7.17.2012

definitely time for a "to do" list

Hello to my blogging friends! I apologize for my absence. I've hit the stretch of my summer with consecutive plans...one week at the beach...one week at the Arkansas Department of Education...two weeks at UofA.

The beach was wonderful! I quickly converted to a complete and total beach bum. Reading. Sleeping. And eating lots of hot boiled shrimp! :)

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My week at the ADE was valuable professional development. I'm so thankful for the invite! Nearly 1000 algebra items were reviewed and sent to the edit stage.

Currently...I'm in my first week of STEM professional development at its finest. UAEMP. University of Arkansas Engineering and Math Partnership. The engineering professors are leading us through the changes to our curriculum that are forthcoming with the implementation of Common Core. Today's focus was changing how we teach. We're building projects that align to Understanding by Design.
Understanding by Design, Expanded 2nd Edition

Meanwhile...I have been investigating Evernote via Nicholas Provenzano @thenerdyteacher in some recent blog posts about his Epic Evernote Experiment and an IPEVO document camera. I plan to help my students organize their algebra notes and sample work in a stack of notebooks in Evernote. And I will be able to model key elements through a shared notebook in my premium Evernote account. My next investigation is Weebly for Education to create a private set of websites/blogs for my classes. Any suggestions? I would love to hear your review on Weebly websites.

I refuse to look at my calendar, but I feel my final summer days passing quickly. And that can only mean one thing...time for a serious "to do" list. So...do tell...what's at the top of your school list?!?

Have a great week...make it count!

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8 comments:

  1. Hi Lisa:
    How did summer fly by so quickly?
    California is just beginning to dabble in Common Core. I think the top item on my To Do list is to take a closer look at the new standards so that I am ready as we transition to "the new way of thinking."

    I am interested in your websites/blogs project. I'll be checking back for more information...

    Kim
    Finding JOY in 6th Grade

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    1. My summer was longer than normal, but I promise it disappeared in the blink of an eye! We'll have to chat soon about my tech stuff. I have a gradual release plan for blogging...crossing my fingers that it works well. ;)

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  2. Oh my! My list of to-dos is too long! But the main thing on the top of my list is to finish a book I'm reading (Never Work Harder Than Your Students) and then plan out what my 1st day is going to look like with my kids. I'm doing it differently this year--more interactive. I'm not even going to talk about my syllabus, but go right into an activity/lab! I'm so excited to see how the kids react to it, because I know that in most of their classes they'll be hearing about the syllabus...all day long!

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    1. I love your idea of starting the year with an interactive lab! I try to avoid syllabus review as well. ;) Hope you have a fabulous school year!

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  3. As we go back NEXT week, I am clearly in a list-making mode! The top? Creating an organized space for everyone in the room. I've gotten a lot done, so next is getting all the resources for unit one done - copies, resources, etc. Love the blog!

    Julie

    Setting Sail in 7th Grade

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    1. Hi, Julie! Thanks so much for stopping by my little corner of the blog world. So how was your start to a new school year? Hope you're off to an outstanding start!

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  4. We don't start school until September, but I am anxious to get started on things for this coming year. I got a new job and when the Math dept. chair mentioned they use UBD, I bought the book from Amazon. I am just starting it and I LOVE it!
    ☼ Kate
    To The Square Inch

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    1. Congrats on the new job! Did you relocate your life or just your career? Hope you have a smooth transition either way. Good luck with UBD...we will have to compare notes! :)

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