Session 1 - On the road again!

Welcome to the Rummel Creek Elementary summer training.  Throughout this summer we will spend time together investigating technology – specifically the iPad and iTouch.  We will also spend time looking at how to provide specifically for the needs of our gifted children. (As a result of looking at our gifted population we will affect all of our students.)  Expectations of this summer training include reading articles and reflecting on them, evaluating curriculum in reference to the articles and integrating technology into the curriculum to best support students and enrich/motivate the gifted.  Throughout the summer we will build our knowledge based on gifted children, apps that are available  and how to best use the iPads/iTouches for instruction and learning for all students.  By the end of the summer as a faculty, we will develop a collection of lessons, apps and more to use during the 2012-13 school year.  We will be confident in using technology to meet the needs of our students.

To complete this summer training, teachers will need to access this blog to reflect on the articles and write on the wiki:  http://rceapps.wikispaces.com/ .   Some of the articles shared will be found on our shared server, others will be linked from this blog.  As preparation went on for this summer session, many resources were discovered – some will be linked on this blog – others will be linked on the WikiSpace – use these as you see best fits your needs.

 For each session you must:

• Write a response to the questions posed in the blog
• Post comments, links or apps to the wiki (each session will be different)
• Write necessary comments to support your posts on the wiki

During the summer we will build capacity, fellowship and support for our students and faculty while exploring the ipad/itouch and the wonderful world of apps.

Assignment for Session 1:

•    Access the blog and leave a message to this posting.  Be sure to leave your initials!!!!!
•    Access the Wiki spaces and leave a comment on the  comment page.  Be sure to leave your initials!!!!
•    Help me advertise the blogs and facebook page for our 50^th anniversary by writing and e-mailing the links to these sites to former students/parents/teachers.

        On Facebook - Look for RCE with the orange roadrunner - we'd love to collect stories.

         Here is our blog:  http://rce50.blogspot.com/ It is open to anyone to post and respond.  Would love to hear from former students/parents!

FYI – this will be a “no frills” training…not a lot of side notes, just the basics and getting you ready for next fall.  Time was not spent on making this “cute!”  The more your put in….the more you will reap in the fall!  

By the time you have gotten this far you will have completed the first three hours through face to face time of discussion. You are well on your way to completing your summer staff development.  We're looking forward to a summer of exploration of the worderful world of apps!

Session 2 Just to make you think!

A poem by Steve Jobs


Here’s to the crazy ones.

The misfits.

The rebels.

The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They’re not fond of rules.

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,

disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They invent.

They imagine.

They heal.

They explore.

They create.

They inspire.

They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?

Or sit in silence and hear a song that has never been written?

Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some see them as the crazy ones,

we see genius.

Because the people who are crazy enough

to think they can change the world,

are the ones who do.



This is shared as we look to our gifted students. One of the first things you look at is creativity. Students come to school excited and creative so we need to build on their natural characteristics. Read the article “Chapter 9 – Encouraging Creativity” from the book “Best Practices in gifted Education: An Evidence-based Guide”.  Students see technology as creativity.  They can create all kinds of things with just simple clicks.  As we look at our students, we need to encourage creativity and provide an environment that is conducive to creativity.


Here is a blog that I discovered when researching creativity and GT students: http://teachagiftedkid.com/  . Teach a gifted kid has some good links and postings about GT students. She has a nice Live Binder page with links to all kinds of activities to extend and enrich core curriculum.  I found myself reading through the blog to get more ideas.  Her side bar has some great links.


A site filled with creative links, ideas, and lessons: The Torrance Center (http://www.coe.uga.edu/torrance/creativity-resources/   )


Characteristics of a Gifted Child:  http://austega.com/gifted/9-gifted/22-characteristics.html


Sometimes you just have dig around the internet and see what's out there that spurs your creativity.  If you haven't found the website Pinterest - you need to check that out.  The education link has all kinds of things to get your creativity going for your classroom, but explore all the site has to offer!


Thinking about Apps that you would use in your classroom - are there apps to promote art, creativity?  Using photography apps to morph photographs lends itself to creativity.  Can you create characters or puppets using an app?  See what you can find on the app store - type in creativity, photography, drawing as some of your search terms.  I did a presentation in April on the Children's World of Apps - check it out and the links provided to get you going on Apps for children:  (On this site you will see links to all kinds of resources to find more apps and how to use them...it's just like following bread crumbs and collecting all of the rewards.  Keep going in your searching - it's not always the first place that provides you what you want...this summer...take the time to peruse the wonderful world of apps that are out there and can bring your classroom alive and make your job sooo much easier!)


Reading Links:  Best practices
Special Links:  http://rcetechnology.pbworks.com   - click on Children's world of apps and EXPLORE!


Assignment for Session 2:


• Reflect on this chapter in this blog by commenting on the traits of the creative student. How could you encourage creativity in your classroom? What small changes could you make to nurture creativity in your gifted students?


• Explore some of the apps already posted on the Wiki (look at Kathy Schrock’s list)– identify one that you could use to nurture creativity with your gifted students.Post the app on our wiki site. Write a response on the wiki to how you would use the apps you selected with your gifted students.

Session 3

Chapter 3 – Students who are Twice-Exceptional. Read the chapter about students who are both gifted and exhibit learning difficulties. We have many students at Rummel Creek who are gifted in one area, yet show disabilities in another…I can think of many who fit this description. In my research for this section I came across a newsletter for children who are “Twice Exceptional” http://www.2enewsletter.com/  . This is something that you may want to share with some of your parents. It provides up to date information and ways to support these students. One of my favorite GT sites has a whole list of contacts and articles for the Twice Exceptional. (http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/twice_exceptional.htm  ) Again, this is a nice website to share with parents and colleagues with resources about twice exceptional children.




Technology can be a real boost for students that are twice exceptional. First, many of their disabilities can be assisted through technology. Try these apps and see how you feel they could support students with learning disabilities: Dragon Dictation & Tap to Talk. These are just a few….if you go to the Apple store and search you can find more. Search terms may include: education, special needs, handicapped and


Think of the students you have had in your classroom. How can technology , specifically the ipads/itouches, support those students. Look at the websites below to see how many apps are available to you for your special needs children. The following sites have additional apps for students with special needs – you may want to take a look at a few of them…many of them do have a fee. http://a4cwsn.com/  , http://www.ipodsibilities.com/iPodsibilities/SpEd_Apps.html , http://edudemic.com/2012/02/special-ed-apps/  , http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com/Special+Education+Apps  , http://momswithapps.com/apps-for-special-needs/  .


While we’re talking resources – don’t forget that the e-books we have on the Library Resources Page have the ability to read to the students. Many students can listen and learn. Think of setting up a station with one of the e-books. Check out PowerKids Science, our Follett E-books All you would need is a pair of headphones!  More on these in the next session!


Reading Links:  Chapter 3 - 






Assignment for Session 3:


• After reading the article on students that are twice-exceptional, post a comment on something you could do in your classroom to assist a student who is gifted, yet has some type of learning disability. What simple strategy could you change to encourage a student who is twice-exceptional?


• Check out a few of the apps listed on one of the sites above. Post one that you think we could use at RCE  on the wiki and give examples of how this could be used with students who are twice-exceptional.

Session 4

Flipped Learning

Another trend in education mentioned by Alan November is flipped learning.  View this video about flipped learning in a HS
 
Go to this website and you can read about flipped learning as well. http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/education/students-take-advantage-of-flipped-learning-in-the-classroom   Here is another blog with more information on the flipped classroom with resources: http://21centuryedtech.wordpress.com/2011/11/30/part-1-flipping-the-classroom-12-resources-to-keep-you-on-your-feet/

Why flipped learning?  It helps students take some ownership of their learning and helps them to use prior knowledge as they move forward.  By coming in to class with some understanding of the concept, they are able to ask questions and the teaching in the classroom can be changed.  Let’s look at some places to find resources to help with flipped learning.

Odyssey – Assign a lesson for homework and then discuss it the next day

Khan Academy – find a video for the students to view before coming to class

You tube, School Tube or Teacher Tube – have students watch a video and come ready to discuss the next day.  You can embed the videos in  your edmodo, blog, or wiki site!

Something that very few of us use is iTunes U – What is iTunes U – click here and learn about it http://www.apple.com/apps/itunes-u/index.html   Take some time to explore iTunes U.  If you go to K-12 you can find some audio books, videos and lessons specifically for K-12 students.  You can actually access many lectures from Harvard, Stanford and more prestigious universities.  In the K-12…you can find TEXAS resources as well to prepare us for the STAAR test!  Florida State has some good things including Lit to Go.  Many of the resources are for teachers to use.  Classroom 2.0 from Arizona will give you lots of ideas to use Web 2.0 tools.


Along with Flipped learning, flexible grouping can make a huge impact on your classroom.  Think about how you can group your children in flexible groupings.  Read the chapter from Best Practices on Flexible Grouping and see how you could incorporate it into your classroom.  


Reading:  Flexible Groups Chapter 14

Assignment for Session 4:

•     Reflect on your classroom.  How could you incorporate flipped learning with your students?  What are the roadblocks that you would have to overcome to make flipped learning work with your students?  What are some ideas you have to use flipped learning in your classroom?  How can you use flexible groups in your classroom?
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•     On the wiki post some resources that have material you could use with flipped classroom.  Look through iTunes U to see what is available for you as a teacher or for your classroom.  Add them to the wiki page on flipped learning.  Download the iTuneU App to your device for quick access.  Find the resources you can use in YOUR classroom next year!

Session 5

Early Literacy Experiences

Read Chapter 6 on Early Literacy or Chapter 18 Reading Instruction.  Think about your classroom.  We have many students who read books, but many students start and never finish.  Sometimes just reading a book for enjoyment is as important as reading a book for a lesson.  What can technology do to support reading….here are a few resources to check out:  (see handouts from the server for more assistance)

Another Book to look at for motivating gifted students to read: some of My Best Friends are Books: Guiding Gifted Readers.   Provided in the handouts for this session there is a chapter on how books can support a gifted child. We have a copy in the professional library and not only does it provide a great list of titles, it also has a great chapter in the front about gifted children and the importance of books.   In the selected chapter to read:  The Mind of the Child: Intellectual Development, you can see how important books can be to enrich and extend gifted students.

Here are some reading resources you may want to look at:

Tumble Books – on the Library Resources Page   (Passwords)

Power Kids Science - on the Library Resources Page  (Passwords) - These are science books that are digital and will read to the students.

Our Follett Shelf – check out on http://rcelearningcommons.pbworks.com  The log in for the follett shelf is rce1 with the password of rce.  Most of the books on the Follett shelf are non-fiction and have unlimited users.  Think of how you can use this on your activeboards!

Pixel of Ink – Free children’s books – http://www.pixelofink.com

Kindle Cloud App –Free on your iPads – use the rcelibrary@gmail.com account and I’ve already downloaded a bunch of books –password is roadrunner.  To download the Kindle Cloud App - go to this site: https://read.amazon.com/ and follow the directions.

Kindle Reader App – Free on your iPad/iTouch/iPhone – download books to your device (use Pixel of ink and they are free!)  Get what is appropriate for your classroom.  (make an Amazon account that is NOT connected to a credit card)

Go to the http://rcelearningcommons.pbworks.com site  (click on language arts) and you will see more books that are available to be read on line.  Dig around on the Learning Commons page for additional resources to support your classroom.

Check out these websites for all kinds of ideas for early literacy – including webquests - http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/index.htm , http://www.icpl.org/kids/early-literacy.php

Reading Links:  Some of My Best Friends are Books Pt 1, Pt 2, Pt 3, Pt 4
                                  Chapter 6  Chapter 18  Best Practices

Assignment for Session 5:

•          How can you foster literacy development in young gifted children who are not “readers?”  How can you provide multiple experiences to promote reading in young children?  How can you continue to foster leisure reading in upper elementary grades?  Looking at the book Some of my Best Friends are Books, what can you do to enrich the intellectual development of gifted students through books?
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•          After exploring some of the resources above, post some ways that you can use the resources available (listed above) in your classroom to foster reading.  Go to the APP store and see if you can find an app (FREE) that would support reading in your classroom.  Post the App on our Wiki List and put a comment on our comment page.

Session 6

Read the chapter on Inquiry-based Learning and Teaching.   This goes along with the menus that we began to incorporate last summer (Laurie Westphal).  Amie Graves made a great video with her class last year on inquiry learning.  View that video here: Graves Class  Much of Inquiry Learning is the questions asked and the process the students go through.  More information about Inquiry Based Learning can be found at http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/index.html

Gifted students would be motivated by Inquiry Based Learning.  How can you alter a unit of study so that your GT students extend the lesson through Inquiry Based Learning?  How could they share with the other students in your classroom.  Here is another link to more information on GT students and Inquiry Based Learning.  (just keep following the links on the page to more and more information!)

Video about Inquiry Learning:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLQPXd8BiIA

In creating an Inquiry Based classroom, research materials need to be readily available to your students.  On your  iPad/iTouch you have immediate connection to Safari which will search the Internet.  From the Library Resources Page you have access to on-line resources including Encyclopedia Britannica and Kid Info Bits (Magazines and journals).  Google has made research very easy…just type in a phrase and you get a hit or 2000 hits.  If you haven’t looked at Google lately – you may be surprised at everything it has to offer.  Here is a link to the education page: http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/edu/ .  Take some time to peruse the offerings.  Look at Kathy Schrock’s list of Google Apps.  Explore what she has to offer and then take a look at all of the “MORE and EVEN MORE” apps from the Google site: http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/products/index.html .


Reading:  Chapter Inquiry

Assignment for Session 6:

•          Go through your current curriculum.  Is there any unit of study that lends itself to being remade into an Inquiry Based Lesson?  Share on the blog what unit of study and the tweaks you can do to push it into Inquiry Based Learning.
• 
  
•          Explore the wonderful world of Google Apps.  Try some of the “MORE and EVEN MORE” apps and see how they might fit in with your curriculum.   Post one of your favorite APPs and share how you can use it in your classroom on our Wiki for Google Apps. Comments for Google Apps on our Wiki.  (We will have to have repeats, however let’s try to cover as many as possible with as many ideas as possible.)

Session 7

Read the Chapter on Higher Level Thinking.  Often we don’t allow time for “thinking” in the classroom.  However taking the time to think about a book, a poem or a lesson and to contemplate how the lesson can affect our own lives can be important.  Again, questioning strategy is very important.   Something that is very simple to do is a “Think aloud” when you are reading or sharing a book.  Check out this website for some questions to use with a Think Aloud http://www.google.com/intl/en/about/products/index.html ; links to links about theThink Aloud Strategy are found on this site:  http://wvde.state.wv.us/strategybank/ThinkAloud.html .  One of my favorite reading sites Reading Rockets has more to say about Think alouds: http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/think_alouds/ .

So you want to integrate technology and use your ipads for think alouds.  Try using some of the note taking apps such as EverNote or Audio Memos.  These enable a child to brainstorm.  A search in the app store using the search term “productivity” will give you lots of free apps to try.  There are even some apps that are similar to inspiration. 

Here's a blog post about using an iPad for writing: http://iamdustdaughter.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/ipad-for-writing/ If you read through the blog post you will see links to more suggestions for ipad apps for writing: http://inkygirl.com/ipad-apps-for-writers/  The chains you can begin to create are amazing...but often difficult to recreate - so be sure to post the links you find with great information and links on our wiki so that we have great information for RCE!

Reviews are important ways to learn about apps that are available.  Many reveiw sources are out there...From MacWorld is a great way to search for apps is using this website: http://www.macworld.com/appguide/index.html - there are reviews for more than 285330 apps  


Reading:  Higher Level 

Assignment for Session 7:

• ·         Reflect on the blog on how you can use higher level questioning strategies in your classroom.  How can questioning strategies motivate and encourage children to be creative?  Are there some broad questions that you can create to use frequently in your classroom?  Share some of your strong questions.
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• ·         Search through the App store for some note taking Apps. Add the name of the Apps and where in Blooms it would fit on the Chart of Apps.   Add some notes on the wiki on how to utilize the Apps you found on the comment page.  Find at least one app that is different from anyone else and add notes to apps you have tried that others have posted.  Remember we are trying to build a good list of apps and how to integrate them into your classrooms.

Session 8

In this session, read the chapter on PreAssessment from the book Teacher’s Survival Guide:  Gifted Education.   Although many of us do preassessment, this is a very basic way of finding out where your students are and not “wasting” your time teaching something they already understand.  This is a gifted strategy; however it can be used for almost any student to find out where they are before you begin a unit of study.  It can also guide you as you plan a unit to move through things quickly or slowly.  Odyssey, on of our computer programs at RCE will assist some preassesment,  especially in the subject of math.

Some great sites to give you support and materials on preassessment include:  Ian Byrd - http://www.byrdseed.com/differentiating-within-a-gifted-classroom/ a great blog about gifted education, NAGT site (http://www.nagc.org ) has lots of information to use, an on-line interest survey: http://www.learning-styles-online.com/ , and some documents that will make preassessment easier: http://daretodifferentiate.wikispaces.com/preassessment   Pre-assessment can help you out in many ways.

Assignment for Session 8:

Reflect on the following questions on the blog:  What units that you currently teaching that lend themselves to a pre-assessment?  How could taking a pre-assessment increase student participation or learning?  Are there some quick ways to do a pre-assessment as you are working with your students? 

