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Resource 1: 22 Videos That Can Help Students Improve Their Writing

Twitter Handle: @tes_teach

Link:  http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2017/03/22-videos-that-can-help-students.html?utm_content=bufferd9b56&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.WMyvIE0rLIU

What I Learned:  This is a great resource for teachers who are responsible for language arts.  When I first began teaching, I did not have to teach writing.  When we changed curriculum, I took over the responsibility of teaching 5th grade writing.  I have always felt that teaching and grading writing is one of my greatest weaknesses as a teacher.  With Text Dependent Analysis questions becoming a part of state testing, I needed a powerful resource to help my students become better writers.  These short videos cover a variety of topics, such as how to write a powerful introduction, avoiding plagiarism, and how to use punctuation correctly.

Resource 2:  What constitutes good and meaningful #math homework?

Twitter Handle:  @Math_Solutions

Link:  http://mathsolutions.com/blog/professional-learning/making-math-homework-count/

What I Learned:  This blog focuses on an example in which a teacher assigned a homework problem where students had to solve this problem: If 3 is 5% of a number, what is 30% of that number? It then shares how six of the students came up with different ways to solve the same question. The blog emphasized the importance of students greatly understanding a topic as opposed to assigning busy work. I was especially pleased in reading it. We just started a new textbook this year, and it emphasizes multiple ways to do the same problem, and it also places strong emphasis on student-talk and having the students explain how they come up with their answers. This blog shows a great example of the similar things that I am seeing in my classroom this year!

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Resource 1: Teaching Dance In #PHYSED

Twitter Handle: @thepespecialist

Link: http://www.thepespecialist.com/dance2/

What I Learned: This article is a from Ben Landers a PE teacher who discusses the things that he does in his own PE class to get his students motivated to learn.  In this article he talks about his favorite dance resources that he uses to cover his dance unit in class.  I like this page because I am always looking for new ways to incorporate new techniques to teach dance in my own classes.  Right now I use a lot of Wii "Just Dance" to get the students excited about dancing and try to show them how this could be a life-long activity for them.

Resource 2:  18 Things Mentally Strong People Do

Twitter Handle: @SchoolLeadNow

Link: https://twitter.com/SchoolLeadNow/status/841775956528357377/photo/1

What I Learned:
In this resource it gives a great visual of a brain lifting a weighted bar above it with muscular arms holding the bar. The thing I learned and really liked about this was that it would be a great visual to place in my gym for my students to read/learn from. The things that this depicts are ideas like: 1) Strong People "Reflect on their progress", 2) "They tolerate discomfort", 3) "They embrace change", and 4) "They are kind" just to name a few of them. This is something that would benefit my students quite a bit because I feel that sometimes they need to be reminded of things that they can control that will help them become successful students/citizens.

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Resource 1: How Does Social Media Slang Affect Learning?

Twitter Handle: @kayuoit

Link: http://www.edudemic.com/social-media-slang/?utm_content=buffer33840&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

What I Learned: This article explores the use of slang in our culture, and how it impacts our education and learning. Slang in social media, text messages, and emails has become its own language. Acronyms and abbreviations have taken the place of formal language through many platforms and therefore harms writing skills.  Therefore, it is important for educators to teach the difference between informal/formal language and professional/social communication. Slang has a place in our society, but students need to learn all sides of communication in order to use it correctly.

Resource 2: How to be a Happier Teacher

Twitter Handle: @TeamTomWaters

Link: http://teamtomeducation.com/how-to-be-a-happier-teacher/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialWarfare

What I Learned: I am constantly working on finding the joy in teaching, and staying positive with each day and each situation. The article outlines 3 keys to being a happier teacher. The first is to slow down. Students learn by doing, so teachers should work toward simplifying learning goals and planning one or two productive activities. The second key is to take brain breaks often in class to destress and release tension. This can create a more positive learning environment. The third is to give students time to process new information. These simple tips can make the school day a better place for students and teachers.

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Resource 1: Are teachers K-12's greatest untapped innovation engines?

Twitter Handle: @thomascmurray

Link: http://www.educationdive.com/news/K12-teachers-untapped-innovation-engines-sxswedu-2017/437978/?platform=hootsuite

What I learned: This article summarizes what "innovation" means in the classroom.  Sometimes we relax and feel in control when the room is quiet or students are working on their own, but this article talks about how innovation means stepping out of that comfort zone.  I love how they defined innovation, "something that is problem-solving in nature intended to provide value,” anything that disrupts normalcy and embraces creativity, and efforts to strive to change your teaching style to improve engagement and/or to improve the opportunity for understanding."

