Top 10 Cool Cat Teacher Posts (first six months of 2013)

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I thought I'd give you a round up of the most popular posts here on this blog for the last 6 months. I like when Richard Byrne does it because sometimes I pick up on things I might have missed. Some of these posts are from prior years but because of current discussions are resonating now.

1. 89 Lesson Plans and Ideas for teaching Math
2. 89 cool apps, sites and tools for teaching this came out in April 2013 so it is very popular to end up on this list.
3. 15 Fantastic Ways to Use Flipboard - I keep updating this post with new information. This is an example of how a post can become evergreen if you keep nurturing it.
4. QR Code Implementation Guide - With over 1631 tweets in the USA alone, this is one of my most Tweeted posts ever written.
5. My Freebies - My sister helped me design an internet safety poster which you can download for free (you can get large sized prints at cafe press as well). This isn't really a blog post, but I wanted you to know about it since so many are finding it useful.
6. 10 Ways to be a Terrible Teacher another highly tweeted post
7. 50 Teaching and Lesson plans that rock
8. Making the Case for Cell phones in Schools
9. 7 Key Ingredients in the successful 21st Century Classroom April 2013
10. 10 ways to End the School Year on an Up Note when You're Exhausted May 2013
11. 15 Wrong Ways to Implement Common Core I mention this because it came out in May also and because of the traffic, I think it is important. Also because it was a guest post by Johnna Weller.

As part of my personal learning this summer, I've joined Platform University by Michael Hyatt along with my friend Aaron Mauer @coffeechugbooks. I'm wanting to become intentional about understanding the posts and work I do here that resonate with you. 

Why you should share what you like wherever it is

Realize that people who blog seriously look at stats and when you reshare things, you quite literally "vote" that up as being important. When I come across great work, I always try to share it for exactly this reason. 

We are quite unwittingly "programming" the world around us. It is important to elevate good, noble content wherever we see it, especially in education. This is a hidden part of the web that many people don't realize is there.

Hope you enjoy some of these posts on your long weekend in the US. Feel free to let me know in the comments if there are topics you'd like me to tackle.

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 07/04/2013

• Google Alerts - Monitor the Web for interesting new content

  Another small change. Google alerts NO LONGER allows RSS delivery. This is a big deal for many of us who use the service to monitor our brand. Big yuck. I hope they don't discontinue this for Google news. IF you want to monitor your school's name, go to this site and set up the alert and send it to email.

  tags: google rss news education brandmanagement

• Wichita teachers union balks at lesson-plan requirements | The Daily Caller

  There are many who don't understand this one point. I used to have someone who required me to have beautiful lesson plans. They were detailed. I spent more than an hour a day on them. So much time so that sometimes I felt unprepared when the kids actually walked in the door. When those detailed plans were removed and I was allowed to focus on the content created for the students to use and then keep a grid (I keep links, etc. to what I'm doing) - THAT Was when real innovation happened in my classroom. Things like wikis, blogs, etc. happened after those super-restrictive requirements were taken off my shoulders. I had the wrong audience when I had those detailed lesson plans - my audience was the principal at the time. Now, I still have plans but I keep it in a grid in a book and then keep copies of what I use with students in dropbox and other places. I do far more now than then because my focus is the students. Lesson plans aren't bad. However, if you spend your time making the LESSON PLAN itself pretty and perfect then likely you're not spending your actual time PLANNING, printing, collecting, and creating what you'll be doing with your students. Also, when you do things like #geniushour and 20% time projects, you no longer have a lesson plan but a project plan which is an entirely different thing altogether. Don't fault teachers for this.  Teaching is the hardest job everybody thinks they can do and few really can.

  tags: education news teaching lesson plans rant tumblr

• Google Apps update alerts: Print Google Forms in a fillable format

  Google just announced you can print Google forms in the way that makes it simple for them to fill in the form online (or for you or your staff to enter them.) This is great.

