Saturday, August 11, 2018

Educational Links 8/12/18

Administrators Can Make or Break School Culture. Here’s How to Spot the Best Ones


Let's Retire The 'Gifted-And-Talented' Student Label



10 Foods (and Supplements and Vitamins!) to Boost Your ADHD Brain


Google Tools for English Language Learners



Timing Matters: Making Better, Smarter, Shrewder Decisions



Why You Should Be Openly Friendly On The First Day Of School


Creating Paths to Participation for Introverts


Response: The Role of Student Test Scores in Teacher Evaluations


How do we know if teachers are teaching? How do we know if students are learning? We don't need high-stakes tests to tell us this information. We need administrators who visit classrooms on a daily basis, noting the teaching and learning they observe. We need to look at students as learners over time with samples of work and their own thoughts and reflections on the learning. We need to have conversations about thinking and learning and encourage risk-taking and innovation for teachers and students. When everyone feels afraid to try because jobs are riding on how an 8 year old answers a multiple choice question on a random day in May, it makes you wonder what these high-stakes assessments are really accomplishing.

Websites for Special Education








http://www.wrightslaw.com/
http://www.specialeducationguide.com/


http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html
Special Education News 
On Special Education Blog
Reporter Nirvi Shah tracks news and trends of interest to the special educationcommunity, including administrators, teachers, and parents.
Spotlight on Special Education
Essential news stories and Commentaries selected by Education Week editors
Spotlight on Inclusion and Assistive Technology
Essential news stories and Commentaries selected by Education Week editors
Special Education in America
A 2008 report examining special education in the nation's high schools.
Special Education Backgrounder A brief research-based background essay on specialeducation

 http://www.specialeducationadvisor.com/
 
 
http://www.autismspeaks.org/
https://www.understood.org/en?gclid=Cj0KEQjwu-CuBRCQ2byQtMep7e0BEiQABQKlkWqRfGAhBpMlhiHCGVtg7jCaRoeTOd7PTcniDsV_MR4aAoXu8P8HAQ

Fret Not Yourself

and don't forget to delight thyself in the Lord!


fret not
do good
commit thy way
rest
wait
cease from anger
wait upon the Lord
the meek shall inherit the earth
the Lord upholds the righteous
show mercy
the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord
depart from evil do good
speak wisdom

The Holy Bible (KJV) _ Psalms 37 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0onzQNZkQ6w 

Friday, August 10, 2018

Educational Links 8/11/18


How To Support Students That Never Come To School

https://wegrowteachers.com/support-students-never-come-school/


What Is Narrative Writing, and How Do I Teach It in the Classroom?


How Learning Science Is Catching Up To Mr. Rogers


5 Classroom Activities to Develop Positive Attitudes


What Teachers Get Versus What They Need


LeBron James Is Schooling Us on What Education Reform Got Wrong


Social media lit up praising the litany of services the school will offer to students and families alike: among them, free uniforms, bicycles and helmets, transportation, breakfast, lunch and snacks—and not to mention guaranteed tuition to the University of Akron to every student who graduates. And the school is arguably much more than a school. It will also serve families with supports like a food pantry and GED programs and job placement service for parents.

Thursday, August 9, 2018

Educational Links 8/10/18

Setting Professional Learning Goals for Success All Year Long




Reading Buddies



How to Make Students Care About Writing



Today, there is a growing consensus that students need strong writing skills to succeed in the workplace and to fully participate in society, but educators passionately disagree on the best ways to teach those skills. Some call for greater focus on the fundamentals of grammar: building vocabulary, identifying parts of speech, and mastering punctuation. Others believe that students need more opportunities to develop their writerly voice through creative expression and work that allows them to make connections between great literature and their personal lives.

Greetings! It's A New School Year!

I've started a new position--

Let me introduce myself. I am Melanie Taylor, M.A.--longtime teacher, writer, gardener, mom and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ. I am so excited to teach English Literature and Composition at Victor Valley Christian School. I first started teaching in Christian schools, now I'm back, and English is my first love. We will have such fun!

