All Discussions Tagged 'k-12' - Classroom 2.02024-03-29T09:36:52Zhttps://www.classroom20.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=k-12&feed=yes&xn_auth=noBrain Friendly Learningtag:www.classroom20.com,2012-04-05:649749:Topic:8249042012-04-05T16:07:46.478ZGinny Washburnehttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/GinnyWashburne
<p><strong> Name and Title</strong>: Ginny Washburne- DEN Director</p>
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<p><strong>School, Library, or Organization Name</strong>: Discovery Education</p>
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<p><strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong> N/A</p>
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<p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</strong>: Albuquerque, NM </p>
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<p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present</strong>: English</p>
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<p><strong>Target Audience(s)</strong>: k-12 educators</p>
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<p><strong>Short Session…</strong></p>
<p><strong> Name and Title</strong>: Ginny Washburne- DEN Director</p>
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<p><strong>School, Library, or Organization Name</strong>: Discovery Education</p>
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<p><strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong> N/A</p>
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<p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present</strong>: Albuquerque, NM </p>
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<p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present</strong>: English</p>
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<p><strong>Target Audience(s)</strong>: k-12 educators</p>
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<p><strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong> Explore how 5 simple tips can create a brain friendly learning environment: Buy-In, Emotion, Movement & Brain Breaks, Play and Feedback.</p>
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<p><strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like): </strong> What does the latest brain research reveal about teaching and learning? This session will review the latest research in neuroscience from books such as Differentiation and the Brain & Brain Rules to explore how implementing a few simple brain friendly teaching strategies can assist in fostering a successful learning environment.</p>
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<p>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</p> Modeling Lifelong Learning Through Technologytag:www.classroom20.com,2012-03-18:649749:Topic:8184222012-03-18T00:08:41.595Zt1trusthttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/t1trust
<p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.torreytrust.com" target="_blank">Torrey Trust</a>, Ph.D. Student in Education</p>
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<p><strong>School, Library, or Organization Name:</strong> University of California, Santa Barbara</p>
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<p><strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong> Santa Barbara,…</p>
<p><strong>Your Name and Title:</strong> <a href="http://www.torreytrust.com" target="_blank">Torrey Trust</a>, Ph.D. Student in Education</p>
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<p><strong>School, Library, or Organization Name:</strong> University of California, Santa Barbara</p>
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<p><strong>Co-Presenter Name(s):</strong></p>
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<p><strong>Area of the World from Which You Will Present:</strong> Santa Barbara, CA</p>
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<p><strong>Language in Which You Will Present:</strong> English</p>
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<p><strong>Target Audience(s):</strong> Teachers</p>
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<p><strong>Short Session Description (one line):</strong></p>
<p>Learn how to build a network of information, resources, and connections that will help you improve your professional practice.</p>
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<p><strong>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</strong></p>
<p>Inspiring students to learn outside of the classroom starts with the teacher. Teachers that are willing to take risks and ask others for help and feedback are more likely to provide effective instruction that addresses their students' needs. <br/> <br/> This lecture will demonstrate how to build a <span class="il">professional</span> <span class="il">learning</span> <span class="il">network</span> (PLN) using information aggregation and social media tools. A PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal <span class="il">learning</span>.<br/> <br/> Teachers will learn about the Web 2.0 tools available for staying abreast of the latest education news and best practices and how to build a <span class="il">network</span> of likeminded individuals who are willing to provide advice, feedback, share resources, and collaborate on lesson plans or projects.<br/> <br/> This workshop will show teachers that there is no need to reinvent the wheel or feel isolated in the classroom. There are global networks of educators that teachers can reach out to 24/7. <br/> <br/> This workshop will be a guide for building a <span class="il">professional</span> <span class="il">learning</span> <span class="il">network</span> from scratch. Some of the tools that will be featured are Google Reader, Twitter, Edmodo, Ning, Diigo, Blogging, and Facebook. </p>
<p>After a brief overview of how to use the technology tools for building a PLN, the workshop will cover information literacy (how to sift, organize, and analyze validity of information), how to enter conversations in PLNs, and networking and netiquette.</p>
