Below are a series of resources that I hope you may find valuable. I am constantly looking for new ideas and articles to help support what we do at ICS. I hope that you find them insightful and that they advance the Dynamic Learning taking place at ICS!
*Productive Struggle: Being a parent, I have an incredibly hard time allowing my kids to struggle. I have a tendency to want to swoop in to help them, especially when their emotions swell. The struggle, though, is good, necessary even. This article can help you to train your students to harness the power of embracing the struggle. If it isn't hard, students really aren't learning. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/harnessing-power-of-productive-struggle-ellie-cowen?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Teaching that struggling is part of learning math encourages creativity, builds authentic engagement and perseverance, and creates opportunity for assessment ...
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www.edutopia.org
Find information about growth mindset, discover how learning mindsets can affect student performance, and explore strategies that support student confidence.
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*21st Century Teaching: As teachers, we must prepare students for their world, not ours. This is a list of teacher qualities that embrace 21st Century skills. We want our students to struggle with new knowledge and skills. We want them to try new things and take calculated risks in order to grow. If we hope to instill these traits into our students, we must be willing to do these things ourselves. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/12/attributes-of-modern-educators.html
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www.educatorstechnology.com
December 30, 2014 As teachers and educators, we are constantly required to review, evaluate and renew our teaching strategies to align them with the cultural ...
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*Positive School Culture: In order for students to feel social-emotional safety and security, school's must focus on establishing a positive climate. These strategies can help students stay motivated and engaged.
http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2014/08/07/8-ways-to-build-positive-school-culture-now#.Vl7WdGCCDTI.twitter
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WeAreTeachers: 8 Ways to Build Positive School Culture Now
Life is about relationships. Building a positive environment in individual classrooms and throughout your whole school is too. It takes commitment and consistency ...
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*Self-Awareness: Teachers are so busy doing that we often forget to stop and assess whether or not what we're doing is effective. This is a great article on some of the teaching practices, upon reflection, that we should cease, start and continue:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/stop-start-continue-conceptual-meets-applied-david-hawley?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=CPC
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Stop, Start, Continue: Conceptual Understanding Meets ...
To better understand how educating individuals can make a global difference, consider what we should stop doing, what we should start doing, and what we should ...
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www.edutopia.org
Flexible classroom seating invites collaboration, communication, creativity, and critical thinking by helping students manage their physical energy and comfort as ...
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*We are Critical Thinkers: One of our ICS Learner Profile traits is that students are critical thinkers. Our overall goal in Understanding by Design / Webb's Depth of Knowledge is for students to transfer their knowledge and skills to authentic and new situations. This article, albeit focused on high school courses, is a great example of moving students beyond acquisition and regurgitation to application and transfer.
For more visit the link: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/emphasize-real-problems-boost-stem-learning-suzie-boss
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www.edutopia.org
Interested in creating more student-driven learning experiences, especially in the STEM? Check out these resources and ideas.
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*Making Mistakes: We have often used this quote: "Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong." Failure is an inevitable step in any process of learning. Recognizing the various types of mistakes can help us and our students to see our mistakes for what they are - growth steps in the journey of learning! http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/11/23/why-understanding-these-four-types-of-mistakes-can-help-us-learn/
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ww2.kqed.org
by Eduardo Briceño. This article was first published in the Mindset Works newsletter. We can deepen our own and our students’ understanding of mistakes, which are ...
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*High Expectations = High Achievement - This is a great article about how to inspire students so that motivation is internalized and realized into action and learning: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/high-expectations-change-kids-self-image-dan-st-louis?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Help your students develop a growth mindset through fostering student agency and active learning, student-led meetings, low-stakes writing assignments, team problem ...
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*Inspiring Motivation: Another great article about inspiring students to stay inspired through the grind of school: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-helping-students-motivate-themselves-larry-ferlazzo?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Consider using autonomy, competence, relatedness, and relevance as practical classroom strategies to reinforce the intrinsic motivation students need for making the ...
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*Dynamic Learning Environment: This article contains more insights about the philosophy behind our ICS Dynamic Learning Environment. Everything we do sends a message - even the way that we organize and use our classroom space!