Resource 2: Top 10 sites to help students check their facts

Twitter Handle: @DaisyDyerDuerr

Link: https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?article=Top+10+sites+to+help+students+check+their+facts&articleid=916&category=In-the-classroom&utm_content=buffera36d3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

What I Learned:  This article references the election and fact-checking.  It lists 10 unbiased and the top fact-checking resources that students can use.  It's always helpful to have resources and answers for students who want to simply use the first link that pops up in Google and don't want to, or don't understand how to validate a source.

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Resource 1: 12 of the Best Tools and Apps for Creating Educational Games

Twitter Handle: @edtechnerd
Link: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2017/03/8-of-best-tools-and-apps-for-creating.html?utm_content=buffer90415&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

What I learned: I have recently stuck to basic recall games for my students. Many of these games give us the opportunity to actually create a video game (with no coding) for students. This really struck me because I teach the novel Ender's Game. This Sci-Fi novel involves video games, and it would be cool to create a game related to the book!

Resource 2: The 8 Minutes that Matter Most

Twitter Handle: @edutopia

Link: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-minutes-that-matter-most-brian-sztabnik?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

What I Learned: This article gives several strategies for how to begin and end lessons. These moments are crucial in terms of setting the tone for class, engaging students, and monitoring success. This is helpful for me in so many ways. I teach 90 minute blocks, so there are days where I take my time starting class. I need to be better about using the first few minutes of class purposefully.

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Resource 1:  Linear Equations QQI

Twitter Handle:  @InteractMaths

Link:  http://www.interactive-maths.com/solving-linear-equations-qqi.html

What I Learned: Although this is more for the junior high and high school math, I learned about this website. It creates numerous random questions to help students practice solving learning equations. This is a very helpful tool for math educators because it gives immediate feedback.

Resource 2:  10 Ways to Help Kids With Learning Differences That Could Benefit All Students

Twitter Handle:  @MindShiftKQED

Link:  https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2017/03/15/10-ways-to-help-kids-with-learning-differences-that-could-benefit-all-students/

What I Learned:  I found this article to be a very informative article because of the 10 different instructional tweaks that I could do to better my teaching. For instance, "Provide Clear Instruction On How To Think". There are times where I find myself reteaching the students a section in math, but tweaking how I teach it by telling them specifically the questions that go through my head at every point.

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Resource 1: Does full-time #online education work for #k12 students?

Twitter Handle: @EdTech_K12

Link: tech.mg/efa32W

What I learned: Full-time online programs for high school (and some middle school) are growing in popularity. They are available to public, private, and homeschooled students. They also are working on making it mandatory to offer such programs as an alternative to being in the classroom. It is also beneficial to rural students and to those who work well independently.

Resource 1: Communicate beyond the parent-teacher conference using #edtech

Twitter Handle: @EdTech_K12

Link: tech.mg/KdEqb8

What I learned: I found it sad that in one aspect we need to connect with parents to help them stay informed about their child via apps, but on the other hand, I feel that it would be helpful. As a teacher, having parent support is extremely important for instruction to be effective. As a parent, I love hearing about what my child is doing in school and to be able to reinforce the concepts learned at home. Technology may be key to making those connections now, much more than paper.

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Resource 1:
Five tips to help kids get ready for the test

Twitter Handle:
@Scholastic

Link: http://oomscholasticblog.com/post/five-tips-help-kids-get-ready-test?linkId=35494744

What I learned:
I thought this was a good article with state testing so close.  We actually begin testing next week.  The article talks about 5 steps you, as a parent, can take to ease the child’s anxiety.  Students need to know how the information fits together, look at the previous year's result, take practice tests, parents should talk to the teacher, discuss test nervousness with the child.  As a teacher, I feel the practice test can be very valuable in helping prepare the students.  Not only does is it a good way to review the material but it also helps students become comfortable, eliminating the anxiety.

