Monthly Archives: July 2011

I Wonder in Five Words

Posted on July 23, 2011 by Katie

Every year we do a back to school community project.  It’s a way to help establish culture, get to know students, and begin to form the necessary community  bonds for a productive year.  In the past we’ve had students do … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Videos | 6 Comments

Why You Might Want To Stick With It

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Katie

Every year I teach a lesson on abandoning books.  I always follow that lesson with one on NOT abandoning books.  This is for the students who are serial abandoners.  These students give up on books for many reasons.  Perhaps they … Continue reading →

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Social Bookmarking for Students

Posted on July 17, 2011 by Katie

There was a great #elemchat on Twitter yesterday about social bookmarking for students.  In today’s information heavy world it would make sense that we would help student learn to filter and share resources.  After all, that’s what we do right?  … Continue reading →

Posted in 2.0 Tools, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Saturday Morning Round-Up

Posted on July 16, 2011 by Katie

Here’s some of the best of the web that I’m reading this morning.  Grab a coffee and enjoy! Awesome Highlighter from Talking Tech With Robin.  Thanks @aliharper20 Using Google Docs for Assessments from Teaching like it’s 2999 Great Tech Expectations: … Continue reading →

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Splitscreen: A Love Story

Posted on July 15, 2011 by Katie

Thanks to @Briankotts for this video!  Splitscreen: A Love Story is the winner of the Nokia shorts competition 2011.  As I was watching this it made me think about how it’s important that students examine multiple perspectives in all subjects.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Research Workshop, Videos | Tagged | Leave a comment

Everyone Should Take The Time For A Coffee

Posted on July 12, 2011 by Katie

I pour the freshly brewed espresso gently over the ice.  It crackles and resettles itself as the deep dark liquid oozes between the icy cracks.  A quick dash of sugar.  A splash of milk.  I stir it slowly with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Slice of Life | Tagged | 9 Comments

To Each His Own or How I Invented The iPad

Posted on July 10, 2011 by Katie

I’m not a fan of Smartboards, I never was.  Shocking I know.  I have actually had people turn their nose up at me when I say that. They insist it’s because I didn’t know how to use it properly, which … Continue reading →

Posted in iPad, Technology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Thinking Things Through

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Katie

I’m in the process of revamping my Social Studies units using Wiggins and McTighe’s Understanding by Design 2.0 Template.  If you’ve read and used their work before you know the value in “backmapping” your instruction.  If you haven’t read any … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquiry, iPad, Professional Books, Research Workshop | Tagged , | 2 Comments

What Did You Do Today?

Posted on July 8, 2011 by Katie

I get asked this question a lot in the summer.  There is a very widely held popular perception that teachers spend their summers lounging by the pool sipping Mojitos and laughing at those fools who work 12 month jobs. Well … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Living Life Like a Reader

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Katie

I just spent two hours in bed finishing a book.  The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jaime Ford.  It was one of those books that leaves you emotionally drained and reeling with comments, just the kind … Continue reading →

Posted in My Reading Life, Reader's Workshop, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Making the Most of Mini-lessons

Posted on July 6, 2011 by Katie

I attended a great workshop by Krista Palmquist at the Boundless Readers Foundation today.  It was all about how to make mini lessons more effective.  I’ve been using reader’s workshop for many years now and truth be told, it’s not … Continue reading →

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