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www.edutopia.org
For new teachers, this resource compilation includes tips and guides on classroom design and layout to help maximize the possibilities of the learning environment.
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*Passion and Playfulness: Students respond to our energy. Like thermostats, good teachers keep classrooms 72 degrees and sunny all the time. This is a list of games to help make expanding the vocabularies of students more engaging and dynamic: http://www.weareteachers.com/blogs/post/2015/01/15/11-vocab-review-games-to-make-the-learning-stick#.VkR3kbh9v2A.twitter
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11 Vocabulary and Test Review Games - WeAreTeachers
Here are 11 fun vocabulary games with free reproducibles that are perfect for practicing new vocabulary or test facts.
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*Empathy - I've spoken to a few teachers in our one-on-one meetings about developing the empathy of our students. I firmly believe that empathy is a trait that has a direct impact on the social behaviors of our students. Increase students' empathy and we will see a decrease in behavioral issues: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-pathways-empathy-in-action-marilyn-price-mitchell?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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Empathy in Action: How Teachers Prepare Future Citizens ...
Teachers are uniquely positioned to teach empathy, which will help children not only discover personal success, but also contribute to the betterment of society.
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*Focus - A valid critique of the execution of our ICS Dynamic Learning Environments is that too much movement and/or activity in a classroom can be distracting. We must be purposeful to build in times of processing, stillness, reflection and silence. This can help promote self-awareness and metacognition. Sustained Silent Reading, Standardized Testing, prayer and opportunities for perseverance / grit are examples of instances that require a still, calm, intense focus in order to be successful: http://www.edutopia.org/resource/quiet-time-ssr-guidelines-download?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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Guidelines for Quiet Time and Silent Sustained Reading ...
Edutopia®, Schools That Work™, Lucas Learning™, and Lucas Education Research™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational ...
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*Self-Awareness - Just like with students, promoting self-awareness in teachers is a key component to achieving excellence. In some cases, the time needed for reflection prevents us from engaging in this important process. Likewise, the demands of the day - behavioral issues, unprepared students, instructional activities that seemed to miss the mark - also take away from our ability to self-reflect in order to increase our self-awareness. As a way to sharpen your sword, consider video taping yourself in action. This worthwhile activity can bring to your attention behaviors that even the most experience yogi may have missed: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/record-yourself-improve-your-practice?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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Record Yourself to Improve Your Practice | Edutopia
WHAT WORKS IN EDUCATION The George Lucas Educational Foundation
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*Highly Effective Teaching - Here is yet another article aimed at enhancing your teaching. In it, you will find a reflection on 5 highly effective strategies. I hope that it reaffirms the good work you are already doing and inspires even greater fidelity to those components of education that work. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20
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*Positive Expectations: I've always been a big believer in maintaining a positive attitude. This article speaks about the importance of having high expectations and hopes for all students. We create our world, and the world of those around us, with our thoughts.
https://ace.nd.edu/blog/why-what-we-believe-about-students-really-matters?utm_content=buffer704b0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
*Positive Expectations - Moxie: As mentioned at our 1/4/16 Faculty Meeting, moxie is a new buzz word that takes grit a step further. We can't just be tough and resilient; we must also be positive.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/how-moxie-helps-students-succeed-jennifer-levin-goldberg?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20
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www.edutopia.org
Moxie (a blend of positivity, purpose, and volition) helps students count their blessings and evaluate their ongoing strategies to become happier and more successful.
