The personal learning network for educators

August 2010 Blog Posts (31)

Taking risks and experiencing failure...the two perfect ingredients

Educators across the country are returning to their schools with fewer resources, larger class sizes, increased work loads, and the fastest

changing student population ever...these challenges and setbacks do not

excuse us from taking risks and doing whatever it takes to meet the

needs of our students.

This school year several colleagues and I have chosen to

implement some major changes in our classrooms. These… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 29, 2010 at 8:22pm — No Comments

So what are your top five web tools for survival?

Added by Shamblesguru on August 29, 2010 at 1:54pm — No Comments

Gender Gap

I have been doing some reading on the gender gap between boys and girls in literacy and the continuing trend that boys demonstrate a lack of motivation and are less engaged when it comes to reading and writing. In my grade 3 class, 3/4 of the students are boys. I am reflecting on my own teaching practice as I continue researching the topic and the various suggestions. I'd like to hear from anyone who has thoughts on the issue or has come across a good research article.

Added by sonia barski on August 26, 2010 at 2:04am — No Comments

High School Math

I have been teaching high school math for 7 years full time and teaching since 1987. This is the first year that I have had success in introducing my class as a Success Training class, not whatever the math title. I had the students draw pictures of or write down their dreams. I proceeded to talk to them about what it takes to fulfill dreams and the traits it takes to be a successful person. I told them that there will be people to drag them down and people to push them along. They should… Continue

Added by Tammy Miller on August 25, 2010 at 5:10pm — No Comments

Curators needed....

I was checking in on… Continue

Added by Scot Graden on August 22, 2010 at 8:14pm — No Comments

Finding...and taking the road less traveled

I was inspired to write this post after speaking with a friend and colleague. Over the course of a lifetime and

career we all experience the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows.

So much of what we do in our lives comes back to our goals,

expectations, hopes and dreams. The biggest difference between those

who accomplish their goals and those who do not...are the paths they

choose while developing their vision.… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 22, 2010 at 12:03pm — No Comments

My illustrated PLN

A description of my PLN is here but this is an illustrated version.

Added by Dianne Rees on August 21, 2010 at 11:18pm — No Comments

Mutation is Inevitable

Lately, there's been a lot of talk about whether the internet (or our use of it) is making us stupid. If you haven't already, you can read the text that started the controversy here.

But, if I were you, I'd read… Continue

Added by Mau Buchler on August 20, 2010 at 5:48am — No Comments

ICT assessment and the future!

About a year ago I undertook a visit to Robin Hood Primary School in Birmingham. They had just joined our network and we were keen to learn about each other. What I saw was beyond inspirational! The most striking aspect was the can do attitude which was imprinted into the DNA of every child and staff member. This attitude allowed everyone to succeed and led to a confidence which enabled everyone to challenge the status quo…

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Added by andy mellor on August 19, 2010 at 7:42am — No Comments

This is my first post ever! Help

I am working on a graduate course and am starting to build my online network. I teach grade one and am looking for others to share ideas with. Any suggestions about using technology to enhance my lessons on living things and their needs

Added by JJennings on August 18, 2010 at 11:30pm — 2 Comments

Grade 7 Math - Graphing Linear Equations

I'm looking at creating more technology infused math lessons to help my students better understand graphing linear equations. I'm finding a lot of websites, but most are simple math games that honestly waste class time. Any ideas on how to make the Cartesian plain and graphing more exciting and real for my students? Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.

Added by Stacey Andries on August 18, 2010 at 4:39pm — 1 Comment

Technology and Math ideas for grade one

I am looking for ideas to implement technology to support teaching grade ones number concepts. Internet sites,

using free programs, ipods, etc.

Added by susan white on August 18, 2010 at 4:38pm — 2 Comments

Kindergarten Math and technology

I'm trying to figure out how I can make Math more meaningful, engaging and open ended. I'm wanting to use technology (digital cameras, ipods, Kid Pix) with my Kinders with a Math focus. Any ideas?

Added by Meghan Unger on August 18, 2010 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Where do we go wrong with ICT?

Having just read the Guardian article on the demise of BECTA and the preceived opportunities that this brings I feel compelled to correct some miscomprehensions.

Whenever, there is a wrong which needs righting, and let's face it, there is much about ICT learning which is wrong, we always tend to look for a one hit magic bullet. Today it is the demise of BECTA which will ensure that standards rise.

Interestingly the article talks predominantly about secondary ICT…

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Added by andy mellor on August 17, 2010 at 7:30am — 6 Comments

Reinventing yourself = survival...

My first official working day at school was today...I witnessed ups and downs, heard screams of joy, and whirlpools of pessimism and

discontent. As I thought more about the "happy" people, and the not so

happy people, I decided to concentrate on why the "happy" people were

happy. I soon realized there seemed to be a couple underlying factors

that lead to their happiness / enthusiasm toward the new school year.

I have to… Continue

Added by Justin Tarte on August 16, 2010 at 6:53pm — No Comments

To Every Child That Walks Our Way-Poem

TO Every Child That Walks Our Way

I am a Kindergarten Teacher because

I want to live in a better world

I want every child's voice to be heard

I want to make an immediate impact

I want to keep children's dignity intact…

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Added by Ryan P. Flinn on August 16, 2010 at 3:30pm — 1 Comment

Kindergarten From a Males Perspective

I have been teaching Kindergarten for six years now. Before that I taught at a Daycare for five year as I was in school for my undergraduate degree. I love my job. I know kids, I am a big kid. Everyday I enter the classroom, I recieve twenty hugs. The parents are great, I feel respected now because I have been in the same district for awhile and I am requested by parents every year.

The issues come up when I am talking to my friends or famiily. I here it all the time, "how is…

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Added by Ryan P. Flinn on August 15, 2010 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Stop the merry go round it's time for the government to get off!

The following blog post is not party political, merely a commentary on 23 years experience of the education system in this country under 4 different governments.

Our school has always and will always challenge bullying where they find it and yet there is a system of institutionalised bullying which damages children, demotivates and intimidates staff and creates bullies as it moves through the system.

Have the Government legislated against it? No, they promote…

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Added by andy mellor on August 13, 2010 at 12:12pm — No Comments

Moving Beyond the Tools: How Do We Implement Them?

My name is Beth Still and my blog is Nebraska Change Agent.This particular post is a guest post on Wes Fryer's blog, Speed of Creativity. Basically what I am hoping to do is create a resource that can serve as a resource for people…

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Added by Beth Still on August 12, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments