Absolutely will do that, but if anyone in this innovative community has some cool ideas of projects, lessons, materials etc. that they plan to use I'd love the recommendations.
Hi Lisa,
I'd advocate a sharing circle, where every student has the opportunity to share their experiences over the holidays, a goal for the coming year and perhaps something they think their teacher should know about them. I like to brainstorm the values of the classroom - a safe and happy place where everyone has the right to listen, learn and be heard and where each student is respected for their individual knowledge and skills. From this create a class 'charter', which each student takes home to their parents and signs, commiting to upholding the class values and vision.
I ask students to draw an outline of their hand and write one thing they are good at on each finger. This could be adapted to five things they want to achieve this year, five questions they have about their new class/school/teacher, five ways to improve their learning etc.
I also like to write a letter, introducing myself to students and parents, making clear my expectations, ways to communicate with me and a little about me as a teacher.
Good luck with your new students and best wishes for the coming year, Britt Gow
Hi Lisa,
Over the coming week there will be lots of staff profiles, plenty of inauguration day histories, and tons articles, essays with terrific content.
Just copy and paste any of those into LessonWriter and create comprehensive literacy lessons in minutes.The content can be tracked by classes for automatic scaffolding, and there is one-click differentiation of instruction.
Please contact me if you have any questions
Stephen
Here are a couple of good resources for teachers to use regarding the inauguration.
• This site, entitled Inaugural, is actually a portal to other sites that provide history related to the inauguration as well as information re: what happens on that day. http://inaugural.senate.gov/2009/
• Text of all addresses made by presidents (for high school students) http://www.bartleby.com/124/
Sorry Lisa,
I thought Inauguration day must be the first day at school - not the first day of a new presidents term! Oops! Another example of how we can learn from each other and even though many countries speak English, people can still misunderstand each other.
Best regards, Britt Gow
For New York City Department of Education Teachers
The NYC DOE has partnered with ABC News to provide schools with a live Internet video stream of the presidential inauguration on January 20. The ideal location for viewing the broadcast is an auditorium, cafeteria, or large library with projection capabilities (including a laptop or computer with an Internet connection).
New York City teachers and administrators interested in taking advantage of this service can e-mail their borough technology manager (see the list at www.nycboe.net/schools/principals/weekly/20080106/borough_tech_mana...). The subject of your e-mail should be “INAUGURATION.” Your borough technology manager will contact your to schedule a visit by a technician who will assess your school’s capability to access the video stream. Technicians will work with your staff to set up and test the necessary equipment. If your school has limited technology resources or no large viewing space, the technician will explore possible alternative solutions (e.g., utilizing existing cable television service).