Grading Writing....

True confession. I HATED grading my students writing. It was most definitely not a strong point in my teaching. I have the deepest respect for those English teachers taking home hundreds of essays over the weekend to grade. I can't imagine doing that.

One of my English teacher buddies posted this the other day. She has begun using the program and loves it. It is a way to grade, give feedback, and possibly shorted the amount of time spent on grading.  In watching the demo I honestly felt that it was a streamlined version of what we are able to do in Google Docs. But, with the added Common Core component, it would be something I would be curious to try if I still had a classroom!

Check it out!

What's your lollipop moment?

I LOVE THIS! It shows how something so small can have a HUGE impact!

Every kid needs a champion

You need to watch this...really...watch it...NOW!

BAD teacher!

This is such a hot topic right now. Somedays I feel that everywhere I turn teachers are being blamed for everything. Check out  The Cornerstone's blog post and read Angela's review and opinion on Kevin Kumashiro's book BAD teacher!

The Educator & Social Media

Right along with bullying and Common Core, Social media is a hot topic in education right now.  I won't go into and rehash much of what has been already written, but I will direct you to some awesome blog posts and articles along the way.

Personally, I've been a Facebook addict for years. I don't often post much, but trust me, if you are my friend, I am stalking you. I've joined and been added to several educational/teacher group pages. Many are deemed private, to protect the members of the group and give them a safe place to communicate with others. I find these pages a blessing and a curse. While many times there are teachers posting questions seeking advise that I find is an excellent use of the page, most are just using it as an open forum to gripe. Now, I fully understand the cathartic values of a well placed gripe session. But sometimes I feel like people take it as a contest to see who has the worst school, colleges, parents, administration, and state government.  That being said, if you'd like to collaborate w/ educators on Facebook stick to the open pages (not private) and many companies pages offer great collaboration as well. I'm a big fan of Really Good Stuff's page (and their catalogue and products). Several friends and colleges also created "teacher" accounts. Allowing for their students to connect with them on the site, but not their personal pages.

Over the past year I've become more of a fan of Twitter. Both personally, to stalk celebrities, authors, and athletes, and professionally, to stalk award winning teachers, practitioners, and presenters. Again, I don't post much, and haven't quite grasped all the lingo and how to knowledge that goes into twitter, but I do retweet posts quite often. As you can see here ----->

Also, twitter gives you only gives you 140 characters to get your message across. So, right there the gripe session is reduced.

What I love about twitter is I can be directed to great articles, blog posts, and interactive websites recommended and written by educators.  Connect with professionals who have similar job descriptions, and keep on top of educational topics in a more concise and convenient manner. Twitter is also where you need to be to connect with teen students now.  Teens are leaving Facebook in droves. Oh they still have an active page. But, when your grandma friends you, it's no longer the cool place to be.

For more info on Twitter and education...Check these sites below!
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb10/vol67/num05/Why-Teachers-Should-Try-Twitter.aspx

http://www.schrockguide.net/twitter-for-teachers.html

http://rossieronline.usc.edu/twitter-for-teachers/

Find teachers to connect with here:
http://twitter4teachers.pbworks.com/w/page/22554534/FrontPage

Parent Support Night

Just a reminder that our GCSEC Parent Support Night aka Fun Night is
Thursday, October 17 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

Registration is open until October 11th.

Click here to Register

Come and join us for a fun evening!

Download Flyer Here

Beans & Cups!

Have you ever struggled teaching regrouping in addition and subtraction? Well, watch Jean Ann as she shows you a neat little trick using beans and cups!

StarWalk Kids Media

***UPDATE*** Check out Liz's comment below!!!!!

It is my goal to update this blog once a week during the school year. Sometimes I feel like Jean Ann and I are overflowing with information. Other weeks...crickets...*chirp chirp chirp*. That is how I felt last week. So, I didn't do an update, and planned on an AWESOME one for this week to make up for it.  Then, at a board meeting this weekend for the Illinois Reading Council, author Seymour Simon and his wife Liz Nealon spoke to us about their new project StarWalk Kids Media.