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<p><strong>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://edutechdatabase.wikispaces.com" target="_blank">http://edutechdatabase.wikispaces.com</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/torreytrust/a-teachers-guide-to-building-a-professional-learning-network-pln" target="_blank">http://www.slideshare.net/torreytrust/a-teachers-guide-to-building-a-professional-learning-network-pln</a></li>
</ul> Time In - Building Relationship & Teach Social Skillstag:www.classroom20.com,2012-03-14:649749:Topic:8173002012-03-14T17:24:16.572ZRusty Mayhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/RustyMay
<p>Your Name and Title: Rusty May, School Counselor</p>
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<p>School, Library, or Organization Name: SchoolToolsTv.com</p>
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<p>Co-Presenter Name(s):</p>
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<p>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: California</p>
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<p>Language in Which You Will Present: English</p>
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<p>Target Audience(s): K-12 teachers who want to learn more about the importance of teaching social skills and building relationships in the classroom.</p>
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<p>Short Session…</p>
<p>Your Name and Title: Rusty May, School Counselor</p>
<p> </p>
<p>School, Library, or Organization Name: SchoolToolsTv.com</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Co-Presenter Name(s):</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Area of the World from Which You Will Present: California</p>
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<p>Language in Which You Will Present: English</p>
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<p>Target Audience(s): K-12 teachers who want to learn more about the importance of teaching social skills and building relationships in the classroom.</p>
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<p>Short Session Description (one line): A lively and interactive discussion about the importance of relationship in teaching and how to effectively connect to create more teachable time and better academic results.</p>
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<p>Full Session Description (as long as you would like):</p>
<p><span>I’m a counselor, life coach and professional speaker who specializes in helping teachers and students create mutually beneficial educational relationships. Education is first and foremost about the relationship between the teacher and student. A teacher can be completely proficient with the information and still not connect with the students at the developmental level required for the information to come alive in the classroom. </span></p>
<p><span>Students who come from challenging backgrounds often haven’t been taught how to bond with others, trust adults or focus in the classroom so they struggle and can take valuable teachable time away from the rest of the class. I created SchoolToolsTv (STTV) to help teachers and students connect and create the kind of relationships necessary to allow the class to achieve at the highest level possible. </span></p>
<p><span>STTV focuses on emotions, manners, bullying and the basic social skills all students need to succeed. STTV creates a conversation in the classroom that fosters a deeper and more meaningful connection between teacher and students. In only 1 minute a day, STTV offers classrooms common sense tools and strategies they can talk about and use to acquire the skills they need to deal with the reality of their situation in the classroom and beyond. </span></p>
<p><span>When all students realize it’s more about them than it is about their tests score, a safer and more positive learning environment is created in the classroom and everyone benefits. When the show is used school wide, the entire culture becomes one of relationship and connection which makes the school safer and more conducive to other types of educational reforms. In school, as it is in life, “It’s all about relationships”. I have a Master’s in counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential and have done over 3,000 presentations in the K-12 environment over the past 8 years.</span></p>
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<p>Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: <a href="http://schooltoolstv.com">http://schooltoolstv.com</a></p> Cloud Computing in the Classroomtag:www.classroom20.com,2011-08-19:649749:Topic:7180782011-08-19T18:44:20.443ZElizabeth Crawfordhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/ElizabethCrawford
Check out this great infographic using cloud computing in the classroom. Have you incorporated cloud computing in your school? We’d love to know your stories! <a href="http://bit.ly/pXvME7">http://bit.ly/pXvME7</a>
Check out this great infographic using cloud computing in the classroom. Have you incorporated cloud computing in your school? We’d love to know your stories! <a href="http://bit.ly/pXvME7">http://bit.ly/pXvME7</a> Missouri bans students and teachers from being Facebook friendstag:www.classroom20.com,2011-08-17:649749:Topic:7153802011-08-17T18:38:54.992ZElizabeth Crawfordhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/ElizabethCrawford
Here’s an interesting story about how students and teachers are banned from being Facebook friends in Missouri schools. Do you agree with this decision? <a href="http://zd.net/qs0OuZ">http://zd.net/qs0OuZ</a>
Here’s an interesting story about how students and teachers are banned from being Facebook friends in Missouri schools. Do you agree with this decision? <a href="http://zd.net/qs0OuZ">http://zd.net/qs0OuZ</a> When to use social media in the classroom?tag:www.classroom20.com,2011-06-09:649749:Topic:6498822011-06-09T17:33:50.971ZElizabeth Crawfordhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/ElizabethCrawford
What grade do you think is most receptive to the integration of social media into the classroom?
