Christa McAuliffe Tech Conference 2014

I am waiting to post until I can bring back new and exciting ideas, tech tips, strategies and resources from the CMTC this week.  Check back next week to see what I discover!

No "Shushing" in our Library

When you come to the Library to get your class at the end of their library time, you may have noticed that students are NOT sitting quietly at tables, looking at their books. And THAT'S A GOOD THING! In our Library, you will see students working together, having conversations, sharing insights or solving problems.

The 21st century library is an active place where learning takes lots of different forms. Students still come to the Library for books, but they are also curious about their world and practicing all sorts of new skills. The Library is the place where they can explore, find answers, and have the time to follow their interests.

The Library is the best-equipped classroom in the school; puzzles, paper, crafts, manipulatives, technology equipment and of course, LOTS of books!  It makes sense that we use these resources to engage and excite students to pursue self-directed learning. All the activities are based on standards and help to reinforce the expectations in the classroom. It allows me to connect with students on many different levels, and I can better assess their needs based on the activities they choose and how they differentiate their own learning. It also gives me a chance to conduct "Reader Advisory" where I can really help students who need support in choosing a good book, because the other students are engaged and busy. I don't need to spend time "managing" the class - they manage themselves.

Best of all, the centers give children a chance to be self-motivated learners who can take charge of their behavior and actions as they pursue their interests while connecting with books.  Centers are changed monthly so students stay interested and engaged while using a variety of skill sets.

Here are some of the centers we have introduced this year, and the "I Can" statements that go with them:

In this center, students learn that combining letters can make different words. They will also practice putting words in alphabetical order (an essential skill for locating books on the library shelves), and understand the purpose of reference books such as dictionaries and encyclopedias. Boggle Junior, words on duplo blocks, and alphabet connect-the-dot games are some of the resources available here. Two students can go to this center so they can help each other use the materials.

Children love to solve puzzles.  We have several different puzzles that connect directly to classic children's books like Madeleine, Clifford, Goldilocks and more.  We also have some puzzles that connect to non-fiction books such as helicopters.  Three students are allowed at this center, so there are lots of skills happening here!

This center encourages students to use language to connect to books by making bookmarks, writing letters, making cards, menus, etc.  Children love to pretend they are authors, illustrators, letter-writers, etc. so this center gives them all the materials they need to explore their creative side. Four students are allowed to go to this center at one time.

At this center are technology tools that connect directly to books or stories.  Students may be reading an ebook on an iPad, playing a story-connected game on a laptop, or using an iPod to access apps that support reading.  Only one student is allowed at this center at a time.

Although this was an option for library students last year, this year it has become one of the center choices.  At this center, students might be challenged to figure out an anagram, estimate how many in a jar, solve a logic question, answer a geography question, or anything else that will encourage them to stretch their thinking.  Resources are provided at this center (for example, a map of the USA to answer a geography question) so students practice locating information to help them answer a question. Two students can go to this center at one time.

This is really just reading stools under the Book Tree, but students love to go here with a buddy to read together or share their chosen books.  Some students prefer the chance to read quietly to themselves.


Coming Soon!  The Exploration Center, The Collection Center and The Book Review Center

Great (Free) Classroom Resources!

Here are some of the best FREE resources for using technology in your classroom!
Click on the title to go to the website.

Classroom Freebies

This is a blog website where teachers who are willing to share their great ideas for free is centralized.  All teachers K-12 can find great resources, and the posts are  labeled according to the relevant grade levels, which makes it easy to search. 


Primary Possibilities

This excellent blog has tons of resources, including letters to parents, forms, worksheets, links and more! I would suggest following it by email or twitter or whatever format works for you so you don't miss a single great idea.

Here is just ONE  of the ideas I have gotten from Stephanie at Primary Possibilities. It shows the steps to LOCK AN APP on your iPad so you don't have to worry about students "browsing" to other apps or websites.

Wonderopolis

"Wonder is for everyone. It can happen anywhere and at anytime. Connecting the learning we do in our schools, our homes, and our communities, Wonderopolis walks the line between formal and informal education. Each day, we pose an intriguing question and explore it in a variety of ways. Our approach both informs and encourages new questions, sparking new paths of wonder and discovery in family and classroom settings."

PDF Search Engine – This is a brilliant tool that allows you to locate premade handouts and worksheets in no time.  Simply type in the topic and a list of .pdf printable documents will be available.