Now, Seymour is a noted non-fiction Children's author. His books are beautiful, filled with outstanding pictures, rich text, and even make me excited about topics I would normally force myself to read or teach. His wife is a former producer of Sesame Street and MTV (back when it was cool). Seymour joked that she was way over qualified to help out with this project so the only way he could get her involved was to marry her! So, when you put them together with other greats in the education world you get a great website.

StarWalk Kids Media is a website which allows teachers to access to interactive ebooks based on topic and reading level. 

For each book the site also offers lesson plans, linked to common core developed by guru's in the field like Linda Hoyt. (If you've done any reading coursework in the last decade you will have a book written by her in your stack)

Liz gave us a demo of how the site works, it seemed simple to navigate and easy to implement into a classroom. She answered questions and continued to take suggestions. 

So, check out the website, http://www.starwalkkids.com/index.php, sign up for the free trial, and have some fun with StarWalk Kids!

More Words of Wisdom from the Kid President

Beware...Stephanie is having fun with technology...

Ok. So for those who are really tech savvy...what I have learned is no big deal. BUT for me it is AWESOME! First of all, you can all now SUBSCRIBE to this blog!!!! Just type in your email address, prove that you are a human, and then you will receive an email notice every time I post on the blog. (Yes, I send out notices, but not for every post. "Ain't nobody got time for that!") 
Subscribe here---------------------->

Then, I also started a twitter account just for work ya'll! I'll be retweeting some great tweets from some of my favorite educators! If you have any suggestions on who I should follow, just follow me and let me know! If you are not on twitter, and have no desire to be on twitter (I understand, I started only to stalk celebs) you can see the newsfeed right over here! ----------------->

If you can't see it, then most likely your school is Fort Knox internet secured. Just check it out at home. You can see all my tweets and retweets without having to have your own account.

And then finally, in my following of awesome educators I've stumbled up on a blog called The Cornerstone, the author has some great tips, pinterest pages, teacher pay teachers pages ect. ect. ect. You should check her out and subscribe, especially when she has a post about the best teacher freebies!

Greg Tang

So, it's no secret that Jean Ann and I are BIG fans of games.  So, when she discovered that one of our favorite math authors and game creators had updated his website to allow kiddos and teachers alike to play online math games FOR FREE...well we had to let you know.

Greg Tang is AWESOME. He's written several books, including

and created the game Kakooma

Among many other fun games. The website offers teaching tips, alignment to CCSS, works with elementary to high school, and is just plain fun. So check it out! 

PBS Idea Channel

What happens when your best friend (Katie) is a brilliant microbiologist with a PhD, teaching at the collegiate level? You find that you are in a constant battle to one-up each other on nerdy pop culture. Doctor Who, Sherlock, Firefly, The Big Bang Theory (Katie actually understands the stuff that Sheldon talks about) and most importantly Game of Thrones are often our main topics of discussion. For the most part, she wins our battles. But I do have to say she has an unfair advantage hanging with college kids and being....well...brilliant.

To be fair, Katie also speaks football, basketball, and hockey.
While I just speak, "Oh hey, that player is cute."

Throughout our discussions, she's introduced me to several fun YouTube channels. One is created just to get people thinking and can be used as a discussion starter for middle and high schools. Some of the topics may work in some upper elementary classes.

The PBS Idea Channel

The channel posts a new video every Wednesday. The videos are fast-paced, current, and the host, Mike Rugnetta, reminds me of my teacher friend Matt.

Seriously, when I watch the episodes I think...Matt could totally do that!

Topics include and range from 

"Doctor Who is a Religion"

to "Math Might not Actually Exist"

to the hot button in education right now

"Google is Knowledge"

and of course, it's on the internet, so it must have some cats.

They even spent one episode visiting a classroom that watches, discusses, and then comments on the videos weekly.

For those of you who are reading this going, "That's great but YouTube is locked down tighter than Fort Knox at my school." Have no fear!!!!! You can find the videos on the PBS website.

