by Krissy.Venosdale | Jul 22, 2010 | Reflect
A few weeks ago, I had a Facebook Contest for a free custom theme. The winner was Diane Ward! She requested a moose theme! This little moose is on the loose in tennis shoes! It’s called ‘Moose Mania’! Thanks to all who entered and thanks to Ms. Ward for the awesome idea! It was a lot of fun. The theme is now in the {Shop} and Ms. Ward has received her free copy! I have also posted a set of Moose Mania bookmarks on the Theme Machine, too. 🙂
Can you believe it’s almost August? I need to get going on my own classroom plans. I’ve finally narrowed down the theme I am going with for next year! Any guesses? The first person to guest correctly will win a FREE customized Birthday certificate to match the classroom theme of their choice. It will include the animal/topic in a birthday hat, the teacher’s name, and be a printable certificate for your classroom!
**Hint: I did previously post on Facebook, but I have changed my mind… some colorful inspiration I spotted in a magazine has led me in a different direction!
CONTEST WINNER: Hannah! Send me an email and let me know what theme you would like for your birthday certificate! 🙂
by Krissy.Venosdale | Jul 20, 2010 | Reflect
Do you want your students to feel like this then they are supposed to be learning?
After an interesting #edchat on Twitter this morning regarding differentiation and teaching for all, I am more geared up than ever to head back to the classroom. I hope that some of you out there will take this journey with me and maybe we can all help each other along the way. It’s all about learning needs. We must find out the needs. Address them. Explore weaknesses. Build on strengths. It’s so easy to say… and that’s where the easy part stops.
Is it okay to say, “Well, you know that already, so go read a book?” Well, it’s only okay if it’s also acceptable to say “You’re struggling to get this, so just give up. It’s not worth it.” Kids come to school to learn. They deserve our best. They need new challenges. Fresh material. Engaging lessons. It’s about each kid and where they are at and what they need.
To address the needs of students, I have developed a Learning Plan for students in my program. I started out with the basics, listing some differentiation strategies and leaving lots of “white space” where I can add anecdotal notes throughout the year. The portion I am most excited about is the third page… where students will help form their own goals. It is their chance to determine their passion and pursue it! Please check it out (HERE) and feel free to comment. It’s not exactly how I want it, but I’ve got to start somewhere, right?
I’m so ready to begin this journey of the new school year. I can’t wait until somebody asks me, (hopefully not in September ;)) is every kid in your class challenged every single day? Is everyone learning everyday? In my dreams, I will say “Yes!” and mean it! I might even throw in a cartwheel and a “Yippeee!” as a means of celebrating. Celebrating not only for my kids, but because it wasn’t easy, it’s wasn’t simple, but it was what needed to be done.
by Krissy.Venosdale | Jul 5, 2010 | Reflect
This past weekend, like many people around the United States, I sat with my family watching a fireworks display. We arrived early, laid out our blanket, and prepared for the show. We watched across the lake as people scrambled, setting up various tubes, getting pieces in place, until everything was ready. Then, one match sparked it all… the show started.
It got me thinking about how teaching is just one big series of fireworks shows. As teachers, we “set up” the show, getting things into place. However, when it comes time to light the match, a series of events take place that we have the opportunity to step back, watch, and learn from. As the questions explode before us, we can guide, encourage, and reignite the discussions. But, we must be careful not to extinguish what is happening. It’s the fireworks show that we have planned for, waited for, set up, and each burst of thought taking place is real, genuine learning.
As a gifted education teacher, I find myself constantly thinking about my students learning needs. These are the kids that crave the big, powerful explosions of learning, and that need fast, rapid, fresh materials to light up their experience. Providing an extra packet of worksheets to keep them busy? They’ll just smolder. Planning and implementing a genuine, differentiated inquiry-based learning experience… cue the music… the show is ready to begin!