PBS Teachers – 

At PBS Teachers you can find videos from NOVA and the American Experience and interactive sites for elementary reading and math.






Below are some additional resources you should check out:

Common Core Resources on Pinterest

Reading Rockets

Time for Kids

freereading.net

Interactive Lessons for your Smartboard

National Geographic for Kids

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

The Three Rs of Summer

Rest, Relax and Recharge

IIM's Cindy Nottage on Student Centered Learning

Cindy Nottage and Virginia Morse are teachers and creators of the Independent Investigation Method (IIM) of Research. They understand the demands on 21st century educators, and believe that student centered learning actually eases some of those demands while elevating the student to an active and engaged learner, taking responsibility for their research with the teacher guiding them along the IIM path.

5 Ways Teachers and Administrators Love Student Centered Learning

 By Cindy Nottage

In the past several years, we’ve witnessed a transformative classroom experience—namely the shift from traditional teaching methods (sometimes described as teacher centered learning) to a student centered learning model. The implications of making this switch are dramatic, and have admittedly been a bumpy ride for educators who have needed to adjust from more of a “broadcasting information out” style classroom to a primarily information sharing environment. However, nearly every teacher and administrator we’ve spoken with is excited about making the switch. Here’s why.

1. Students get excited about learning.


Rather than being assigned projects that commonly initiate eye-rolling responses, students in student centered learning classrooms are challenged to choose their own topics with the guidance of the teacher. The students are infinitely more apt to choose topics that interest them both initially and through the course of the project. This phenomenon of “sustainable interest” sets the stage for deeply rewarding educational experiences that encourage critical thinking and lifelong learning.

2. Collaboration is encouraged.

When a classroom is student centered, it doesn’t mean that each student is simply focused on their own project to the detriment of teamwork. In fact, it’s the opposite. The teacher facilitates learning in pairs or groups, where students can share what they’ve learned and problem solve together. The teacher actively participates in that learning process, guiding students, managing their activities and encouraging new lines of inquiry.

3. Discussions are rich and inclusive.

Most of the teachers we’ve spoken with who have switched to a student centered curriculum report that participation in classroom discussions has gone up, with more students participating. This may be linked to the fact that collaboration is encouraged. One recent example is when students were researching how news reports were created and broadcast daily. Some students readily pitched in as camera operators, whereas others gravitated toward interviewing and editing. This naturally allowed the teacher to ask questions of the camera operators, of the interviewers, the interviewees, etc. 

4. Creativity abounds!

Student centered learning is a launch pad for creativity. As one teacher recently said, “Give a student a subject they are interested in and a blank canvas for presenting what they’ve learned and watch them take off! I’m blown away at the presentations I’ve seen this year!” Because students can choose the presentation format that they prefer—PowerPoint slide shows, videos, research papers, etc.—the quality of presentations goes up. In addition, the enthusiasm for and confidence in presenting the final piece also goes through the roof. Because the ability to comfortably present one’s point of view is so important to excelling in many careers, this is one of the greatest advantages to a student centered curriculum.

5. Parents get excited (and engaged), too!

Enthusiasm is infectious. When parents see their child more interested in learning, it’s easier for them to take a more active role. Many student centered learning teachers and administrators report that parent participation and support goes up and they are more apt to hear comments like, “Wow. I never thought my child would get so excited about school!”

When you add it all up, it sounds like student centered learning is the cure for every challenge our educational system faces. Of course, that isn’t true. However, what we do find is that student centered learning establishes a new foundation for engaging students, teaching critical thinking and creating an environment where working together is encouraged and rewarded. And those are pretty magnificent achievements in and of themselves.

For the ultimate student centered learning experience, explore IIM's Summer Research Challenge! Register for a webinar overview of the program on June 26.

The Governor Loves Libraries

Last month, I was honored to have the opportunity to meet with Governor Maggie Hassan, along with several other members of the N.H. School Library Media Association.  Governor Hassan spoke with us about her belief that libraries and librarians are the center of information access in a democratic society. She also spoke about her father, a former public school history teacher, and the unique role school librarians play in the education of today's students.

When asked, I commented that even our youngest students are learning how important it is to find good, reliable facts in an increasingly information-saturated world. I spoke about how Underhill students know there is more to the Internet than Google, and that evaluating a source is a skill that has become a priority for identifying dependable information.

