Simmons' Professional Development Corner: March 2013

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Weekly Update: Spring Break Edition

Weekly Email: Spring Break Edition

I hope your Spring Break was as productive as mine. J

Spring Break Accomplishments

ü Cleaned out flower beds

ü Cleaned out closet

ü Cooked more than I ate out

ü Played outside every day

ü Helped Thomas ride a big-boy bike

ü Practiced my LAZY

üDid not open a laptop or check email until Sunday

Some apps worth exploring:

I did take time to look at some apps while I watched the NCAA Basketball Tournaments. All of these apps are free in some capacity. A few require you to pay money for add-ons, but several of them are 100% free. I tried to include something for everyone.

More than one person has expressed a need for an app to help with reading fluency. I found this article online about using our classroom devices to help students improve fluency.

http://www.appeducation.com/2012/01/17/voice-memo-app/

Word Wonderland (Primary)-Free for a limited time

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/word-wonderland-primary-full/id611436564?mt=8

Grammar Wonderland (Elementary)-Free for a limited time

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-wonderland-elementary/id580623949?mt=8

Grammar Wonderland (Primary)-Free for a limited time

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/grammar-wonderland-primary/id591911867?mt=8

Auryn-The Little Mermaid-Free for a limited time

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/auryn-the-little-mermaid/id420490418?mt=8

The Opposites

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-opposites/id480194638?mt=8

Science360

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/science360-for-ipad/id439928181?mt=8

Color Uncovered

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/color-uncovered/id470299591?mt=8

Biobots Under Sea Rescue

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/biobots-under-sea-rescue/id493081393?mt=8

Tap A Tune

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tap-a-tune/id482933562?mt=8

Fotopedia Wild Friends

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fotopedia-wild-friends/id468628356?mt=8

Leafsnap

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/leafsnap-for-ipad/id433522683?mt=8

WWF Together

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wwf-together/id581920331?mt=8

My Note Games

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-note-games/id470503027?mt=8

Pirate Treasure Hunt

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pirate-treasure-hunt-eight/id392208108?mt=8

Friday, March 8, 2013

Weekly Update, March 8

Reflections…

I was sitting on my couch last night eating fortune cookies with my husband. Here was my fortune:

What makes teaching such a beautiful profession to me is the amount of compassion that is present in just a single day. That is at the heart of what we all do. We care….we care a lot. I’m not sure that I actually found a true fortune in the center of my cookie so much as I found a truth. Living compassionately is hard work. It isn't just something you do…it is something you live.

Upcoming professional development opportunities and district meetings…

MWE STAAR Training

March 27, 2013

3:15-4:45

DRA2 Training

March 26, 2013

3:30-5:30

PK-3 http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3664

4-5 http://eduphoria.springbranchisd.com/wshop/default.aspx?cid=3665

Flipping Classrooms on a 21^st Century Network

FREE Webinar

March 14, 2013 @ 1:00 p.m.

http://www.techlearning.com/webinars/0004/flipping-classrooms-on-a-21st-century-network/53465

Science Academies

Grades K-4

Offered FREE through Region 4

March 12-14

http://www.escweb.net/TX_ESC_04/catalog/session.aspx?referrer=../default.aspx&sessionId=957165

Energize Your Earth Science Curriculum

Grades 4-5

GT Approved

May 11, June 14, July 12, or August 2

Click HERE to see flier.

Creating All STAAR Readers and Writers with Barry Lane & Alana Morris

June 17 & 18

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=6zzi8jdab&v=001p_xH-twv5vXECJVZFCDUvjywONzhJ-r79wIhonTR2hb6y1RKmi6neu1eVzTk5O3tFR3Yoe7Pn_ttpCyRpiSwcsOGUALY3edN2oflmKecvNibddlcIkPobKA9-C14RroOxbpd2zFFAUFiHka3qpoA5zEMBt8hql1d

Some stuff I’ve been reading…

36 Things Every 21^st Century Teacher Should Be Able To Do

I really enjoyed this list because it gives such a wide variety of things to consider when thinking about how new technologies impact the classroom. I found some really helpful, short descriptions for how to do certain things on my computer.

http://www.teachthought.com/teaching/36-things-every-21st-century-teacher-should-be-able-to-do/

TED-Education: Creative Problem Solving

iTunes U course

I am more watching this than reading, but I thought it still applied. The course is made up of 7 videos; the longest one is 27 minutes. So far, I’m REALLY enjoying it.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/course/creative-problem-solving/id499099545

Some sites/apps worth exploring…

Awesome Stories

AWESOME SITE! There is a calendar with links to really interesting articles for Science and Social Studies. It is worth taking the time to check this out.

http://www.awesomestories.com/CALENDAR?utm_source=Awesome+Stories+March+Newsletter+with+Our+NEW+CALENDAR+to+Group+Subscribers&utm_campaign=March+2013&utm_medium=email

Teaching Channel

I know I learn the best by seeing teachers in action. This site lets you watch videos of teachers teaching. Very cool.

https://www.teachingchannel.org/

8 Tips New Test Takers Should Know

http://savvyschoolcounselor.com/8-tips-new-test-takers-should-know/

Apps:

Professor Kim-What’s missing here?

Marble Math

Don’t forget, you can find more at…

Teacher Learners on Edmodo

Group code: 9fq5dz

Monday, March 4, 2013

Language Arts Meeting-5th Grade

The 5th Grade Language Arts curriculum meeting on February 28 was a source of great resources for everyone. Below you find a link to the PowerPoint presentation we used. I have also included the resource links from that presentation in a list below. Happy teaching & learning!

Link to presentation:
https://www.box.com/s/qw56220braui8xiqiojj

Resources that were shared and discussed:
For safe internet search:
www.dogpile.com
Quality information checklist:
http://www.avon.k12.ct.us/enrichment/Enrich/quickgr4-0.htm
SBISD Web 2.0 Tools: http://cms.springbranchisd.com/libraryresources/ForStudents/SearchEngines/tabid/24387/Default.aspx
Library Spot:
www.libraryspot.com
ELA TEKS vertical alignment document: http://portal.esc20.net/portal/page/portal/doclibraryroot/publicpages/ela/elateks/ELAR_TEKS_K-12.pdf
Comprehension Tool Kit:
www.comprehensiontoolkit.com
Poetry resource:
www.georgiaheard.com
Tree Octopus site (for discussion reliable vs. unreliable resources): http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/sightings.html
Big 6 Overview:
http://big6.com/pages/about/big6-skills-overview.php
Sample Research Assignment (courtesy of Rebeca Barron):
https://www.box.com/s/vp8nsi4w3s47ptcbdqff

Weekly Update, March 1

Reflections on this week…

After a long week, sometimes we all deserve a break. My break this weekend came in the form of my sweet little niece. I hope the slightly tardy weekly update will be forgiven. As my penance, I have included an oh-so-cute picture. I hope you took a break this weekend and enjoyed a smile.