Article: Exhaustion of the American Teacher

Exhaustion of the American Teacher, this is a pretty good read.

http://theeducatorsroom.com/2012/09/the-exhaustion-of-the-american-teacher/

Summer Reading.... and my love of YA novels

I love YA and found this article to be quite good:

http://bookriot.com/2013/06/26/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-young-adult-fiction/

 

I always claim I read YA to "keep in touch with my Middle Schoolers" but secretly, I just love it!

 

This summer I have a book shelf of novels to read, I am also doing a "book club" with the middle school girls I have tutored since they were little. Of course, I also have my kobo loaded up with some YA reads and some more adult reads too... Jodi Picoult, Janet Evanovich and such.

 

What is on your summer read list?

#DearPeter @MLAFassbender - what teachers think of a ten year contract....

Dear Minister Fassbender

Yesterday the question of topic on BC Almanac was is a 10 year deal for teachers fair and reasonable? My answer was how can it be given that teachers cannot trust this government. Here is why we can't trust this government:

1. Contracts and working conditions have been imposed on us by legislation for the last 12 years. The courts have found this to be unconstitutional, yet teachers are still waiting for their rights to be restored. 

2. The threat of fines, legislation and "accept this or else" attitudes from the government are not democratic collective bargaining. It is legislative thuggery.

3. Austerity really means wage-cuts. It's about families you say, but we are parents too. Inflation raises the cost of living year after year. Wage increases should be somewhat mindful of the rate of inflation.

This government says trust us... we have changed. Minister Fassbender, how many times can you assume us to be fools? You wish teachers to bury the hatchet sir, but what you really mean to do is to bury it in our backs yet again.

Read more teachers' letters to Minister of Education, Peter Fassbender here: https://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/groups/226536574108231/?hc_location=stream

Also search #DearPeter on twitter.

Awesome Idea for mini planters

Sign Up Genius

Learned about this Sunday during #21stedchat

signupgenius.com

A neat way to organize volunteers, schedules, etc. A great way to set up parent teacher interviews, class volunteers and jobs, donations, parties, fundraisers and pretty much anything!

Bringing Novel Study Into the Computer Lab

I highly reccommend reading:

Bringing Novel Study Into the Computer Lab http://glendastewart-smith.blogspot.com/2010/07/bringing-novel-study-into-computer-lab.html

It explores the use of computer labs and class sets of laptops, Inquiry Based learning, PBL, collaborative learning and of course technology. The focus on literacy, diverse learners and how to bring it all together.

Here are some excerpts:

The creation of heterogeneous groupings is an important component to the success of this project. A good reader may support a poor reader, and a student with a more “expert” background in computer skills will provide support for their group during project time in the computer lab. Heterogeneous groupings also provide opportunities to separate students-at-risk from their peers. If, for instance, reception level ESL students always work together, then they are denied the opportunities to learn more advanced grammar and syntax from native-speakers. Support can also be provided for struggling readers through the use of audio books on CD and tape. Everyone “reads” the story and everyone can contribute to the web site projects.

In longitudinal studies that looked at the impact of learning from computers (using them as tutors or as part of integrated information systems), and learning with computers (using them as a reading and writing tool during collaborative learning situations), researchers found that in all cases student achievement was positively impacted. (Barnett. 2003) In the first scenario, students’ gains could be measured in increased scores in statewide tests and increased discipline, and all evidence indicates that this benefit continues in higher grades. Students learning with computers made significant gains in other areas:

1. Students routinely used higher-order thinking skills far beyond what was expected for their grade level.
2. Students demonstrated enhanced ability to collaborate with peers to develop projects and reports.
3. Students demonstrated increased initiative. They maintained time on task for longer periods and often continued their work during recess, before school, and after school. (Barnett. 2003)

.....

Another question centers on acceptance of this learning context as valuable. Certainly it is not traditional. Society is on the verge of a paradigm shift and electronic technology will revolutionize learning to the same extent as the printing press did in the 1500s. Computer literacy will certainly begin to become almost as important as language literacy. Will oral literacy be enough? Can voice recognition software and a fast computer replace the need for reading and writing competency? Will educators consider computers valuable or is it just an expensive and under used toy? Hopefully the use of project-based and collaborative learning in the computer lab will help answer these questions and promote students’ literacy learning and critical thinking.

Year End Gifts...

My grade 8s are 'graduating' and after such an amazing year, I really wanted to give them a 'parting gift' but as a teacher wanted something inexpensive, but thoughtful.

One of my artistic students created this AMAZING sketch of our class. Every student is included and I could easily identify who was who in a matter of seconds! She is so talented! She is printing one for each student and teacher - clever!

I found some great ideas for year end gifts online that I wanted to share:

http://www.traceeorman.com/2012/05/ten-thoughtful-and-inexpensive.html
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&thread_id=3092931
http://pinterest.com/paramax166/gift-ideas-students-teachers/
http://pinterest.com/darlenepf/teacher-graduation-gifts/

My decision... I shall share it once complete - but the links above inspired me.... Stay Tuned!