What grade do you think is most receptive to the integration of social media into the classroom? Promote Your School on Facebooktag:www.classroom20.com,2011-05-04:649749:Topic:6330062011-05-04T18:47:17.222ZElizabeth Crawfordhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/ElizabethCrawford
Here is a great overview on how to use Facebook to promote your school as an online community for students, parents and other teachers. Does your school have a Facebook page? What information do you share on it? Share your school’s Facebook page link below. <a href="http://on.mash.to/eIWWxQ">http://on.mash.to/eIWWxQ</a>
Here is a great overview on how to use Facebook to promote your school as an online community for students, parents and other teachers. Does your school have a Facebook page? What information do you share on it? Share your school’s Facebook page link below. <a href="http://on.mash.to/eIWWxQ">http://on.mash.to/eIWWxQ</a> Link Request: SOS Projecttag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-13:649749:Topic:3526152009-06-13T06:48:09.090ZMark Marinohttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/MarkMarino
Hi,<br />
<br />
As you might have heard summer school has been canceled in Los Angeles for Grades K-8. A little research reveals we're not the only school district in the country with this problem.<br />
<br />
To try and offer a very partial remedy, my students and I are compiling a list of online free resources for students K-8 in Language Arts and Math.<br />
<br />
If you know of any sites with strong free content, please send them to: sosproject@gmail.com. Please put either LangArts or Math in the subject area.<br />
<br />
Or you can…
Hi,<br />
<br />
As you might have heard summer school has been canceled in Los Angeles for Grades K-8. A little research reveals we're not the only school district in the country with this problem.<br />
<br />
To try and offer a very partial remedy, my students and I are compiling a list of online free resources for students K-8 in Language Arts and Math.<br />
<br />
If you know of any sites with strong free content, please send them to: sosproject@gmail.com. Please put either LangArts or Math in the subject area.<br />
<br />
Or you can bookmark them (in Delicious or Diigo) using for tags: "sosproject" and then whatever else you can tell us (grade, LangArts/Math, topic). (We also have a Diigo group, "SOS Project."). More details here: <a href="http://bit.ly/rIine">http://bit.ly/rIine</a><br />
<br />
We plan to compile these by grade, subject, and topic and put them online by July 6th.<br />
<br />
Thank you in advance for any life preservers you can toss to these students.<br />
<br />
I'm attaching the guidelines as an rtf for easy access.<br />
<br />
Of course, you could also just reply to this thread!<br />
<br />
best,<br />
Mark Marino<br />
Save Our Summer Project Are you ready for next fall?tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-04:649749:Topic:3490832009-06-04T16:49:23.351ZAndrew Marcinekhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/AndrewMarcinek
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif3oOScO_I/AAAAAAAAAMk/6R135Xe_pPw/s1600-h/42-15600754.jpg.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343511753300655090" name="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343511753300655090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif3oOScO_I/AAAAAAAAAMk/6R135Xe_pPw/s320/42-15600754.jpg.jpeg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;"></img></a><p class="MsoNormal">Pop Quiz hot shot…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are your plans to use technology in your classroom next fall? What is your plan for day one? Does it involve anything that I have blogged about? Does it involve a personality test that groups kids by colors? Does it involve asking students one by one to describe their summer vacation and the question,…</p>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif3oOScO_I/AAAAAAAAAMk/6R135Xe_pPw/s1600-h/42-15600754.jpg.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif3oOScO_I/AAAAAAAAAMk/6R135Xe_pPw/s320/42-15600754.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343511753300655090"/></a><p class="MsoNormal">Pop Quiz hot shot…</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What are your plans to use technology in your classroom next fall? What is your plan for day one? Does it involve anything that I have blogged about? Does it involve a personality test that groups kids by colors? Does it involve asking students one by one to describe their summer vacation and the question, ‘if you were a car what one would you be?’</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you are already overwhelmed by my brief, yet aggressive, pop quiz, then here are some practical ideas you can implement next year from day one. If you subscribe to this list and try a few, you too, may be known as the “techie teacher” by October.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>1. Obtain a Twitter account</b></p>
