Community Building
The last week in January will find us solidifying our needs, thoughts, and actions with regard to classroom community. We'll clean our desks, tidy up the classroom, add to the showcase portfolios, revisit goals, and discuss what we need to make sure that everyone belongs, contributes, and thrives in our homeroom community.
Geometry and Problem Solving
During math we'll review our SRSD problem solving approach with a multi-step volume problem. Later in the week we'll review two-dimension and three-dimension geometry terms and properties with drawing, writing, building, and math talk.
Reading, Writing, Social Studies, and Science
We'll continue to read Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper together and students will have time to read their own stories during Lit Mix. Reading and writing teachers will continue to focus on narrative and story elements while the social studies/science content will focus on colonial America and reflections related to our simple machine STEAM theme last week.
The Unconference
With regard to professional learning it will be a big learning week as I contribute to and learn from our system's first unconference. I'm leading conversations related to the open source education share platform, Teachers.Do as well as a discussion related to the role of visual literacy in relation to math learning. Others will lead discussions related to choosing books, mindfulness, specific education tools and resources including PBS Media, project/problem base learning, the role of play, and more. I'm looking forward to this more modern approach to professional learning and share.
ECET2
Later in the week I'll attend the ECET2 conference for the first time. I'm really excited about this opportunity to invest a few days in learning about teaching and learning with teachers from all over the United States. I'm sure I'll have more to post later about that opportunity.
Another Vibrant Week of Learning and Teaching
Like all teachers everywhere, I'm looking forward to another busy week of learning and teaching. One aspect of teaching that I love is that it's rarely dull or boring. Onward.
