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

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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.