<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 36px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sifz2UUp4OI/AAAAAAAAAL8/V-r68AhESF8/s200/twitter_logo_header.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343507597392208098"/><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please, just try it before you sigh and move on to number two. I made this number one because I have been turned on to so many great teaching blogs and links to great articles. Twitter can be a very useful collaborative tool among teachers all over the world. Yes, world! I keep up with a teacher in Portugal. And it is very interesting!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Twitter allows you to follow whom you want and block those you don’t want. You can share and collaborate with fellow teachers and even set up a group that will allow your school to tweet together. Twitter does not spam and all that is required of you is a clever username and password. Set up your photo if you want and your ready to tweet away!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I find the best time to use twitter is to pick a few times during the day when you can scour your twitter feed and pick the articles you want, save them and read them later. If you try and stay current all day, you may find yourself in the weeds and overwhelmed by over-tweeting. Don’t try and keep pace, simply tweet at your own convenience.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The idea of twitter can also be used without even setting up an account. The twitter frame work - expressing yourself in 140 characters - can be used to extract main ideas and to summarize a reading. On day one have students go to the board and explain something they did this summer in 140 characters. It serves as a nice day one ice breaker and will probably draw a few laughs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Go <a href="http://twitter.com/">here</a> for Twitter</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>2. Create a Google Calendar</b></p>
<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif0h857wmI/AAAAAAAAAME/ObWn3qkxcTs/s200/google_calendar_image.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343508347020362338"/><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I find that a Google calendar can be a lifesaver and a great way to integrate other calendars in your school. I personally have one calendar for my personal life, one for my school’s academic calendar, one for technology conferences and our tech coordinator has one for his availability. All these calendars can be viewed on one single page and you can turn different calendars off and on if your June begins to look like a bag of skittles fell on to the page.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The other amazing feature about Google calendar is that you can share and subscribe to other calendars. This allows you to set up calendars in your district and coordinate with each other at all times. I also set up a Google Calendar for each of my classes and embed them on our class Wiki. It is a great way to post assignments and keep parents, guidance counselors and supervisors informed.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Click <a href="http://www.google.com/intl/en/googlecalendar/about.html">here</a> for Google Calendar</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>3. Create a classroom Social Network</b></p>
<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 57px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif34mfRXwI/AAAAAAAAAMs/NQo2zBhtEpc/s200/wikispaces-logo.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343512034674827010"/><p class="MsoNormal">This can be done through numerous venues. I have always had the best experience with a Wiki space. It is easy for students to understand and they can easily adapt to the process of editing and sharing on the page. You can make your Wiki space private, however, you can open it up to parents, administrators and grandma, who lives 3000 miles away, but would like to see what her grandson is doing in school.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">The Wiki allows you to easily upload assignments, photos and videos. Students can participate in threaded discussion and allows teachers and students to collaborate through e-mail. I find the class wiki to be a great year-to-year resource as well. Everything my students create or that I assign is posted on the wiki. At the end of every school year I go back through and see what we accomplished and how I can make it better next year. Think of your class wiki as the lesson planner you always wanted!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Finally, the Wiki is also a great tool to house student portfolios. I covered this topic last month and find that a student portfolio wiki will allow students to track their progress from year to year and allow them to have access to it. This idea works beyond their high school years as well. They can take their wiki to college with them and continue to add and upgrade their portfolio.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Check out this post <a href="http://iteach20.blogspot.com/2009/05/student-portfolio-solution.html">here.</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Click <a href="http://www.wikispaces.com/">here</a> for wikispaces</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>4. Use Animoto!</b></p>
<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 82px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mfJmeZx_Pk4/Sif2w3De8ZI/AAAAAAAAAMc/vcgRrRL92GQ/s200/animoto.jpg.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343510802171097490"/><p class="MsoNormal"></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If there were one tool that I am simply in love with, it would be Animoto. I have covered this site in a previous post and have used it numerous times in my own classroom. It is an application that can be used across all disciplines and will enhance your classroom flare!</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I have used it to create movie trailers for all of the books my students will read during the semester. Rather than acquire a video camera and learn how to use editing software, Animoto takes care of it for you! Here is one I created for Hamlet. It took me roughly 5-10 minutes to create.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/4a27f75f29c1a51b/46928cc5c90da50/55e7bd9/-cpid/e67268ab8aae5336" id="W46928cc51133af174a27f75f29c1a51b" width="432" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/4a27f75f29c1a51b/46928cc5c90da50/55e7bd9/-cpid/e67268ab8aae5336"></param><param name="wmode" value="window"></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed id="W46928cc51133af174a27f75f29c1a51b" name="Animoto.com" src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/4a27f75f29c1a51b/46928cc5c90da50/55e7bd9/-cpid/e67268ab8aae5336" width="432" height="240" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" wmode="window" allowscriptaccess="never"></embed></object>
