Barnes & Noble Sale

Google Teacher Academy

CLICK HERE to read another education blogger's post about the Google Teacher Academy - this sounds like a really cool program! Probably not feasible for for any of us right at the moment (given that it's in New York City), but there may be a "more local" opportunity in the future. Worth a look!

Junior Great Books and Social Studies

 

Hello All,

After reading some of the stories in your Jr. Great Book anthologies I discovered something I want to share with you all. I tried to write one focus question for a student discussion and found that I had to write several cluster questions to make the discussion flow. I believe the literature series lends itself better to open ended interpretation with a central focus question, and the anthologies you have are more for multiple question discussion.

Use the teachers guide as a springboard for discussions with your students and don't be concerned with having to find "one" question to stimulate discussion. I will confirm this with Jr. Great Books, but in the meantime just enjoy a discussion with your students and feel free to use the teachers guide questions to facilitate the discussion.

Mike Haluska

Linkity-Links

1. The Sunset/Riverside Study Group was talking about Granite School District's Interconnections science-social studies curriculum, which is very rich, and correlates nicely with the concepts of The Parallel Curriculum. We have the printed binders in the district office, but all of the material is online as well: CLICK HERE FOR INTERCONNECTIONS

2. Many FANTASTIC resources for gifted students and differentiated teaching strategies can be found at this Maryland school district's website: CLICK HERE FOR AWESOME G/T CURRICULUM RESOURCES

3. The National Archives have incredible resources for teaching history, including multi-media material. Click here to check out the National Archives website, or click here to go straight to the "digital vault".

4. Finally, a commercial plug: If you're in the market to purchase some classroom resources on your own, click here to check out the offerings in the "Bright Ideas" catalog.

I hope these resources are helpful to you! If you discover something good that you think others in the project could make use of, PLEASE pass it on to me and I'll get it on the blog.

Enjoy!

Red Mountain 5th Grade Team Plan

Red Mountain Elementary School

Fifth Grade Team
Glen Andersen
K’Lyne Gentry
Margaret Marshall
Mark Powel

l
The Fifth Grade Team has arranged our schedule in a way that will provide
opportunity for all students to succeed in a differentiated program. The
students are grouped according to their math scores periodically and will have
the opportunity to grow and move according to their understanding.
Our simulations in Social studies will provide an opportunity for each student
to achieve to their ability. There will be no Cap on their learning. The lessons
are tailored so that each specific group (i.e. gifted, struggling) will show
understanding according to their ability.

Each student will have the opportunity to work with each teacher throughout
the year in Math, Language, and Science. We will be rotating these subjects so
that each teacher can specialize in their subject and offer help with each group
of students. Teachers will also rotate classes so they have the opportunity to
help each ability level.

We offer extra-curricular programs to the targeted groups such as Geo-Bee,
Storytelling, Track Meet, Word Challenge, Science Academy, and Movie Making.
We also provide an after-school study groups for students to receive additional
support at their ability level.

G/Endorsement Classes – 2008/09

WCSD/Utah State University Gifted and Talented Endorsement Courses

 

Registration: Ramona Jensen

673-3553 x237

rjensen@washk12.org

 

Program inquiries: Amy Salyer

673-3553 x206

asalyer@washk12.org

 

On the web: http://wcsdgt.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Education of Gifted and Talented Learners

Credit: 3 units of USU graduate-level credits

Cost: $30 per credit

Dates: Thursdays - Sept. 25, Oct. 9, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20, Dec. 4, 11

Time: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Woodward 204

Instructor: Dr. Michael Killeen

 

Identification and Assessment in

Gifted Education

Credit: 3 units of USU graduate-level credits

Cost: $30 per credit

Dates: Thursdays – Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12

Time: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Location: Woodward 204

Instructor: Dr. Cari Buckner

 

Methods and Materials in Gifted Education

Credit: 3 units of USU graduate-level credits

Cost: $30 per credit

Dates: Thursdays – Mar. 26, Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 14

Time: 4:15 – 8:00 p.m.

Location: Woodward 204

Instructors: Amy Salyer/Dr. Michael Killeen

 

Creativity in Education

Credit: 2 units of USU graduate-level credits

Cost: $30 per credit

Dates: June 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Time: TBA (30 hours seat time required)

Location: TBA

Instructor: Dr. LuAnne Forrest

 

Multiple Talents Approach to Education

Credit: 2 units of USU graduate-level credits

Cost: $30 per credit

Dates: June 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Time: TBA (30 hours seat time required)

Location: TBA

Instructor: Dr. Michael Killeen

 

You CAN finish this endorsement within the time frame of one academic year + two weeks in the summer!

 

Fill out the registration form on the reverse side of this page (one for EACH course - make additional copies as needed) and send it with a $25 place-holder check to RAMONA JENSEN at the District Office.

