Teachers are in the field every day teaching. They use technology, adapt technology, and know what technology works with kids. So attending a conference led by teachers is empowering. Friday I attended EdCampKS. This conference was organized by teachers for teachers with presentations by teachers. The morning started with blocks of time scheduled on poster […]
technology
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 inClassroom Management, Featured, Instruction & Curriculum, Middle School, School Improvement, Technology
Keep Digital Devices in the Hands of Youngsters
Just as 1:1 technology gains ubiquity in classroom education the movement against its success is populating social media, straining to establish evidence that digital devices are harmful. There is an irony to the viral backlash that circulates discussion boards and the social media tools that are the very target. I for one remain unconvinced that digital technologies are […]
Posted inElementary School, Instruction & Curriculum, Instructional Strategies, Technology
Differentiating your Formative Assessments
The point of teaching is to learn.  Each student comes to us with different experiences and this impacts how and when they master the various concepts and skills presented in the classroom.  Part of teaching is understanding where students are in a lesson, skill, and unit.  Exit tickets have become the buzz, but there are many […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Technology
Social Studies Educational Apps 101
Having access to technology in a classroom is one of the best ‘next generation’ resources you can have. Teachers all over want to be able to give students exactly the information that they need in engaging ways. The answer? Apps. Now, we know that not all apps are created equal. I’ve put together a list […]
Posted inInstruction & Curriculum, Mathematics
Accessible Math for Elementary Students AND their Parents
I saw a post on Facebook this week about “Common Core Math.”  The idea of the post was if you add 4 apples and 5 oranges you will get an orange haired monkey.  Sigh!  There is not a perfect curriculum and I don’t believe we will ever know the motivation behind the standards, but they are […]
Posted inFeatured, Instruction & Curriculum, Opinion
Wiki-What? 10 Reasons It’s Time for Teachers to Embrace Wikipedia
[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”] My neighbor teacher and I have this roundabout every year. She, the English teacher, doesn’t permit students to use Wikipedia, and the debate ensues not long after she brings up the […]
Posted inCurrent Events in Education, Featured, Social Studies
A Call for National History Day
All teachers search for that moment when what you do in the classroom raises administrators’Â eyebrows, students’ hopes, and the goosebumps on our own skin. These pivotal moments in our interconnected lives show us – emotionally – that our job is more than just worksheets and pencil sharpeners; it’s changing lives. One of the most remarkable […]