1-29-2016

Please remember to take the 5 Essential survey when you have time.  Also, each grade level is deciding how their 6th-8th grade students will be taking the survey.  Please talk to the team leaders to find out.

Thanks to the 8th grade teachers bringing in bar-b-q- for lunch today.  That is my kind of birthday treats!

What educators can learn from Lincoln.
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-teachers-learn-from-lincoln-joe-hirsch?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow


It was exciting to see Sherry and the 6th grade students programming the spheros in the hallway this week.  They did a great job of being flexible and adapting to bigger groups when one wasn't functioning correctly.

Thanks to Angela for leading the educators from Abingdon-Avon School District around the building yesterday.  Dr. Ehrhardt was able to give an overview of how we prepared for the one to one transition and Greg was able to answer questions they had on the technology.  Ellen B also provided some information in the Maker Space. Special thanks to Lyn, Mike and Rich as we entered their class to see technology in action.  They wish they had arrived earlier so they could have been in more classes to see the awesome job you are doing integrating meaningful technology into importan curricular concepts.

Change the Reading Level of Text: Rewordify
pretty neat...you can copy and paste text or click on one of their classic novels and it lowers the reading level by swapping out some of the more difficult words with some that are easier to understand.
https://rewordify.com/?utm_content=buffer5a8b0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer



Alex and Colleen did a great job of running the Student Council Leadership Workshop last Tuesday as they hosted two other schools.  Special thanks to Jim, Bill and Adriene who helped run small group   clinics.  The students had a great time and learned some valuable lessons.
Collaborating across disciplines:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/transdiciplinarity-thinking-inside-outside-box-matt-levinson?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow



Thanks to Mark, Jim, Colleen and Melissa F who will be visiting a middle school in Deerfield on Monday afternoon to visit and analyze their new and innovative science labs.  Thanks for going the extra mile!

One of the coolest museums I have ever been to is the Newseum in Washington DC.  Now they have launched a NEWSEUM ED website for educators.....you have to register(which is free) but lots of resources especially if you are a SS teacher.  Check it out!
https://newseumed.org/

On Wednesday we will be doing a different kind of learning meeting....you have been warned.  

Melissa and Nicole did a spectacular job on Tuesday of setting up and running the NJHS Induction Ceremony.  It was really something special(I even saw a mom cry...no joke).  They really laid the groundwork for how important their membership is and the responsibility that comes with it.

Concepcion Picciotto who kept Vigil by the White House for three decades, dies
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/us/politics/concepcion-picciotto-dies-kept-vigil-behind-white-house-for-3-decades.html?_r=0

1-22-2016

Congratulations to Dan Baker for a big playoff BB win last night and good luck to Matt Tylk tonight with the JV team.  They continue their playoff run this weekend!

Thanks to Angela for setting up the chance for another school to come and visit Benjamin on January 28th in the afternoon.  After hearing her presentation they are excited to see the wonderful things you guys are doing with the 1-1 device technology. 

Watch this funny 45 second video on the fact that last year the world watched 42.5 billion hours of Netflix!  
https://nowthisnews.com/people-watched-4-8-million-years-of-netflix-last-year


I look forward to participating in the NJHS Induction ceremony on Tuesday Night.  Thanks to Melissa and Nicole for all of their hard work in getting this year up and running.

Jen V is getting kids up and active on Friday mornings.  Since the roller skating unit is happening in PE over the last two weeks, she has organized roller hockey games the last two weeks which has been very well attended.  Great job!

Really cool article on the Akrasia Effect or why we do not follow through sometimes.

http://

http://jamesclear.com/akrasia

Thanks to Todd and Nicole who have helped me out(like always) with a few situations over the last week.  Your collaboration is appreciated.  

You should check out the Book Face contest that Michele is doing with students in the LMC.  Check out the examples in the hallway flyers.  It is really cool!

Short video from abc 7 about e-learning days that are happening in the area that might be part of our future soon.

http://abc7chicago.com/education/e-learning-pilot-program-could-bring-end-to-snow-days/1168785/

Congrats to Lyn for highlighting her student's art on the Artsonia website.  It is a great way to showcase a student portfolio of work for the time they have been at Benjamin.  Check it out sometime.  