Resource 2:
Trump Sharpens Budget Knife for Education Department, Sources Say

Twitter Handle:
@educationweek

Link: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2017/03/budget_hold.html?cmp=soc-edit-tw

What I Learned:
Trump wants to cut spending in k-12 education.  If passed these cuts would take place in the 2018-2019 school year.  His plan is to make cuts to domestic programs so he can boost revenue and fund more dollars into our defense program.  If his new budget proposal is passed it could cut the 3rd largest K-12 program, Title II.   Title II money is used for professional development programs. However, he plans to boost funding to the Title I program aiding disadvantaged students.  If these proposed cuts pass it could have a dramatic impact on state education budgets.

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Resource 1:
Parent involvement in education is one of the biggest predictors of student success

Twitter Handle: @edutopia

Link: https://www.edutopia.org/parent-leadership-education-resources?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

What I learned:
This link had a ton of great resources and reads to strengthen parent partnerships in education. Improving parent relationships and communication is something that I have been working on, so learning best practices to try is something I enjoy reading about. In past jobs when I have done cold calling to customers, I was often shut down, so I generally do not like talking on the phone. But I found that parents are super supportive and are nothing like my preconceived notions of calling  as I did in my previous job!

Resource 2:
6 Forgotten Leadership Lessons From Childhood

Twitter Handle:
@gcouros

Link:
http://www.inc.com/ayse-birsel/6-forgotten-leadership-lessons-from-childhood.html

What I Learned:
I thought it was a great article! It really made me appreciate all the skills I learned when I was younger that I may have dreaded, but were drilled into me. I think that this creates a great connection to what students learn and how to apply it in the classroom and just life in general. Students may not appreciate it now, but it will help them out in the future!

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Resource 1:
Librarian Approved: 30 Ed-Tech Apps to Inspire Creativity and Creation

Twitter Handle:  @WeAreTeachers

Link:  https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/06/22/librarian-approved-30-ed-tech-apps-to-inspire-creativity-and-creation/

What I Learned:
This is a great list of apps that educators find useful in the classroom.  Some of the apps I was already familiar with such as Seesaw, Book Creator, and Nearpod.  Other apps I am looking forward to experimenting with such as goodreads, Kiosko, and and Lark.

Resource 2:
Solving the Math Problem

Twitter Handle:
@KKampovitz

Link:
https://www.youcubed.org/solving-math-problem/

What I Learned:
This is a great video that I am planning on showing my students before math one day this week.  The kids in this video talk about how they used to feel like they were bad at math and math would make them really frustrated.  Now they have discovered that they can work as a team and share ideas to find answers to problems.  They have learned that there is more than one way to find an answer to a problem.  My district this year has adopted a new curriculum in which students work in groups and talk about problems quite a bit.  Some days they struggle to see the value in this math talk.  This might help them to see why it can be so helpful.

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Resource 1:
Are We Innovating, or Just Digitizing Traditional Teaching?
Twitter Handle:
@DaisyDyerDuerr
Link:
https://www.edutopia.org/article/are-we-innovating-or-just-digitizing-traditional-teaching-beth-holland?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=postplanner&utm_source=twitter.com
What I learned: There is a lot of talk about blended learning, but in order for it to be successful, it needs to go beyond simply doing the same tasks as before only digitally.  In order for blended learning to be truly effective, teachers need to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their own learning in their own way.  Teachers should use true blended learning as a way to differentiate instruction on a regular basis.
Resource 2:
What Are the Five Formative Success Skills Every Student Needs?
Twitter Handle:
@DaisyDyerDuerr
What I learned: I found this article to be a very refreshing reminder of the importance of teaching beyond our prescribed curriculum. It is important to teach our students to have empathy, self-control, integrity, grit, and embrace diversity so that they become good people, not just good students.  We have to teach students, not curriculum.

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Resource 1:

Librarian Approved: 30 Ed-Tech Apps to Inspire Creativity and Creation

Twitter handle: @WeAreTeachers

Link: https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2016/06/22/librarian-approved-30-ed-tech-apps-to-inspire-creativity-and-creation/

What I learned: These apps help students become creative in the classroom. They use a different way to help kids learn besides on paper and pencil

Resource 2:

Tips for activating students' intrinsic motivation on standardized tests

Twitter Handle: @SchoolLeadNow

Link: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/intrinsic-motivation-vs-standardized-tests-valencia-clay?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

What I learned: In honor of standardized testing coming up, this article shares how to help students do their best on the test. It gives a breakdown of true feelings and solutions of how to help them stay positive during the test.

