What a Staff Development!

I could have listened to Sara Kajder for another 3 hours (provided we had a snack or something to drink). She is so down to earth, yet, so knowledgeable about all this technology stuff. A couple of things that struck me were the fact that she keeps going back into the classroom so she can stay in touch with real teaching problems that come up every year. The other thing is that she kept saying, "What can I do better with this technology?" In other words, she doesn't just go out there and try out new technology just to say she has used it, she checks it out critically to see if it will help the student. I liked the way she told us to always have parents informed about what you are doing and have them on your side. I have found that to be true always. I think I am going to go ahead with her new book instead of our other text. She gave us so much information, but told us to take it slow and easy-just try a little at a time. I plan to take lots of time this summer to investigate some of the things, and then I can implement new things in the fall.

Pause and Ponder / February 7

I have learned so much from Kajder's Bringing the Outside In. Some things that stick in my mind are the following:

• Save early and often ( I have had many 6th graders crying because their piece is not there the next day when they go back to work on it)
• Start slow and simple (I used to try to do too much new stuff at one time; after many mistakes, I now try a little new at a time)
• Presentations should be graded 80% content and 20% effect
• Students need to read and write for authentic purposes
• Be open to knowing our students
• Be open to thinking about reading and writing instruction in different ways
• We aren't learning a new technology; we are using a technology to learn
• I continue to learn to read by reading
• Good readers reread, write while they read, read, reread again
• Many students simply lack confidence
• Students need to complete tasks that extend their thinking beyond a quick interaction with the text
• Learning happens during discovery, sharing and dialogue
• I like the vocabulary squares ( I have done things similar to this)
• I like the pictures to represent the vocabulary words (I have the student draw a picture, but the photograph would work nicely)
• Vocabulary Word Wall with pictures instead of just words sounds like a great idea (we have been using Word Walls for several years now and they are invaluable for review )

I could go on and on, but these are the things I remember the most this week. I don't think I have been reading enough of everyone else's blogs, but I have enjoyed the book. Maybe I will do better this week.