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

Lounge v. Leadership

Developing teacher leadership has been an issue discussed in recent weeks at my school.  I enjoy and look forward to working towards being a part of any leadership team we establish, but after reading Edutopia's article, I fear for a loss of teacher lounge shenanigans! Sometimes you just need a place to be a little silly:)

Source: Three Dos and Don'ts of Transformative Teacher Leadership

Cyborg-generation?

Jon Mitchell's article on readwrite.com today has me calling myself a cyborg! Describing a world where worker bees take speed and strap computers to their chest? Well tomorrow I plan on suiting up with my java and iPhone so I guess I'm in!

Source: Do You Need to Go Cyborg to Keep Your Job?

I was RICH in college - but now I have to pay it back?

I have lived in northern Michigan for about 5 years now.  I relocated here for a job after graduating from college.  I am currently in the process of paying back student loans - and I understand the woes.

My sister graduated college years later.  And relocated to my house when it seemed evident she didn't have a job lined up, or a way to pay for rent.  She works part-time in the service industry and is currently riding out her "grace period" on her student loans.

It seems as if many people these days find themselves in a similar situation after college.  Sadly, despite all the best efforts, plans may not go...as planned.  The three pieces of advice in this article (organize yourself, call a professional and think about options) are helpful but I'd like to add another one: Don't panic! You're not alone!

Source: 3 Things to Do During Your Student Loan Grace Period

Kindness - A Learned Skill?

After spending today in an area wide professional development seminar, which happened to focus on classroom management and teaching positive behaviors (such as kindness), I happen to come across an article Can Kindness be Taught? discussing a similar idea.  And my thought was - well I sure hope so because I spent a lot of time today learning how to teach it!  But upon further reflection, I realized what we were calling kindness, was really just appropriate behaviors.  To teach someone how to care for others on this planet seems much more monumental a task.  But I agree with the article - kindness may be taught, but it must also be fostered in a safe environment, which we may be able to provide at school, but that only takes care of the hours from 8-3.

Source: Can Kindness be Taught?

iPad mini - Just another way to boost Apple sales or the new must-have item?

The technology coordinator at my school has been talking about the latest and greatest Apple product: the iPad mini.  And my instant thought was "is it cheap enough where I can justify buying one now?!"  Because deep down, I'm not going to lie - I really want an iPad.  My struggle is this:  I have an iPhone, and I have a laptop. What is the NEED for an iPad?  Truthfully, for me, there may not be a need, but I can't seem to let go of the WANT.  I feel like Apple knows this, and has made it their mission to get me, and others like me, to give in. With the smaller screen and lower resolution, the price of the iPad mini is a reduction of the price of the iPad 3, but is it everything I want?  Jury is still out, but with 54 shopping days til Christmas, I've still got time to decide if I'm telling Santa its on my wish list.

Source: Is the iPad mini the "real" iPad?

Changes to Gmail?

Like a complete nerd, the second I heard there was an update to Gmail I got right on my account and sure enough it was there.  Clicking "compose" now takes you to a new pop-up window with a simplified email composing window.  I can see it being useful in my work environment where we send emails (through gmail accounts) constantly, usually in the 5 minutes window between classes.  Although, for really quick communication I still prefer the instant chat option.  

Source: ReadWriteWeb: Gmail's Compose Window Gets a Clean New Interface

BOO-ology

So last week in Biology we discussed how some organisms make use of a process called fermentation.  And   we talked about how many great things result from this process - cheese, bread, I mean what more could you want?!  So after reading Five-Minute Film Festival I knew exactly what the lesson plan for Wednesday would say: Oozing Pumpkin Demo!  Except I think I'll opt for green food coloring for 2 reasons (1) Its my favorite color and (2) In Biology, Green is King.

First Blog

Hi! This is my first attempt at blogging:)