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*Formative Assessment ideas: this link takes you to a list of formative assessment strategies and ideas. Break out of your old-faithfuls and diversify your approach with some of these refreshing FA ideas: http://www.edutopia.org/resource/checking-understanding-download?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20
*Standards Based Grading: Douglas Reeves is one of the leading thinkers and researchers on assessment. Check out this podcast interview with him to both reaffirm our work with Standards Based Grading at Incarnation, but also challenge us to do even more! http://www.principalcenter.com/douglas-reeves-elements-of-grading-a-guide-to-effective-practice/
*Why I Teach: A great reflection on why we teach. https://empathicteacher.com/2015/12/31/teaching-is-not-a-sacrifice/
*Why I Teach: Another great reflection on why we teach. http://ateacherlikeyou.com/post/139084004759/lauren-brown-through-new-eyes-you-have-to-come-in
*The Importance of Why: Simon Sinek details the approach needed to make an organization or person successful. It starts with a compelling purpose. What's your why? http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
*Hands-on / Student-centered Learning: One of our AMAZING Teaching Pillars focuses on student engagement. We have also worked with Brain-Based learning and have focused on creating a dynamic learning environment across all grade levels. This article presents an interesting way of approaching fractions. While the content is specific, hopefully the creativity behind the game can also elicit similar activities. http://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2015/02/fraction-game-connect-4-learning-school.html
*iPad apps: As we continue to put the iPads to greater use, consider these apps for help use them even more effectively to advance learning. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/apps-transform-teaching-personalize-learning-ann-feldmann?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Growth Mindset: What can we do to create a Growth Mindset within our students. Our behaviors definitely make a difference in reinforcing and promoting either a Growth or Fixed Mindset among our students. Here are some great tips on how to shape our language to promote embracing the struggle that is essential for learning to occur. http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/08/24/growth-mindset-how-to-normalize-mistake-making-and-struggle-in-class/
*Self-Awareness: Another AMAZING Teaching Pillar focuses on self-awareness. Practicing and developing it within ourselves can help to promote a similar trait in our students (which is one of our ICS Learner Profile characteristics and a highly effective form of assessment). https://ace.nd.edu/blog/stuck-in-the-doldrums-of-winter-try-practicing-mindfulness
*The Power of Believing in Someone: Knowing that someone is in our corner can inspire AMAZING deeds. This article makes the point that we can help our students' dreams take flight by just believing in them: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/01/07/how-saying-and-showing-kids-i-believe-in-you-can-empower-them-at-school/
*The Language of Growth: This article compiles a great list of words and phrases that emphasize process over product, and growth over fixed mindsets: http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/06/10/preschoolers-and-praise-messages-that-can-help-kids-grow/
*Guide on the Side: It is said that whoever is talking in the classroom is the one doing the learning. This article poses great advice for getting students involved in the learning process through conversation: http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2014/09/8-ways-teachers-can-talk-less-get-kids-talking.html
*Remember the Struggle of Learning: As educators, we ask our students to embrace the struggle that is inherent in learning something new. Many times, remembering this struggle is difficult for teachers and can prevent teachers from meeting students where they are and helping them to construct new knowledge: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/the-curse-of-knowledge-chris-reddy?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*High Yield Instructional Strategies: At the beginning of the year we highlighted Marzano's 9 high yield instructional strategies (identifying similarities and differences, summarizing / note taking, reinforcing effort, HW / practice, non-linguistic representations, cooperative learning, objectives and feedback, generating hypotheses, questions / cues / advance organizers) and John Hattie's list of effect sizes. Here's a great refresher with a condensed list: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Dynamic Learning Environment - Motivation: This is a list of strategies to connect with those students in our rooms who are the hardest to reach! http://www.edutopia.org/blog/reaching-quiet-disengaged-struggling-troublemaking-students-david-cutler?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Dynamic Learning Environment - Creating an Atmosphere: Teachers should be the thermostats in their classrooms. They should make it hotter or colder based on the needs of their students. Lethargic students? Energize them. Too excited? Calm down the atmosphere. Control the metaphorical temperature and promote learning: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/energy-calm-change-it-up-lori-desautels?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Growth Mindset: Steps for promoting a Growth Mindset in our classrooms and across our entire campus: http://books.thinkthroughmath.com/books/hsfu/#p=1
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www.edutopia.org
This big, printable list of assessment strategies will help you identify new ways to check for understanding and verify what students have learned.
