4-24-2015

Gameification:  Engaging students with narrative.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/gamification-engaging-students-with-narrative-alice-keeler

Thanks to the 8th grade team for providing a wonderful opportunity for their students.  The sky box was an added bonus on a day that the students won't soon forget.  

The Skype the 6th grade class did with the San Diego Zoo was really spectacular.  From the awesome technology, to the exotic animals (Australian sugargliders to name one) to the excellent speaker, the students were engaged from beginning to end. To top everything off I was amazed at the students knowledge they expressed in asking and answering questions.   Big props go out to our 6th grade team, Michelle F, Greg and Ellen B for making this happen.  

Arizona State to offer a full freshman year online and you receive credit.  Interesting article on the future of online higher education learning:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/23/us/arizona-state-university-to-offer-online-freshman-academy.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

If anyone can spare an hour or two, the PTA is looking for volunteers to work at their next Chef's Night Out at Menchies Yogart.  They have shifts open from 6:30pm-8:30pm on April 29th and 30th.  I know Adrienne had a blast last time and the money they raise ends up going back to our school.

Creativity is in everything, especially teaching:  An excerpt from Sir Ken Robinson's new book:  Creative Schools

http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/04/22/sir-ken-robinson-creativity-is-in-everything-especially-teaching/

We want to welcome a lot of visitors today as Midwestern University medical students will be in PE classes all day to show our students a variety of health and medical topics with hands on activities.

We will also be welcoming the West Chicago Color Guard as they will give a demonstration for our 8th grade students during recess and then follow that up with a clinic after school.

Hope everyone had a great Earth Day on Wednesday.  Checkout these awesome pictures of our planet:

http://mashable.com/2015/04/22/earth-day-photos/

Thanks to Lynette and Jill for overseeing the tryouts and practice of the talent show.  It takes a lot of work and coordination to corral all of our talented students.  

Watch the skyline of New York being built from the 1500's to present day with this 52 second time lapse video.  

http://www.nytimes.com/video/nyregion/100000003637210/sky-pods-show-rise-of-new-york-skyline.html?action=click&gtype=vhs&version=vhs-heading&module=vhs&region=title-area

Thanks to listening to my presentation on Gifted Facts and Misconceptions.  Please let me know if you have any feedback on the draft of the handbook.  Future learning meetings will focus on the differences between Gifted/talented and high achievers as well as differentiation.

10 ways to finish the school year strong:

http://www.justintarte.com/2015/04/10-ways-to-finish-school-year-strong.html

Thanks to Coleen and Alex for organizing tonight's student council dance and for everything they have done this year for student council.  If you are bored there are still chaperon spots available.

4-17-2015

Thanks to Jessica E for taking some of her students to the Engineering Expo at the University of Wisconsin Madison.   what a great opportunity for these students.

Good article!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/04/16/the-most-powerful-classroom-innovation-by-the-1-million-teaching-prize-winner/


It takes a village...wow, the track meet last night was impressive!  Thanks to John and all of the teachers who made it happen.  The kids did a great job in the events as well.

The Roomba for your Lawn...not so fast Astronomers' say.
http://www.wired.com/2015/04/irobot-lawnbot/

Angela's baby shower was awesome.  Thanks to everyone who came together and celebrated with Angela and her family.

Unlimited screen time for students....interesting read:
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2015/04/why-you-should-let-students-have.html

Jessica A and Mike did an awesome job of presenting the Stem and tech literacy courses for the school board on Monday.

Librarians Rocking technology!

and an article on if libraries were arranged like youtube instead of the dewey decimal system.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-exactly-is-a-library-terry-heick?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=what-is-a-library&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=second-image

 Thanks to the 8th grade team for working hard to put together the White Sox game for the students next week.

Learn to talk a new language with Hello Talk

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/04/learn-new-language-with-help-of-friends.html?utm_content=bufferdaa31&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.VTDqefnF-So


Thanks to Coleen and Alex for all of their hard work that they have done to plan and organize the Student Council Convention Trip to Springfield today.



Mark your calendars and get your dancing shoes out of the closet.  Next Friday is the student council dance and all are invited to help chaperon.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

4-10-2015

Thanks to the 5th grade team who will be conducting CogAt testing on Monday and Tuesday of next week.  This will help us get valuable information on our soon to be 6th grade students.

If anyone has any questions on the enrichment identification matrix please let me know and I can go to team/department/individuals to explain.  Hopefully this will create a consistent framework for student placement in which appropriate instruction can take place.

Strategies for strengthening the brains executive functioning skills:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/strategies-strengthening-brains-executive-functions-donna-wilson-marcus-conyers

Thanks to Jessica Adams and Mike Droste for presenting their programs at this Monday's school board meeting.  Sharing some of the great ways that teachers are using technology to engage student learners will be great information  for the school board to hear.

Thanks to Jamie P for presenting with students Abby C, David F, Julia N and Niku M at Tuesday's PTA Parent Presentation.  Their presentation about Windows 8 was informative and entertaining.

Successfully "flip" your Social Studies Classroom:  http://tigerpd.blogspot.com/2015/04/successfully-flip-your-social-studies.html

I am reading all of the responses to Wednesday's department agenda.  It is important that we get our curriculum updated online so that it is current and actually represents what we teach.  This will be a process that will take some time.  The good news is that we have the outstanding teachers and teaching practice that is taking place, now we just need to get it documented.

NJHS will be hosting a cupcake sale next week.  Get your orders in now! :)

3 Simple Techniques to keep negativity out of your life:
http://addicted2success.com/life/3-simple-techniques-to-keep-negativity-out-of-your-life/

Thanks to Michelle F for organizing drop everything and read for today.  Reading is the foundation of all learning, so having the whole building reading for 50 minutes will be a great way to spend our time and increase our knowledge.

It's great to have Danielle and Angela back with us.  Your expertise and experience make our school stronger.

Exploring the legacy of the Civil War at 150:
  http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2015/04/06/civil_war/?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=DiscoveryEd

Thanks to Nicole for running the Healthy Beginnings program.  What a great way to promote health and fitness.  It's not too late to join this session, email her today.

6 things to consider before you start a Maker Space:
https://www.edsurge.com/n/2014-10-10-6-things-to-consider-before-starting-your-makerspace 

Why a Maker Space:

quotes of the week: