5-29-2015

50 alternatives to Lecturing, all with links to resources:
http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/50-alternatives-to-lecturing/?utm_content=buffer4c459&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

I will be walking around with our new teacher for next year, Courtney Milner.  If you see us, please say hi!

Create  Viseos and Presentations at the same time with WIDEO:  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2015/05/create-animated-videos-and.html#.VWgh_M9Viko

This is a big week for the 8th graders, the Constitution Test, the Frog Dissection Test and the "Can I bring home my Graduation Gown and Tickets without losing them test"!  Lets hope they succeed.

Please remember to be in the halls whenever possible, especially during these last days of school.  Your presence will help prevent some silly behavior choices on the students part.

27 ways to intrinsically motivate your students: 

https://mrmck.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/intrinsic-motivation-twenty-seven-ways-to-instill-it-infographic/?utm_content=buffer5b6c2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

It was great to celebrate sports awards night on Wednesday with the students, parents, and coaches.Thanks to John, Matt, Bill, Abby, Doreen and Keriann for all of their success this past season.  Benjamin took home the championship in everything!  The highlight was John getting a standing ovation for his 31 years of contributions to Benjamin Middle School sports programs.  

3 shifts to create a climate of Possibility in your classroom:

http://www.teachthought.com/industry/3-shifts-create-climate-possibility-classroom/

Please make sure that you sign up for classroom check-out with Melissa and myself, if you have not done so already.  

Thanks to Michelle and barb for doing an unbelievable job of collecting all of the end of year fines/missing books.  Great Job!

The theory of Awesomeness Infographic:

Speaking of awesome, how awesome was the sloppy joe lunch provided by Christine, Jill, Melissa F, MJ, Debbie O, and Lauren L.  Thanks!

The end of the year can be a trying time...thanks for using extra kindness, patience, and understanding when students are losing their ability to function due to #summerhasalreadystartedhasn'tit? 

5-22-2015

8 ways to redirect off task behavior without interrupting your lesson:  (I have seen a few teachers utilize #4 this year!)
http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/2015/05/8-ways-to-redirect-off-task-behavior-without-stopping-your-lesson.html

A huge thank you to Melissa and Jessica for working so hard to make the relay recess a success today.  I am looking forward to my first relay!

Also thanks to Colleen and Alex for generating the excitement of the "golden ticket".  The kids are pumped.  I'd also like to thank the brave volunteers who are going to get "pied" (is that a verb?)

Much gratitude goes out to Michelle F for finishing the Parcc testing and helping to organize the book fair.  Doing the make-ups is not an easy job and I appreciate it!

How to generate good ideas.  great article

https://zapier.com/blog/find-good-ideas/?utm_content=buffer3e7cc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Thanks to Manny and Frank who have been working extremely hard as usual to make sure set-ups are done, items are fixed, and problems are solved.  Most importantly for "being there" when we need you.

Congratulations to the Anderson family on the announcement of the soon to be new edition (not Bobby Brown) to their family!

Thanks to Matt and Doreen for working so hard to bring another championship home last weekend as the Girls Soccer Team brought home both the regular season championship and the playoff's.  You know your school has had a good year when your athletic director is telling you that you have to buy new banners for the gym!

Melissa and Mark put on an awesome concert on Wednesday evening.  The gym was packed and their students played/sang wonderfully for a great evening of music.  

MJ will have to lead a learning meeting on cooking next year. Because of her meals she presented to a district family at the foundation raffle, the family has decided to donate an additional $100 because the meals were so delicious, well balanced and complete.  Great job!

Thanks to Greg for presenting the Maker Space for our learning meeting on Wednesday.It was informative and keeps our students on the cutting edge of technology.  The following is something you might hear a student say next year.  "Mrs. Dunne, can Alex and I go to the STEAM room and work on some Makey Makey"?  :)

Everyone you will ever meet, knows something that you don't.

Bill Nye

5-15-2015

Thanks for your excellent attention to detail and positive attitude as you lead the students through the EOY PARCC testing.  Thanks to Greg and Ellen for getting us through all of the technology hurdles.  This was a real team effort that everyone should be proud of.  We will send out a make-up schedule that will start early next week.

12 surprising ways to get organized.
http://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/12-surprisingly-effective-ways-to-get-organized.html?cid=sf01001

A huge shout out to John, Bill and Abby as they brought home the Championship for both Girls and Boys Track Teams.  A lot of hard work and dedication went into helping the kids stay focused and performing their best.  Great job guys!

In praise of the boring class period:  (a really good read)
http://www.teacherwithapassport.com/blog/in-praise-of-the-boring-class-period

Thanks to Melissa and Jessica A as they are working on a lot of NJHS events lately.  Yesterday the 6th graders pulled off a huge upset of the 8th grade boys at the dodge ball tournament.  Smoothie and cupcake sales all lead up to the recess relay benefiting the ACS.  Most importantly, they are developing leadership skills in our students as they organize these events.

How sweet it is.  First Jill bakes a ton of awesome cookies and then John is bringing in Pizza's for the staff.  Thank you both for being so generous in food, spirit and collegiality.

Thanks to Christine, Keriann, Cathy and Rich for working hard to revamp our summer math program. Information will be going home soon with the summer reading program.  These programs really help our students not lose ground by practicing.

Thanks for listening to the initial Fish Presentation on Wednesday.  I am excited to see how we can apply these four terms to our school setting next year.

Today's is the big game and I am expecting everyone to step up to the plate, give their best effort and work hard for a victory!  JK, I am looking forward to a fun time for all.Thanks to Jen for helping to put it together.  Student spectators will be seated between first base and the right field and third base and left field line for safety.