But first, some housekeeping. Here are links for information on how our class will run, and how we can communicate



Melanie Taylor, M. A.
English Literature, Language and Composition
August 10, 2018


Dear Parents/Guardians, Family, and Students,


  How exciting! We have a new school year and I am so pleased to be
included in the educational process here at Victor Valley Christian School,
and in a subject I really love. We have a busy year planned developing
powerful writing skills, increasing digital knowledge and confidence, and,
best of all, experiencing great literature to love and appreciate for a lifetime.
This is a solid college prep program.
We will participate with Google Classroom, as well as use my regularly
updated classroom website:  MzT’s Classroom https://www.mzteachuh.com/  
There is a matching blog, too, with pertinent information about our English program
that is also regularly updated-- MzT’s Classroom https://mztsclass.blogspot.com/  
These online resources post nothing personal about the students, but general
information about the English program, homework, and activities. If you want more
information on Reading Teams, Book Club, Writer’s Workshop, Station Rotation,
or what to study for the next test, check the website or blog.
 Courtesy and full focus on our work are the hallmarks of our classroom.
We can collaborate on classwork, discuss grading and behavior, and be assured
we have open communication and mutual support. Our class syllabus has details
about grading, classroom rules and routines, reading lists, and needed materials.
This syllabus is also online at the Mzt’s Classroom site, and blog.
 Please communicate with me through Google Classroom, or email
Melanie Taylor mtaylor@vvcs.org , call the School Office 760-241-8827,
and when I get my new smartphone, I will give you a number you can call or text.
I don’t respond during class, if you have an emergency, call the Front Office 760-241-8827.
My goal is to get back to you within a day. My Office hours are Tuesday and
Thursday  3:00-4:00 p.m..
I am generally on the run, so if you wish to speak to me in person or have a conference,
please schedule one. I don’t want to miss you!
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26
Sincerely,


Melanie Taylor, M.A.


Syllabus: English Literature, Language and Composition
https://mztsclass.blogspot.com/2018/07/syllabus-english-literature-language.html

MzT's Outside Reading



MzT's Writer's Workshop



Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Educational Links 8/9/18


The 3 Most Important Questions To Ask When Evaluating Social Emotional Learning Screeners


ADHD Parent Palooza
https://adhdpalooza.com/parents/


Massive NY Times Project On Climate Change Accompanied By Good Lesson Plans

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/08/07/massive-ny-times-project-on-climate-change-accompanied-by-good-lesson-plans/

Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher

https://www.rickjetter.com/single-post/2018/08/07/Once-a-Teacher-Always-a-Teacher


What Is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?


Using a Mock Trial to Build Literacy Skills


5 Ways To Engage Reluctant Learners



Ask These 5 Questions to Know Where Candidates Stand on Education Issues



With election season just around the corner, many Congressional, state and local candidates are holding events in your area so they can speak directly with voters. You can help make sure education and disability issues are a top priority in our local, state, and federal governments. Here are some ideas for questions you can ask every candidate to know where they stand on important issues. You may only have a few minutes, so ask a question that is most meaningful to you.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Educational Links 8/8/18

16 Things I Want To Hear My Students Say



What Many Teachers Don’t Know About ADHD


What If Early Childhood Professionals Pushed Back?


5 Things to Know About the New Google Classroom


After quarter century of rapid expansion, charter school growth slowing in California



Mind-Mapping Teaching Strategies


Mind mapping is a technique which has many advantages for intelligence development. In particular, this is important for children’s development. Mind mapping stimulates using both left and right sides of our brain, as it involves using images and words at the same time. Therefore, mind mapping can be taught to children because it can help them develop and improve their verbal, logical, and visual abilities.


Monday, August 6, 2018

Educational Links 8/7/18



Keep the Engagement Alive: Start the Year with Purpose


New Study On Posture & Learning – Here’s How I’m Using It In Class

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2018/08/06/new-study-on-posture-learning-heres-how-im-using-it-in-class/


1st Day Student Survey with Google Forms



Restorative Practices Can Transform School Culture



Three Ways To Use Google Classroom with Students with Low or No Vision



Teaching and Technology: The Promise and the Disconnect



Why PBL & STEAM Education Must Go Together

http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/trends/2845-pbl-steam-in-education

Teaching Strategies to Respond to Wrong Answers

http://www.teachhub.com/teaching-strategies-respond-wrong-answers

What happens when a student participates in class, but gives a wrong answer? How do you respond? Getting students to participate in class is a struggle for many classroom teachers. So when a student finally decides to participate in a classroom discussion, but gives a wrong answer, it can be embarrassing or discouraging for the student to want to share again in the future. They key to responding to students’ wrong answers is the way that you react to them. Here are a few teaching strategies for how to handle wrong answers in your classroom.