Common Core Cautions

With the switch to Common Core, many teachers are left deciphering the language for themselves.  For me, this is the case.  I was reminded this week that while looking at the standards and implementing them into the curriculum it is important to take time for examining their level of rigor too.  This week's article in Edutopia discusses the misconceptions educators may have about the Common Core standards and warns us to take the time to read carefully and make thoughtful decisions.

Source: Common Core Big Idea 5: Consider Meaningful Assessment

Algebra and the Arts? - I say YES!

As a math AND science teacher, I fully embrace the idea of integrating multiple subjects into one's curriculum.  And with math and science, it seems like a no-brainer.  But until recently, I had seen the math/science connection and the english/social studies/arts connection as two separate entities.  It wasn't until the switch to Common Core that I've started to truly embrace the connection to the arts myself.  Reading Susan Riley's article on ReadWriteWeb this week, I felt empowered and justified in my new decision to work on incorporating the arts into my courses this year.  The suggested approaches are simple, and easy to use in a real classroom.  I can see the "mirroring" activity being used in my middle school classes to improve their problem-solving abilities (a big focus of the CCSS); the "stepping into the painting" activity as a way to explore social and environmental concerns in my biology class; and the "call and response" technique in algebra for working on specific concepts.  Above all, I see students being engaged by these new styles and what's better than that!

Source: Using Arts Integration to Enhance Common Core

I get by with a little help from my friends...

When you started out in education who was there to help? A friend from your undergrad? A new colleague?  For me, my experience was a little lonely at first.  I had a teacher assigned to me as my mentor, but the relationship was minimal and I'm an "all in" kind of person who would have really appreciated having someone invest some time in me.  But there were others on staff who made up the difference.  The night before school started, the band director and her husband invited me over for spaghetti dinner.  The first time I called in sick, only a few weeks into my first year, the school secretary showed up at my apartment with popsicles and gingerale.  The special education teacher invited me to carpool to PD events with her.  Parents and school board members invited me to sit with them at sporting events... the whole community was supportive.  But I still would have liked to have that one on one relationship with a true mentor - a go to person.  Now, in my 5th year, I find myself a bit of a "go-to" for the new recruits and its fun!  I remember all the questions I was too embarrassed to ask anyone during my first year and try to help in anyway I can.  I would love to help revamp our "mentor" program because even though it's not often we have new teachers, for the ones that do come, it would make all the difference:)

Source: Mentorship: Teaching the Teachers

Video Games - The Hot New Thing?

Well if you spent time with any self-proclaimed "gamers" in the past week I bet you that "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was topic #1 for conversation.  And a few weeks before that it was "Halo 4" and a few weeks before that it was... oh I don't even remember now because that's how little I care.  But it seems like its been "go-time" for video games releases this month - or this fall - or maybe this year - or has it always been this way?  I can't remember a time when there wasn't "the next big game" coming out.  That may have to do with my generation or the company I keep, but apparently Fruzsina Eordogh has noticed the same thing.  In an article she penned this week on ReadWriteWeb, she discusses that this has been the norm for over 20 years now and I don't see the situation changing anytime soon.  As long as video game creators are still cranking out games, younger generations will continue to be fascinated by them, and older generations will continue to be perplexed by them.  The only thing that may change is which group YOU belong to!

Source: 1991 News Report on Video Games Shows Not Much Has Changed

Distracted Driving

If someone asked you is it safe to text and drive, I doubt many people would venture to answer "yes" and defend it.  But yet, we still do it!  Why is it so hard to just wait? We all know its a bad habit that could be costly, but I think I'd be hard pressed to find someone with a cell phone who has NEVER answered a text while driving.  And I'm including myself in this scenario.  Sometimes its good to get a refresher and read some unsettling statistics so hats off to Adam Popescu  for his article this week!

Source: Please, Just Put the Phone Down and Drive

iPhone IOS 6 Features

So I vaguely remember updating my iPhone operating system last week but it was a quick update and nothing seemed to noticeably change in my day to day operations so I thought very little of it.  However, when I came across an article about IOS 6 the other day I was pleasantly surprised to find some cool new features!  My 2 favorites are: (1) Ability to use music you've purchased as an alarm (2) New options to decline a call but respond with text or a reminder to call back.  If you have IOS 6 this is a must read!

Source: iPhone Tips and Tricks with IOS 6

Exit Slips - Evaluation tool for students AND teachers.

I feel like every time I open my RSS feeds, there's something there immediately relevant to what's happening this week in my life.  Today is no different.  In short, the administration rolled out a new teacher evaluation process to the staff of my school this week.  On the evaluation rubric, up to 5 points can be awarded for some kind of closure activity.  In said rubric it recommends exit-slips as an ideal closure activity.  Now I am no stranger of this practice and have been known to administer exit-slips in the past, but I had given them up as of late for no real concrete reason other than I got lazy.  So I read Edutopia's article this week and took it as a sign that I need to perk up and get my formative assessments in gear!

Source: A Favorite Formative Assessment: The Exit Slip