Article- 'If Oprah can do it, I can do it' Bergen Record

Now, a 14 year old girl Marcia Gailes Of Teaneck is the founder of the 4 G's Book Club when she was 8 years old. The club has 500 members across Nj and groups in Honduras and Zambia. The club was born when her school cut out quiet Reading time. She saw Oprah with her book club and decided one day that she could do this.

I will bring in the article for everyone

Offering students choice to learn

I just read an interesting article about the Mother Theresa Regional School(MTRS) in Atlantic Highlands. The principle has decided not to give a required summer reading list. Instead the students are encouraged to select a book and complete one of several projects based on the book they choose. In September they may present their project at Back to School night.

The faculty attended a workshop on differentiated instruction and thought this would be a good idea to offer choices for each of the major subjects.

The principal is also going to complete several of the assignments for herself as she travels cross country with her own children this summer.

Any ideas about his.? I will bring in the article on Monday

Article on NCLB June 9th

I found an interesting article on NCLB from Education Week entitled Candidates are at odds over K-12 . But McCain and Obama both back NCLB Goals.

Senator McCain and Senator Obama support NCLB goals and use of testing . Obama says the goals and higher standards are right.

McCain says the law is a good beginning but needs to improve for Special Ed and ESL students.

Just like we heard mentioned in the movie in class the Goal of NCLB is 100% proficiency. This is unrealistic because you can't guarantee it .

A political scientist mentioned that this could be a big issue in the upcoming Presidential election.

Check out www.edweek.org for complete article. What does everyone think about this?

Let Them Blog

After reading this article ,I was surprised that 53% of blogs were created by teenagers 13- 19 years of age. I feel that blogging could serve as an educational tool in the curriculum but it must be teacher directed and monitored for content. Blogs allow students and teachers to discuss ideas and work collaboratively. They make students feel that they are part of a group and want to share their thoughts with members of their class.
One of the projects that a teacher could introduce would be a monthly class newsletter. Have each student brainstorm and report on events going on in their class. There are so many creative assignments that can be provided for students and can be used in all disciplines.
Using a blog gives the students an opportunity to improve their writing skills as well as receiving constructive feedback from their peers. Blogging can begin in the elementary level and continue through high school.
Blogs are also a good communication tool for parents and teachers. They can feel included in their child's education The best part is that it is free to use and since the students are using blogs outside the classroom it makes sense to include this technology in the classroom. Whatever will "hook" a student is worth trying.

Reading class

Tonight was the first night of the Foundations of the Reading Curriculum. It is going to be an interesting course.. I'm so glad that I am learning about blogging in this class as well as the Computer class I am taking.