Big Ideas Obligation: Make it Happen in the Microsphere

We owe an obligation to big ideas, and that obligation is to bring the intent, focus, and action of those big ideas into the microsphere where we work and serve each day.

Hence, as I look forward to the week ahead, I think about what I will bring to the children in Team 15.

First, we'll complete our part of the Where the Mountain Meets the Moon paper-cut, parallel theme bulletin board. Looking deeply at the text we'll make Grace Lin's images and theme come alive with colorful paper design landscapes and figures.

Next, students will continue their work with the endangered species study introduction by using the Frayer model and a Google presentation to learn about, and present, the definitions of more vocabulary terms related to the unit.  Our student teacher will lead this effort.

An example of using the Frayer model and Google presentation
to develop students' vocabulary study and share. 

Math will find us continuing our exploration and learning about fractions with Khan Academy, hands-on lessons, problem solving, and teacher directed activities.  Students will also continue to study numeracy and facts with Symphony Math and That Quiz.

Reading workshop will provide time for individuals and small groups to read books of choice, practice fluency skills, and focus on comprehension. Our class book study and Google doc "Book Talk" will continue as we all read Out of the Deep, a national park adventure mystery that takes place at one of my all-time favorite places, Acadia National Park in Maine.

On Friday, students will begin their team study of specific animal reservations by using the Internet to find facts and information about the reservation as they complete reservation fact sheets.  Later they'll have some time for tech choice and/or to continue their team research.

Hence, it's a week focused on reading, fractions, and research--a week with a more reasonable pace than last week's introduction to three new study threads.

My idea for the macro-sphere is to create dynamic, intellectual learning communities in every school holds an obligation that I do the same in my microsphere, the classroom. Don't you agree?

Essentially, "Practice What You Teach!"