Welcome Back!

You can always tell when school is about ready to start.  The back to school ads start, you can't avoid the school supply section at Target or Walmart, and for those on pinterest the school pinning is on overload.

I always look at all the teacher blogs that are pinned. With pictures of a perfectly decorated classroom that is theme based. Where do these teachers find the time to do this? Let alone maintain a blog about it? It opens the question of "The Culture of Cute in the Classroom" which has evidently become a hot topic in education. Jean Ann and I have debated it and in our humble opinions (and a combined 53 years experience) say it depends on the teacher. If having a "cute" classroom invigorates the teacher...then go for it!

What's your opinion?

Have a GREAT Summer!!!

Many of you are finishing out your school year this week. Jean Ann and I both hope you have a wonderful summer! We will be in and out most of the summer (between summer school and camp) so feel free to email us if you need to!

GAME NIGHT!!! Part III

Once again Jean Ann and I will be hosting our Award Winning GAME NIGHT!!!!  This time I can legitimately state we are award winning...I've got the certificate to prove it.

We will be meeting next Thursday the 18th from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. either in our office or in the GCSEC board room (depends on how many people will be attending)

Please RSVP by Wednesday the 18th!

Confession, I Stephanie Benson am...

an Author Stalker.

Yes, it's true. There is no 12 step program to help (not that I want it), and I've only been told once by an author that he was going to need more security with me around (I responded that until I see the restraining order he was going to have to deal with me).

For the last 11 years I have attending the Illinois Reading Conference (one of if not the best reading conference in the state) and twice have attended the International Reading Conference. Not only do the conferences fill you with fabulous ideas to use in the classroom and reinvigorate your teaching, they also provide countless opportunities to meet (and stalk) your favorite children's and young adult authors.

Here are a few of the authors I've stalked...um met.

Rosemary Wells

Marc Brown Author of the Arther books.

Laurie Lawlor

Brian Selznick

Jordan Sonnenblick "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie"

AVI

My personal favorite Patricia Polacco!!!!

Eric Rohmann (still haven't received his restraining order)

Richard Peck (he is AWESOME!!!)

Simone Eckeles
Confession #2 I LOVE romance novels...she writes great YA ones!

Jack Gantos...Rock Star!

Nick Bruel...Mr. Bad Kitty

Craig Pierce and his greyhound Honey

Marion Blumenthal Lazan

Now I could go on to state I've also met and had books autographed by Christopher Paul Curtis, Neal Shusterman, Steven Layne, Andrea Beatty, Tim Green, Katherine Patterson, Andrew Clements, Seymour Simon, Gary Paulson, Sharon Draper, R. L. Stine, Heather Brewer, Kristina Springer, Joan Bauer...and many others. Not to mention that I'm email buddies with Blue Balliett & Aaron Reynolds,  facebook friends with Matthew Cordell, and have Kat Falls' cell number....

yeah...I have a problem, but if it means I get to hug Henry Winkler...I don't care.

We need your help!

Jean Ann and I are busy planning Camp Math & Camp Read. Our Superhero theme is a fun one to work with. If you've seen any fun activities that you think would be appropriate we'd love to have you share them with us.  We are also looking for some old t-shirts (adult Large or bigger) with either a plain front or back to create capes for all our little super heroes.

Camp is open to all Grundy County kiddos with an active IEP who are completing Kindergarten - 7th grade. Scholarships are available! Help us spread the word! Parents can apply online here, or printable apps are available here!

Illinois Reading Conference--Literacy for Life

Jean Ann and I spent the last few days down in Springfield learning, presenting, and laughing! The Illinois Reading Conference is hands down one of the BEST conferences to attend in Illinois.  Jean Ann and I had fun presenting on...you guessed it... GAMES.  We had an awesome group! We ran out of room and handouts! If you missed it, or if you didn't get the handout, you can download the handouts here, and videos of the games we presented are below.

Stay tuned for more on the IRC conference later this week! Did you know that I am an Author Stalker? And I'm not alone....