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Resource 1:
How Free Play Creates Emotionally Stable Children in an Unstable World
Twitter Handle: @lifehacks4kids
Link:https://pjmedia.com/parenting/2015/9/9/how-free-play-creates-emotionally-stable-children-in-an-unstable-world/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=postplanner&utm_source=twitter.com
What I Learned: In today’s word there are many parents who wish to manage every second of their children’s life. Children need free time to explore and learn on their own. As a teacher in the early childhood setting it helps me to remember how important our choice time is during the day in our classroom. My eyes were opened to how controlling some parents are. It is hard to let our children do things on their own, but in the case of free play we need to!

Resource 2: How A Happy School Can Help Students Succeed
Twitter Handle: @ccsd_pbis
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/11/01/500060004/how-a-happy-school-can-help-students-succeed
What I learned: Attitude is everything! I loved that the school in this article started every day off with a “dance party”/assembly! They stated by doing so their attendance went through the roof! One of my favorite parts of this article was that anyone can spread happiness no matter their social class, age, race, or gender. Reading this helped me to remember that the way we act teachers act will impact our students!

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Resource 1:
Proposed School Schedule Change in Colorado District Draws Opposition

Twitter Handle:  @educationweek

Link:
edwk.it/2mjNVFH #learning

What I learned:
The article focuses on a school district in Colorado that is looking to change the school start times for high school students.  The part of the article I found interesting is the reason why it is becoming a trend amongst several school districts across the country to push back start times for high schoolers.  Research has shown that students’ internal clocks shift as they reach adolescence, which makes it harder for them to fall asleep at night and to rise early in the morning.  Thus, start times are being pushed back because currently we are asking high school students to wake up, get behind the wheel, go to school, and learn at a time when their brains should biologically be asleep.

Resource 2:
14 things that are obsolete in 21st century schools

Twitter Handle:
@zripley retweeted @edutechguys

Link:
buff.ly/2nhADxW

What I learned:
This article opened my eyes and helped to reiterate several things that my specific school district is doing that are obsolete.  I keep feeling that we are behind the times and have so much we need to update, and I am hoping that our new superintendent hire will do just that.  From the list, we struggle with still having computer rooms, having isolated classrooms, banning phones, having teachers that don’t share ideas and resources, not having a Facebook or Twitter page, and having a one-professional development-workshop-fits-all mentality.  I have recognized most of these issues and am hoping that the new superintendent will work to bring our school into the 21st century one step at a time.

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Resource 1:
360 video spotlight: CNN Virtual Reality Videos.
Twitter Handle:
Monica Burns  @ClassTechTips
Tweet:
NEW POST! 360 Video Spotlight @CNN #VirtualReality Videos
Link:
http://classtechtips.com/2017/03/12/360-video-cnn-virtual-reality-videos/
What I learned:
Being able to help students go on a field trip, without actually having to leave the building, is what virtual reality can do. This website provides 360 degree video access for all users to see.

Resource 2:
The 3 Rs for Effective Tech Use: Reflect, Revise, Repeat.
Twitter Handler:
@DaisyDyerDuerr
Tweet:
The 3 Rs for Effective Tech Use: Reflect, Revise, Repeat via jeffherb #edtech #edchat
Link:
http://instructionaltechtalk.com/the-3-rs-for-effective-tech-use-reflect-revise-repeat/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=postplanner&utm_source=twitter.com
What I learned:
Being purposeful with the technology we use in the classroom and with the lessons we teach is so crucial. Reflecting, revising, and repeating will help me along the way when deciding what will be most beneficial for the students to use within the classroom and using technology.

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PLN Week 2:
Resource 1:

APPS + EXCEL; TOOLS FOR GATHERING AND ANALYSING DATA IN PE.

Twitter Handle:
@clairehickspe
Tweet:
Apps + Excel; tools for gathering and analysing data in PE dlvr.it/NcNYnG #PhysEd
Link:
https://peandsportsassessment.wordpress.com/2017/03/03/apps-excel-tools-for-gathering-and-analysing-data-in-pe/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Reasoning:
This is an awesome article that shows different apps I can use with my students to upload data into excel so I can keep track of their performance.  It will allow me to automatically see what students are excelling and what students may need more one on one attention, so no student is missed!  I’m actually very excited to start using a couple of these!