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This is a great icebreaker for day one of a unit! Kids can showcase their prior knowledge and also make predictions about the upcoming literature. Another idea is to have your students create their own Animoto preview for the literature or play they just completed. Then you can showcase their films at the beginning of next year. Tell students their target audience is next year's freshman class and that they have to draw them into reading Hamlet!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Find Animoto <a href="http://animoto.com/">here</a></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>5. Plan Ahead this summer!</b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">There are lots of tools out there for teachers to use and it can be overwhelming to try them all. At the end of each year I recommend reflecting on your lessons and trying to find a new web 2.0 tools to enhance that particular lesson or unit.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">One of the biggest mistakes one can make is to try all these tools out mid unit. This creates chaos and is not healthy for the classroom. If you spend more time trying to tweak the application you are using than provide the content then the point is lost. Try these steps when trying to implement new technologies into your classroom.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">1. Become an expert on the application</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">2. Synthesize the lesson so that the application does not distract from the content</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">3. Plan out your time and set parameters for equipment usage so that you don’t usurp valuable class time</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;tab-stops:list .75in">4. Provide a supplemental handout for students in case they do not understand the new application</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">As always I look forward to your feedback and would love to hear how you are planning ahead for next year. Please comment with any new ideas you are trying out or any additions to this list.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Happy Summer!</p> Year Round Learning 2.0tag:www.classroom20.com,2009-06-02:649749:Topic:3481642009-06-02T16:38:02.123ZAndrew Marcinekhttps://www.classroom20.com/profile/AndrewMarcinek
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Part I: Year Round Learning 1.0</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Thursday, I was in Borders Book Store searching for a good read for my train ride to Boston. (SIDE NOTE PLUG: I went with Arika Okrent's In the Land of Invented Languages). I went upstairs to find my book and here is the sign I came across...…</span></span></p>
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<div style="text-align: left;"><b>Part I: Year Round Learning 1.0</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">On Thursday, I was in Borders Book Store searching for a good read for my train ride to Boston. (SIDE NOTE PLUG: I went with Arika Okrent's In the Land of Invented Languages). I went upstairs to find my book and here is the sign I came across...</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">While this seems like a very efficient and kind offer from Borders Book Store, I was still troubled by this sign. Why? Let's break it down.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. The sign is directed at students. "Ask your teacher to email a copy to us" Really! I would love to live in a world where students flock to Borders Book Store, actually have the energy to go upstairs in a book store - send 8 text messages on the way up to the second floor - and get excited about a sign that asks them, the student, to address their teacher about sending them a summer reading list. I know that is a very cynical mind set, but I just don't see #1 on this sign working.</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. The main problem I have with this though is not about student's apathy, it is with the entire book exchange process. Last time I checked we were in some sort of an economic downturn. Families are cutting back on vacations, unnecessary expenditures, etc. That said, why doesn't Borders offer a book exchange program for local schools? Here is my method:</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. Instead of having students provide their reading lists, every school district will e-mail borders a copy. Borders will then set up various kiosks for each local school.</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Students who read the book last year will have the opportunity to return the book - if they so choose to do so - and get a credit for their next summer reading book.</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">EXAMPLE:</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">John is in 9th grade. Last year he read "Things Fall Apart" for his summer reading. This year he needs to read "A Brave New World". He goes to Borders this year and returns "Things Fall Apart". Borders gives John half of his money back for "Things Fall Apart". John finds a used copy of "Brave New World" and buys it at half price.