Dell Tablet vs. iPad

Dell Tablet

VS.

iPad

This week I have been looking at the advantages of the Dell Tablet and the iPad.  I have to say that I like both of them for different reasons. I like the iPad, because it is super easy to use; the Tablet, because it does everything (FLASH) that my computer does. The iPad has been around longer so there are a TON more apps; according to many of the app developers I have heard from, many apps are already in Beta testing, so it shouldn't be too long. I have had an iPad longer so I am more familiar with how to work it; however, once we upgrade to Windows 8 on our desktops the Tablet will be second nature.  I feel that the iPad is going to be more widely used because it is Apple, but I think that the Dell Tablet makes more sense for students. The Dell Tablet has USB ports, a mini HDI port, and an SD reader. These things make the Dell Tablet more versatile for educational use. Either way, tablets are the way education is going and I am excited to see our district is getting on board.  

Technopalozza 2013

Here are all the teachers from my school that attended our technology conference, today.  We have 62 teachers, a few were here, but missed the pic. In an age where technology dictates how we do everything, I am surprised we don't have a larger crew here. 

I LOVE the idea of our technopalozza, however, I feel we need more leveled sessions. At no point should I be learning the same technology as my mom. I love her, she is very smart, but I am way more versed in technology that she is. I have spent more time helping others. Than learning today....I am feeling for my smart students that are bored during their classes.

Yesterday I learned ALOT, I was able to choose my sessions.

     

  Doceri is great!! I really want all my teachers to see this app. It is an easy way to flip a classroom, record student's closings, or just presenting information to their class. It is user friendly, education friendly (one license for all computers that can reach it), and attractive. I can't wait to see my campus using this! 

These conferences always get me excited; so many ideas, great new tools, and networking, I hope we keep the momentum going! 

Training Camp

If you have any coaches, athletes, or sports enthusiast in your life give them this book. I couldn't put it down; it is a great guide to go from average to BEST. It has humor, love, faith, and strength. We are going to be conducting a book study for our coaches this year using this book. It isn't long, it is a quick read; however, deep thought is involved. I found myself thinking far deeper than I had anticipated.

 Readily enjoyed Martin's journey! Thank you, Jon Gordon.

First Day Back

Today was our first day back to school from Summer break. I walked in the door and the custodians are starting to wax the floor. What?! You have had 4 weeks with an empty building and this is when your start this. Then when I got down to my office I was slapped in the face with heat and the realization that we weren't going to have air again this summer in our office. I wasn't excited about the start to this day.
At our 8:00am meeting, I was informed that the books I got to order at the end of the year were in and   I was back to my positive attitude. Who doesn't love new books? This is where I am taking this post today.
     The books, I was lucky enough to go through today, are the books we order for all of our teachers to use with their students this year. Most of the books that where ordered were for our Social Studies department. I am a huge fan of cross-curricular teaching. This is something our campus started focusing on at the end of last school year and plan on focusing more on this school year.  I am so excited about some of these books I can hardly stand it. As an ELA teacher I just assumed all teachers got excited about books, I have found out that this is not the case.
      The books I am most excited about are "_____ The Experience" books. Do you remember Encyclopedia Brown Adventure books? ( I loved these books!) These books are choose your adventure books, but they are all based on true events. In the Civil War book, you choose who you are, Confederate soldier, Union Soldier, or civilian. Then you make choices and your characters life plays out. My thought is that these short adventures would be great unit opener.
    Workshop Model:
      The students could get into small groups, track a characters situation, and then share out.
Opening- minimal information on the event (10mins)
Work Time- have the students make a character choice
      Alone/solo time- students have 5mins to write what they think will happen to their character.
      Group time-  have the students read the book and make the choices that will shape their character's life.
Ending- have the students share out what happened to their character.

I can't wait to see our kid working in book clubs and in workshop in History this year.

Good Reading Habits (transfer post)

Recently I have started teaching my 3 year old to read. I have taught English Language Arts for 8 years, but it was all at the secondary level. I have never taught a child to read words, phonics, blends, phonemes... This is not my comfort level.

I have always felt that reading was very important. My son has had at least one book read to him every day of his life. He has memorized easy books and is able to"read" them to people. He loves to show that he can read. Two weeks ago my mom, also an educator, brought me a book from her school library, "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" by Engelmann, Haddox, and Bruner. We are on lesson 14 and I am shocked at what my kiddo is doing! His favorite part is to read the story, which is only 3 words at this point, and then to explain how the story and the picture are related.

I am not sure where he will be on lesson 100, but I feel that for a 3 year old he is doing fantastic! We are doing our reading lesson every night and my hope is that we are instilling good reading habits for our family. :)