AASL 25 Best Website List 2012

Here is a link to the American Association of School Librarian's best websites for teaching and learning.  Each year the AASL comes out with a list of the top 25 websites for teachers.  Go to the link below to see 2012's list and past years.

AASL Site: http://www.ala.org/aasl/guidelinesandstandards/bestlist/bestwebsitestop25

Digital Storytelling: Zooburst

I wanted to share a Web 2.0 tool that you may not have used in your classroom before.  It is called www.zooburst.com  and can be integrated into K-12 classrooms.  This site allows you or the student to create their own pop up story book.  The students can choose their own characters, settings, and story line.  They can then share their pop up book with their friends or embed it into a blog/ website to take home and show their parents.

Screenshot below:

Teachers Addressing Teachers

Video from Southeastern Regional Teacher of the Year Melissa Warren and Brunswick County Teacher of the Year Laura Hunter.

Turkey Festival in Raeford, NC

On September 13th I had the opportunity to travel to Hoke County and spend the day at TW Turlington Alternative School.  I  had a great time meeting teachers who work extremely hard every day to help their students be successful in life. Regional teacher Karrie Detwiler and I were able to work with the middle and high school students with the critical thinking/ team building games that we learned at NCCAT.  I had an awesome time!

That afternoon Raeford had their annual Turkey Festival Parade.  I was honored that Karrie Detwiler asked me to join her and the TW Turlington teacher of the year in the parade! We had a great time and I was so impressed with how many spectators yelled "thank you teachers!" to us as we drove by.  It was a great experience!

(Pictures can be found on my facebook page.)

Teachers Pay Teachers

I am sure most teachers have already heard of this wonderful resource, but if you haven't you should check it out.  Teachers Pay Teachers is a website where teachers can buy and sell their amazing lessons.  This site is an open market place for educators that has lessons for all subjects and grade levels.  Check it out below!

Here is an article discussing Teachers Pay Teachers: http://edtechdigest.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/interview-teacherspayteachers-millions-of-dollars/

Here is the actual exciting site: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/

September State Board Meeting Notes

Looking forward to the school year 2014-2015:

60-70% of professional development will be online

Instructional Improvement System (IIS)
* differentiated instruction
* data for students, teachers, parents

Emphasis on assessment:
* formative
* diagnostic
* benchmark

Intensive debate about 19th Century and 20th Centrury artifacts:
* conversations about grading
* actual grades PreK-12

New Tools:
* cloud computing
* bring your own device


Useful resources for ALL teachers:

http://newlitcollaborative.ning.com/ New Literacies Collaborative at the Friday Institute

READY: Wiki for each Region

The following are links to each region's wiki.  Each wiki has wonderful resources for the teachers in that region including professional development. 

Region 1:http://region1rttt.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 2:http://ncregion2.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 3:http://region3pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 4:http://rt3region4.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 5:http://ncregion5rttt.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 6:http://region6pd.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 7:http://rt3region7.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/

Region 8:http://region8wnc.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/


Implementing ITES- Common Core- Essential Standards:  http://ites.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/Implementing+ITES-CCES

The Voice of an Active Learner