Technology is an inevitable part of today’s world of education. Each week, I work to balance more traditional activities, such as playing instruments and singing songs, with technology-based instruction. Parents and students (and sometimes even other teachers) are often surprised to find that we use technology in music class. I believe that using technology keeps […]
iPad
Posted inGoing Paperless, Instructional Strategies, Social Studies, Technology, Uncategorized
Pioneering Nearpod
The 1:1 digital classroom is no different from any classroom in terms of management challenges. The excitement of technological change and student attention span tends to wane at the same speed and undivided attentions seek distractions if a system of motivation and inquiry is not put in place. This is true for all teaching because I remember […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum
Strengthen Old Lessons for a New Year
Lesson planning is not a ditto machine. It is impossible to take a set of lesson plans from the previous year and implement them exactly for a current group of students. Curriculum, resources and technology all change and keep lessons constantly evolving. Sometimes lessons from previous years get left in the past. Often times, however, they are simply […]
Posted inConfessions of a Teacher, Opinion, Social Studies, The Traveling Teacher
Recharging Your Teaching Battery During Summer Vacation
I’m standing on the north rim of the Grand Canyon, far away from wifi and cell service and anything familiar at the start of my summer vacation. I’m fascinated with the lighting strikes and thunderstorm moving rapidly along the opposite rim. Amateur photographers snap images in 20-second intervals, trying to capture an unforgettable moment but […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Elementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Kindergarten, Technology
Take Your Apps Outside
I grew up in the 80’s with Atari, pong, and floppy discs. Â I learned to code on a computer that actually took a tape. Â I love technology and even though I have been in the classroom for 19 years I try to stay current. Â There is something about “old school” though. Â Holding a book in […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement
Summer Selfies – Understanding Infographics
[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”] Each summer our school offers flex time for professional development. Most faculty seize this opportunity to meet, work in teams, document our hours for the day and submit our accomplishment which substitute for an In Service […]
Posted inEducational Apps, Featured, Opinion
A Teacher’s Summer Schedule
Educators often find it difficult to unwind from the accelerated pace of the end of the school year. I wonder what to do once summer becomes a reality. Non-educators pose this question in a different tone, what do you do all day while the rest of us work? I thought I’d actually present an insider’s look into […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Technology
Teachers Lead In-Service… Unthinkable Possibilities!
The unthinkable happened. Our faculty provided expertise for a recent In-service. Incentive to turn the reigns over to in-house professionals result from either our successful embrace of the PLC model or because the budget is frozen. Whatever the reason, the opportunity to explore the Ed Camp model of professional collaboration is a turning point in […]