Learning Targets - Aim for Success!

Learning Targets - A must for educators!

www.scrappindoodles.com

In my role as K-12 Intervention coach, our district has been focusing on learning targets. In order to truly coach and model best practice, I had to take a dive into the CCSS in both math and ELA and I began to work on creating my own learning targets to use as models - in my spare time - in the evening :-)

This process has given me a global perspective of the content and process in teaching the CCSS. I used many resources to learn about learning targets and they can be found on my website: www.stretchinstructor.com

You will find information about North Carolina's "unpacking the standards" and other great resources!

Global Education Conference 2012

Computational Thinking - Global Education Conference:

Last week I presented my "Because the Cat Goes Left" webinar for the world's largest free educational conference:http://www.globaleducationconference.com/ 

Incorporating computational thinking and computer programming into our K-8 curriculum must be a priority! I heard loud and clear from the participants in the audience that we need to start providing more training for our K-8 teachers in this area, so that they can incorporate these skills within their classrooms and within their existing curriculum. 

I am a firm believer that these skills do NOT have to be a separate class for our children. It needs to become a way of thinking!

If you would like to see ways in which you can incorporate into your teaching, along with concrete examples and rubrics, feel free to view the recording of the webinar.

If you would like to review the recording of the conference, please click the following link:

https://sas.elluminate.com/site/external/recording/playback/link/table/dropin?sid=2008350&suid=D.6B09C52F60690A44FF9C2812DCC0CF

CCSS Math - no wonder students get confused!

Working on alignment of math learning targets with the CCSS.  No wonder the students get confused...?

North Carolina unpacking the standards:

Before considering the relationship of decimal fractions, students express their understanding that in multi-digit whole numbers, a digit in one place represents 10 times what it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

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Darke School District (Ohio):

I can look at a multi-digit number and determine that the digit to the left is 10 times greater than a given digit.

I can determine that in a multi-digit number, a digit to the right is 1/10 of the given digit.

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CCSS website:

CCSS.Math.Content.5.NBT.A.1 Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

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Align, Assess, Achieve: (flip book)

I can recognize that each place value to the left is 10 times larger in a multi-digit number.

I can recognize that each place value to the right is 1/10^th as much in a multi-digit number.

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NOW - I realize that all are correct...but I highlighted what the students see. Is this what they are getting at when say "rigor?" Or is it just semantics...

Which way makes more sense to you?

Creativity - trying to make a difference!

I went out on a limb today! I flipped the switch to "go live" with my Kickstarter project. Due to my nine year olds persistence and encouragement, I am trying to make a more global impact upon K-8 computer programming skills in the lives of children!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1220355518/computational-thinking-and-computer-science-for-al

Other countries are starting to add computer programming skills into the mandatory educational programming; it seems we are many steps away from that type of commitment to 21st century educational skills in the United States.

Please send/share this link with anyone who has an interest in computational thinking and supporting our children!

STRETCh & Scratch

Well... last week was a whirlwind! My daughter celebrated her 9th birthday AND I conducted an ISTE webinar on STRETCh and Scratch - incorporating computer programming skills into the K-8 core curriculum.

To view the webinar, see the following link:

https://iste.adobeconnect.com/_a729309453/p35txgktvsb/

The computational thinking that went into the 6th grade Language Arts project above was incredible! After just 20 minutes of instruction and 4 class periods to work, student demonstrated their knowledge of verbs through the programming of their own video game! The engagement and focus of students throughout the four days was OUTSTANDING!

I have also created a website dedicated to K-8 computer programming: check it out here!

RtI - Response to Intervention

In my new role as a K-12 Intervention Coach, I have seen many teachers frustrated and in tears over our jump into the proverbial RtI waters. In an effort to put the frustration into perspective, I came up with this visual of the building blocks needed in order to effectively deliver Tier 2 and 3 interventions. As you can see the 1st building block is an understanding of the CCSS - but not only at the grade level you teach. You really need to understand what comes before and after you...in order to put it into perspective. One you have a handle on the CCSS, then you need to break it down into bite sized chunks (aka: learning targets) for your students. THEN, you can move into formative assessment. How do I know when my children have achieved their learning target. Once I give the formative assessment, this will move into the 4th block of differentiation. I can then use my formative assessment to determine how I will differentiate for learners within my classroom. This is really the foundation for Level 1 of RtI. Once I have put these first four building blocks into practice, then I can work on collaborating with others around the level 2 & 3 interventions of RtI. 

Here is a website I have put together that is full of RtI resources!
https://sites.google.com/a/stretchinstructor.com/intervention-corner/

Computational Thinking for ALL!

81 Ways to Use Google Forms...& GROWING!

Just checking up on my Diigo Resources and found this one listed. Hope you can at least take one or two ideas from the list!

Recap of ISTE 2012

 
Besides all of the benefits that I received during the ISTE2012 conference in San Diego, I think the best part was standing back, watching, and being a proud mother!

iPad Class

I've been working all day on my upcoming iPad class on Monday and Tuesday. There are over 60 educators from the Milwaukee area signed up! Luckily they have found another instructor for me to co-teach with, so it should be a great class. 

Monday and Tuesday are F2F and then their is an on-line portion for the remaining time and credits. I created some graphic organizers to go with the 21st century learning skills we are covering... thought I would share!

 

Calling it a night...but will be working on more ISTE 2012 stuff next week!

School Year End

Finally winding down from the end of the school year, my own as well as my children's. I couldn't ask for a better end, as I had the opportunity to see my 8-year old's final "island" project on Sir Lanka. She created a brochure and even did a Scratch project on her island. Can you believe it...my eight year old is already programming...but then again anyone really can when using Scratch. See the picture below of her Island - main character who tells the information of her island.

http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/Bayside_STRETCh/2579897

Too cute!

I will be headed off to ISTE 2012 next week to promote computer programming skills in K-8 curriculum. I am excited to share what my students have been doing, as all the 6th graders made Verb games that I will be sharing...but more on ISTE later!