The PLE's Sunny Side Up
PERSONALIZED LEARNING @ BROWN SUMMIT AND SOUTHWEST MIDDLE
Hang in There and Thank You!
I also just wanted to take a moment and say thank you for all the wonderful things you do for the students. Those things--seen and unseen--are making a difference. As this school year comes to a close, I'd also like to thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things related to personalized learning and tablet integration. I know it wasn't always easy, but you know more than you did this time last year and that's always the goal...to learn!
In the spirit of learning and growing, please take a few moments to complete this year's PACE survey to provide your feedback, if you haven't already. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
PACE Participation Opportunities (Volunteer)
Looking for ways to be involved in content planning for the upcoming school year or serving on a teacher advisory council? PACE has two invitations for you. If you are interested in either, please volunteer using the form linked here.
Plan-A-Thons. In the 2015 Summer, middle school teachers are invited to join together in same-content, same-grade-level groups to collaboratively plan for 2015/16 instruction. C&I specialists and PL Coordinators will be available to support these groups. This is a great way to get an excellent head start on preparing for 2015/16. When groups meet and what they do while they’re together will be determined by the teachers who express interest in participating.
2015/16 Teacher Advisory Council for PACE. The PLC 2015 is looking for middle school teachers who are willing to provide feedback and guidance to the initiative next year. This would involve periodic meetings after school at Washington St. as well as some degree of virtual collaboration
GCS' Inaugural Personalized Learning Conference. July 20-22 @ Kiser Middle School PLC 2015 is an opportunity for teacher leaders from Guilford County middle schools to learn, grow, and share alongside one another. Teachers will be the primary presenters and there will be lots of intentional opportunities for fruitful discussion. So, The PLC doesn't just stand for Personalized Learning Conference, but also for the biggest middle school Professional Learning Community happening this summer! By signing up for The PLC 2015, you’re signing up to share what you know, grow your practice by learning from others, and using your know-how and energy to move other teachers along at your school. There’s a $100/day stipend for attending The PLC 2015, but we hope the intrinsic rewards are far more valuable to you.
Some of the engaging session topics include:
· Data Driven Instruction and Classroom Management
· Down with the Poster
· Evolution of a Flipped Math Classroom
· From Classrooms to Coffee Shops
· Interactive Notebooks – Useful Tools, Not Just Cute
· Just Try It—Forget Perfect, Encourage Safe to Try
· Lyrics Mania – Reading in Music
· Thinking Outside the Rows
· Using Learning Pathways to Personalize Instruction
· …and more!
READY TO SIGN UP? General registration is now open! If you’d like to attend this transformative conference, use the links below to register for each day you are able to attend. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible—space is limited to 250 participants daily.
The PLC -- Day 1 (Monday, July 20)
Thriving in the Home Stretch
Nicholas Provenzano, blogger for Edutopia.com and high school English teacher, offers a few suggestions for "Thriving in the Home Stretch":
Here are a few things that you can do to help yourself and your students make it through the homestretch in one piece.
1. Get Outside
One of the best things that you can do is take your class outside whenever possible. There are sure to be days of beautiful weather ahead, and you know that students will be thinking about being outside anyway...
2. "Treat Yo Self!"
I had to take this quote from the TV show Parks and Rec, because the end of the year can be a time when teachers forget to take care of themselves. We tend to be worried about everyone else, which means that we forget to do the little things that make us happy...
3. Reflect
The end of the year is a great time to start thinking about the year overall. Take some time to reflect on what has worked well and what could use a tweak over the summer if it's something you plan to do again next year...
4. Project Time
For me, the end of the year has always been a great time for projects. Kids are itching to get out of their seats and move around. Instead of trying to stifle those feelings, redirect them into fun projects...
5. Connect
The end of the year can be stressful. Grades are due, parents need feedback, evaluations are being completed, and with all of these and so many other things going on, it's important to not face this time alone. Connect with other teachers in your building or from your PLN...
Read the full article here.
Looking for Something New? Give #edchat a try!
This is where I get a lot of cool ideas and strategies from. The best part? You can tweet from the couch, by the pool, or wherever you are!
"Education Twitter chats take place when a group of educators "meet" on Twitter at an agreed upon time, using an agreed upon hashtag, to discuss topics of interest in education. Twitter chats range from small discussions with only a few participants to huge conversations with dozens or even hundreds of educators taking part! They provide a unique opportunity for educators to discuss specific topics of interest and connect with colleagues around the world.
The word from educators in the trenches is that these chats are making a profound difference in how educators are improving their professional practice, providing ideas, resources and inspiration in ways never thought possible..."
Read the rest of the article here for the most popular hashtags and get your Tweet on!
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Fun EOY Activities for Students
I AM ALWAYS OPEN TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Megan Putnam
Personalized Learning Coordinator & Tablet Integration Specialist
Email: putnamm@gcsnc.com
Website: ple.gcsnc.com
Facebook: facebook.com/theplefs