A Little Summer Reading

Now people may think that during the summer us teachers just relax by the pool, sleep late, and just enjoy the dog days of summer.  Let me tell you, for most, that is not the case!  Like many teachers I spend a great deal of summer break trying to get ahead of my professional reading that I haven't gotten to during the school year.  This summer is no exception.

I just finished my first professional book of summer about problem-based inquiry.  It was a fantastic read that helped me to better understand the theory behind the method.  I left knowing more about how to begin the implementation of it in my classroom.  Moving to an International Baccelaurete school where the focus is on units of inquiry into who we are I can see this being one of the best read books of the summer. 

In April I  was lucky enough to get to go to the NSTA National Conference in San Antonio. I attended several sessions about bringing inquiry into the science classroom. What I liked about Problem-Based Learning is that it is a methodology that can be brought into any subject area.  The book discusses how to start your kids off with some teacher directed inquiry and as the year and maturity of kids progresses to more toward student-centered inquiry.  If you haven't read it and are wanting to know more about trying out Problem-Based Learning then I would highly recommend this book, great examples and easy to read.  He has another great book called Why Are School Buses Always Yellow, again about the inquiry cycle.  

Next up for independent study:  Science Formative Assessment by Page Keeley 

Next up for group book club: Notebook Connections: Strategies for Reader's Notebook by Aimee Bruckner

Day 10- Special Snack!!!

Takis, Mt.Dew, Jolly Ranchers, cookies etc.  Who knew breakfast could be so delicious!! Really though the morning bell hadn't even rung and they were busting into their snacks.  Who can blame them- I was tempted to steal a few Takis myself!  We continued our comic work as well as beginning our Poetry Anthology as we study the format of poetry as writing.

Summer Time Has Begun!!!!

Okay so the last few days were so crazy at school I can hardly remember what happened! Oh, well I do remember the kids playing dodgeball in the newly renovated gym and hitting the sprinkler head and causing the largest explosion of water ever!!! Firetrucks, TV crews, the works.  What a way to spend my last day at Edison.
Now that summer is finally in sight and my children and I sat down and created our Bucket List for this summer.  I think it is a good start.  I tried to color code it so I could quickly see my indoor and outdoor activities.  We will pry make short work of that list.  The weather here is gorgeous, 72 and sunny!!

I haven't figured out how to save word files as PDF so the fonts remain  the same.  So, Jing is the next best thing I can think of, great way to capture screen shots.