Friday, March 23, 2012

Stop Stealing Dreams

Stop Stealing Dreams


Think. Share. Reflect....share your favorite number....

My favorite is #19...


Click...if you are curious.
Read...if you choose.
Discuss...if you want connections.
Act...if you feel compelled. 

(source: Ryan's email)

Share your thoughts, favorites, 
ideas, and questions in the comments!


I might be 29, but man I feel aligned to so many!  This document breeds discussion and open-minds! ~Beth

There were several that stood out to me personally.. I liked #28 Exploiting the instinct to hide: "Fear is used to ensure that no one stretches too far, questions the status quo, or makes a ruckus." We need to let the kids be "messy" or learn to teach "messy".. not in the box... break out of the box!

also, 33. Who will teach bravery?

"Can risk-taking be taught? Of course it can. It gets taught by mentors, by parents, by great music teachers, and by life"
 As teachers we need to let the students know that it's ok to take risks.. and sometimes you may fail... that is ok.. learn from your mistake and do something different.. (remember that song by Kenny Rogers about the little boy who couldn't hit the ball, but became the best pitcher?)

ok.. one last one..
51. How they saved LEGO:
Love the picture with this one... check it out! People wanted Legos that came with directions.. to make a final end piece that was the same no matter who built it... my advise? throw the directions out... and build what inspires you!
~Becky

Friday, March 9, 2012

"Literacy is an Every Century Skill"






Although they have important roles to play in adolescents' literacy development, language arts and reading teachers need content-area teachers to show students how to read and write like a scientist, historian, or mathematician. All teachers in all subject areas share the responsibility for literacy development in middle grades and high school. Today, more and more content-area teachers recognize this responsibility and are incorporating content literacy into their teaching through a variety of instructional strategies. 
Richard Vacca






"In Wisconsin, disciplinary literacy is defined as the confluence of content knowledge, experiences, and skills merged with the ability to read, write, listen, speak, think critically and perform in a way that is meaningful within the context of a given field."


Check out DPI's Disciplinary Literacy website for information on disciplinary literacy and resources specific to all content areas.





Math Content Literacy:
Content Area Literacy: Beyond the Language Arts Classroom

Writing in the Content Areas:
Get Students Writing Right: Tips for the Content Area Classroom

Many Content Area Literacy Strategies.  Applicable in all content areas:
Literacy and Learning Strategies



Monday, March 5, 2012

Flip It!


Everyone is talking about flipping classrooms.  What is it?  Why do it?  How do you do it?  Here are some resources to help!

Complete the Developing a Hybrid Classroom module on Blackboard 9 created by our resident experts: Chris and Darci.  (Log in to the generic elementary or middle school BB9 site to access this module)  

From Edutopia:
From MindShift:
From Education Next:
Carpe Diem School in Arizona:



What great resources have you found on Flipping Classrooms?  Add them in the comment area below.