Collaborative+Space+for+Summer+Planning+-+Upper+Grades

Please write on me-

Hey fellas-

Fatherhood is amazing... while I spend time with my son, thoughts do occasionally wander towards next school year. Does anyone know when the new guy is going to be in town? I sort of know Prof. L. from college, but would like the chance to catch up. Additionally, I have a few solid books on differentiated instruction and assessment. We should trade and share resources, as I currently lack the cash to spend on pricey books. ~Nel

yo nel,

though brief, good effort last night. to your questions: i got nothing on when professor leyrer comes to town, but as to your differentiation stuff, good idea, but here's a thought: i really feel like we covered a lot of ground on differentiation this year, at least in theory, and that is to say, reading about what it is, how to do it, all that, but im concerned a lot of times we, myself included, didnt pull it off in the classroom for a lot of reasons...time, lack of resources, or maybe just life in general. so might it be a good idea to, as we are working on our planning for the fall, consider specific ways to differentiate in our plans, and then share them when we get back together in july?

just a thought. also, chris and jon, nel and i are gonna collaborate, where he's gonna prep out and teach fifth grade science, and i ll do the same for 7th grade english. basically, it just makes sense to use our strengths to help one another. i havent heard much from anyone save for chris about my email, so you guys got any thoughts about other ways we could collaborate?

if you need be, i'll be reading feverishly, and watching the world cup.

jb

I have emailed Prof. Leyrer to work out some transitional item for principal. I will let you know specifics as they are worked out.

As "content experts" as jb suggested I plan to map out my plans instead of "traditional" block planning. Mapping out the year is more detailed, gives better direction for the teachers that I will be sharing them with, and shows the years content, skills, assessments, and state standards in a uniform way.

Incorporating differentiation into the planning and sharing them is a great idea.

- Jon

in terms of mapping, my major content areas are pretty much good to go. still got some long term projects and what have you to look at, but otherwise, feeling sorta solid mid june. when you guys do math, you might be wise to use the new common core standards. they are money, and way better than the previous ones. for english i used the old ones, only because i am so familiar with them, but next year i hope to make the switch as well.

jb