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*Peer Editing: As a way to enhance metacognition in your students and to move them to higher order thinking skills and understanding, consider incorporating peer editing into your lessons. http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/power-peer-feedback?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Passion: When our why is strong enough, we will figure out a how. When we live from our hearts, we can inspire, motivate, and transform. This article focuses on the difference between leadership and management, but it is ultimately about living from from your heart. Allow what ignites your heart to stir a flame in others: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/difference-between-administrator-and-leader?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
One of the most powerful elements throughout the writing process is peer feedback. Unless students are blogging, they’re mostly writing with the idea in mind that ...
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www.edutopia.org
I believe that each of us has a leader within and that educational leadership is not the sole domain of school administrators. I've see classroom teachers step up and ...
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www.principalcenter.com
Douglas Reeves joins Justin Baeder to discuss his book Elements of Grading: A Guide to Effective Practice (2nd Edition). Interview Notes, Resources, & Links
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*Why I Teach: A great reflection on why we teach. https://empathicteacher.com/2015/12/31/teaching-is-not-a-sacrifice/
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empathicteacher.com
Recently I attended a national conference, a conference in fact that I love, with passionate teachers whom I also love. As my colleague and I entered the room, we observed a table filled with giant...
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*Why I Teach: Another great reflection on why we teach. http://ateacherlikeyou.com/post/139084004759/lauren-brown-through-new-eyes-you-have-to-come-in
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ateacherlikeyou.com
Lauren Brown: Through New EyesYou have to come in and be totally prepared, and then be prepared for not being prepared. It’s really about finding the energy to show ...
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*The Importance of Why: Simon Sinek details the approach needed to make an organization or person successful. It starts with a compelling purpose. What's your why? http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspire_action
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www.ted.com
Simon Sinek explores how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust and change. He's the author of the classic "Start With Why"; his latest book is "Leaders Eat Last."
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www.notimeforflashcards.com
Fraction game for kids using Connect 4 ! ... My son as been asking a lot about fractions lately. Since he hasn’t done a whole bunch about fractions in school yet I ...
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www.edutopia.org
Transformation requires a journey for teachers toward great educational rewards for students. Knowing how to craft learning experiences that meld technology with the ...
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ww2.kqed.org
Growth Mindset: How to Normalize Mistake Making and Struggle in Class. Second grade teacher Maricela Montoy-Wilson listens as students explain how they solved a ...
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ace.nd.edu
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ww2.kqed.org
The types of messages students receive can make a difference in how eager they are to learn subjects like math.
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ww2.kqed.org
The messages parents and educators convey to preschoolers can help strengthen kids for obstacles throughout life.
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thecornerstoneforteachers.com
If you do fewer teacher-directed activities, that means the kids will naturally do more talking, doesn’t it? Not necessarily. I have often found myself talking ...
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www.edutopia.org
Knowledge is a curse. Knowing things isn't bad itself, but it causes unhealthy assumptions -- such as forgetting how hard it was to learn those things in the first ...
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*High Yield Instructional Strategies: At the beginning of the year we highlighted Marzano's 9 high yield instructional strategies (identifying similarities and differences, summarizing / note taking, reinforcing effort, HW / practice, non-linguistic representations, cooperative learning, objectives and feedback, generating hypotheses, questions / cues / advance organizers) and John Hattie's list of effect sizes. Here's a great refresher with a condensed list: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Check out these researched-based, best teaching practices and share with us the ways you already use them in your classroom.
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*Ideas from Finland and South Korea: As we know, American schools lag behind the rest of the world in academic achievement. This article can help us to understand why and what we can do differently to bridge the gap: http://ideas.ted.com/what-the-best-education-systems-are-doing-right/
*Organic Education: Sir Ken Robinson has given many TED talks on education and is one of the leading thinkers in the world about educational revolution. In this talk, Sir Robinson proposes that all students can learn and that our educational system needs to shift from a linear to an organic approach: http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution
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ideas.ted.com
In South Korea and Finland, it’s not about finding the “right” school. Fifty years ago, both South Korea and Finland had terrible education systems.
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www.ted.com
In this poignant, funny follow-up to his fabled 2006 talk, Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for a radical shift from standardized schools to personalized learning ...
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*Avoid Burnout - Given our theme, Hope Will Rise, the end of the year is perhaps the most important time to guard against despair. Keep applying your optimism and reminding yourself and others of your story of HOPE. Remember that our Savior, Jesus Christ, conquered the world. He can help us through the end of the year. So can these tips:
*Dynamic Learning Environment - Motivation: This is a list of strategies to connect with those students in our rooms who are the hardest to reach! http://www.edutopia.org/blog/reaching-quiet-disengaged-struggling-troublemaking-students-david-cutler?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Not every student benefits from in-class participation, immediate answers, inflexible grading, or harsh consequences. Learn the nuances for those requiring deeper ...
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www.edutopia.org
Unlike the sequels to movies, I hope that part two of last year's Energy and Calm post will continue to strengthen your understanding of how our brains naturally ...
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books.thinkthroughmath.com
Playbook Vol.1
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*Social-Emotional Learning: AMAZING Teaching Pillar #4 is "Social-Emotional needs of students must be met in order to maximize their ability to learn. This article poses some practices to help meet the emotional needs of our students: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/brains-in-pain-cannot-learn-lori-desautels?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Motivating Students: Dr. Tom Doyle once quipped, "It is neither the responsibility of nor is it possible for a teacher to motivate students." Hearing this in my first year of graduate work to become a teacher was a blow to my naive ego! Motivation has to be possible, right?! 15 years later, I would still argue with Doc but with a bit more experience, research and strategies in my toolbox. Check out this article for some great ideas and links to even more about motivating students: https://ace.nd.edu/blog/expanding-the-toolbox-6-ways-to-motivate-your-students
*Formative Assessment: We know that one of the most important practices to enhance student learning is by providing feedback on assessments. This article offers encouragement and insights about providing meaningful feedback to students. A key concept is that a good formative assessment:
"includes feedback that is non-evaluative, specific, timely, and related to the learning goals, and that provides opportunities for the student to revise and improve work products and deepen understandings."
For more visit the link: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/providing-feedback-as-formative-assessment-troy-hicks
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www.edutopia.org
Providing students with feedback on written work can, at times, feel like a burden. Dozens (perhaps even hundreds) of papers clutter your desk, and commenting on each ...
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*Together Everyone Accomplishes More: Being intentional about working with others takes time, effort, patience and humility. It also offers the chance at synergistically solving problems and being our best selves. Check out this article for tips on how to be a part of a successful professional learning community: http://www.edutopia.org/practice/teacher-collaboration-matching-complementary-strengths?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Social-Emotional Learning: One of our AMAZING Teaching Pillars focuses on the social-emotional health of our students. This article has great ideas about how we can build the social-emotional health of our students: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/routine-ritual-and-school-community-greg-schnagl?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
*Standards Based Grading - Much of this article is a reinforcement of what we have already embraced as a legitimate reason to shift from traditional to standards based grading. For more conviction in what we're doing, check out this post: http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/our-grading-system-fair?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
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www.edutopia.org
Many have argued for a more useful/informative system of grading that dispenses with traditional numerical and letter grades and instead provides detailed, written ...
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*The Art of Teaching: Many teachers innately know how to captivate a classroom. Presence, charisma, energy, passion - teaching is most effective when the science of lesson planning, instructional design, assessments and classroom management is coupled with an engaging personality. Check out this TED Talk about trying to learn the art of teaching: https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_emdin_teach_teachers_how_to_create_magic?language=en
*Growth Mindset in Teachers: As we seek to have students embrace a growth mindset and see the benefits of hard work and concentrated practice, we must look at our own mindsets and assess whether or not we practice what we preach? This article focuses on ways in which we can promote a growth mindset amongst the faculty. Note that part of the process involves teacher observations being formative - something that ICS has done for the past 2 years! http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/developing-growth-mindset-teachers-and-staff?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow%20 |
www.ted.com
What do rap shows, barbershop banter and Sunday services have in common? As Christopher Emdin says, they all hold the secret magic to enthrall and teach at the same ...
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www.edutopia.org
An idea that is beginning to gain a lot of favor in educational circles at the moment is the notion of fixed versus growth mindsets, and how they might relate to ...
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