Meaningful, Measurable, Manageable Goals Part II

Jean Ann and I would like to let you all know how much we've enjoyed going around the county and chatting with you about goal writing. We've had great conversations, fun presentations, and emailed questions that made us truly think! Keep the emails coming, and as always contact us with any questions!

Technology Blog!

Jean Ann and I have been getting a lot of questions lately about educational apps for classroom iPads.  While we have several that we LOVE, the best resource for this information is the technologically awesome Michelle George. She has a site Have You Tried Turning It Of and On Again??? that sorts not only iPad apps, but websites and other techno goodness into educational categories. There is also a search feature to speed up your browsing! So check it out!!!

Curriculum Support Night

Just a reminder that Jean Ann and I will be hosting Curriculum Support Night from 4 - 5:30 p.m., next Tuesday the 26th, at GCSEC. This is a night where you can come and go "shopping" in our office for goodies, ask questions about curriculum, brainstorm ideas to use with your students and work on goals.

All GCSEC teachers will receive their professional development stipend for attending and ALL teachers will receive CPDU's.

ALL staff are invited! If you are a teaching assistant feel free to come! You are more than welcome!!!!

Please RSVP by Tuesday morning so we can have enough goodies.  If you are looking for something particular (program or such) let us know ASAP so we can get information together for you.

Meaningful, Measurable, & Manageable Goals!

Jean Ann and I have been traveling the county with our 3M goal writing session. REMEMBER if you have ANY questions PLEASE contact me, Jean Ann, or your coordinator for help.

Our presentation has been tweaked several times throughout the last couple weeks, you may wish to download the most recent version.

GAME NIGHT Part II

Last week Jean Ann and I held our second award winning game night of the year.  This time we pulled out some of our tried and true favorite games along with several new ones we've discovered!

Our next game night is scheduled for April 25 at 4:00 pm RSVP now to reserve a spot! All GCSEC employees and educational staff from county schools are welcome to attend!

    

Anomia card game

Players: 3 to 6

Ages: 10 and up

Notes: Vocabulary development, everyone on task, each round lasts about 30 minutes

2 decks 92 playing cards and 8 wild cards

Available from: Amazon, Marbles

$10-$15

By: Everest

Contig Homemade

Players: 3 to 6

Ages: all

Notes: Math add, subtract, multiply and divide.

game sheet, 3 dice, pencil, paper, calculator, prove it pages

Highest score wins or roll die-odd = high wins/even = low wins

Available from: Your friendly neighborhood curriculum specialists

free

Bowling Homemade

Players: 3 to 6

Ages: 10 and up

Notes: Math add, subtract, multiply and divide.

game sheet, 3 dice, pencil, paper, calculator, prove it pages

Bowling rules apply for scoring

Available from: Your friendly neighborhood curriculum specialists

free

Zingo table game

Players: 2 to 8

Ages: 4 and up

Notes: 2 sided bingo cards, play 3 in a row win, read 2 words and state a complete sentence

write a complete sentence using both words

be first to say which word is first alphabetically

Available from: Walmart, Kmart, Target, Barnes & Noble, Amazon

$18-$23

By: ThinkFun

Zingo 1 2 3 table game

Players: 2 to 8

Ages: 4 and up

Notes: 2 sided bingo cards, multiply 2 numbers, add 2 numbers ect.

be first to say which is of greater value

create large number w/ both digits.

Available from: Amazon, thinkfun.com

$18-$23

By: ThinkFun

Word Snag table game

Players: 2 to 4

Ages: 8 and up

Notes: 7 letter dice,  30 category cards,  score pad

     *Be first to snag 20 words

Place a category card for all to see, then roll all 7 dice     Once rolled the naming begins.  As you state a word from the category that starts with a letter rolled you grab that die.  Play goes til no die left or 10 seconds has gone by and no words are yelled out.    1 point earned from each die taken that round.  Record score.  If no one has 20 points, a new category card is placed up.