Scavenger hunts are the newest rage...last week Rich and Keriann did a cool math QR code scavenger hunt and this week Jen has set-up a health and nutrition scavenger hunt.  Both of these activities get students excited and engaged in covering important content. Nice Job!

Thanks to Ellen B who has been one of our tech life-lines when we really need help!

Interesting research on how greeting students at the door can increase classroom engagement by 27%

 http://www.teachers.net/wong/OCT13/

1-15-2016

Thanks to Greg for providing a Staff Tour of the maker space.  I heard several conversations about how that space could connect to something a teacher was doing in class.  Please keep this space of student exploration in mind when planning class activities,

Also, thanks to Betty for providing insight on what the ACCESS test experience is like for students and how she uses the scores to place her students.

How sleep or lack of it affects the brain...I think I need to look at this again


Jen and Jackie have been working hard in starting Fit Club and Intramurals respectively.  Both clubs get students actively engaged after school which is so important.

While my social media of choice is far and away twitter, maybe I (and you) should try Pintrest for education PLN's.  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/pinterest-for-educators?utm_content=buffer722c7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer


I will be attending a conference Tuesday morning on the new federal Every Student Succeeds Act and will bring the information back to you.

Jessica Erickson did a great job presenting Newspaper and Gamers Club to the school board on Tuesday night.  It is important that we share our student successes with the the board and community and she did a great job on the two clubs she sponsors.

Here is a new quiz/game ap for students and teachers in an online classroom. (Think Kahoots)\https://www.quizalize.com/


Please remember to take the 5 Essential Survey for our school sometime before March 11th,  I suggest taking it on a Friday when you are in a good mood and are thinking about the upcoming weekend!

Thanks to the Science Department for sitting down with the district architects and giving their input for the science lab renovations.  Many good ideas were given to shape up these learning spaces for the future.

While it may not be for everyone watch this Ted Talk on the Beauty of Math

Good luck to our 7th grade as they embark on their reward trip today for students who earned the privilege.

A huge thank you for the cake and amazing banner that you gave me in recognition for my DuPage County Principal of the Year Award.  It really meant a lot for  me to get the recognition from our staff.  Also thanks to Melissa and Nicole who came back on a snowy night to go to the board meeting where I received recognition from Dr, Ehrhardt and the school board.  I will try to make sure that I live up to the hype! :)

1-8-2016

If you have not checked in with me on the progress of your alternative evaluation please set up a date with me soon.  The end of February will be here before you know it.

I want to thank Melissa L and Nicole for the work they are doing to prepare for NJHS.  Also thanks to the 5 staff members who went through the applications for them.  This is a great organization that has many benefits for our students.

Good article on Coding and the different approach Scratch is taking.
https://medium.com/bright/a-different-approach-to-coding-d679b06d83a#.gtduvetil
More importantly a link to their website...please explore
https://scratch.mit.edu/hoc/



Thanks to Michelle or organizing the data base logins for research project.  This will help make research projects more efficient.

10 modern skills that teachers must have
http://www.edudemic.com/the-10-skills-modern-teachers-must-have-2/

I want to thank Steve and Laura for the support and professionalism they showed yesterday when dealing with a difficult situation and for being an advocate and valuable support system for their students.

Please remember that your newsletter article is due to Ellen today.

The Art of Platforming Using One Achievement to achieve another:
http://addicted2success.com/success-advice/the-art-of-platforming-using-one-achievement-to-reach-another/

Please check out the article that Greg sent out this week.  I know time is valuable and you always read every resource that I put in the blog...but try to find the time..
most-popular-of-2015-no-five-these-6-questions-determine-if-youre-technology-rich-innovation-poor

Congratulations again to Melissa F for being selected as the employee of the month.

Thanks for your feedback during our staff learning meeting.  Honest discussion and real conversations will move us forward and contribute to the growth of our school.  I look forward to taking action  on  your ideas from the notes that were taken.

Happy 81st Birthday to Elvis.  You can get his 30 #1 hits album for Free on Google Play today, unless you already own it like I do.
 https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Elvis_Presley_30_1_Hits_Google_Play_Bonus_Track_Ve?id=Bzfkcqnllwxf5uj6evvxifemdza


It's not how much you have that makes people look up to you, it's who you are.
Elvis Presley