What a week for our Husker head football coach!  A terrific lesson for everyone about the power of the spoken word in a time of incredible technology.  A valuable lesson for our students as they navigate the social media world and (many) don’t yet understand the staying power of the spoken/printed word.  Oh, the many lessons we modern teachers have to choose from!

Today’s posts reflect some blogs I have read that speak to the reality of the modern schoolteacher.  May they offer ideas you can use as you think about your teaching.

AL A CARTE (9/20/2013)

Why You Should Be Jealous of Teachers — I like how this person thinks!  It is good to be a teacher.

Tablets vs. Textbooks — This website really breaks down the pros and cons of the way we transmit texts to students.  Worth a read.

Survey on Teaching Nonfiction — Kylene Beers is collecting data from classroom teachers about teaching nonfiction.  Please log onto the link and take the survey.  Let’s have Lincoln teachers be well-represented!

Reign of Terror — If you’re someone looking for a commentary on the state of education today, Diane Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Terror, looks like a worthwhile read.   Not for the feint at heart, Diane states her opinion and backs it up with much data.

Dear Teacher/Love Teacher — End on a happy note.  Here’s a blog that encourages teachers to remember how wonderful you are.  Be sure to go down to the Sept. 16 post and watch the video “What a Wonderful World Shadow Puppet.”  Amazing.  Happy Weekend.

You’ve either made it through the first set of conferences this year, or your time is coming soon.  How do you keep yourself healthy and rested while working the long hours you do?  Be sure that you make time for those things that help you keep on “keepin’ on.”

Al A Carte (Sept. 15, 2013)

Visualizing When They Read – Here’s a great sponge prompt you can give your students.  It would be interesting to see what they say.

Educate Parents on the Habits of Strong Readers — I don’t endorse the products sold by this company (I don’t know much about them), but I like the three reading comprehension downloads that are very parent-appropriate.

Goodreads — Great website for learning about new titles and titles that you may have forgotten but are still good ones.  This site will help you prepare for your next book talks with your classes and give you ideas of genres for those students for whom it is hard to find the perfect book.

…it’s time for Parent-Teacher Conferences?? I hope you have a chance to rest up this weekend.  P-T Conferences makes for a marathon week, so please take care of you.

I’ve had the pleasure of being in a couple of classrooms this week in a couple of middle schools.  Students, by and large, are ready to learn. Teachers have prepared these students for great success, providing structure, expectations and interesting content to keep them engaged.  I know this is not an uncommon occurrence.  It’s just such a pleasure to visit classrooms because I always see such wonderful lessons happening.  Your joy of working with your students encourages me each and every time.

AL A CARTE (9/6/13)

Ten Facts Parents Should Know — Check out these marvelous brochures that you can share with parents at parent-teacher conferences.  Especially terrific is “Ten Facts Parents Should Know about Reading” (in Spanish and Russian translations, as well).  You are asked to send an email to Jim requesting permission to reprint.  I got my permission in less than 24 hours.  A few to share with parents might be nice to have at your table.

Class Dojo — This is an awesome website/app you can download for free that allows you to track student behaviors.  Some teachers I know have reported that this is awesome for encouraging positive behaviors.  And the avatars are so cute!

Plum Creek’s A’Comin! — The 2013 Plum Creek Literacy Festival will be Saturday, September 28, at Concordia University in Seward.  This half-day can be counted for 3.5 hours of optional flex time after your required sessions have been completed.  Dr. Tim Rasinski (Literacy Expert), Donalyn Miller (The Book Whisperer) and Dr. Ernest Morrell (current president-elect of NCTE) are some of the featured speakers.

Reader’s Theater — Looking for some tips and scripts for your classroom?  The best site around is Aaron Shepard’s Reader’s Theater Edition.  Be sure to check out the link “About Reader’s Theater Editions.”  Great tips for everyone (new and veteran) who wants to use Reader’s Theater in the classroom.