What does PLC say about this?

What do you do when not all the teachers in your department are as confident in planning lessons? I understand both sides of the argument. On one hand, I see that PLC expects those gifted in certain areas to help those who are not and vice versa. However, I also understand the teacher who can get everything done in the contract hours not wanting to stay for after-school meetings when there are other life-priorities to take care of. What does PLC say to one or both of these individuals?

Standards-Based Grading Presented

I love my department. Yesterday I shared what I’m going to try as far as grading assessments at our first department meeting. Our school had a significant loss in AYP, so we are all looking to new ideas for improvement this year. My goal is to grade assessment more on a progression toward mastery of the standards than on letter grades. It appears as though nearly everyone, if not everyone, is at least willing to try it. I have to admit that I’m quite surprised. I expected to be alone in this. My department is great in their willingness to give things a try. I honestly told them I don’t know all the answers because I haven’t done it before, but we can try together. We’re still going to give homework points and points for in-class activities, but assessments will essentially be graded on a rubric. My favorite comment was “this is scary.” But that same teacher is willing to try. I’m so glad to work in a place where people truly discuss new ideas and are willing to try them.

Department Chair

So I’m department chair this year. What do you expect from your department chair?

First Day Back and an IWB question

Yesterday was the first contract day back at school. We had a meeting until 9:45 and were then given the rest of the day to set up our classrooms. Does anyone else spend a lot of time on these days doing nothing of any great value? Not that I was totally unproductive, but I have to remind myself that investing in relationships with other people and helping others is productive–even though not much changed or happened in my classroom.

With the advent of SMARTboards in 20 rooms, there were many questions to be asked, and since I’m one of the few who feels comfortable enough to really use mine starting the first day of school, may were directed at me. I’ve read several articles that talk about teaching differently with an Interactive White Board and that if we continue to teach exactly the same way, we are negating the value of the software. I get this, and I’ve planned lessons, but I’m not totally convinced they are truly “taking advantage” of the technology. So the question to end this post is as follows: What makes an IWB lesson AMAZING?

Higher Education

Do I want a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction or Educational Technology? Can I somehow do both? Can I get some admin in there too? It looks like I’ll be spending the next year researching grad schools again. I’ll be applying for the 2011-2012 school year, so I have a year to research (and possibly visit) schools and programs.

Any suggestions?