Saturday, June 16, 2012

Resources


http://www.scoop.it/t/ipad-recommended-educational-app-lists

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AvOVwwW-yfkedEk3LUhEdFBlbUtjTXdEVjAtcHZtTUE&output=html

http://www.schrockguide.net/ipads-in-the-classroom.html

Ipad world Live Binder
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play/207117
I want to make a video like this for our back to school school year fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3OntdDRlJI
http://techchicktips.wikispaces.com/QRQrazy

LOVE THIS SITE: http://www.techchef4u.com/?page_id=3185

http://www.scoop.it/t/ipads-in-education

Apps!
http://edu.symbaloo.com/

Carnozzo's Class http://carnazzosclass.wikispaces.com/Two+of+Everything
Sly Reply
http://www.slyreply.com
Online scheduling/reply site
The Complete DropBox for Educator
http://jeffthomastech.com/blog/?p=7525
*just in case–Helen’s dropbox referral ;) http://bit.ly/hmdropbox
101 Web 2.0 Tools Teachers Should Know About
http://web20education.bo.lt/6o6pa
Math Chimp
http://www.mathchimp.com/
online collection of math games that are aligned to Common Core Standards
New Stuff from Adobe (+Adobe Touch app and the iPhoto app)
http://youtu.be/XLLJBfRzXIQ

The iPad Chefs Are a Hit



The iTeam (3rd qnd 4th grade students) were the Keynote presenters at the Strategies for Educational Improvement:  Preparing for the Future conference at the University of Kansas on June 8, 2012.  The conference is collaboration between the Kansas State Department of Education and the KU School of Education.  

The students made their presentation before 400+ educators. Members of the audience included The Commissioner of Education, Diane DeBaker, State School Board Members, Diane Bunting and Walt Chappel, representatives from two legislators' offices, university professors, teachers and administrators.  

The Centre 3rd and 4th graders presented as the iPad Chefs....(based on the Iron Chef TV Show). The iChefs illustrated "app"itizers which are easy to use apps for the classroom, Main dish apps that allow students to use higher order thinking skills and create content using ipad apps, and then Desserts, the students' favorite apps.  

Here is a copy of an email I sent to the students' teachers after our presentation:
The iPad chefs were absolutely fabulous!  The Commisioner of Education said she was reading a book on presenting and they should add a chapter that said , "never follow Jerri Kemble and the iPad chefs if you are speaker. They are a tough act to follow!". That made me feel so proud of our kids!
The keynote, Yong Zhao who is a very respected international speaker, said that our presentation was a great example  for him to refer to, and that we were doing all the things he would talk about in his speech!  He took our contact information and wants to contact us to be part of an international project that would partner our students with Chinese students.

 Two congressmen had reps there today. Many people from the state department and state school board were there and were very pleased with our presentation.  It was a great day for Centre and these iPad chefs. In my opinion, this was as great as winning a state championship in sports!  These students made a stellar presentation to 300 educators which included teachers, professors, superintendents and state dignitaries.  Now that takes courage and talent on the part of a ten year old! I wish you all could have been there.

I bet you can tell that I am really proud of our kids.  Right now we are celebrating at the Lawrence swimming pool!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Principal's Guidelines

I found this on the web and I really liked this list:

27 Tips & Tricks for Principals

WRITTEN BY GRACE 8 NOVEMBER 2011 27 COMMENTS
The following 27 tips and tricks are designed to help principals (new and seasoned) fulfill their leadership role.  If you can help add to my list, you may win a special prize for you and 5 of the teachers in your school!  Keep reading to find out how...
  1. Maintain a positive attitude – You set the stage for your school just as your teachers set the stage for their classrooms.
     
  2. Pick your battles – Realize that not every issue needs to be addressed. Identify what you stand for and fight for what is important.
     
  3. Be your own cheerleader – Constantly tell yourself, “You can do it!” Find within yourself the strength and courage to keep going.
     
  4. Don’t expect to win the popularity contest – Decisions you have to make will never please everyone. Do what's is right, not what will help others like you.
     
  5. Understand that schools build character – An effective leader has the power to help students and teachers grow and learn in profound ways.
     
  6. Put children first – Don’t let media or political agendas get in the way of deciding what’s best for your students’ needs and learning.  
     
  7. Connect with other principals and administrators – Find out what they are doing in their school. See what is and isn’t working for them and come up with solutions together.
     
  8. Embrace technology – Realize that it’s here to stay... now learn how to become a leader in it.
     
  9. Keep the central office informed – They can be your allies or your critics, so be sure to ask for advice and let them know stories of your journey along the way.
     
  10. Acknowledge and respect your predecessors - Keep in mind that ghosts of the past can haunt the school.
     
  11. Remember the #1 rule of customer service – When it comes to your students, faculty, and parents you should always kill them with kindness.
     
  12. Once you walk across the Principal threshold, relationships change – Recognize that you are now viewed as the ultimate authority in school by parents, former colleagues, and students.
     
  13. Don’t change anything the first year – Focus on personal learning by observing and building relationships. Teachers resent change, so make sure that any change you later propose had better be worth it and acknowledged by most as needed.
     
  14. Meet with your faculty regularly – Prepare teachers ahead of time about what will be discussed, and be respectful of people’s time. Keep the meetings short if at all possible.
     
  15. Assign leadership roles – Design a school-wide discipline plan with your teacher leaders and decide who will handle what and what will be the penalties for a range of behavior infractions.
     
  16. Don’t think teachers want you as their friend – They need someone who will make sure the school is running properly.
     
  17. Write notes of appreciation – Never devalue the simple act of thanking your staff for doing a great job.
     
  18. Refer angry parents to speak to the teacher first – If a problem is not resolved after talking to the teacher, have them contact you to help improve the situation.
     
  19. Offer teachers meaningful professional development – Make sure that anything presented to them is worth their time and effort.
     
  20. Don’t forget your own professional development – Spend time reflecting on your leadership, continue to learn by reading, attending professional meetings, and conversing with other administrators.
     
  21. Accept that you are not perfect – And realize that concept applies to others as well.
     
  22. Don’t be a workaholic – Take care of yourself and your teachers. Encourage your staff to go home to a healthy and balanced life.
     
  23. Have a vision for your school – You must believe in your vision if you hope to inspire your staff to get on board with the same goals.
     
  24. Embrace new ideas – If you or one of your teachers discover something new, get everyone involved by learning and exploring together.
     
  25. Always remember that communication is key – Observations with formative feedback go a long way in helping your teachers meet your expectations.
     
  26. Be an advocate – Get to know your teachers; become their biggest fan and supporter.
     
  27. Lead by example – Start each day by saying to yourself, “I’m going to be the principal I’d like to work for.”

Tech Savvy Superintendent Video

Here is the link to the interview for Tech Savvy Superintendent that was recorded in Houston, TXTech-Savvy

Zhoa Yong


I have recently been introduced to the work of Yong Zhao and I am intrigued! I find his work compelling and thought provoking.
Here is the link to a recent speechZhoa Yong

iTeam travels to DeSoto

Having 3rd and 4th graders present to teachers about using the iPad is a big step in education. As an educator, I have realized early on that I was not the sole holder of the knowledge and information. The students can teach us a lot! Our trip to De Soto was a great trip for the students! They got the teachers involved and shared some very good information with the staff. I was very proud of our students today!
Click for full-size image