 

Space is limited – register today!

Something else to think about...

"Failure is often that early morning hour of darkness which precedes the dawning of the day of success."

~Leigh Mitchell Hodges

Goog luck with SEPs this week! Please watch your email for updates about next week's study groups.

Something to think about...

"Do not wait for ideal circumstances; they never come."
~Janet Erksine Stuart

Pretty much describes teaching and learning, eh?

Strategy Videos

Jordan School District has an AWESOME website with social studies strategy videos on it - stuff like Blow the Roof Off, RAFT, Skim 'n Scan, and MORE. CHECK IT OUT!!! (That's a picture of a roof "blowing off," by the way...!)

Historians Writing About History

Check out this publication from the U.S. Department of Education - it's an e-book of historians writing about significant events in U.S. history. You can read the chapters online, or download the publication as a PDF. This might be good material (real historians! writing about real history!) for your target group of high-ability students (good readers reading good stuff!). There are also a couple of film clips on historical events as well. GOOD STUFF!

Online Timer

Here is a great online timer you can use in your classroom - actually, it's down-loadable, so it can be ready and waiting on your computer for whenever you need it. Very handy! (Click on the timer to get to the website.)

UTAAH II in the news!

Check out this story on the G/T program and most importantly, the UTAAH II project, from Saturday's Spectrum.

Cool link from UEN

Check this out - way cool "word art" creator. The link is to UEN, which will then link you to the site.

http://www.uensd.org/multimedia/?p=144

Riverside Collaboration Write-up

Riverside Elementary 5^th Grade

Mala Shakespear, Suzanne Caldwell, Carita Guarda

UTAAH II Collaboration Write-up

July 28, 2008

Service learning / life skills will be twice a week for 40 minutes, taught by each teacher to their own class.

• Emergency Procedures videos
  
• Safety / Crosswalk Procedures videos
  
• Problem-based learning
  

We will have Science / Social Studies rotations 4 times a week for 50 minutes. Each group will meet with a teacher for 24 days and each teacher is responsible for a section of the Science and Social Studies core, incorporating projects for the content. Projects for targeted students will include:

• Jr. Great Books / Discussion groups
  
• Essential Questions / Enduring Understandings
  
• Salt dough maps of North America and landforms
  
• Kagan Strategies
  
• Filming / Video Editing / Stop Motion Film
  
• Power point presentations
  
• Strategies taught in content courses:
  
  • Expert groups / Jigsaw
    
  • Three voice poem
    
  • Poetry into Songs
    
  • Etc.
    

    
    

At the beginning of the year, GT students will not be separated from the regular class. Each teacher within each rotation will identify GT students and use the above listed strategies to allow targeted students to work together. The second half of the year, using knowledge of targeted students attained in the first half of year, we will group them with their peers for content projects. These projects will be determined at a later date.

Collaboration Write-Ups

Way to go, Riverside 5th grade team! They were the first ones to send in their collaboration write-up. They will be the recipients of a cool first-finishers prize in the near future.

Please email me your write-ups ASAP. We are excited to see what all the teams are planning (and each team will have a UNIQUE plan, guaranteed!), and we want to post them on the blog for others to use for inspiration.

Civil War Link

Check this out - lots of additional links to photos, videos, text, etc.

http://history.howstuffworks.com/american-civil-war/brother-against-brother.htm

BTW, if you come across an interesting/informative/helpful/cool link, send it to me in an email and I'll post it in the blog... it's all about collaboration (and NOT reinventing the wheel!).

History is Elementary: King George's War

Those of you taking the content classes this week might be interested in this link:

http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com/2008/07/13-things-king-georges-war.html

The post is about the series of "wars" that comprised the French and Indian Wars. Interesting stuff!

Edublog

Edublog is a site where you (as a teacher) and your students can set up blogs. Check it out!

http://edublogs.org/

New Pix!

I'm posting pictures from recent team collaborations and content classes. Enjoy!

Online Courses

If you are having trouble with the ASCD online course, please contact the Special Programs secretary, Jan Prince (673-3553, x251). Jan will get you sorted out!

SMART Board software

I'm looking for my SMART Board software discs, which I loaned out at the SMART Board training at Santa Clara. I know Kali has one, but I can't remember who has the other. I would like to get thee back so that I can loan them to other people... so, if you have one, please drop it by to me at the district office (the building is closed on Fridays). THANKS!

Online Courses

A few people have asked for a reiteration of how to access the ASCD online courses. Here ya go:

Website: www.lms.ascd.org

Username: firstinitiallastnameUT [example: asalyerUT]

Password: lastnamefirstinitial [example: salyera]

If this isn't clear, or if you have questions, please call me directly.

UbD Videos & Schedule

Happy almost 4th of July! FYI, email is functional again. This post is pretty much a repeat of what I sent out earlier this morning.

