Using stories to teach (and inspire)

I found this blog post (from Big Deal Media) interesting- how could it work in your classroom?

Filling in the gaps

This strategy (from Better Lesson) begins with a student self assessment (both from test results and self reflection).  Then over a two day period, students work to “fill in the blanks”.

Do projects=learning?

This morning, Alice Keeler shared her top ten posts from last year.  This one caught my eye.  While students complete projects, they really didn’t learn anything (unless you count how to Google the answers).  Alice shares a form for collecting feedback to help improve your assignments and student learning.

Stay calm and teach on

Ready to revisit your classroom strategies?  Need a different approach?  Check this ASCD article (shared by Rich Tola).  They showcase a variety of techniques to strengthen your classroom management skills.

Inforgraphic Lesson Plans

I have been interested in infographics for a while but had trouble getting started.  Now Canva has posted a series of lesson plans online. Click here to preview. I saw this on Richard Byrne’s Free Technology for Teachers.

Bio Cube

This tweet reminded me of one of my favorite ReadWriteThink activities!

Elementary students focus on "Telling My Story" by Making a Bio-Cube - ReadWriteThink http://t.co/ONUEYryaQv — ReadWriteThink.org (@RWTnow) March 20, 2015

DipSticks

You know dipsticks, right?  You use one to get a quick look at your oil level in the car.  Now translate this to the classroom.  A dipstick (or Alternative Formative Assessment) is a fast way to see the level of student understanding.  This blog post from Todd Finley includes more detail as well as a list of suggested activities ( I really liked # 3, 27, and 45). You can download the list here.

Are you edcited?

I’ve been in several classrooms using edcite.  This free site offers CCS (so ELA and Math) questions.  You create a class and the students join.  The video gives you a brief overview.  And it looks like the PARCC format.  Here is a link to Edcite Basics for Teachers.