  tags: education news tumblr google productivity

• Protecting Your Child’s Privacy Online | Consumer Information

  New guide for parents from the Federal Trade Commission about protecting children online. It says that parents should get a "plain language notice" about information will be collected before they want to use features on an site or download an app that collects their personal information. I'm very curious how this is going to happen since often parents aren't involved in the app installation process for their children. Review the parent guide to understand the current rules.

  tags: education news apps coppa tumblr socialmedia

• Revised Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule Goes Into Effect Today

  The revised COPPA act went into effect on July 1, 2013. Take time to read up on and know this act. It includes mobile devices - geolocation information, photos, videos, and audio recordings. This is going to influence MOBILE PHONES big time as well as app makers. It says they have to have actual knowledge that they are gaining information from kids under 13. What about my under 13 child who has a mobile phone. Verizon knows the age - is this enough to trigger problems. I don't have a smartphone for him but he does have an iPad mini. So many questions here that we'll need to review and understand as part of BYOT programs, etc. The biggest issue is I doubt many app makers are compliant right now.

  tags: education news coppa usa government socialmedia tumblr

  • The modified rule, approved by the Commission in December 2012, widens the definition of children’s personal information to include persistent identifiers such as cookies that track a child’s activity online, as well as geolocation information, photos, videos, and audio recordings.
  • It requires that operators of websites or online services that are either directed to children under 13 or have actual knowledge that they are collecting personal information from children under 13 give notice to parents and get their verifiable consent before collecting, using, or disclosing such personal information, and keep secure the information they collect from children.

• A Must-Have Guide To Becoming A Better Blogger | Edudemic

  An excellent set of infographics about blogging that I'll be using with students in the fall. Great set of discussion tools.

  tags: education blogging news edublog

• National Novel Writing Month

  I think every literature teacher should participate in National Novel Writing month in November. It is a great free program that is gamified and electrified by students writing together. Sign up now and plan this into your writing curriculum. You set the goals for your student writing.

  tags: education news tumblr literature engchat

• The Importance Of Leading-Up | Big Is The New Small

  As I read this article on leading up, I'm curious if this is encouraged in schools. Leading up is when a person exerts influence on leaders one or two levels above him or her. We need teachers who can lead up. Is it encouraged? I'm not so sure.

  tags: education news leadership

• Chemicals found in phones are a no-no for kids - Cincinnati Business Courier

  I saw this on Fran Drescher's Twitter account from the Cincinnati Business courier and am quite floored by it. Am I the only one who doesn't know this? How about all of the little kids I see where parents are handing them their ipad and smart phones for play purposes. I jusst need to know more but it is based on a study presented at the Pediatric Academic societies meeting in DC. Of course, they recommend hand washing. But pregnant women should be careful - a 10x increase in maternal PBDE's is associated with a 4 point IQ deficit. Of course, we also have the age old question here of causation or correlation.  I do think we need to know more and also if the equipment we're purchasing to use with young children has PBDEs in them.  If you know more, please leave comments. It does say that some manufacturers are voluntarily phasing these out. "Small children should not touch electronic items such as TVs, mobile phones, computers and other products, according to University of Cincinnati researchers. Chemicals found in such items and in many other products, including older carpets and furniture, can cause behavioral and cognition problems, they have found."

  tags: education news research kinderchat health tumblr

• Hashtag Immortalizes Father's Devotion After His Death

  My friend Beth Kanter, nonprofit fundraising pioneer, is honoring her late father by asking for people to donate to the nonprofit Surfrider Foundation. She has created a hashtag #oceanloveearl. IF you want to support or know more about this movement, here's the information on Mashable

  tags: education news nonprofit fundraising

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 07/03/2013

• Learn Tech Conference & Exhibition
  The World Education Congress has named their outstanding award winners. I was excited to see one of my blog sponsors, WizIQ win best virtual classroom provider for the second year in a row. Lots of interesting companies herein the global education community.
  tags: education news awards professionaldevelopment bestpractices
  •  
    Best Virtual Classroom Provider
     
       
      »  WizIQ.com, authorGEN Technologies Ltd.
    

