Week 7

I hope everyone had a super week and weekend. As the weather changes I too feel the change as we settle into the next mode of the school year – “the holiday season.” I sometimes feel like between Halloween and New Year’s Day I just close my eyes and try to ride the storm. This year I am hoping to keep my eyes open and enjoy the sights a bit more.

Commendations
To everyone who has embraced the new PD forms and field trip forms. I know this is a ton of change but hopefully it will make
our lives easier in some ways as well. Thank you!!!

All of the fall athletic coaches who are completing their seasons.

LD Reading of the Week
Click here for a great infographic on executive functioning disorder.

Discussion for the Week
The future of liberal arts education? click here…

36 things every 21st Century Teacher should know

Motivation for the Week

by JESS3.
Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually.

Week 6 Update

It’s that time of year… parent conferences, mid-tri grades, comment writing – it is easy to get that hamster in wheel feeling when there are so many things happening. I was fortunate to be at an in-service for some Catholic Schools in Richmond today and am feeling rejuvenated thanks to their energy and enthusiasm. It reminds me how we all need a boost now and then. I hope you can find a way to get your boost this weekend.

Commendations:
The Admission Team for their preparation for our Open House this Saturday.
Middle School teachers who attended the Renaissance Faire on Thursday (it is a long bus ride but worth the trip!).
All of the teachers involved with the amazing art work hanging in the halls of the LS. If you have not been over for visit please try to stop by to see the many interpretations of Rivers.

LD Reading of the Week
Have you ever worked with a student who “seems” to know everything in class and orally can explain things but does not do as well on tests? The child may have a disorder called dysgraphia. Click here to read about it.

Discussion Points
Although we do not adhere to the Common Core Standards I think is important to have some understanding of what they look like. Click here for more information.

The dark history of the multiple choice test.

App of the Week
Stack the States use it for students of any age to teach/review geography – its fun too!

Motivation for the Week

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Week 5 Update

Happy Long Weekend! Although we had lovely In-Service Day on Friday we missed our Lower School Friends. I hope that next year we can find a way to have our entire community together for these valuable days.

Commendations:
Joel D. and everyone involved in War and Peace Day for our sophomores and juniors.
Sue K., Vicki S., Josh W., Dan C., Kyle B., Regina Z., and Mary Fran T. for their help with our technology night on Tuesday evening.

As we Continue with our focus on Learning Disabilities for the month of October:
Here is an article on the topic of the GIFT of ADHD.

Discussion Points:
Here are some free webinars that are worth checking out.

More on the topic of cheating

App of the Week:
Fluency Finder is a great app for reading teachers Grades 1-8

Motivation for the Week:

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Week 4 Update

Hola! I was able to visit two Upper School Spanish classes yesterday and am feeling the love for the language. Gracias to Christina P. and Alejandra S. for welcoming me into their classrooms. I also witnessed a 9th Grade History class and learned a bit about the middle man and standardization in the commodities market thanks to Joel D.

Last Call for the Professional Book Club – our first book will be

Free to Learn

by Peter Gray. We will be meeting on Monday, November 4th from 3:30 – 5:00.   We will do some rsvp’s closer to the date.   Anyone is welcome (even those who have not read the book) to discuss the importance of play.

Commendations:
Upper School for two great Curriculum Nights.
Middle School for their first week of Clubs – note: Maker Club has 30 students!
Lower School for pulling together another Theme based faculty play. I hope to be sharing the video soon.

October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month (Thanks to Dottie):  https://docs.google.com/a/friendscentral.org/file/d/1DO0AiXkj0SFKmR55Q0O0BLHfh-AoO7NfQ6cTlwiJrXwN9UAreJeE70xySIVKUkqsPmevcgb_Dwg4ChgP/preview

Discussion Points:
A video worth viewing: http://vimeo.com/3930740
A website worth checking out: http://steam.friendscentral.org/
An article worth reading: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/03/what-does-design-thinking-look-like-in-school/
The BEST article I read this week!
http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/a-manifesto-for-active-learning/52705?cid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en

App of the Week:
Animoto:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animoto-video-maker/id459248037?mt=8

Motivation for the Week:

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Enjoy your weekend!