To help us work towards our school goal of purposefully implementing the Universal Design for Learning approach to our formal planning (sometimes referred to as “Backwards by Design”, “Understanding by Design”, or “Planning With The End in Mind), my principal has provided our staff with a copy of Dr. Jennifer Katz‘s book, Teaching to Diversity: The Three-Block Model of Universal Design for Learning. As I make my way through the book, I will be summarizing my learning as a means of organizing my thoughts and getting clarification on particular ideas. Teaching to Diversity Cover. (Accessed 2014). Uploaded to Amazon; Portage& Main Press. Available online at: http://www.amazon.ca/Teaching-Diversity-Three-Block-Universal-Learning/dp/1553793536… Read More
Classroom Furniture: IKEA Edition
August is almost upon us but I am not back in my classroom quite yet. We actually have a significant amount of construction happening in our school this summer (redoing the roof, redoing exterior walls…. AND a brand new science lab directly beside my classroom!) so I am unsure of when I will actually be allowed back in my classroom. In fact, depending on how the construction goes, there is a chance that I may not be back in my same classroom at all; I may be relocated for part of this year until everything is back to… Read More
A Day In The Life…
Our summer holidays started about two weeks ago but I am only just now feeling like the holidays have began. After a busy year of go-go-go it took way longer than I thought to finally catch up on sleep and begin to relax. It probably doesn’t help that it rained pretty-much straight during the first week of July and then we went right into my sister-in-laws wedding, which was a very busy time with lots of family visiting. With that being said, here is what a day in my life looks like now that the holidays are under… Read More
A Framework for Teaching to Diversity – Chapter 2 of U.D.L
To help us work towards our school goal of purposefully implementing the Universal Design for Learning approach to our formal planning (sometimes referred to as “Backwards by Design”, “Understanding by Design”, or “Planning With The End in Mind), my principal has provided our staff with a copy of Dr. Jennifer Katz‘s book, Teaching to Diversity: The Three-Block Model of Universal Design for Learning. As I make my way through the book, I will be summarizing my learning as a means of organizing my thoughts and getting clarification on particular ideas. Teaching to Diversity Cover. (Accessed 2014). Uploaded to Amazon; Portage& Main Press. Available… Read More
July Currently
So I know that I am a little late to the game, being that it is already the third (oops!), but I thought it is better late than never! After almost two straight weeks of miserable rain, we are finally enjoying sunshine and normal weather so, needless to say, blogging has not been on my radar. I also have a new bundle of joy to keep me busy as we have a new calf that needs bottle-feeding on our farm! Meet my new baby (for now), Simon! If you haven’t encountered a “Currently” post before, it… Read More
Canada Day Blog Hop!
Happy (early) Canada Day! I’m linking up with Desiree at Reading with Mrs. D to participate in her Canada Day Blog Hop (and sale). Unfortunately, I don’t have a TPT store to participate in the sale portion of the event, but I can offer up some freebies from my classroom! (Click on the links to access the files via Dropbox) ________________________________________________ Editable Math Poster Set – Rainbow These posters outline criteria for mathematical thinking and were inspired by ones created by Sidney at Teaching is a Gift! What Makes A Good Blog Post – Student Blogging Outline A close-up view of my “What Makes… Read More
My Teacher Truths at the End of Year 1
Exams are done… graduation is complete… report card packages are stuffed… lockers are cleaned… and the hallways are quiet… my first year as a teacher is now complete! New Teacher Cartoon. (Accessed on 2014). Uploaded to Cartoon Stock by aban705.Available online at:http://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/n/new_teacher.asp This year has seemed to go by at incredible warp-speed and I can’t believe that it is actually done. The first year as a teacher is an overwhelming roller-coaster of emotions that will sometimes make you laugh uncontrollably, make you bite your tongue or even swear under your breathe, make you beam with joy, and even… Read More
Free #EdTech – Apps For Your Class 4
Free #EdTech – Apps For Your Class is a sporadic posting I do every time I find a neat new app that is not only being offered FREE (for a limited time) but that is also educational and could serve a purpose in your classroom. While no longer free, last sessions app: Fun Slides, is still awesome and I recommend you check it out! Today I’ve found:Word LensThis multi-lingual translation app blows my mind and I have literally been walking around our school sharing it with staff and students (yes… I am that person). It allows users to:– translate typed text in real… Read More
Tech Club 2014-2015
Through my first year I’ve been thinking of starting a “Tech Club” at my school for those students who are interested in technology, programming, and electronics. I’ve been closely following the awesome projects being completed by Clarence Fisher’s students in Snow Lake and the innovative makerspaces in Eric Sheninger’s school in New Jersey as inspiration. While my plan is to organize our projects around student interests and creativity, I do have many preliminary ideas that I hope to begin with. After meeting with my principal about my ideas, I’ve divided our year into two sections: larger year-long projects and small-scale… Read More
Because We're Happy…
A few weeks back I decided to create a school-wide music video as part of an end-of-year/school-spirit project. Here is the finished project, featuring the students and staff, of our K-12 school! I hope this makes your day a little more happy 🙂