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

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Going to the upper road: when life says "move on"

I’m going by the upper road, for that

still holds the sun,

I’m climbing through night’s pastures where

the starry rivers run:

If you should think to seek me in my

old dark abode,

You’ll find this writing on the door,

“He’s on the Upper Road.”

Streams in the Desert - July 2

There are times we must move on. We've lived in a place that served a purpose. We've gotten comfortable there. We've had good times there. Yet, there are new travels ahead with a new purpose and new mission.

As we've been talking on my Facebook page about whether we miss our students, I'm struck by the comments of those teachers in transition between schools. Leaving a school must have heartache in it. Every teacher I know who is a great teacher loves their kids and many colleagues at any school - no matter how tough.

My Mom still shows me the platter presented to her when she left her first school. My sister still misses some of her colleagues and talks fondly of her first class at Gwinett County schools near Atlanta. It is part of who we are. Our treasures are not dollars in the bank, but faces that come to mind and the stories that enrich our lives full of meaning. Good teachers are rich. We aren't biding our time, we are building it. When we retire, great teachers have castles of legacy built upon the stories and richness of lives forever changed.

Today, I have lunch with Casey - she's in college and was one of the two students that Thomas Friedman mentioned when he wrote about the Flat Classroom projects in his version 3 of the World is Flat. She is doing great in college and I'm excited to hear her stories. She couldn't stay in her old abode (high school) but had to move on to the upper road (college) and then will move beyond. Like my son who just finished his first college test yesterday in Psychology. The upper road calls.

I'm writing this because many of us educators have transition. We may have to give up coaching a sport and move to another. We may have to give up a club to do another. We may no longer be teaching a subject we love and have to move to one we're not so crazy about. If we're parents, we might even have to let our own child move to their upper road without the baggage of an overly sad parent hanging over their heads. (sniff)

I never want to be the kind of teacher (or parent) who lives in the old, dank abodes of time past - wishing for how it used to be. It used to be hard and it will continue to be hard because that is the profession we have. The profession we have is tough. I pray daily to be like Moses' burning bush to be on fire without burning out (something only God can do, honestly, because teaching is sooooo hard.)

So, teacher, as you face transition - let's move to the upper road with purpose. Let's remember the past abode with joy, but as our bodies move forward, let our hearts and souls move forward too. Let's be fully present in the present - learning from the past but not living there. Let it go and go on.

The upper road calls. I'm packing my bags. Will you?

 

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

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Don't Stop Believing: The Retiring Principal Flashmob you've gotta see

Principal Roger Boddie  has led Hingham Middle School in Massachusetts for 36 years. On his last day on the job, the entire school surprised him with a flashmob to "Don't Stop Believing."

The words he says in shock and surprise (you've got to listen to all he says) are:

"I always knew I'd miss the kids..."

In there is loaded, the things he won't miss.

What will we not miss?

I needed to hear and see this video today. There are some things in schools that are quite challenging to deal with. We all have them. They are upsetting. They keep us awake at night. They even sometimes cause us to question if we can make it another day. But, in my case, out of all the things that frustrate me... it has never... not once been my students.

In fact, for most of us, the students are our WHY. They are why we do it.

Education needs us to keep on believing

Right now, education needs you... it needs me... it needs us to not stop believing. Don't stop believing in the kids. Don't stop believing that you can still make a legacy.

We are amidst a time of great turmoil, largely caused by the digitization of society and education along with it. Teaching is the hardest job that everyone thinks they can do. Everyone has had a teacher but there are very few who could actually breathe the air in the classroom without running for the hills.

Don't stop believing.

You can all give me a million reasons in the comments about why you're betrayed, misunderstood and hurt. We all have these stories of hurt and pain. Of injustice and incredulity. We've all be hurt by those we try to protect. There are many times parents, kids, or even admin have told one side of the story where we're bound by silence not to tell the truth.

