From the Vault...

Yep, it's just like the Disney vault...we open it up and release previous hits or share something that has been waiting in the wings.

Enjoy!

Here's a great article on student engagement:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-engagement-stories-heather-wolpert-gawron?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=students-speak-out&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=image-repost

Check out this link to some practical ideas on student engagement:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1b4G5fCK7k_WF79P2CpmsASb05Awjg2GwJquim-N_xFI/mobilepresent?slide=id.g78b32f1e8_18

A great reminder about best practices for teaching and learning:
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-highly-effective-teaching-practices-rebecca-alber?utm_content=blog&utm_campaign=5-highly-effective-teaching-practices&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow&utm_term=link2

Tools for technology engagement in the classroom:
https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/1dlnRCENqtir2m2SE201960usoxgOFOWC_PSC6ztihNc/mobilebasic

Tech Ed Measuring Unit:  using flat pattern development to put their skills to a practical use

Plickers to assess mastery of skills

Students in French were given letters and asked to work as partners to develop an intersecting puzzle that incorporated 17 of their vocabulary words.
They were not provided any clues and had to use process of elimination according to the spelling of each word.  Quite the challenge!

Student Retakes:  a practice to ensure content mastery

April Showers...

...Bring May Flowers!

Sometimes, it takes a little extra work to get kids to see the fruits of our labors.  Spring is just a metaphor for learning.  Students work hard all year long (as well as through May) to master new skills.  This hard work takes many different forms...
 

Collaboration is hard work!  It often seems like for kids, but it takes social and academic prowess to do it well.  In the above pictures, students collaborated to determine when to use various graphs.  They collected the data, and in some cases, multiple types of data are required.

Learning the tools is hard work!  To get comfortable with testing, students had to practice the online tools.  Teachers designed specific tasks to ensure students knew which tools were available and how to use them.

Teaching peers is hard work!  Students need to understand the skills well enough to explain them to others.  As a bonus, those who do, get to play a little b-ball.

Getting kids to understand practice makes perfect is hard work!  Students demonstrate mastery of skills by rotating around the classroom, working the various problems.

Getting students to see school as life is hard work!  These students learn the difficulty of budgets and spreadsheets.  Maybe they can work on the Sparks family finances next...

Spending extra time in the classes that are most difficult for you is hard work!  Students in interventions work hard to build vocabulary and math skills.

Just a Typical "Core" Day

Check out the pictures below to get a peak into 6th, 7th, and 8th grade core classrooms today, April 6, 2015.

Flyertimes made MAP posters

Making science real:  spinning the globe while it circles the sun (aka, the students)

Research using multiple types of devices:  laptops, tablets, cell phones, and books

How fast can you go 30 yards?  Students chose their method, including walking on their hands.

Preparing for a gallery walk on ecosystems:  each group completes a part fo the whole.

Using manipulatives to study samples in science

Not your typical timelines...

eValuate Reflection

Getting students comfortable with upcoming MAP testing tools

Collaborative work:  applying knowledge of Lewis and Clark in a game

Engaging kids in why we learn

A good tool for "no name" work

Students become "Seedfolks," making their own plants to relate to the text

Science notebooking:  using the scientific process to make conclusions

Getting students to model problem-solving

Pi as decor?  Yep, those links are the "infinity" of pi.

Evaluation skills at work:  matching statements to graphs

What Would It Look Like If It Did Work? (Add Comments of What Works!)

Recently, a teacher asked a student, "Why are you so happy? It's Thursday."  The student replied (I didn't make this up!), "Because today is a Flyertime Day!"  Flyertime continues to evolve to meet the needs of our students, and it's not going away.  Based on what I know about early adolescents and their need for social emotional development, it shouldn't go away.  Our task is to embrace it and help it grow.

Flyertime...I hear the voices, I hear the concerns, I hear frustrations, and I ask you what would it look like if it worked to your vision?

Here's my vision of Flyertime:
A class where students feel a sense of purpose
A class where students can discuss those hot topics relevant to them
A class where students learn to lead and grow with the facilitation of their teacher
A class where we explicitly address character education to make connections within daily life

I recently spoke with a teacher whose Flyertime students enjoy coming to Flyertime each day, who has other students ask if they can join the class.  When asked why, students say "because we get to talk about issues and things important to us."  What's noteworthy is that this environment doesn't take a lot of planning - this teacher checks the Flyertime calendar at 7:30 each morning to get the lesson for the day.

My suggestions for the future:

Kickball:  If your Flyertime doesn't play together as a team, don't play.

Calendar:  Use it to help guide you, but know that you have flexibility to adjust based on your students needs, current events, etc.

Engagement:  Get them moving to ensure participation by everyone.  Use the same engagement strategies you use instructionally.

Routines:  Develop routines where there's clear purpose of each topic and reflection connected to the core values.

Service Learning:  Don't stress about it.  Consider both your and the students' interests, and feel free to connect it to your curriculum.  The options are limitless, and can include service to the building.

I challenge you to share ideas that have worked for you in the comments below.