Every once in a while, I read an educational/professional development book that just rocks me to my core. The ideas, critical thinking, puzzlement, affirmation, ah-hah moments, and personal growth experiences that stem from reading a solid piece of literature is just so juicy! When moments like this occur, I can't hold it in! I have to share the book out to the world. That my dear educator friends is why I have decided that my latest juicy read was SO phenomenal that I wanted to do a group/collaborative book study on it. When a friend and colleague recommended the book The Innovator's Mindset by George Couros, I bought it, read it, then FREAKED OUT and read it two more times. Innovation is a term that is tossed around like confetti, is often misunderstood, and yet so needed and vital to our education system. Mr. Couros has done an exceptional job of pinpointing the need for innovation in education and to make learning an experience that is relevant and meaningful to ...
professional development
Why Teachers Should Periscope
I am constantly amazed at all of the wonderful opportunities social media can bring to teachers and students when used efficiently and correctly. When others ask me why I am so involved in the educational world of social media, I tell them that it is my way of connecting with classrooms and educators from around the globe. Social Media--Periscope and Twitter specifically-offers educators the opportunity to create their own "personalized" professional development. Are you interested in learning about Genius Hour or maybe altering the way you are incorporating it in the classroom? Maybe you are getting ready to start a unit on the Great Depression and you are looking for lesson ideas. Perhaps you have iPads in the classroom but are not using them to their fullest potential and are wanting help! Periscope(and Twitter) can help you answer all of those questions and much, much more. Here is a quick video that my district helped me put together to talk about ...
Reading Interest Survey
Each summer, my school assigns us professional development books to read. Does your school do this as well? I LOVE to read about other educators' beliefs and practices so there are also others books that I have picked up throughout the year and saved to read for the summer when I have had a little more free time. Here is a little sneak peak of some of my must reads for the summer: I cannot wait to read Smarter Charts and Teach Like a Pirate!! One of the first books that I have read during my summer vacay is The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader by Donalyn Miller. I had not yet entered the teaching world when this book came out several years ago. So, I am just now getting to read it. And, WOW! I missed out on not reading this book sooner! Her ideas are fabulous, and Donalyn does a great job pointing out the importance of independent reading. I teach second grade so there are a lot of things that I will need to slightly adjust to make it work for my ...