Don't stop believing.

We have work to do. We have a generation to educate. Our actions scream a lecture we cannot mute with our words. What will those actions say about what we believe about education?

Will they say your life said:

• There is no injustice so great that I will not suffer it so you can learn.
• There is no problem too big that I won't show up and teach you any way.
• I don't care if the media disparages me, I believe in my mission and nothing will stop me.
• I will love you even when you don't love yourself.
• I will help you see the genius in you when you don't think you can even tie your show.
• I will believe in you when you don't believe in yourself.
• Even when society puts down teachers, I will not put down my desire to teach you.
• I will live in a way knowing that I'm among the noble and time will show just how noble... but even if it does not... I will teach because it is the right thing to do.

For every reason to do something, there are a hundred not to. But that one is the most important reason - and that one usually comes in the face of a child.

I'm heading to the Common Core State Standards National Conference put on by many different organizations including the Center for College and Career Readiness. I was perusing the hashtag when I came across this tweet that showed me the video and want to give credit to @schoolsrock for pointing it out. Just another reason to follow the hashtags for the conferences you attend. This one is #ccssconf2013 - so follow along starting today through Saturday. My handouts will be on this page.

Retiring Middle School Principal Gets Tear-Jerking Goodbye Flashmob from Entire School #educatorsrock #studentsrock http://t.co/4ithGmAOTy
— SchoolsRock! (@SchoolsRock) June 21, 2013

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My wish for everyone attending #iste13

If I had a wish for everyone at ISTE 2013, it would be:

 

Iste 2013 has opened just now in San Antonio. It is already Trending on Twitter. #iste13

