Hold My Chalk

Here are a few more articles, links and posts that I have stumbled across or witnessed in action over the past week.  I hope you find them beneficial. This first link is to the  Cult of Pedagogy  blog.  Jennifer Gonzalez shares  6 Ed Tech Tools to Try in 2016 .   A few of them I have heard of already and tried.  I think they are definitely worth checking into. One of my teachers shared this one with me that she was using in class when I walked through late last week.  It is the  Grammar Bytes! Grammar with Attitude   Mooc.  It is setup in a way that caters to some of the attitudes you might experience if you work with high school students.  The link takes you to the enrollment page.  Students will create an account and self-enroll in the course. The course has several modules that include instruction, practice exercises, quizzes, a pretest, and a posttest. It's been a good, short review for EOI and ACT. Next up is a blog p...

I have been an educator for nearly 17 years now.  During that time I have observed and worked with some wonderful teachers and others that struggled to find their way.  As an administrator, part of my job is to help every staff member improve.  This can prove difficult at times.  How do you take the A+ teacher and help them improve?  Especially when you find yourself learning from them so often.  These are the teachers that are always finding ways to hone their craft and seldom need your assistance doing so.  It is also difficult to help the teacher that thinks they have it all together, yet consistently fall short of the mark.  Until they get past the denial stage it won't happen. One area where we can all improve is in the area of classroom discipline.  The great teachers excel here, but they are always open to new ideas or want help reaching a particular student.  Then there are teachers that have the vast majority of your discipline ...

Articles, links and blog posts worth checking out I have put together a few articles and links over the last few days.  I hope you find them useful. This first link was shared by the folks at TCEA.  Thought it might be worth checking into. 100+ Chrome Apps and Extensions for Teachers and Students | Shake Up Learning . This next post comes from an Oklahoma administrator and focuses on ways to handle the current budget crisis. Facing the Unsustainable: 5 Ways to Respond | William D Parker | Principal Matters | William D Parker | Principal Matters . Whether your a fan of Microsoft or not, it is always interesting to see how companies respond to shrinking market shares.  Microsoft has now acquired MinecraftEdu in an effort to regain some of their footing in the education market. Microsoft Acquires Minecraft App for Schools - The New York Times . I have always felt that not everyone should go to college and career tech is a great alternative or a great way to develop a skill s...

This past week was fast and furious for me as I am sure it was for many others.  As I walk in and around classrooms it is great to hear the classroom audio systems being used.  I have noticed several classes utilizing the MakerSpace to create projects for class.  I have also spent time in our original MakerSpaces.  These original spaces would be our art rooms, ag shops, and FACS rooms.  These classrooms have allowed students create, build, design and put their ideas into a physical form. [caption id="attachment_265" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Students working in FACS Fabrication Lab[/caption] Over the last week I have observed students refinishing office chairs, piecing together quilts, building lamps and sculptures out of horseshoes, and creating inspiring posters to discourage littering.  These MakerSpaces have been part of public education for years and the skills everyone of these students have demonstrated skills that exceed my talent and exper...

As a principal there is a verse from James that we would all do well to live by. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” ‭‭James‬ ‭1:19‬ ‭ESV‬‬ http://bible.com/59/jas.1.19.esv Why this verse you ask?  Well, if you have spent any length of time as an administrator, you have heard your share of excuses and lies for student behavior. How do you keep yourself  from spouting off something insulting or degrading that you will regret later?  Here are a few statements I use. "Would you tell me again, I am trying to make sure I have it all in the right order." "Would you repeat that so I can make sure my notes are correct?" Say nothing and make it look like you are thinking of what to say.  This often results in them feeling uncomfortable and giving more information. "What will I see when I watch the video playback?" "I have information from another source that doesn't match everything you told me...

This first week back everyone, students & teachers alike, work to get back into the routine of school.  As I reflect on this week I realize this week has been more challenging than any other midyear return to school for my family because of recent events that impacted us.  Despite any challenges that we faced, we have made it through the week.  Not only has this week been challenging, but the past month has been difficult.  For those that are not in the education "business" they don't quite understand the connection teachers have with their students.  For the vast majority of teachers, once they have a student in their class or for an administrator in their school, that person is always their student no matter what their age. Over the past month, two former students have passed away and another seriously injured.  Another student lost a parent and in addition to those challenges, my family faced the loss of a close relative.  I mention these events...