As bilingual educators, we know there are many benefits of bilingualism.  Do your students?  Whether you are pointing out the little perks of bilingualism or getting into the brain research, make sure you're sharing the benefits with your students and encouraging them to value their languages.Check out the full info-graphic here.

The Many Uses of Padlet

Padlet is a great collaborative tool that can be used with both students and teachers.  You can use it as a virtual collaboration board for meetings, an on-line space for students to post exit slips, for a group to organize their research, the options are endless.  Visit this blog post on Free Tech for Teachers to learn more about how Padlet can used.  There is also a Padlet posted at the end of the blog post where participants can add their own ideas for how to use this tool.

Don't miss this very important part of being a great teacher: Reflection!!

The Reflective Teacher: Taking a Long Look | Edutopia

Common Core and Conferences

With all the hype surrounding Common Core in the news, it's likely that some parents will come to conferences in October with questions about the new standards. What are you supposed to say? What is the clearest way to convey the information to parents without making their heads spin?! Here are two great resources to assist with talking to parents about Common Core and what it means for their student.

Talking Common Core With Parents

Common Core Visual for Parents

Bilingualism is seen sometimes as a barrier of learning, specially when there are students with learning disabilities. This article presents some information about how bilingualism should be seen as a positive rather than a negative influence on learning.
http://www.ncld.org/types-learning-disabilities/executive-function-disorders/bilingualism-advantage-benefit

What Is Literacy?

According to the Centre for Literacy, http://www.centreforliteracy.qc.ca/about/literacy.....

"Literacy is a complex set of abilities needed to understand and use the dominant symbol systems of a culture – alphabets, numbers, visual icons – for personal and community development. The nature of these abilities, and the demand for them, vary from one context to another.

In a technological society, literacy extends beyond the functional skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening to include multiple literacies such as visual, media, and information literacy.

These new literacies focus on the capacity of individuals to use and make critical judgements about the information they encounter on a daily basis.

However a culture defines it, literacy touches every aspect of individual and community life. It is an essential foundation for learning through life, and must be valued as a human right."

What does this mean....

To me, literacy, as a human right, is a powerful statement.  Educators work very hard to create a culture that will allow students to develop their abilities to access, analyze, and use information.  Depending on the many factors, our classrooms may look different but the goal is the same.  Reading, Writing, speaking, and listening.....and always thinking!

Using Flubaroo to Grade Quizzes in Google Forms

Many teachers have used Google Forms to assess students in a variety of ways.  Flubaroo is a script that you can add on to your Google Form which can grade your assessment for you.  Watch the short tutorial below to learn more.  Or, if you prefer, here is a blog post regarding this tool.  A big thank you to Melinda Parrent for sharing this tool with me.  :)

Great Adolescent Literacy Blog

Great information on adolescent literacy can be tough to find. Enter the following blog that has great information, resources, and practical use.


Can We Just Read?: Advice and Anecdotes from a middle school teacher

http://canwejustread.com/

Sheffield elementary schools to implement structured recess program - Chronicle-Telegram

Sheffield elementary schools to implement structured recess program - Chronicle-Telegram

Can P.E. make students smarter?

http://www.utexas.edu/know/2014/09/03/physical-education-research/

Livebinders Access

Many district resources are now being stored at www.Livebinders.com - but how can you keep track of all the binders and resources available?

Start by creating your own Livebinders account...and then follow the instructions in this tutorial!

Making YouTube Videos Ad Free

Have you ever wanted to show a You Tube video in class, but you were worried what ads or related videos might pop up?  Try the suggestions listed in the blog post below.  I used the first one he recommended, SafeShareTV, and it worked great!  It was simple and effective.  I hope it works in your classrooms as well.



The Tech In: Making YouTube Videos Ad Free

Welcome to our Blog!

At the start 2014-2015 school year, District 200 brought all the instructional coaches together as a PLC. We are housed at Woodstock North High School but we will be working with teachers and administrators across the district.  Working together, as coaches, allows us to build our coaching skills  and promote collaboration across disciplines.  This increases understanding and implementation for us and ultimately, the teachers whom we coach. However, the question remains: Who are we?

Nancy Buckingham I joined District 200 in the 2013-14 school year as a Literacy Coach, primarily at Dean and Prairiewood.  Before coming to Woodstock,