Teacher Hub: Performance Based Assessments
A recent article in Ed Week discusses how a teacher in 1989 worked to create an engaging lesson for his students. He brought someone in with a summons for William Golding (Lord of the Flies) to court. The students then took on the roles of lawyers, dressing in suits and ties, prepping for court, etc. The culminating project was the trial. This was the final assessment for the book. Not an essay, not a multiple choice exam – an engaging project. [...]
Tech Boost: Book Snaps!
Welcome back to school! Our first week was last week, and for me – it was an exhausting yet invigorating jolt back! Students are back and excited to see their friends, teachers, and yes – even to learn! Now, the trick is – to keep that excitement going! In various conversations with other professionals, I have noticed the underlying principal of risk-taking. Not just for students, but for teachers as well.
Bear with me for a moment and consider taking a risk with technology. [...]
This Year’s Summer Assignment: Create a Blog!
“Yet another technology tool that I have to use?!” No. This time, the assignment is strictly for you. Well, and the rest of the internet. Tech ed trends often trail the rest of the world. While Web2.0 died in the business and media sectors, it just started in education. Us teachers are still using facebook, while our students are on “the gram.” And now, here we are with the blog. The main difference? [...]
2017 Summer Reading List
We made it! Safe to say, most of us reached the end of the school year and are diving into summer. For me, that means coffee on the porch with a good book in my hand. Family vacations are coming, the beach is calling your name and everyone seeks a well-deserved respite from the stresses of the school year. Of course, there are the typical ‘beach getaway’ fictional books we all love. But summer is also a great time to rejuvenate and be reminded of the meaningfulness of our career. We’re not talking heavy non-fiction books, but books that have purpose and heart. This summer, take a chance on some of our recommended summer reading! [...]
Tech Boost! 3 Websites to Increase Student Engagement
The weather is beautiful, students broke out the shorts and everyone is counting down to the end of the year. How do we keep our students interested? Teachers are not only tasked with prepping for the state test, but also for end-of-year testing. The pressure is on, but where is the time? For a quick way to change things up in your classroom, check out these websites! Let us know what works best for you! [...]
Teacher Hub: Presidents’ Day Plans
Whether students have the day off or not, we can all engage our students in valuable lessons related to Presidents’ Day. Especially during the current political climate, it is important to not only teach our students about our history, but also about how to appropriately engage in discourse. Check out our suggestions to observe Presidents’ Day. How are you planning on impacting your students? [...]
Tech Boost: Engaging Your Students Collaboratively
When planning collaborative assignments, think about the focus of the lesson? Is the focus on engaging every student? Often, the focus strays from student engagement to ensuring every student completes their share of work. Students end up splitting up the work, going their own ways, and submitting the project. Fortunately, with tools like Planbook Plus [...]
5 Prompts to Ring in the New Year
Teachers and students are just getting back from winter break. Holiday getaways have come and gone and school is back in session. What’s the last thing anyone wants to hear? “Get ready for those writing prompts when you get back!” Ba humbug! Of course, as educators, preparation is at the forefront of everything. Check out these 5 writing prompts ready to go upon the return from break. Modify any prompt for your grade level!
All prompts are applicable to the criterion: Conventions, Style, Focus, Organization, and Content. [...]
Planbook Plus Teacher Hub: Top Ten Apps & Websites in Education
The amount of technology in the field of education leaves most regular and special education teachers overwhelmed with choices and the task of checking out individual apps and websites until they find one that is useful. Fear not! The apps and websites featured below are special education and regular education teacher tested and approved! Additionally, Planbook Plus’ [...]
It’s the Most Unproductive Time of the Year!
Depending on the calendar year, the time from Thanksgiving and Christmas Day can be between 27 and 33 days. There are still two weeks between now and the holiday break. As a teacher, you cannot afford to lose these days to distractions. How then do you keep students focused during the most wonderful, and unproductive, time of the year? [...]