Ron Clark Academy

I am so excited about my job!!! I know, what's new? But, I JUST returned home from at weekend in Atlanta at the Ron Clark Academy and it was AWESOME! Iam so jazzed. It validated stuff that I was already doing with my students, yet challenged me to do more. New ideas: 1. Home Visits- 10 minute chats with students and families in their home. Set expectations, challenge the child, and, of course, encourage! 2. Teachers sign a contract that states they will be available to the students until the students reach 21.3. Focus on cultural and global studies.4. Have students lead the class and then have others critique (lots of positive feedback and one or two things to work on)5. Have teachers film themselves and fill out their own observation papers. One month later, repeat the process and after observation sheet is completed by the teacher, sit down with the teacher and review with them.6. Lots of teacher games! I will share these with photos as I make them.I hope to implement many ideas with the middle school teaching team. I think consistency and teacher buy-in will be the keys to success.

Top Techie Gifts

It is beginning to look alot like Christmas everywhere I go! Yes, I know the leftover turkey is still in the fridge. But sleigh bells are ringing. Children are singing. There is laughter in the air. And there are SALES, SALES, SALES! Bargains to be had! Deals to be made! Like all, I have poured over the papers, salivated over the cool toys, made my list and changed it twice. Not wanting to miss a thing, I have surfed the web, toured BEST BUY, read top blogs, and tried to remember that it is better to give than to receive.



But even last night at a high school football game, I added to my list as I saw one of my students using her tiny HP camera to take both still shots and videos. Now I have a beautiful Nikon D70, but I don't think it can take video... and WHEN will Apple release a video app for the Iphone??? I spent the earlier part of the day, comparing one camera to another and settling on the Flip. Then wondering, "Should I get the Flip?" I saw one at the DEN Summer Institute - it was compact and affordable. The new Flip has high resolution, still affordable, loaded with software, easy to use, and the cases are able to be customized with personal graphics!!! They are advertised as sleek and desireable - they had me at sleek.

Now, honestly until last night the Flip camera wasn't even on the list. My only techie gift wish was for an eTrex for geocaching. Which makes me wonder what items should be on the list? Not wanting to miss the must-have's, I invite you to share. Which top tech items do you think should be on everyone's list?

My personal favorites (items I have purchased and never regretted):

• iPhone (LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!)


• USB external harddrive (Have files can travel)


• ActivBoard (Revolutionized my classroom! Thanks, Promethean!)