September 2013 – FCS Academics

Week 3 Update

Fall is here! Have a super weekend.

If anyone is interested in joining a professional development book club I would love to read this book as a group. http://www.amazon.com/Free-Learn-Unleashing-Instinct-Self-Reliant/dp/0465025994
Let me know if you are interested.

COMMENDATIONS
Teachers Toni and Deb for putting on a lovely skit representing the Quakers of old and the Quakers of now at the Lower School Meeting for Worship on Thursday.

Gary Nicolai for engaging students in a press conference simulation about Syria.

Every Middle School teacher who completed a feat of greatness by chaperoning Adventure Day and/or the WEEK LONG Echo Hill Trip.

Discussion Points
Want to know more about blended learning?
www.edudemic.com/blended-learning-guide/

Looking for ways to engage students?
www.edutopia.org/blog/student-engagement-stories-heather-wolpert-gawron?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=student-engagement-stories

App of the Week
I have always loved skitch. Here is a short video that shows how powerful this can be for students of all ages.
http://mattbgomez.com/skitch-101-video-quick-intro-to-basics-of-this-app/

Motivation for the Week

Week 2 Update

Friends,

I hope you had a great week working with our students. It feels like the rhythm of the year is beginning to set in and we finally finished our first cycle of the A-F day schedule!

Commendations:

MS and LS Faculty and Staff for 3 amazing Curriculum Nights.

Everyone involved in organizing our Peace Day Activities.

Sue Kirk and the 5th Grade Team for rolling out iPads to 50 very excited 5th Grade students.

Discussion Points:

This video may seem a bit extreme but is worth the watch.

epic2020.org

A great idea for classroom and hallway displays from one of my favorite teacher/bloggers: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/top-teaching/2013/09/bring-magic-your-open-house-augmented-reality

A great article on programming: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-hutton/coding-to-learn-the-21st-century-curriculum_b_3461579.html

App of the Week:

iBrainstorm:

Motivation for the Week:

FAIL = First Attempt In Learning

Enjoy this first fall weekend.

Week 1 Academic Update

Welcome to the FCS Academics Blog. I hope to use this site to communicate great things going on around campus as well as interesting articles to read and discuss.

Commendations:
Lower and Middle School for surviving some hot days in some “no AC” classrooms.
Upper School English Faculty for organizing our book discussions on Tuesday.
All New Faculty for surviving their first full week.
Facilities Staff for continuing to work tirelessly.
Tech Staff for solving our iPad printing challenges.

Here are some interesting links for your reading pleasure:
A New Zealand School Schedule

Listening and Learning

Here is the “app” of the week:

Tap It – Free

Congratulations on a great first full week. Get some rest and let’s do it again next week!