5-8-2015

Parcc testing starts again on Monday.  The tickets and seal codes are in your mailboxes.  Thanks to Greg for running those off and to Greg and Ellen for running the update on the devices.  Please make sure that you log on to the Pearson Access Next site today if you haven't done so already.  Make sure you switch over to EOY. Make sure that you can access your class.  We are on the same schedule as the first PARCC testing with the exception of Wednesday when we are on a different schedule due to an early release.  This was placed in your mailbox on Wednesday.  Please remember that the EOY has a different script that you will use. Please read through it ahead of time.  All of the special teachers will be in the hall this time as runners and extra assistance, but will not be assigned to be in a certain classroom.  I also found out that there is a 23 question survey that the students will have to take when they complete the math and ELA sections of the test.  Thank you for getting the students ready for this exam.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

100 stores that give discounts to teachers:
http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/12/18/100-stores-that-give-a-teacher-discount/

Bill and Danielle did an awesome job of preparing their students for their debates.  The kids did an unbelievable job, I was blown away.  

What Schools can learn from Google about Nurturing Creativity:
http://www.edudemic.com/google-nurturing-creativity/?utm_content=bufferf76fa&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Today's articulation lays the groundwork for a successful year next year.  Thank you for being prepared to discuss students in a constructive way.  

Techs future in Education:
http://www.knowledgeworks.org/sites/default/files/A-Glimpse-into-the-Future-of-Learning-Infographic_0.pdf

Thanks to Lynette and Jill for the hard work they put into getting the talent show ready.  I can't wait to see the 7th and 8th grade students shine.

This one is from Dr. Ehrhardt, great article on Accelerated learning for adults from Tim Ferris
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenkotler/2015/05/04/tim-ferriss-and-the-secrets-of-accelerated-learning/

Thanks to all of the departments for working so hard on Wednesday.  I was in the ILAR meeting and we got much accomplished.
9 quotes from students on teachers that changed their lives:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/05/quotes-teacher-appreciation-day_n_7209884.html?utm_content=bufferc43c9&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

thanks to Adrienne for running the 7th Grade career fair last week.  I had a chance to meet with the parent volunteers beforehand and they were very excited for the opportunity to talk to our students.  

As track and soccer wind down, a big thank you to John, Abby, Bill, Matt and Doreen for all of their hard work this spring sports season.  

Epic guide to student engagement:

http://ajjuliani.com/epic-guide-student-engagement-classroom/

Keriann proves that math runs in the family as she had her daughter teach her class the quadratic formula.

https://denebxserve3.denebcorp.com/webmail/api/download/attachment/5ddac126-0fab-47fb-a485-22a173fe32d3/8765/0-1/Quadratic%20Formula%20by%20Evalyn%20(3)%20and%20Mariella%20(4mo).mp4?version=37319&sid=395bd882ae917c7b133921c1e77880a1d812f7e32c852532de81a1a9bb4a0219&mode=view

The two positions that we had open for next year have been filled:  Lauren Giacalone will be filling in for Danielle DeChristopher in 5th grade and Courtney Milner was officially hired on Monday by the school board to be our 7th and 8th grade resource teacher.  These additions will bring great talents and ideas to our staff.  

I hope you enjoyed the food and other festivities this week (including today's lunch).  You deserve all of it and much more.  Having such a dedicated staff makes student learning fun and my job easier.  Keep up the great work.  

5-1-2015

We had the future 5th graders in the building yesterday and they loved every minute of their experience.  Thanks to Melissa Lamantia and the 5th grade teachers for planning the event.  Also thanks to Chris, Melissa F, Lauren G, M.J., Lynette, Mike D, and Melissa L that were here last night for the 4th grade parent night.  It helps put some minds at ease when parents can connect a name to a face for the people that will be helping their children next year.

Great Critical Thinking web resources:  http://cybraryman.com/criticalthinking.html

This Wednesday we will be meeting in departments. Please do not forget to email me the agenda you plan on following.

The all-time best science sites:  http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/03/01/the-all-time-best-science-sites/


Thanks to Jen V for taking the reigns on the 8th grade vs. staff softball game.  The kids seem to be surprisingly optimistic on their chances vs. this athletic powerhouse of a staff.  A detailed schedule will be coming your way soon.

The all-time best social studies sites:  http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2014/02/27/the-all-time-best-social-studies-sites/

The 8th grade was a-buzz after they returned from their visit to West Chicago High School.  What a great experience for the students who are able to relieve some anxiety,by seeing the students, classes and teachers at WCHS.

Blooms Taxonomy According to Pirates of the Caribbean:

I was transported to the 60's beat poetry scene yesterday as I heard students recite, Frost, Poe, Silverstein and some original poetry in Moreno's Beat Cafe.  The lights were dimmed, bongo drums were played, coffee cups(filled with fruit punch) were drank from as we snapped in appreciation of the students as each finished.  What a great job Adrienne did in creating an engaging learning experience for students.

Teaching is Dead, long Live the Teacher....http://pairadimes.davidtruss.com/teaching-is-dead-long-live-the-teacher/

Thanks to Adrienne for putting together the 7th grade career day for this afternoon.  Students will be able to hear from a variety of professions as parents come in to give presentations.

Watch This!

Food, food and more food.  We have quite the spread next week.  Tuesday we will celebrate Cinco De Mayo(sign up in the lounge), Thursday lunch provided by the admin/school board and Friday lunch provided by the PTA in honor of teacher appreciation week.

I'm looking forward to the Davinci Assembly with the 6th grade tomorrow morning.  I have heard wonderful things and am looking forward to my first experience with it.

Just an fyi...