Desktop Learning Adventures

I'm pretty sure there's not a teacher out there that doesn't anticipate, with mixed emotions, the first Back to School ads in the paper.  (Think: New Supplies!! New teaching resources!! YAY!! :D  Reality check: What do you mean, summer is almost over?!? Boo! ) In my shopping cart, "must-haves" included: folders (multiple classroom sets, color-coded by groups and/or units), comp books (I'd buy them by the case!), spiral notebooks (Not a huge fan- pages tear out easily, and for some reason, the spiral wires tend to "fall out" of the notebooks... yet, I'd buy them because they're cheap!), pencils, erasers, pens, colored pencils, markers, glue, tape, rulers & protractors (just replacing broken ones), scissors (for those kids that never seem to have them) and pencil sharpeners. As a rational thinker, I knew I'd need all that stuff, so I might as well buy when the cost is greatly reduced. Even thought I'm no longer in the ...

With the beginning of a new school year looming (sorry...not trying to rush your summer, folks), administrators across the land have mandated the next rounds of professional development, loaded with the latest and greatest educational "shiny objects," designed to occupy every free moment of your time. I'd like you to take a moment and think about the last worthwhile PD session you attended. Time's up. Having been on both the planning and receiving ends of countless professional development sessions, I have compiled my own list of 5 suggestions for presenters when planning your next PD sessions, making them meaningful for your audience. 1. Differentiate!  Contrary to current popular belief, PD should not be one-size-fits-all! Just like the students in your classrooms, teachers embody all levels of expertise and have different needs. New teachers need different PD than veteran teachers need.  Primary teachers' needs are different from intermedia...