Resource 2:
Launch Video Classroom Observations With New Toolkit

Twitter Handle:
@edutopia
Tweet: How video observations can save time & get teachers the feedback they need: edut.to/2maDnIc. #cpchat
Link: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/video-classroom-observations-new-toolkit-ashley-cronin?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow
Reasoning:
This article explains why it is important for educators to use video technology in the classroom to better help them reflect on their teaching.  We already use this in my school district with SWIVL.  I just put my phone in the machine and hook up the blue tooth and it follows me around and records my lesson.  I then can go back and view my lesson and share it with colleagues to get feedback from them as well.  I feel all educators should use a resource like this at least once a year to help them see what is working in their classrooms and what isn’t.

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Resource 1:
What children's brains look like after sitting quietly vs. after a 20 minute walk.
Twitter handle: @justintarte, RT by @daisydyerduerr
Tweet: https://twitter.com/DaisyDyerDuerr/status/840957329549991938
What I learned: If you go look at this picture, the activity of the brain before activity vs after activity is astounding! I have to remember to try to get my kids moving in math class - even though it is completely out of my comfort zone - in order to get their brains working to full capacity!

Resource 2: "The Skills Colleges and Employers are looking for"
Twitter Handle: Nelson Orta @ortagisd
Link: https://twitter.com/ortagisd/status/841016710295633920
What I learned: Nelson Orta linked his tweet to an article found on Edutopia about what Colleges and Employers look for today. Those six characteristics are problem solving, communication, work ethic, initiative, and empathy. These six things I believe all of my students can work on (especially the communication and strong work ethic piece!). I hope to implement some new projects involving technology that encourage them to work hard and communicate properly with their classmates.

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Resource 1:
Children's beliefs about talent influence music participation
Twitter Handle:
@ResearchInMusic
Tweet:
Looking for more students in your music programs? Interesting findings by #Northwestern and #UB researchers
Link:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/01/170117163945.htm
What I learned:
"Children who believe themselves to be musically talented are more inclined to continue to participate in music, and subsequently they get better and better, Conversely, children with a poor musical self-concept were inclined to quit, a decision people often grow to regret as adults." This was a great article to read, helping children feel worth while is all about how we treat them.

Resource 2:

3 Ways to Incorporate Technology in Your Ensemble

Twitter Handle:
@SmartMusic
Tweet:
Incorporating technology in your ensemble classroom is easier than you think! smartmusic.com/blog/3-ways-in… #musicedtech
Link:
https://twitter.com/SmartMusic/status/825361615851753472
What I learned:
Kahoot has useful uses in the music classroom and could be used as a fun way to quiz kids on a variety of musical terms/concepts.
EDPuzzle could be used for showing videos and guiding students questioning and learning. I am looking forward to incorporating Kahoot in my lessons, it looks like it could be a fun way to learn new concepts.

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Resource 1:
How Technology Can Cultivate Creative Art Skills in Students?
Twitter Handle:
@TeacherCast
Link:
http://www.teachercast.net/2017/02/12/how-technology-can-cultivate-creative-art-skills-in-students/
What I learned:
This resource is a great read. With arts becoming more limited in many districts, this article gives some great ideas on how to use education technology to engage students in creativity through art.

Resource 2:

7 collaboration tools for the modern classroom

Twitter Handle:
@MattHiefield
Link:
http://linkis.com/www.eschoolnews.com/t21OD
What I learned:
This resource provides a list of tools to use in the classroom to help students collaborate while using technology. As educators it is easy to let our students work individually while using technology but providing tools/resources to help them collaborate with help them grow as learners.

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Resource 1:
10 ways Google Keep can help streamline life at school.

Twitter Handle:
@KleinErin
Tweet:
Top story via Kleinspiration 10 ways Google Keep can help streamline life at schttp://ln.is/ditchthattextbook.com/WC9aJ …, see more http://tweetedtimes.com/KleinErin?s=tnp
Link:
http://linkis.com/ditchthattextbook.com/WC9aJ
Reasoning:
This is a great resource! Google applications are used in my daily routine for organization and instruction! Google Keep is a great way to merge all of your tasks in one place! I learned that this is an easy way to save whiteboard notes, organize my to-do's and plan out my schedule!
Resource 2:
The Tyranny of Being On Task.

Twitter Handle:
@plugusin
Tweet:
Is "being on task" REALLY what we want from students? #edchat #cpchat #worthasking
Link: https://www.edutopia.org/article/tyranny-of-on-task-andrew-miller
Reasoning:
This article explains the importance of why students need more balance in the classroom to allow for their hard working minds to take a break and reenergize. Keeping students on task is so important for all grade levels to keep in mind.