Though we generally think of the word "end" as a conclusion, we should keep in mind it comes from the Greek word anti, which means "before." While we might think we're concluding the school year, we are really—much more importantly—setting students, and ourselves, up for what comes next. 
( respectfully stolen from somewhere?)


Treat a man as he is and you make him worse than he is. Treat a man as he has the potential to become and you make him better than he is. —Goethe



After many discussions with teachers all over the world regarding moving schools forward, I often keep coming back to the thought that if we really want to further education, we need to increase the expectations of our students. The idea that if we look deeply at our students, we will be able to find some amazing qualities and that our students can be leaders in areas that they love. I love the “Cracker Jack” analogy that if we look at each student enough, we will always be able to find the “prize” inside of each one.http://www.connectedprincipals.com/archives/3733

PD template for 2011/12 school year.  Tom and Alexis will be meeting with administrators to discuss the PD template in the next week. 
I have attached one for you to have a look at.

AISI - summary for coaches and administrators. We are asking that you get together with your administrator and submit one report that you do together. 
You will recieve the report template before the end of this week. It will be similar to last year and will be used to compile our school division report for Alberta Education.

Summer Reading

A groundbreaking book on the science of play, and its essential role in fueling our intelligence and happiness throughout our lives.

 We’ve all seen the happiness in the face of a child while playing in the school yard. Or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing with glee across a lawn.
This is the joy of play. By definition, play is purposeless and all-consuming. And, most important, it’s fun.

 As we become adults, taking time to play feels like a guilty pleasure—a distraction from “real” work and life. But as Dr. Stuart Brown illustrates, play is anything
but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. In fact, our ability to play throughout life is the single most important factor in
determining our success and happiness.

 Dr. Brown has spent his career studying animal behavior and conducting more than six thousand “play histories” of humans from all walks of life—from serial
murderers to Nobel rize winners. Backed by the latest research, Play explains why play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intelligence, creativity,
ability to problem solve, and more. Play is hardwired into our brains—it is the mechanism by which we become resilient, smart, and adaptable people.

Beyond play’s role in our personal fulfillment, its benefits have profound implications for child development and the way we parent, education and social policy,
business innovation, productivity, and even the future of our society. From new research suggesting the direct role of three-dimensional-object play in shaping
our brains to animal studies showing the startling effects of the lack of play, Brown provides a sweeping look at the latest breakthroughs in our understanding
of the importance of this behavior. A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science, and inspiring human stories of the
transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.

Marzano
October 31-November 1
Calgary, AB:Marzano's Building Engaged Schools Institute
Every teacher can create a classroom environment where engagement is the norm, not the exception. Gain an in-depth understanding of how to generate high levels of attention and engagement as a result of careful planning and execution of specific strategies.

2Learn.ca/vantage
Theme for interactive smart boards - Social Studies for the month of June
file:///C:/Users/AHOLST~1/AppData/Local/Temp/fcctemp/Attach0%202.html

Division Level PD plans for 2011/12
Division day means that the day is planned by division office and all teachers are expected to attend these planned workshops.
August 25th and 26th are division days.  There will be professional learning in the areas of assessment, smart learning and galileo. Administrators will be asking you to choose one of the three areas as your focus for professional learning next year.
August 29th - .5 day with Brian Celli  .5 day in your school
October 28th - Division Day
February 17th - Division Day

All other PD days are school based days that are to be planned at the school level.


Smart Learning   
We are hosting a Smart Learning Institute in Rocky Mountain House on August 25th and 26th.  Check out the website http://smartreading.ca/

"The SmartLearning framework has allowed teachers in my district to go deeper in their understanding of wise practice. The framework gives everyone a common starting point and explicitly focuses instruction in the areas of connecting, processing, transforming and reflecting. As teachers participate in learning rounds and co-plan lessons, critical dialogue occurs around how best to support learning at each of the stages. Through these conversations, tools are selected to 'best-fit' the development of targeted skills. Powerful conversations about matching tools with desired outcomes push everyone's thinking, learning and professional practice. Feedback from teachers indicates that the opportunity to plan and work within the framework of SmartLearning, utilizing the SmartThinking tools, is the most powerful professional development they have done. Personally, the framework has redefined how I plan and teach. I am more accountable, focused and intentional which has increased student achievement, engagement and enthusiasm in the lessons. "   http://smartreading.ca/smart_learning_compelling_stories.shtml

Just say No
The Global Commission on Drug Policy has concluded that, when it comes to drugs, 'just say no' policies for youth are a complete failure. Perhaps we'll now do the same for schools' 'just say no' policies regarding Wikipedia, mobile phones, YouTube, and other digital technologies?
http://bigthink.com/blogs/dangerously-irrelevant

Assessment Blog
http://www.allthingsassessment.info/wordpress/

Jim Knight
The second in my series of five videos (what i'm calling micro-coaching sessions) for the Teaching Channel is now up on You Tube.  This new video is about balancing freedom and structure in the classroom.  You can see it here:

If you missed the first video, about engaging students, you can see it here: