Friday Favorites: Reflect, Recharge, Renew

I am always amused (somewhat) by my friends who comment that teachers are so lucky to have their summers off.  Those in education know that it is a full-time, year-round job.  When we are not teaching students, we are reflecting on lessons, thinking of creative ideas, and keeping current with innovative trends.  We finish and pack up a school year and quickly begin preparing for the next group of students.  Summer means course work, curriculum planning, assessment design, peer collaboration, and getting caught up with both professional and personal reading.  I always look forward to my summer reading list--what's on your list this summer?


And of course, summer is also a time to relax and spend time with family and friends.  It gives us the opportunity to rest and recharge for the next school year.  The curriculum blog will be taking some time off this summer, perhaps publishing a few times, and then we will be up and running again next school year.  We appreciate the feedback and comments we have received.  We will send the blog to all staff for a few weeks at the beginning of the school year, and then if you would like to stay connected, please subscribe or follow the blog.  Congratulations on a tremendous school year, and enjoy your time this summer--it is time well deserved!

--The SEP Curriculum Team

Can Schools Close the Gap?
Mike Schmoker asserts in this article that the schools that close the learning gap for students, particularly those in poverty, increase the amount of time that students spend on purposeful, close reading, discussion, and writing.   Collectively, staff did a great job of closing this gap during the 2011-2012 school year.  The ideas in this article exemplify your work.

Can Schools Close the Gap

New York Times Learning Blog
Are your students reading the books from "The Hunger Games?"  The New York Times Learning Blog features lessons in this post-Hunger Games' Science: Investigating Genetically Engineered Organisms.  If you are interested in receiving lesson plans for use with the New York Times, you may subscribe to receive emails (at no cost) at the following link: The Learning Network.

Technology and Multitasking

"For a generation of children immersed in technology, emerging research suggests that while the temptation to multitask may be pervasive, the ability to control it could be the real bellwether of academic success."  

This article from Education Week, Studies on Multitasking Highlight Value of Self Control, highlights emerging research on the way the brain copes with information overload.  One of my summer goals is to continue to explore how technology can enhance learning, use technology to increase productivity and focus, and study how technology has fundamentally changed the way students process and learn new ideas.


Technology and Teaching
Many of you are also exploring how technology can strengthen teaching and learning (as well as engage our wired generation of students!).  This is evident by the tremendous response to the iPads in the Classroom course being offered this summer.  Here is a link that has 50 Resources for iPad Use in the Classroom.

Thank you to all staff who made the 2011-2012 school year such a great learning experience for our students.  Take some time to reflect, recharge, and renew this summer, and we look forward to continued collaboration for the 2012-2013 school year!

Summer Reading
As mentioned above, summer is a great time to get caught up with our reading.  Are you getting ready for your summer reading?  Don't hit the beach with an empty Kindle or book bag.  If you are looking for some reading ideas, this link has suggestions: 20 Innovative Books for your Summer Reading List.

WHAT ARE YOU READING THIS SUMMER?

We invite you to post ideas below--enjoy your summer!