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.