Memorial for the Victims of the Aurora, Colorado Tragedy

From the Denver Post:

Local artist, Mark Rantal, has also showed his support for this tragedy by creating a memorial ribbon for the victims of the shootings that took place at midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colorado – this ribbon will forever be a symbol and memory of those lives that were lost in such a senseless act of violence.

Great Rigor Resources

My friend, Cybraryman, has just put up a new page of rigor resources.  Some are mine, but there are lots of others to choose from! 

Rigor and the Common Core from SREB

I just returned from the Southern Regional Education Board's National Staff Development Conference--a fabulous conference with great teachers and leaders.  One of my sessions was on the Common Core--the Floor or the Ceiling?  We discussed how the standards alone are not enough; it's what you do with them that matters.  We also talked about the Lexile Framework and the appropriate use of it with the Common Core.  For more on that topic, download the free white paper here. 

Links for the Common Core State Standards

Happy Fourth of July week.  I hope you will take some time to relax and enjoy the week.  One quick link for the week--I was sent this blog entry with 50 links for the Common Core--it's a fairly comprehensive list, so check it out.

How does rigor apply to PreK or primary students?

This question was also asked in Miami.  Let me assure you, rigor applies to all students at all grade levels and subject areas.  Rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels, each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels, and each student demonstrates learning at high levels. 

Let's look at a couple of great rigorous activities for the primary grades.  First, when teaching concepts, such as colors, numbers, or shapes, ask them to describe them using riddles.  Students love to use puzzles and riddles to try to stump their classmates, and they are very creative!

I'm the shape of Mrs. Juarez's desk.  What am I?
I'm what you use when your pencil won't write.  What am I?
I'm the animal that was chased in the story.  Who am I?

Second, rather than showing students a picture or the cover of a book and asking them to describe what they see, put the picture/book inside a folder.  Make sure the folder has eyes and a smile cut out.  Ask students to guess what the picture/cover is by only looking at pieces, rather than the whole.  You can also do this by putting together puzzle pieces.

Both of these activities are simple, yet require students to think at higher levels of learning.  Remember, rigor can be fun!!!!

How can I motivate my apathetic students?

I received this question during my workshops in Miami last week.  It's hard when you have an apathetic student, but there are some strategies you can use.  First, try to find out what is behind the mood.  I had a student who seemed apathetic, but really wasn't getting enough sleep at night.  One of my girls didn't want to "look too smart" in front of a boy she liked.  So, see if you can get to the root of the problem.

Second, consider the two aspects of intrinsic motivation:  value and success.  Students are more motivated when they see value in what they are doing.  Perhaps they need to see the relevance of the lesson, or the enjoyment of the activity that you are using, or they may see value in the relationship they have with you.  Capitalize on the value.

Next, students are more motivated when they feel successful.  Give them open-ended questions that have no wrong answer.  Chunk assignments or tasks into small bites, so they can succeed at each step.  Success builds upon success, and you can help your students feel successful!

Resting and Relaxing?

Many of you are still teaching, but some of you are finished for the year.  My son finished on Friday, so we left for a family vacation on Sunday.  Vacations are supposed to be about relaxing, resting, and enjoying getting away from the traditional obligations.  However, it's taken me several days to get to that point.  I had a long to-do list that wasn't finished; I keynoted at the Center for School Excellence for Poverty Instruction Conference on our second day here; and traveling with a 14 and 16 year old was an adjustment. Yesterday, I finally took some time to do nothing--except fidget a bit!  Do you have trouble with that transition to the summer?  The feeling that you are thrilled the year is over, but also that feeling of not quite knowing what to do?  That's where I am--my summers are part break, part work, so I never know how to fully relax.  For the summer, I'll be blogging once or twice a week, presenting in Miami, upstate New York, Mobile, Texas, and at the Southern Regional Education Board's National Staff Development Conference in New Orleans.  I'll also be releasing a June/July newsletter next week.  Enjoy your summer!