</span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Kate is going into 9th grade and needs to read "Things Fall Apart" This summer. She goes to Borders and finds a used copy for half price. On the inside cover is the name John.</span></i></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">With emerging technology on the verge of creating devices to replace books, bookstores need to adjust, and make it appealing and practical for students to come in and purchase a book. Promote the content, not the cover!</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Part II: Year Round Learning 2.0</b></span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">School districts need to rethink summer reading and ways to promote learning through the summer. As an English teacher I was always bothered that we were the only department giving out summer assignments. And I realize that it one of the primary components of the English classroom, but why limit reading to one discipline? I also understand that teachers and students need time to “recharge” from a long year, however, recharging, does not mean halting the learning process.</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Students and teachers have the opportunity to communicate and learn throughout the summer months. This can be done through many different forums. The process doesn’t require much and should promote learning and engage students when they have plenty of time on their hands.</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here are ways to rethink and promote summer reading or simply "Year Round Learning 2.0"</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">1. Let's have our students read a broad array of fiction and non fiction throughout the summer.</span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">A. English - Read selected literature given by your teacher</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">B. History - Read Newsweek or Time every week and post on one article. Or better yet,read the newspaper!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">C. Math - Utilize this great forum set up through Drexel University and post one or several math problems a week for your students to complete, post and discuss on the wiki.</span> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">D. Art - Go to this site</span> <a href="http://www.everyphototellsastory.blogspot.com/"><span style="color:#521C8D;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(Every Photo Tells A Story Blog)</span></span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">every week and post a comment or</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">set up your on blog/wiki like this and create a discussion forum where your students</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">post an image and discuss it! Actually, this site can be used for creative writing as well and works well in many English classrooms. It is a great way to get your students free writing and into the composing groove.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">E. Gym - Yes, gym! This marks the first time I am covering gym! Have your students not</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">only exercising their mind, but dropping the remote or mouse and get outside to stay in</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">shape throughout the summer! Show them how to use</span> <a href="http://www.runkeeper.com/"><span style="color:#0011F2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Run Keeper</span></span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">if they have an</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">iPhone or iPod Touch. Or have them track their running throughout the summer by</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">using</span> <a href="http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/"><span style="color:#521C8D;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Google Maps Pedometer</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">2. Let's get a</span> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/"><span style="color:#521C8D;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">GoodReads</span></span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">or</span> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7461478126484233411"><span style="color:#0011F2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Shelfari</span></span></a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">school account set up and make students accountable by requiring them to post once a week on the literature they are reading. Make this happen!!!</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">3. Create a summer reading wiki for your class. Link it to Goodreads or Shelfari or simply use it to facilitate discussion over the summer. This makes that first day of class ice breaker seem very unnecessary.</span> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Learning is ubiquitous and it should not just be limited to reading literature; it should be open to all disciplines. If we promote the idea of social networks and getting our students to be independent learners, we will have a much easier transition every September. The world is flat and therefore the classroom should be as well. As the "off - time" of the school year commences, let's really use our time to promote these new technologies and create the year round classroom. It can happen, it will happen and we need it to happen now!</span></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><b>Discussion Forum: How are you getting your students ready for the summer? How do you plan on promoting "Year Round Learning 2.0"?</b></span></span></p>
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