| News for the Education Profession |  |
- Schools blend academics, recreation in summer classes
Schools nationwide have adopted hybrid summer-school courses in which academics are blended with recreation to help curb summer learning loss. In Baltimore, a reading program targeting fourth-grade students also includes a focus on music, the arts, field trips and swimming. In Miami, officials are hoping to keep students learning over the summer by implementing a Web-based program, called the "e-learning wave." USA TODAY
(7/9)      
- Teacher credits Harry Potter for fostering love of reading
The Harry Potter novels may have stirred controversy when first published, but one teacher credits the hefty tomes with instilling a love of reading in her students. York, S.C., English teacher Kay McSpadden writes that the books' length desensitized her students to long books and primed them to tackle others, such as Ralph Ellison's "Invisible Man" or John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany." "More importantly, they were willing -- even eager -- to engage in meaningful discussion about what they read ...," writes McSpadden. The Charlotte Observer (N.C.)
(7/7)
 | New Common Core Instructional Resources
Benchmark Writer's Workshop provides ready-to-use tools and explicit mini-lessons that teach K-6 students to write informational, opinion, and narrative prose. Leveled Reader's Theater: Word Plays help Grade 3-6 students improve foundational skills, and Genre Big Books introduce key text types in Grades K-1. Free sampler. |
| School Leadership |  |  |
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- Teachers must take the lead in collaborative leadership
 Teachers seeking to foster collaborative leadership with their administrators always should bring solutions, instead of simply complaining about problems, Nancy Flanagan writes in this blog post. Acknowledging accomplishments and supporting administrators, even when they make unpopular decisions, also can help teachers showcase their leadership skills. "If school leaders and teachers can't get past hierarchies, roles and adversarial thinking to work together, they won't be able to re-shape our national approach to public education," Flanagan writes. Education Week Teacher/Teacher in a Strange Land blog
(7/7)
| Technology in the Classroom | | |
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- Survey: Students prefer technology-based lessons to lectures
A recent survey of students, faculty and IT staff finds that high-school and college students want more technology-driven lessons and fewer lectures. Students also reported wanting more hands-on projects, independent study, virtual learning and one-on-one tutoring. However, a shift to such instructional methods could be prevented because of a lack of resources, professional development and access to technology, the survey found. Education Week/Digital Education blog
(7/9)
- What role does social media play in cyberbullying?
This article includes data about the prevalence of cyberbullying -- increasingly made easier by social media websites, such as Facebook and Twitter. The article also points out the inherent dangers of such bullying, which can have real-world consequences. However, the recent bullying of a bus monitor, captured on video, went viral and resulted in an outpouring of support for the victim. Mashable
(7/8)
| The Whole Child | | |
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- Are school food, drink bans effective?
Several states have taken steps to limit students' access to junk food at school in an effort to fight obesity. A proposal in Massachusetts to ban bake sales and fundraisers involving unhealthy food made national headlines but eventually was altered. However, the writer of this blog questions whether such bans are effective, citing a recent case in which students avoided a soda ban by bringing their own soft drinks from home or going off campus. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Get Schooled blog
(7/6)
- School takes summer meals to students
A school nutrition professional and a driver are delivering summer meals in a converted school bus to students in a Florida district. The bus makes five stops near an elementary school -- typically carrying about 40 packed lunches each day. Students are required to eat their meals, which are free, on the bus. Officials say they launched the lunch bus after a disappointing turnout for the school's summer lunch program. The Tampa Tribune (Fla.)
(7/6)
| Policy Watch | | |
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- Calif. seeks to align ELL standards with common core
In California -- where about 25% of the student population are English-language learners -- officials are working to align their English-language development standards with the Common Core State Standards. The state recently released standards by grade level, and officials hope to have them approved by the end of the summer, following a period for public comment. Education Week/Learning the Language blog
(7/9)
| Faculty Lounge | | |
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- Survey: For millions of students, school is too easy
A recent analysis of federal data finds that many students say school is too easy for them. Researchers say the data show that many students are not being challenged enough academically. However, former classroom teacher and Florida State University professor Shelbie Witte said students might be confusing boredom -- brought on by the rote learning that accompanies standardized testing -- for simplicity of lessons. USA TODAY
(7/9)
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| The Buzz(CORPORATE ANNOUNCEMENTS)
Summer is the perfect time for professional development. And SDE online courses are the perfect way to advance your skills and knowledge in preparation for a brand-new school year. Choose from a wide variety of highly relevant courses, each designed and led by an expert in the field. Take advantage of group discounts! Questions? Call 1-800-462-1478.
What Are You Thinking? showcases nine reading conferences—each with a different instructional focus—between author Patrick Allen and his fourth-grade students. Viewers will see how to connect with kids, monitor progress, and differentiate instruction. Includes a viewing guide. Click here to watch one of the conferences!
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| ASCD News | | |
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New coalition promotes college, career, and citizenship readiness
A broad new coalition, led by ASCD and joined by more than two dozen national education organizations, has been formed to better advocate for school programs beyond reading, math and science. Representing a wide array of subject areas, the members of the College, Career, and Citizenship Readiness Coalition are working to advance the concept that a comprehensive education in all core academic subjects, including physical education and health education, is necessary to prepare graduates for college and careers. Read our official press release.
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Webinar: Learning targets -- helping students aim for understanding
Join Connie M. Moss, education expert and co-author of "Learning Targets: Helping Students Aim for Understanding in Today's Lesson," for a free webinar on Tuesday, July 17, at 3 p.m. EDT. Moss will delve into how learning targets can help teachers build enduring and meaningful learning experiences and explain how to place learning targets in the hands of learners, giving them choice and voice. Register now.
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