1. We are looking for the UbD videos. LuAnne needs to use these next week in the collaboration. If you have them, please let me know ASAP so that I can arrange to pick them up.

2. Collaboration schedule: Next week, starting at 9:00 a.m. in the Woodward Building. Expect to work until 4:00. There is a microwave and refrigerator in the Woodward kitchen if you want to bring your lunch.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Email and Booklists

Hello All - the district email server is down and has been all week, which is why you haven;t heard from me! :) If you've emailed me, please know that I'm not actively ignoring you... hopefully this problem will be resolved soon. Until then, please keep checking the blog for updates.

BOOK LISTS: Last week I asked you (in class or via email) to fill out a book list. We REALLY need this information so that we can order the missing materials. Let me know if you need a copy faxed or mailed to you (since we're email-less). PLEASE return the completed list to me vial email (again, when it works), fax (673-3216), or snail-mail (121 W. Tabernacle, St. George 84770) ASAP.

THANKS!!!

Cool History Blog

Check out this very cool blog, designed for teachers of history at the elementary level:

http://historyiselementary.blogspot.com/

I've only read a few posts, but what I did see was pretty interesting!

Book List

Today I will be sending out a UTAAH II/21st Century Learning for Living BOOK LIST. This document lists the main resources we are using this summer. By adding 10 additional people to the original grant project, we ended up short on books and have been re-ordering. The new copies are trickling in, and I want to get them out ASAP.

PLEASE fill out the book list form and return it to me in person, via email, or via snail (postal) mail. I'll be seeing many of you during the week and will try to get the information in person. I'll be distributing books as quickly as possible.

$$$ Stipends! $$$

Important information regarding your stipend: Everyone will receive $1,300 on the JUNE paycheck! The remaining amount (which will vary depending on your optional activities) will be paid at the end of the summer. If you do NOT attend any required classes at any time, the amount will be deducted from the second payment, which would make that second payment substantially smaller. Be sure to attend all your sessions, and ENJOY your $1,300 on this month's paycheck!

SMART Board Video: Tools

Monday 6/9

I hope everyone's looking forward to a great week - I know a lot of you will be at Core Academy. I am at BYU doing ESL stuff and won't be back until Saturday, 6/14. Get in touch with Chris at x239 if you need anything or have any questions.

Remember to send me the links to your blogs as you create them. :)

Have a productive week!

Attention AOL Users!

If you use AOL for your home email, please make sure that you check your SCHOOL email regularly. AOL has been rejecting email sent to the UTAAH II mail group, so make sure you have another way to get updates and info. Thanks!

What's up on Friday?

It's Friday, June 6th, and it's the second day of collaboration for Santa Clara's 4th grade team and Riverside's 5th grade team. We've talked about the core content, standards, connections, the "parallel curriculum," and a whole lot of other stuff! The teams made extremely cool videos which will soon be posted on the blog.

Last night Sunset's 5th grade team had their "intro" session. A lot was accomplished in a short time! We were joined by a new hire for Sandstone's 4th grade team, Kali Massey - welcome!

As teams have their initial collaborations and start individual blogs, it would really help if you would send me the LINK to your blog. We want those links available on the project's blog page (this one) so that we can see each other's work.

Hope everyone's having a GREAT Friday and has a nice weekend planned. Keep reading the blog! Although I will be gone at a class at BYU all next week, communication won't grind to a complete halt. If you have any logistical problems please contact Jan Prince or Chris Snodgress (see your UTAAH II staff roster).

Hasta luengo!

Shake It Up!

Pay Attention!

Computers

Whenever possible, please bring your laptops to team meetings, classes, etc. Having technology tools available helps to make the learning more relevant and authentic (especially since we're all about technology as far as classrooms/kids). I know that someone of you don't have your school laptops yet (which is frustrating, but they're coming), but if you happen to have a personal laptop you can use in the meantime, life will be easier.

PLEASE make sure that you use Windows password protection!!! I can help you set up users on your laptops (and school desktops, if needed) in order to maintain security. Glen Andersen, Peter Skouson, and a few other project participants are adept at this, so ask for help if you need to. You'll all hear me on my soapbox about techno-security and acceptable use eventually.... but if you have questions or concerns or need assistance, don't hesitate to ask.

Creativity Photos

For those of you who attended my GT Into class at Red Mountain last week, here are the two funny photos I shared. You can copy these to use yourself if you want.

Team Collaboration

Today the Santa Clara 4th grade team and the Riverside 5th grade team are collaborating at Woodward. So far everyone is being very goofy while Marv acts as the official photographer. Suzie is trying to get a school email account set up, and Ron forgot all his books. What a start!

Welcome!

You have successfully reached the UTAAH II/21st Century Learning for Living blog. Keep checking back for important information and updates about project activities.