Know The Power of Phone Calls Home

Title I teachers at Learning Exchange are expected to call parents at least once a month with good news.  We do often have some difficult topics to address but always begin with the positive.   Read this narrative story from a 10 year veteran teacher who has experienced the power of home phone calls. 
You might get some interesting ideas as you follow some of her scripts.  She advocates 15 minutes a day to make these calls and promises that they do pay off.
We know they do!  Any other tips you'd like to offer our fellow LEX teachers?  Please add your own 'tips & scripts' in the comments below.

The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home.  Elena Aguilar. 8.20.12. edutopia.

Please scroll down below the content links to find the article.

 http://www.edutopia.org/blog/power-positive-phone-call-home-elena-aguilar

Teach English All Day in All Classes for ELLs

The Tracy school district (17,530) in California is largely Hispanic and students with poor language skills have consistently lagged behind their peers in academic subjects  The traditional approach had been only one language skills period per day which hadn't improved student achievement.  Starting last year, all teachers in all subjects were trained to infuse their classes with literacy lessons.  Other districts across the country are trying similar strategies, integrating language skills in all classes.  What do you think about this here in Milwaukee where we have large numbers of ELL students?
Be sure to read the many comments.

Making English Part of the Fabric - School Districts Try New Approaches in Teaching Foreign-Language Speakers ad Achievement Requirements Get Tougher.  Vauhini Vara. 8.24.12.  The Wall Street Journal - Education
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443713704577603980738740256.html

Not Enough About Digital Literacy in CC

This premium article from Education Week is critical of Common Core Standards from the standpoint of digital literacy.  Writer, Paul Barnwell, states that current state standards and CC are fine for 1990 but not for 2012.  His quote from this article is worth remembering....

"Adult literacy in 2012 means being able to synthesize information from multiple online sources to write a blog post or substantive email. It means analyzing which online tools will best serve your communications purpose. It means making smart decisions about what information is useful online, and how to curate and filter the endless stream of data coming in. It means reviewing your digital footprint and learning how to take some control over what information you broadcast to the world, from your tweets, profile pictures, and recommended links. While the common core addresses some of the above skills, its guidance is far too vague, especially for those teachers who are uncomfortable with new technologies."
 

From my perspective, the perception that all schools, districts, and teachers have digital tools at their disposal and have the knowledge to use them mindfully in their respective curriculums is wishful thinking.  I don't doubt digital literacy is important, but not all places are there yet.  We are still early in the game.  Comments after the article are worth reading as well.
Your take on this?  Please comment.

The Common Core's Digital-Literacy Gap. Paul Barnwell. 8.22.12  Premium Article- Education Week Teacher
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2012/08/22/barnwell_digital.html?tkn=UVCFtvv5VWDChquab1fLo58XfNCHWKc7aEpz&cmp=clp-sb-ascd

Technology Does Not Motivate Students

Contrary to what you might think, kids are not motivated by technology.  Written by an ed-tech trainer for teachers, he was in for a surprise himself.  Initially motivated by new opportunities to interact digitally, the novelty of the tools quickly wears off for students unless.....  (Read to find out more....I won't tell you)
Do you agree with Bill Ferriter?  Now that you have had experience with lots of Mimio activities, what can you say now?  Comments please

Are kids really motivated by technology?  Bill Ferriter. 8.17.2012.  SmartBlog on Education
http://smartblogs.com/education/2012/08/17/are-kids-really-motivated-technology/

How Can I Improve My Questions With Students?

Ben Johnson references Robert Marzano's book,  Classroom Instruction that Works in this article. Johnson has shared 3 specific actions teachers can do to improve questioning. We need to get the students talking rather than the teacher talking. He recommends preparing questions when you make lesson plans and then scaffold the questions.  Very interesting article and I highly recommend it for all our Title I teachers. 
What interesting ways are you planning to engage more student discussion by thinking about questioning strategies?  What have you done in the past?  How are you planning to change my approach?  How do you know if it works?  Comments welcome.

Three Steps for ImprovingTeacher Questions. Ben Johnson. 6.26.12. edutopia.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/improving-teacher-questions-ben-johnson

What Are The Math Instructional Shifts All About?

The most important part of this article is the video by David Coleman, co-author of CCSS. This is one video not to be missed!  He explains the 6 shifts in more detail which are....   (video also appeared in another post)

1. Focus: fewer topics covered in greater depth
2. Coherence: connect learning within and across grades
3. Fluency: perform mathematics with speed and accuracy
4. Understanding: use mathematics in complex situations
5. Application: know when and how applying math can solve a problem
6. Dual Intensity: achieve fluency and conceptual understanding/application

As you listened to David Coleman, what struck you as important?  What struck you as being difficult to achieve in our Title I context, meeting with students 2 hours per week?  How can conferencing with classroom teachers help you to implement at least one of these shifts?
Please express your questions/concerns in your Comments below.  They will be taken seriously and will be part of the discussion of the math team this year.

Common Core State Standards:  Math Instructional Shifts.  David Ginsburg. 6.30.12.  Education Week Teacher
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/coach_gs_teaching_tips/2012/06/math_common_core_state_standards_instructional_shifts.html?cmp=ENL-TU-VIEWS2

How High Is Hispanic Enrollment in Our Schools?

Here are interesting statistics on the growing number of Hispanic students in K-12 schools and in college.  Truly amazing!  This trend is continuing to grow. Data from the Pew Hispanic report.

Hispanics Set School, College Enrollement Records. Suzanne Gamboa 8.21.12 .AP Associated Press.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/hispanics-set-school-college-enrollment-records-17044718