EdCafe
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Thank-you to all the teachers who made this an excellent learning experience.
Please take another minute to give us some feedback on all the professional learning that happened this week.
https://docs.google.com/a/wrsd.ca/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGp0T01ySUxBLWZudGFoR0hSNzc0SkE6MQ#gid=0
The Power of The Positive Phone Call Home
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/power-positive-phone-call-home-elena-aguilar
"In spite of my exhaustion, I called each family and introduced myself. I asked a few questions about their child. I said that their kid had had a good first day. I said I looked forward to working together. Throughout that year, and the years that followed, I continued this practice -- I had an intuitive feeling that it was key: The positive phone call home. After the first days, as soon as I'd identified the kids who might be challenging, I made it a goal to call home with positive news every week. I'd share this goal with my students, greeting them at the door with something like: "I'm so excited to see you this morning, Oscar! I am going to be watching you really closely today so find some good news to share with your mom this evening. I can't wait to call her and tell her what a good day you had!"
When I taught middle school, this strategy made the difference between an unmanageable group of kids and an easy group. You'd be surprised, perhaps, how desperately an eighth grade boy wants his mom (or dad or grandma or pastor) to get a positive call home. On the first day of school I'd give students a survey that included this question, "Who would you like me to call when I have good news to share about how you're doing in my class? You're welcome to list up to five people. And please let them know I might call -- even tonight or tomorrow!"
Student Identity and Engagement
Involving students as “partners in change” invites us to:
• see the student as a whole person
• know every student in more dimensions than just the academic
• support students in playing a more active role in their learning
• include student voice in planning learning opportunities
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/CBS_StudentIdentity.pdf
Starting a New School Year: Nine Tips for Collaboration
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/proactive-strategies-collaborate-early-often-terrell-heick
In The Loop Alberta Education Newsletter
http://www.industrymailout.com/Industry/View.aspx?id=386980&q=496649280&qz=354aa4
