Happy Memorial Day weekend. I hope your school year is closing smoothly. Here are my weekly Diigo bookmarks for the week of May 19th. Take some time this weekend to thank a veteran and remember those who paid the ultimate price for our freedoms.
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LeadLearner: 7 Steps to Conquer Twitterphobia
Great guiding ideas to get started with Twitter
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Kleinspiration: 5 Free and Fun Online Tools for Studying
Some study sites to use with the Chromebooks
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Edutech for Teachers » Blog Archive » Quick Write Picture Prompts
Here are some great writing prompts based on awesome pictures for English teachers
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@TCMSPrincipal Here is the site. https://t.co/jp1pSPkBZh #satchathack
— Don Eckert (@dayankee) May 24, 2014
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A4: What is the learning outcome? What is the best tool for the job? It may be tech – it may not be. #satchathack
— Kelly Mikesell (@mrsmikesell) May 24, 2014
A5: too late to start preparing S’s for 21st century, we’re 14 years in. Tech allows students to engage/learn like work/college #satchathack— Philip Johnson (@pmj3358) May 24, 2014
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@TCMSPrincipal – agreed – we need to facititate teachers’ attempts to innovate #satchathack
— Paul McGuire (@mcguirp) May 24, 2014
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8 Tips To Use Gmail as an eLearning Tool
8 Tips To Use Gmail as an eLearning Tool http://t.co/DWrs4S3Bvh #edtech #elearning via @cpappas
— Ann Amanda Bee (@AnnAmandaBee) May 21, 2014
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Conflicts At Work: They’re Not About Personality « Annie Murphy Paul
Interesting thoughts on work conflicts and how to address them
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Simulations Can Change the Course of History . . . Classes | Edutopia
Some ideas on creating engaging social studios lessons
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The Epic BYOD Toolchest (51 Tools You Can Use Now) | Edutopia
Some great tools to think about when planning for utilizing the Chromebooks. Some ideas on interactive notebooks and portfolios as well.
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We are getting ready to broadcast our PTSA meetings using google hangout on-air #mschat
— Joseph Kramer (@jskramer28) May 23, 2014
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Free and easy ways to connect with your staff & parents! | Connected Principals
Awesome ideas for leveraging technology ion your building
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End of Year Burnout: How to Finish the Marathon in Stride | Edutopia
Some ideas on finishing the year on a positive note
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5 Tips for Teaching the Tough Kids | Edutopia
As you begin to plan for next year, here is some sound advice on opening the year right
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1. Set the Tone
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At the beginning of the school year, I would walk down to the sixth grade teachers with my new class lists and ask questions.
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Often, these students can feel disrespected because their teachers already have preconceived ideas about how they are the troublemakers. Explain that you respect them and have high expectations for them this year. Lay the foundation for the student’s understanding that you believe in him or her, because you might be the only one who genuinely does.
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2. Be a Mentor
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Make an effort to show you care about them, not just their grades. Be proactive instead of reactive. The key to being a good mentor is to be positive, available, and trustworthy.
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3. Make Connections
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I’m sure you said some hurtful things that you didn’t mean when you were growing up. Students can say things out of frustration or boredom, or that are triggered by problems spilling over from outside of your classroom.
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Once trust has been established, remind these students that you believe in them even if they make a mistake. I’ve vouched for kids during grade team meetings only to have them get into a fight at lunch the same day.
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They make mistakes, just like we all do. It’s how we respond to their slip-ups that will determine if they’ll continue to trust us.
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Students Matter: 3 Steps for Effective Differentiated Instruction | Edutopia
Some thoughts on differentiating your instruction
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Know Your Students’ Strengths
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Effective differentiation starts with knowing the students’ academic strengths, interests, and perspectives. Formative assessments, thinking styles inventories (1), and surveys help to construct lessons and scaffolds that strategically meet needs.
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Involve Students in the Planning Process
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Students, like adults, are more likely to commit effort when they’re included in the decision-making process.
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Leave Ego Outside of the Classroom
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What makes good teachers is a dogged determination to help students succeed. Using all of one’s resources to find what will work is admirable, but can be limiting. As discussed before, students can be a rich resource for additional tools. Another source is other educators.
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In Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Habit 5 is: “Seek to understand before being understood (5).” This principle captures the core for planning and implementing differentiated instruction.
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5 ways to show empathy as a leader SmartBlogs
Some ways to really connect with your employees
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TeachThought51 Twitter Chat & Hashtag Tools To Help You Connect
51 Twitter Chat & Hashtag Tools To Help You Connect – 51 Twitter Chat & Hashtag Tools To Help You Connect Twitter … http://t.co/JEYNfJNSyw
— Kimberly Tyson PhD (@tysonkimberly) May 17, 2014
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Leading Blog: A Leadership Blog: How to Find Leadership Blindspots
Do you know where your blind spots are?
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Free Technology for Teachers: Read & Write – A Great Chrome App That is Now Free for Teachers
A free reading app especially for Chromebooks
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5 qualities of a tech-savvy administrator | eSchool News | eSchool News
How tech savvy are you?
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App of the Week: Boost your social studies game | eSchool News | eSchool News
Great app for the Chromebook for Social Studies teachers
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Five ways Instagram can improve learning | eSchool News | eSchool News
Instagram can be a powerful learning tool. Here’ how
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20 Excellent Free Tools for Interactive Classroom Collaboration
These might be just the thing for using with the new Chromebooks.
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How Does Classroom Design Affect Student Learning? – Edudemic
Some thoughts on how to set up your room to maximize student learning for next year.
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170 Ways To Use Word Clouds In Every Classroom | 21 st Century Educational Technology and Learning
Some ways to utilize technology in every subject area
A Principal's Life 