Things happen when you return from a conference. New ideas attach with old ones and a host of “how does this all connect” is sifted through a lens of “what if…”. At FETC, keynote speaker Michael Wesch (watch TED talk) talked about the fast rise of the new technologies (Youtube 2005; Twitter 2006) resulting in a new culture of…
Tag: professional_learning
Growing Readers
I just finished rereading A Corner of the Universe (A. Martin), an intermediate novel for Literature Circles next term. I was reminded once again how meaning can be taken to a whole new level just by the manipulation of words. What happens when there are monstrous barriers that make words impossible to decipher? Make no…
Fireside Conversations on Interventions (webinar)
Sometimes you just need a place to voice those questions, comments or situations that don’t appear to have any answers. I’m reminded that having ‘partners in learning’ help to enrich and see things in different ways. With all the busy-ness of school, it’s difficult to get away. Enter ‘technology’… The webinar approach was a good…
Take Your 3-Ring Binder Online or Bookmarking Gone Extreme!
This is a “have your cake and eat it” situation. Last time I shared bookmarking through the use of Symbaloo (a great tool that lays websites out in visual tiles). Today it’s LiveBinders. This tool organizes your resources and presents your content in a binder format. (They even look like little binders.) Tabs provide the organizational structure so that you…
Launching Reading Levels Series
We’re thrilled to be able to provide Reading Series to every Fast ForWord site. Last year, three of our sites piloted this series with some students who completed Fast ForWord processing exercises. The positive responses from both students and teachers have moved us forward in this opportunity. Reading Levels takes the same approach as Fast ForWord…
A New Look for 2011-2012
You might have already taken a peek at your Fast ForWord stations and discovered a new look to the Gateway icon and program. All sites have been upgraded to version 5, which offers not only a sleeker view but some differences in the way the program launches. Click here for instructions about launching the new Demo….
Virtual Webinar – Brain Connections
Just in case you missed the last offering, here’s another chance to dive into free webinars with Sherelle Walker and Martha Burns. Sherrelle Walker Dates: June 10, 2011 and June 17, 2011 Time: 8am PT (30 minute session) During this information-packed half-hour, Ms. Walker will discuss concrete, useful strategies for integrating Brain Fitness into district…
Latest Webinars to Tickle your Brain
MARCH 9; April 27 – Virtual Brain Seminar (Register here) Sherelle Walker (CEO, Scientific) and Martha Burns (Speech & Language Pathologist) – This duo session includes concrete, useful strategies for integrating Brain Fitness districtwide, as well as the latest in neuroscience and research. MARCH 18, 2011 – Our Changing Education Landscape (10:00-11:00) (Register on Scilearn…
Prevention is easier than Intervention
Imagine a week where no red flags appear in Progress Tracker – those crazy hints that you may have to readjust your teaching. This is one of the reasons that it is important to work through the exercises yourself so that you get a feel for any problems that may crop up for your students. …
Words Their Way – Shedding Light on Process
Words Their Way is a program that offers a developmental curriculum for phonics/spelling instruction, reading fluency and vocabulary development. The hands-on activities engage students as they actively categorize their ‘word sorts’ and the assessment inventory provides a clear indicator of where each student is in the process. We’ve been working with a new group of…
How Readable is the Information?
Readability may be defined as ‘reading ease’ or how content can be successfully understood. Teachers know that comprehension is dependent on many variables, one of which is the readability level of information whether online or in print. It matters little if you have the best list of websites for research but the students have difficulties…
Why No Progress! Intervention layers…
A small group recently got together to tackle Progress Tracker – the reporting engine that provides an incredible amount of data to sift through. Here are some of the highlights of what was gleaned at our Interventions learning session (January 18, 2011): Prior to an intervention process, assess the situation: direct observation of student (what…
It’s All About Reading – Learning Session
Our learning session on the new Reading Series is on Tuesday January 11 (3:30-5:30) at Schou – TLC. Our connecting questions: How does the new Reading exercises help to bridge students to gaining reading skills? What practices provided in the exercises can be shared in larger groups with classroom teachers? What students can best benefit…
Social Bookmarks Dilemma
Many of you have heard the recent flood of comments over the e-waves about delicious.com and its demise. While the company isn’t exactly saying what’s happening to this tool, I can just imagine how people are feeling about the news. I use it myself to organize my bookmarks to share with you. But knowing that…
New Reading Products Info and Support
For those sites who are having the Reading Products installed, instruction manuals are located in the tab above > HOW TO’s. Date for learning: Tuesday January 11, 2011. (3:30-5:30pm) Schou – TLC Session will focus on introduction, focus of exercises, assessment, connections to reading and administrative setup with hands-on practice.