Weekly Spotlight
The Struggle is Real
This image has been going around on Facebook for the last several weeks...at least on my feed. I can connect with this so easily. Many a days I spent eating lunch in front of a copier trying to get all the SPED paperwork copied in triplicate, hoping that the copier wouldn't jam if I ran to the bathroom after I hit start!
Whether it is paperwork, worksheets,or newsletters this is an experience 99% of teachers can relate to. My challenge for you today is to consider why you make the copies and consider there may be other options.
Feedback for Learning
Feedback is one of the top 10 influences on student achievement.
Tony Vincent, a 5th grade teacher and blogger, recently shared a blog and resourcesabout feedback. His ideas and resources provide a structure for peer to peer feedback (so that it will be useful and correct) and the feedback provided by teachers. Click on this link to read his post and get the digital and non-digital resources.
From Kindergarten to High School, the skill of listening for learning is one that will forever be a part of education. What is changing is how, where and when that listening occurs.
In the article linked in the title above, Monica Burns shares her ideas about listening for learning but she also introduces a new tool. The tool is not as important as the content but she does a great job sharing both!
FlipGrid Feedback
It is not uncommon for teachers to use some of the more "fun" digital tools for learning but not really "take a grade". While I am all about not grading student work , that is completely different post. But in our current education system, grade are a fact of life. FLIPGRID is one of those tools that recognize that sometimes the feedback has to come with points. For that reason, they have built that into their tool!
FLIPGRID is a quick and easy tool that will allow student thinking to become more visible, both by the use of video but more importantly because students can talk through their work. This really gives us an insight into their thinking in ways that simply writing a response never will.
Click the picture above to take a closer look.
Click the picture to the left to see step by step directions for using the customizeable rubrics build into FLIPGRID topics.
Click the FLIPGRID image to go to www.flipgrid.com
EduProtocols to Try
Put a twist on the old pair share think with Cyber Sandwich. Students read and take notes, compare and contrast findings, and then write on their own.
This literature circle style book report is ideal for tracking student leisure reading while reinforcing concepts taught in class. Get rid of multiple choice tracking methods and make kids think on their own! Suitable for classroom or school wide deployment.
It is a basic jig saw type activity adapted for a digital classroom. The teacher controls the content by limiting students to the links provided in the slide deck.
http://marlenahebern.com/iron-chef.html (More details if needed)
Online Reading Strategies
There is a lot of talk about students reading "online." Does it make a difference, does it change comprehension, does it change standardized test scores? Regardless of the answers to these questions, online reading in the academic realm is here to stay. How can we support students with strategies to strengthen this skill?
Ditch that Homework Podcast
If you are not familiar with podcasts, this is a great one to start your listening. They are short and almost always have something you can use the very next day in the classroom. #Ditchpod
APP Smashing with Google Hangouts and FlipGrid
Today, 2 classes from different schools across town worked together to share their research and opinions about school recess. The classes met and talked with one another as a group using Google Hangouts and then answered questions with their individual opinions on FlipGrid. The students will now use their shared information to write an opinion piece about the value of recess in the classroom. Authentic audience, authentic feedback, authentic research, authentic LEARNING!
Click "School Recess" below to see the individual videos.
Brain Dump
The blog describes a retrieval practice that is deceptively simply and quick. Its called "Brain Dump" and it can be used with any grade level, for any content.
If you give it a try in your room, please let others know how it worked!
Previous Spotlight Resource
Expert Hour Google Slide presentation from Michele Waggoner (@MicheleWagg)
