.teachingquality.org/content/blogs/deidra-gammill/i-don%E2%80%99t-want-new-resolutions-2015-i-want-new-mindset