I just finished carrying 46 boxes (and I counted), an assortment of bags, 30-40 posters and other such colorful things that hang well on cinder block walls, a bookcase, a book rack and and a classroom mailbox from the garage to the basement.  So it goes with the end of the year classroom cleanup.  As I walked up and down the basement stairs carrying these things, I had some good thinking time.  I thought about how I’d rather be watching the Penguins game (they won 7-3, btw).  I thought about the fact that I’ll have to carry all these same things back up the stairs to the garage to my wife’s car come August.

And, as I carried boxes labeled “Hunger Games Books” and “Science Supplies” down the stairs it made me think how about how many awesome things my wife’s sixth graders experienced this year.  At least a dozen virtual field trips and other connections, a really cool trip to Villanova University on a beautiful Saturday in the fall, Family Science Night, paperslide videos and the list goes on and on and on.

Educators tend to use the end of the year to poll or survey their students to figure out how they can improve next year.  My wife has already started thinking about what she wants to do this summer to prepare for next school year.  Personally, I think teachers deserve at least five minutes of personal reflection to celebrate all the great things they and their students accomplished this school year.

So, I put together a Report Card for Teachers to convince/encourage/coerce/force you to take some time to reflect upon and celebrate all the amazing work you did this year.  My report card is not punitive.  It can definitely be informative.  It is intended to be celebratory.

Here’s how it works.

Think about the learning experiences you designed for your students.  What did your students create?  How did you provide opportunities for them to communicate?  What about collaboration?  And the trickiest, most-buzzword-worthy, in what ways did you give your students the opportunity to curate?

For each of these four areas, give yourself a plus, check or minus.  If you give yourself any minuses, use that as an opportunity to make some changes for next year.  But, for the checks and pluses, give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate your success.

Also, I’d love to hear about the data that support your self-assessment.  Post some comments and share ways you encouraged your students to create, communicate, collaborate and curate this past year.

After working so hard to meet all of the graduation requirements, including long hours in the library, endless amounts of studying, and passing all of their final exams, the graduates finally make their way to the ceremony. Putting on their caps and gowns and gathering one last time with all of their classmates, they file in two by two. With hundreds of friends and families crowded around, they walk across the stage and are provided with the roaring of cheers giving them a great feeling of success.

Take the time to celebrate with your students and acknowledge all that they have strove to achieve. Before thinking about whatever the next stage in life may be; preparing themselves for college, or taking on the real world, be sure to have them soak up this accomplishment first.

Here at Discovery Education, we would like to congratulate all of the graduates of 2013, and recognize all of the teachers and supporters that have helped to get them here! We wish our fresh graduates the best of luck with wherever the road leads them next.

Monday, June 3rd, 7PM ET – Register here!

Join Kathy Schrock and faculty members of the Discovery Education/Wilkes University Instructional Media team as they share some of the best Summer Learnin’ opportunities for you to take advantage of! From MOOC’s to EdCamps, classes and conferences, you’ll discover exciting ways to keep the heat on throughout the coming months.

Summer break provides an excellent opportunity to recharge the batteries, learn some new strategies and arrive back at school re-energized for the upcoming year. Kathy and her panel of guests will share their personal ‘todo’ lists for the summer months and suggestions for making the most of your time away from the students.

Topics to include: 

Summer reading lists for those lazy days at the beach
Education conferences and gatherings, both face to face and virtual
New technologies to explore while taking a break from the heat
Online courses that provide inspiration through perspiration along with PD credit for re-certifcation
This webinar is brought to you by the Discovery Education Wilkes University Instructional Media Program.

From Web 2.0 to digital storytelling and virtual field trips, the 21st century classroom has the power to engage and inspire today’s tech savvy students. This degree provides teachers the tools, knowledge and strategies to be successful 21st century educators.

Program highlights include:
Convenient online learning
Tuition at $403 per credit
Deferred payment available
Classes held in seven-week sessions
Completion in less than two year
Registration is now open for Summer Session 2. Deadline to apply is 6/19

For more information, visit http://masters.discoveryeducation.com or call (800) WILKES-U (ext. 7841)

Complete the registration information here to receive reminder emails prior to the event. On the day of the event, all you have to do is navigate to: http://gplus.to/discoveryed

For K-2:

For Upper Elementary School:

For Middle School:

For High School:

Meet

ALISON SCHLEEDE

Where do you teach?

Wake County Schools, Raleigh, NC

What do you teach?

9-12 Technology Integration

When did you become a DEN member?

2010

What’s your favorite thing about being a DEN member?

I love being able to learn from other educators across the country!  I have connected with other educators that are innovative!!

What’s your teaching super power?

Integrating technology in all content areas!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be? And why?

Merida from Brave
She is fiercely independent and wants to chart her own destiny!!

Twitter ID:

@aschleede

Blog Address:

http://alisonschleede.wordpress.com/

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