After our discussion, Governor Hassan signed a Proclamation as follows:

"WHEREAS, libraries are the heart of their communities, campuses and schools;

WHEREAS; librarians work to meet the changing needs of their communities, including providing resources for everyone and bringing services outside of library walls;

WHEREAS, libraries and librarians bring together community members to enrich and shape the community and address local issues;

WHEREAS, librarians are trained, tech-savvy professionals, linking libraries and making resources more easily accessible for library users around the world;

WHEREAS, in a world undergoing constant change, libraries provide enduring connections to the past and future of our communities, nations and civilizations;

WHEREAS, libraries continuously grow and evolve in how they provide for the needs of every member of their communities;

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, library workers and supporters across America are celebrating National Library Week. Libraries are part of the American Dream - places for opportunity, education, self-help and lifelong learning.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I Governor Margaret Hassan proclaim Support Your Library Week, April 13-19, 2014.  Communities matter at your library. I encourage all citizens to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available. Visit the library and see why there's something for everyone at your library."

WANTED AD

WANTED:  
One very funny children's book author and illustrator. Must be able to understand the humor of kids ages 5-8 years old. Experience as a recovering second grade teacher preferred. Ability to make kids laugh until they wet their pants a plus. Real learning amidst the humor required.

The right man for this job is...

Marty Kelley came to Underhill School and fulfilled every single qualification (well, I don't think anyone really wet their pants but there were some close calls).

The students roared with laughter, the teachers chuckled (several guffawed), and everyone had one heck of a good time.  In the midst of all that fun, students learned a lot about how to write and illustrate.  Here is what they said (in their own words, although I have corrected the spelling in the interest of comprehension:

"I learned it is okay to start a story in the middle."

"He says he likes to make kids cry but he really makes them laugh."

"You have to keep fixing your writing over and over and over - it's called editing. You get a poster if you know that."

"You can get an idea for a story from going on vacation."

"Marty Kelley ROCKS!"

Yes.  Yes, he does.

Angie says: Let the Librarians Lead

One of our very own, Angie Miller (Library Media Specialist at Inter-Lakes Jr/Sr High School) was asked to write a blog post for Education Week on teacher leadership. She says, "I used the opportunity to promote all that you do in your schools! Thanks for the daily inspiration; so proud to be working among your ranks now!"

Her article begins:  

"When I was in the classroom, I yearned to have a colleague who knew my curriculum and could counsel me in literacy practices and effective and efficient technology integration. A peer who understood adolescent development and would problem solve by my side. One who could talk through the intricacies and complications of guiding students through analytical research. A collaborator and innovator to help push me deeper into my own practice. I was looking for somebody who had superpowers, and she was nowhere to be found.

So I decided to become her myself: I became a librarian."

Read the rest of Angie's article here: Let the Librarians Lead

Libraries vs. Poverty

In the latest issue of Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians, *Steven Krashen criticizes the Common Core.  While I don't necessarily agree with his position, I am glad to know that there are educational experts who are questioning and evaluating this new direction.  His stance posits that the real problem in our schools is an epidemic of poverty.  I found the following conclusions very interesting and worth noting:

Lack of access to books 
There is very clear evidence that children from high-poverty families have very little access to books at home, at school, and in their communities (Newman and Celano, 2001; Duke, 2001; additional studies reviewed in Krashen, 2004). Studies also show when children have access to interesting and comprehensible reading material, they read (Krashen, 2001; 2004). And finally, when children read, they improve in all aspects of literacy, including vocabulary, grammar, spelling, reading and writing ability (McQuillan, 1998; Krashen, 2004). In fact, the evidence is strong that reading for pleasure, self-selected reading, is the major cause of advanced literacy development. Making sure that all children have access to books makes literacy development possible. Without it, literacy development is impossible. 

Libraries 
Libraries are often the only source of books and other reading material for children of poverty and they are a potent source: A number of studies confirm that providing access to books via libraries has a positive impact on reading development: The better the library (more books, presence of a credentialed librarian, better staffing), the higher the reading scores (e.g. Lance and Helgren,

2010) Krashen, 2011). Multivariate studies show that the positive impact of school libraries can be as strong as the negative impact of poverty on reading achievement (Achterman, 2008; Krashen, Lee and McQuillan, 2012): in other words, a good library can offset the effect of poverty on literacy development. 

*Stephen Krashen is professor emeritus at the University of Southern California.  He is a linguist, educational researcher, and activist.  Click here to go to his blog: http://skrashen.blogspot.com

New Year's Resolution

Please feel free to share this with your students' parents.
From:  raisingreaders.org