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April 17, 2013
7 notes

Chicago Trip

I’m planning a Chicago trip this summer.  I’ll likely go the last week of June or Mid-July.  I will likely only be there a total of 3 days.  One day will be for hanging out with one of my college best friends, one for my friend that student taught in England with me and one for Chicago area tumblr meet-up.  I’d like a show of hands for who will be in Chicago around those times and would be interested in meeting up.   I’ll be staying with my college buddy who lives near Wrigley Field.  Any and all #education people would be welcome.  I’ll probably ask JBIZZ or one of my college friends to name a good meet-up place where people can hear each other talk near where my friend lives.  Unfortunately, JBizz will be in Europe, so you’ll have to settle for me and whoever else can come.

Please reply with a reblog or an e-mail as I do not get most messages on Tumblr.

Tags: meet-up education summer chicago

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June 17, 2012
103 notes
How to Inspire Your Students to Read this Summer | Edutopia

1) Invite students to give Book Talks to the entire class. Who influences kids the most? Their peers, of course, so providing children opportunities to pitch books to classmates can be incredibly effective and powerful.

2) Introduce kids (and especially those reluctant readers!) to a book series. This will inspire them to seek out the next book, and the next, and the next.

3) Provide your students and their families with the “Latest and Greatest” in fiction and non-fiction for the grade level you teach. I’ve had students come back to me the next year, and there are x’s by several book titles (they used the reading list I gave them as a check list!)

4) If teaching older kids, set up a Facebook page all about books. Students will then be able to share with their classmates (and you!) updates on what they are reading and post their book reviews.

5) Start or end class with a Read and Tease. This means you read a few enticing lines from a book (it can be the opening words, or midway through). For my students, I’d give a dramatic reading of the opening paragraph and then place the book on the rim of the whiteboard. At the end of class, at least 2 or 3 students would ask to check it out.

6) Advise families to take children to the library and bookstores on a regular basis. Send a letter home or an email with a list of neighborhood libraries and bookstores. Possibly include some inspiring quotes or a bit of research, giving some evidence to why reading is so very important.

7) Encourage your students to register for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. You can even make it a homework assignment. Scholastic also offers creative suggestions for classroom lessons using the Summer Challenge. Once a student does register, she will be able to enter a contest with prizes by simply logging in her reading minutes. Consider sending the Scholastic link to parents where they can download reading lists and get some tips for supporting their child’s summer reading.

Tags: reading education summer literacy

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May 16, 2012
21 notes

Summer is almost here! Do you have any advice on how you re-balance your mind and your life before going at it all over again in fall? — gjmueller

Rule number 1:  Sleep in, but don’t sleep in until 1 PM.

Rule number 2:  Know your personality. Do you like to be around people all the time?  Do you like to be alone more often than not?  Are you somewhere in the middle?   Plan accordingly.  

Rule number 3: No matter how tempted, don’t touch anything school-related for the first week.  Hide it in the basement, a spare room, or anywhere you won’t be looking at it.

Rule number 4: Go somewhere you’ve never gone before (near or far).

Rule number 5: Do something you’ve never done before but have always wanted to (Hello 30 before 30!)

Rule number 6: Spend some time with people who don’t teach.

Rule number 7: Get a drink (or if you don’t drink, get ice cream) with coworkers that you like.

Rule number 8: Do something all by yourself that makes you happy (go to the beach, go to the movies, run — whatever floats your boat).

Rule number 9: Make a rule about checking work e-mail over the summer and stick to it.

Rule number 10: Take naps when you feel like it.

MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF ALL:  Spend time with your family.  

Tags: education summer tdd

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May 25, 2011
4 notes

My Professional Summer Reading List

My summer is going to be short, since my new school starts in July.  Also, with the move I am not sure how much I’ll be able to get to before school starts.  However, I’d love to hear what is on your lists!

Tags: education teaching books summer reading literacy