OR

RED LETTER Word Snag  

Use Wkkiiord Snag dice

Notes: Same rules except to pick up a red letter die, that letter has to be in the word but not the first letter.

Can be played by one child.   See how many rolls it takes to get 20 points.  Try to beat your last best score.

Available from: Amazon, online

$11 - 13

By: Pressman

Racko table game

Players: 2 to 4

Ages: 8 and up

Notes: Sequencing     Number logic

Deck of 60       4 racks   1 card tray  pencil paper for scoring

  Winner yells “Rack-O” when their 10 cards are in numerical progression.  Scoring begins---Rack-O player earns 75 points

Others earn 5 points for each card in order lowest to highest.  (Hint: numbers are on the left for scoring)  The lowest a child can earn is 5 points as the first one is always ok.

  If adult is playing a student, if adult has to have a 3 card exact consecutive order, the game is pretty equal.  

Available from: Amazon, target.com

$6 - 17

By: Milton Bradley

Scrabble Soup table game

Players: for 4 players ( for young, I like it best with 2 or 3 player)

Ages: 6 and up

Notes: 104 tiles  98 are letters, 2 flies

Game cards have 5 words  

Homemade ones use spelling list

vocabulary words/ word list words

Homemade: Use old scrabble tiles, small ladles and a pot from    kitchen.

Available from: Target, Kmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

$20 - 30

By: Scrabble

Blokus  board game

Players: 2 to 4

Ages: 5 and up

Notes: *Do not buy the 2 person game  Is cheaper but both

 players almost always win so not as much challenge

Spacial awareness     Geometric terms  Area and Perimeter

Available from: Target, Kmart, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Teacher stores

$22 - 30

By: Educational Insights

Blokus 3D  or  RUMIS  board game

Players: 2 to 4

Ages: 8 and up

Notes: 44 RUMIS stones  6 building plans  1 turntable

Geometric strategy, volume

Each players has one color “stones” to place on

building plan

All stones must be placed to have at least one face on another of the same color. (Can also touch other colors)

no gaps allowed

no passing if a play is possible

Game over:::Players get one point for each face visible from the top.

Available from: online

$25- $35

By: Educational Insights/Mattel

Dancing Eggs table game

Players: 2 to 4

Ages: 5 to 99

Notes: 1 wooden egg, 9 bouncing rubber eggs, 2 wooden die

Goal: to pinch the most eggs

Game ends when anyone drops an egg

Important rule! Any dice that drops off table, person who dropped it must pick it up, while controlling all eggs previously earned.

At end of game,(someone dropped an egg) wooden egg = 2 points, all other eggs earn 1 point.

Available from: online

$18 - $25

By: HabermaaB

Camp Read & Camp Math

Yes, I know it's February, but Jean Ann and I are already gearing up for summer camp!!!!

Camp Read & Camp Math will be returning for it's 8th summer!!!!!

Our goal of camp is to boost basic skills and increase a child's interest in math and reading. There is never a dull moment at camp! We strive for hands on activities to keep our camp like atmosphere.  The greatest complement is when campers leave after a busy morning of learning and tell their parents all they did was play!!!

Any student in Grundy County entering 1st - 8th grade, who has an active IEP is eligible to attend.

This year we will be calling for all superheros to come and help us destroy the world of evil villains.

You can find more information here...

Download flyer here

and our Camp Application here!

Online applications will be active in March on the GCSEC website.

Not Cool, Robert Frost!

For those of you who need a little pick me up today...I present...Kid President.

For those of you who can't YouTube at work....

This past Sunday while I was waiting for the dreaded ice storm to arrive, I was browsing through my hulu account looking for something new to watch.  This documentary popped up.  I'm always leery of documentaries now.  People seem to find just enough legitimate facts and data to skew the truth any way they want.  But the fact that this film is narrated by my boyfriend Matt Damon, who I've seen on multiple talk shows and news reports defending teachers, allowed me to give it a try.

I loved it.  I still may not agree with EVERYTHING in the film, but I feel it gives a far truer look at what it is like to be a teacher in America today.  So if you get a chance, check it out!