• Remember your students. Look for practical methods to teach.
• Remember your students. Technology doesn't engage - YOU DO when you use it well.
• Remember your students. Take notes for ACTION ITEMS you'll do when you return. (I keep a list of my big three.) They should see you learning and engaging at #iste13 like you want to see them engage in your classroom.
• Remember your health. If you run yourself down and you get sick, that isn't good for anyone. Pacing yourself is so hard, but take time to get sleep, eat, and rest.
• Remember your friends. Take time to say hello to those people who encourage and inspire you.
• Remember your friends. Not everyone could go. When you tweet good thoughts and ideas to the #iste13 hashtag, you join the #iste13 pln and inspire and reach others.
• Remember to make new friends. Make time in your circle. Seek out people who are alone at ISTE.It is hard to go to a conference alone. Involve and encourage them.
• Remember the presenters. Give credit. Look up the presenter's twitter handle or write it down at the beginning so you can cite what they said. It is good manners.
• Remember the presenters. Take time to follow presenters and give feedback. When you echo comments, it helps them know what resonated.
• Remember your profession. You are teachers and educators. Lots of people are watching. Behave in ways that make your profession proud. We are different and should be. I'm not saying not have fun, I am saying have a blast in ways that honor what you do. If you have on that ISTE badge, behave in ways that you'll be proud of. Tip well. Be kind. Be encouraging. Show San Antonio the nobility of educators. If you act up, for goodness sakes, take off the badge.
• Remember your students. They are watching. They are likely watching your stream and your updates. How does this relate to them? Do they see the kind of learner you want them to be reflected in what you share?
• Remember not to get caught up in the hype. There are things that give hope and there's hype. Hope usually comes from methods, strategies and people-centric activities. Hype comes in when someone begins to think that technology will solve a problem that requires personal intervention. Lots of things will be hyped - it isn't bad to get excited about new technology, I get excited too - but your hope should lie firmly in best practices and teaching. Seek out how to USe technology not just the technology.
• Remember yourself. You are at the center of your own attitude. It is easy to get jealous of others. It is easy to start making excuses. Do what you can - you can do something. There is always someone better off and worse off - doing more and doing less. This isn't a measurement process but a process of improving yourself. Are you better than you were when you left for the conference?
• Remember your administration. Give an overview of ideas and your notes to your administrators and peers. Give your administration 3 actions that you plan to do in the fall. Schedule a meeting to answer questions or discuss ideas.
• Remember the price. Everything costs you something. Nothing is free. It will cost you your time, sometimes your privacy, sometimes your data. It is time for educators to become laser focused. We've bought into the word "free" and given away far too much in return. Examine the fine print. Read disclosures and terms of service. It is time to wise up that NOTHING is free and to figure out the price of every service we use. Haven't we had enough experiences like Google Reader to wake us up that everything costs SOMETHING. We're working with students and have a responsibility not to be hooked by everything "free" that comes along.
• Remember to cut yourself some slack. Most of us are average every day teachers. We're not rock stars. We're not superheroes. We're just teachers and that is enough. So, you don't have a cool name and you don't go to a neat party. You don't remember to get a ticket to the sold out session. There is plenty to do and amazing places to be. You are at iste - a place that many want to be as evidenced by the #notatiste hashtag that is trending on Twitter right now. There are sometimes at ISTE where I feel insufficient. I get tired and feel uncool. This is normal. I also sometimes ignore the stream when I'm not there just because I wish I was there. You are where you are. You are enough. Soak in the learning - there is enough for all of us. Like a coral reef, we are all part of the beautiful ecosystem in a tiny way. Just enjoy the teeming life and color of a great profession on the cusp of transformation. Don't let yourself get down if you don't "feel cool" - if you're there, you're awesome enough already. If you're just following the hashtag and learning, you're "cool enough." too. I just know the maelstrom of feelings that accompany ISTE and hope to spare some of you the emotions.
• Encourage. Some of the amazing people you see at ISTE are in tough situations. Many of them take time to blog every day anyway. When you say thank you, you help make the sacrifice worth it. There are times I was secretly considering if the sacrifice of blogging was worth it. It always seems that during those down times, I've gotten an email or a kind word at a conference and it brought me back to reality. Encourage others, please. The world out there isn't kind to educators, so it is our job to be kind and encouraging to each other. With this goes the need NOT to bash. Bashing usually gets back to the one you're bashing. It isn't in good taste. Have dialog about issues, not about people. Most educators and presenters I know are some of the finest people you'll find anywhere. People who work hard every day to make a difference for every kid and teacher who comes their way. Encourage excellence wherever it shows up.
• Thank. Thank the volunteers and presenters. It is always a sacrifice.
• Remember. Use your external brain to capture notes.. Whether it is in evernote or diigo or whatever, set up a system to capture and remember. Use a personal note for things you want to pull back and review. *REVIEW or something of the sort. Plan ahead to remember.
• Share. #iste13 and blog posts are great ways to share. Hoping someone curates an #iste13 magazine on flipboard. (I'm putting mine in my education flipboard magazine and following the #iste13 hashtag.) Live blog. Invite others to participate with you. Be inclusive and transparent.
• Enjoy. Enjoy yourself and have fun. This conference is always a highlight.

Finally. Please, remember your students. (Didn't I say that already? ;-) They are why our profession exists. It is about them. It is about helping build a bright hope for their future. It is about using technology that will help them learn and engage in the future. ISTE is a fantastic conference and I highly recommend it as a great learning experience. Next year it is in Atlanta and I plan to be there!

I look forward to "attending" every year, even when it isn't in person.

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

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Let him fly

It took the little boy behind me in seat 15A to realize how totally not ready I am for this.

"Daddy, I'm so not scared. I'm never afraid of anything, no not nothing," the tyke says as we taxi down the runway.

Just last week, I said,

My son is #98 in this picture. He had a great senior year. Now, I have to let him fly.

 

"Yes, Kip, I'm ready. I know it is time for our son to go to college. This is a good thing, we're ready. We'll adjust and he'll still come home sometimes. Sure, it is time. I'm OK and this is a good thing."