Using Google docs for a quick questioning survey is a great way to check in on students.  Using the voting buttons with your activeboard also allows you to take quick snapshots of what your students already know.  Post on the wiki site some ways that you could quickly pre-assess your students before a unit.  If you know of other web 2.0 tools that would work.  Please post these as well.

Session 9

Last year in 11 Tools we quickly looked at three exciting web 2.0 tools that at first look are most overwhelming.  Now that you have spent a year using technology, let’s revisit those tools with a different view point -  Slideshare, Prezi and Live Binders.  This time we won’t look so much at creating, but looking at what is already available that you can use.  The neatest thing about all of the web 2.0 tools and the internet is that educators can share their lessons.  Many people (Theresa Trevino for example) love to create multi-media lessons, others – well- let’s just say that it’s stressful.  That’s where you look at what is out there and tweak it to make it work for your classroom.  We don’t all need to continue to recreate the wheel.  We need to know where to look and how to make it work well within in our classrooms for our students.

For this session, pick at least one of the tools above and do a search for topics that you teach and explore what is already created on the web.  Each of them offers a free account that you should join if you have not already.  Spend some time looking for lessons and support materials that have already been created that you could incorporate in your lessons.  It’s kind of addicting…so you may want to spend time in all three.  Each offers a different way to present information to students.

For Prezi, you can make a copy and then edit it to fit your needs.  For Slideshare, you can download to your computer.  For LiveBinder – a great place to find links to support your classroom needs.  (For me I did a quick search on each of them and found great things to place as stations for enrichment or remedial work for students.) 

One of the problems today is that there is too much out there.  We don’t have time to search through it all to find …this is your time to “play” and explore these three great resources that could be utilized in your classroom.  Think "outside the box" on  how you can utilize the resources you discover.

Assignment for session 9:

• On the blog, write about one of the three tools and how you plan to implement it into your classroom.  What devices can you access these tools on? 
• Make an account on at least one of the three tools listed above.  Then explore and find things that support your classroom needs.  On the WIKI site, post the URL of the slide shares, prezis, and livebinders that you find that would be great for your class.  Give a short idea of how you will use it in your classroom.  (Our Wiki site will be the to go to place in August when we can’t remember what we visited and to get ideas from our colleagues.)

Session 10

Throughout the summer you have explored and tried different pieces of technology to implement in your classroom.  Our shared wiki  has information that will help all of us integrate the devices more fully into our classroom, especially for our special populations. One of the things we need to continue in as a faculty is professional reading – not just books, but also articles from journals.  Short three page articles can give you a boost and ideas to implement in your classroom.  Most of the journals are buzzing with ways to integrate technology.  (This is where many of my ideas come from.)    I just finished the latest edition of Gifted Child Today (April 2012).  In that edition is an article on embracing e-books to increase students’ motivation to read and write.   The article provides links to places students can read e-books and post e-books that they write.  (I have put a copy of the article in the Summer Training Folder on Sweden). 

To Find Professional Journals:  go to the Library Resources Page, we have access to professional journals though Gale – click on the Educator’s Reference Complete button.  You have access to thousands of journals and newsletters.  Take a few minutes to peruse the Educator’s Reference Complete to see what is out there.   When you first get to the page, click on Publication Search,….then click on List of Publications.  You can then see all of the journals that are indexed through this service.  (Usually they are a month behind in posting) Also to find additional professional journals click on the Academic OneFile button.  It has access to more journals.  Again, click on the Publication Search and then click on the list of publications.  The General ONE FILE has magazines such as Time, Southern Living, Good Housekeeping, Seventeen and more (sometimes you need some leisure reading!).  Click on the Publication Search and search the titles.  At a time when you are looking for reading materials…there are many places to find them both for students and adults.

Assignment for Session 10:

• On the blog, please reflect on the entire process of this summer's training….give an “aha” moment or something that you were glad to learn.  Also, I know there will be frustration – please do that as well so that we will know where to pick up in August.

• On the Wiki Site, post a journal title or article title that you found that you may want to revisit during the school year.  It can be for leisure, for school or for your students...think of all the resources at your fingertips!

Sessions 11 – 18 (last 6 hours)

The last sessions will be at Rummel Creek in August – August 13^th  9-12 am, and August 14^th  9 – 12 am.  We will unpack and discuss what you  have experienced over the summer, share the ideas and get our equipment ready to go for your classrooms (loading the apps and updating the ios).  I can’t wait to see “all the places we will go” during the 2012-13 school year.  This has been a journey, but we have still more places to go.  Thanks for taking the trek ....let's continue in the journey together.