Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Kids, Books, and Blogs


Instill in children a curious and inviting 
passion toward words, books and reading.
You're nurturing their writing skills as well.

#What about blogs?

Learn more
at Reading Rockets!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

"It's a Boy" & Ability Grouping



 While sitting in Chicago, Illinois on July 22nd at an SDE
conference an excited member of my group raised his hand.  
Why?  He wanted to share details, via his smart phone that
the press released the news that the Duke & Duchess of
Cambridge were parents of a baby boy.  Earlier my
group had jokingly talked about the impending birth,
while many participants were speculating 'boy, or girl?'
After all, the press had been camped out for over a week outside the hospital in London where Kate was anticipated to give birth. 

  Social media around the globe shared the fact
that the birth of a child destined perhaps to
be King of England one day,
was announced via a "tweet."
 
Things change in an instant, do they not?

Fast-forward to Sunday July 28th when I was checking
my Twitter news feed, coming across an article
in
Classroom Q &  A with Larry Ferlazzo, entitled


Using -- Not Misusing -- Ability Groups In The Classroom
http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/classroom_qa_with_larry_ferlazzo/2013/05/response_using_--_not_misusing_--_ability_groups_in_the_classroom.html


It's an excellent read!  After thinking about it, I've concluded that how I'll approach my students will always be most important.  Children are capable learners.  It's an educator's job guiding them "to be ready," and tackle the next challenge or lesson.  Ability is an ever-changing dynamic, therefore assuming kids have limited skills is wrong.  Flexible grouping is essential; with that challenge comes the necessity for us to know our kids and their abilities well. 
We can do this! 
Remember that kids are able when and if given the appropriate learning opportunities suited to their needs.  Why?  
 
       Things change in an instant, and they do.   

 "Grouping students should be done based on what we know about students and how to maximize their learning, not because we were told to group students in a differentiated instruction seminar. We group purposefully."                ~Larry Ferlazzo


Consider following Larry via Twitter
@Larryferlazzo 
Don't miss his fine blog:  http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Forms Available




#2013-2014      #School         #CUSD 20

Registration materials
for  Lawrenceville's three
attendance centers are
available for download. 


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Discover Bird Sleuth!



Bird Sleuth has innovative K-12 resources that build science skills while inspiring kids to connect to local habitats,
explore biodiversity, and engage in science projects. 





Why not enjoy Pixar's video
"
For the Birds" to get your kids excited?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dq2dJcZBJA


We can follow Birdsluth.org on
Face Book, Twitter and Pinterest!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Kids Need Feedback

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/20-ways-to-provide-effective-feedback-for-learning/

"Teaching kids is an accomplishment;
getting children excited about learning is
an achievement."  ~Robert John Meehan 
 
Notice the writing on the board?

In a sense, the connection depicted between teacher and students is the real 

"jewel" and purpose in the everyday
lives of youngsters and educators. 


The youngsters matter to her;

everyone knows it.  It looks like a shared
feeling of mutual respect & understanding.  


 The Rockwell painting above reminds me
of the important investments to make
with kids, and the rewarding "returns"
they'll experience when we do. 
It's what we should all be about.


It's a challenge so go after it....

you can do it.  Start with giving kids
effective feedback to improve the learning.



A "shout-out" & my thanks to Superintendent
Mr. Michael Smith for the quote above. 
We can follow him

on Twitter @principalspage
and or at michaelsmithsupt.com



Saturday, July 13, 2013

The Wisdom of Friendship

Friendships lighten
the way both day and night.


Children need the chance to
establish these relationships,
just as adults do.
 

Thanks in advance for making
the road toward discovering the
talents and ideas of others an
important part of
our school community.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Registering for the 2013-14 School Year




WHO:  all families with youth in PreK to 5th Grade

WHAT:  register for the 2013-2014 school year

WHERE:  Parkside Elementary via the west doors
              1900 Cedar Street
              Lawrenceville, Illinois  

WHEN:   Thursday July 31  ~4:00-7:00 P.M.
             Friday August 1   ~8:00-11:00 A.M.

                         Call the office for
                         more information
                          1*618*943-3992
                                                                                 
                                           

Monday, July 8, 2013

Discover "A Magical Childhood"



"We're a noisy, messy, happy, wacky
family in rural Minnesota......"
This is how Alicia describes her family.

She'll say "magical."
I can agree to an extent.
"Creative" sound better to me. 
Why?

Opportunities to explore and express,
trying things that stretch the intellect and develop talent is essential for children.
Did I mention chances to build self-esteem
and learning to cooperate with others?

Well done Alicia, well done!
I guess it really is "magical,"
Either way.....you
are one smart mama.


Sunday, July 7, 2013

Ah, Naps.........

Distant Thunder by Andrew Wyeth

Sweet Sunday nap, with a friend!

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

The Essential 55 Words



@MarileeSprenger



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Best Websites and Apps for Teaching




Mr. Schu's blog "Watch. Connect. Read." shares recommendations from
the AASL for July, 2013.

We can follow John Schu on
Twitter @MrSchuReads

Dale's Sweater


What started out as an accident, wearing
the same shirt and sweater for the annual yearbook picture turned out to be a
forty year "joke" between a wife and
her P.E. educator- husband Dale Irby.

A Texas resident, Mr. Irby retired this year
from Prestonwood Elementary School.  

Congratulations and thanks for
having a sense of humor.
We all need more of that!