Right.

I'm flying back from Dubuque, Iowa where I was presenting to 750 wonderful educators. Even there, I gave assuring words of how ready I am to move my son into his dorm at Georgia Tech today.

"It is time," I said confidently, believing it.

As we taxied and took off, the little boys tenor changed.

"Yeeeeeeeeeeh," he said at first, excited to be airborne.

But then, just as cars became the size of postage stamps, he changed his tune.

"I am scared for this, this one moment, Daddy." He peeped in a quiet voice.

He said these words and my eyes misted. I'm scared too.

"I am scared for this, this one moment, Daddy," I prayed.

I turned to the window and wiped the tears as they flowed. I realized that I'm not so ready.

My life has centered around our oldest son for over 18 years. I quit work when he was a year old. I was pregnant with his sister. I was a stay at home Mom / entrepreneur till he was in 2nd grade.

I wanted to live my life with no regrets. The moment I saw his sweet face and blue eyes - this boy wasn't born crying. He was born living and looking into my soul from day one. I saw his eyes and fell in love. He eventually cried - when he realized he was cold and probably hungry. He's always been hungry.

My days have been centered upon making sure he is fed (along with my other 2) and in being the best Mom I could be.

I really just wanted to be a Mom. More than anything else. Just a Mom. A Mom who'd give up anything for her babies. No price was too much. High paying job - Poof - who cares - my babies need me at home. We want you to teach - poof - I'm a teacher - all to be closer to my babies.

Like the postage stamp cars, I now feel myself ascending - going further away from this tyke become a man. His brown mopped head ascended far beyond mine several years back - he's a whole head taller than me - at 6'6" he is taller than most.

Yet, as I looked out my window hiding my tears from strangers, I didn't see tall linebacker- I saw my little boy in the red onesie with the sailboat on the front. We used to play this game - I made lesson plans for my kids to cover all areas--

The science game was called "Sink or Float." I gathered up a lot of items and had a bucket of water. He would put the item in the water and see if it would sink or float. He did it to everything in the whole house.

Now, he's the one going in the water. The waters of college. Will he sink or float?

He doesn't have on the red sailboat onesie any more. He has on his favorite grey GT hat - the one that makes his hair look just right when he takes it off. He has on his jeans, hung a little low for me, but they cover everything. His yellow GT shirt with Buzz, the mascot, on the front. He's dressed the part, that is for sure.

I remember him running around and his sister on my hip. All those years. It was yesterday. Last night I was up with his colicky sister. I remember being in church and able to count on two hands the hours I'd slept since last Sunday. I swear that was last night? Somehow it was 17 years a go. How does that happen?

When he was two, I desperately read books to help me figure out how to help him sleep. I also remember the "wise" girl with one child - younger than my son- who gave me all this advice about how to help my son sleep. She had one - I had two. Her child slept. Mine didn't. She thought it was something she did - sad, clueless girl. My son is 18 - he still doesn't sleep. I smile and laugh realizing that I might have known more than I thought even though I would have done anything to sleep - even listen to an over-proud Mom who cluelessly thought she had anything to do with the fact her child slept.

Yet now, I hurtle towards Atlanta Georgia ready to get a taxi to go downtown. It is time to move him in. It is, quite honestly, time to let go.

"I am scared for this, this one moment, Daddy," I whisper again as my jaw and back of my throat feel the strain of suppressed crying.

Yet, my son is not scared. He's picking up his bucket and he's jumping in. He's more ready than me, I'm not. I'm still just a Mama. It is all I really want to be. A Mama with one less at home but room in my heart for friends and a new family that one day I'll meet who will bear his name.

I will fly on knowing I gave all I had to this young man. And what he needs most now from me is my belief, support, encouragement, and love. He needs me to let him go. He needs me to let him fly.

 

Written by Vicki Davis, author - Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds - Posted with Blogsy from my iPad

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