Jennifer Jacobson Quote

You've heard me say it before, but it bares repeating; publishing is not copying work over! (That's simply copying work over.) Publishing is the experience of having your work received by an authentic audience.


I love this quote from Jennifer Jacobson.  Reflect about when you have had kids just copy a piece to put in their showcase folder and called that publishing, and when you have given kids the opportunity to share their writing with others in a public setting to an authentic audience.  Sharing our work to an authentic audience builds a writer's sence of worth and pride and encourages them to return to the writing process. 
 
I think we are all guilty of both, myself included.  The important thing is where do we go from here and how will this quote define our teaching of writing next year. Hmmmm.....

Dead Poets Society

It's the first day of Spring Break.  I'm furiously trying to clean my house and while cleaning I turned on the TV and a classic was playing: The Dead Poet's Society.  Once again I am transfixed.  I want to be a John Keating kind of teacher; I want my students to be thinkers and wonderers of words and their power.  If you have never seen this movie, please put it on your list.  If you have, watch it once again.  It is powerful.  Here's a clip - watch to the end, the last comments speak to the kind of teachers we are growing in Oldham County... Let me know what you think.  Hope everyone is having a wonderful Spring Break.  If you are in Louisville, hold onto your hats, it's windy!

Common Core Standards Wordle

Here is the link to our Common Core Standards Wordle...

http://www.wordle.net/thumb/wrdl/3339949/Common_Core_Standards_CE_at_OC

Misconceptions

This video illustrates in a humorous way, why we must analyze student work in mathematics to catch misconceptions.  Enjoy!

Just a little light humor for today's PD

Letter to a Teacher

Mr. Upchurch's Message, Feb. 2011

Here is the link to Mr. Upchurch's message to us regarding implementation of the new Common Core Standards and the work being done in the district to ensure high standards,student success, and teacher preparedness. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SonZUdpfU_o