Working SMaRTer

Hats off to RUSD SMaRT leaders. This group of talented and hardworking teachers are busy once again preparing to host collaboration meetings in their classrooms. They send invitations to everyone in their grade level at nearby schools, prepare practical information to support math instruction, and generally offer a forum for sharing of ideas. During this round, they'll talk about ways to improve student achievement on the first benchmark test, and all comers are encouraged to bring a "best practice" idea to share. Thank you, SMaRT Leaders!

Out of the Box

Do you enjoy playing games? Depending on the game, they have tremendous potential for building skill, vocabulary, and team work. Watch this short demo from Out-of-the-Box games. How could this be modified for classroom use?

http://www.otb-games.com/index.html

Non-PowerPoint Jeopardy

For those of you who enjoy building Jeopardy games for classroom review, check out this site. It's a cleaner format (no PowerPoint) and has an elementary math template already prepared. You'll love it and it's FREEEEEEE!

http://jeopardylabs.com/

Ideology vs. implementation

Ideology vs. implementation. If people voiced their agreement more on the ideology it would be easier to find agreement on implementation.

Careers in Mathematics

Ever thought of becoming a mathematician? Here is a nice audio slideshow of some number wizards.
http://seedmagazine.com/slideshow/mathematicians/

New Management

I spent an enjoyable Saturday at a Rick Morris seminar, listening to his "New Management" tips for "fair, firm, and consistent" classroom management. He is an entertaining presenter, and the seminar is chock full of ways to address all of the major and minor classroom annoyances that minimize student time on task and student learning. While much of it is gimicky (and Pavlovian) I have no problem with it. It works when implemented consistently, and kids love novelty! When I visit classrooms, I see teachers talktalktalktalk, and they are typically exhausted at the end of the day. Students are the ones who need to be talking- about content, using academic language.

Looking forward to seeing these strategies in use in classrooms. Thanks to Scott Brennan for inviting me and Lia Boucher for including me. Click to see Rick's webpage.

New Management

Cool Tools You Didn't Know You Needed

If you would like to see a table of the latest Web 2.0 tools available, check out this cool link. Displayed in one table and organized by type, you can click on exactly what you'd like to see and learn more about (and I'll bet you didn't know about most of this stuff!) Great format!

LearningWeb 2.0

Practical Mathematics from Calvin and Hobbes

Anyone who knows me knows what a huge Calvin and Hobbes fan I am. Check out this fun collection of cartoons to illustrate some good axioms for math instruction. Fun!

Practical Mathematics from Calvin and Hobbes.

Baseball, Basketball, and Volleyball, oh my!

Time for a little facts practice? Here is an idea for using a sports metaphor to engage kids.
Baseball Math

Ahhh...Multiplication Facts

How in the world to get kids to memorize facts? (Yes, they should. Problem solving is inefficient without an automatic command of basic skills and facts.) But it needn't be steady stream of timed Mad Minutes or flash cards. Make it fun!

Interactive Multiplication Games

Multiplication Concentration

Ways to "Tweet" at School

How many of you enjoy "Tweeting" on Twitter? I have to say that I love it- those I follow provide a steady stream of interesting information and links. If you're interested in 25 Ways to Use Twitter in Your Classroom, click on the link. Times are changing!

Google for Educators

This compilation of information and tools for tachers is Google's way of supporting teachers "in their efforts to empower students and expand the frontiers of human knowledge." Links to different applications (i.e. Google Maps, Book Search, etc.), as well as downloadable lesson plans and wall posters. Discussion board with other teachers and the creators of Google Apps for Educators. Take advantage!!

Click here:

Google for Educators:

Some Cool Tech Tools

Hey, all my techie friends out there - you will LOVE this!

Check out: ClassTools.net

SMART Meetings begin!

I met today with our 1st Grade SMaRT Leaders to kick of the first round of SMaRT team meetings. They had so many terrific ideas and I am confident that attendees will gain so much from the collaboration they will provide. Thank you to Christine Wagner (Harrison), Christina Johnson (Emerson), Jeannie Wagner (Bryant), Maria Bleemers (Mt. View) and Kathy Buttaccio, who is always a tremendous resource. Many congratulations to Brandi Marsh (Twain) who just gave birth to a new baby! We are so excited for her and looking forward to her return.

Art of Teaching

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren

How can we connect that to the way we use enVision?