Just Sitting There

I sat at my desk, working on my computer, for nearly an hour today. Sounds innocuous, right?

Here’s the kicker, my students were in the room.

An unengaged teacher trying to catch up on things? Not in this case.

Thanks to Google Docs and Hapara Interact I was engaged with my students the entire time either as individuals, groups, or the entire class. I could comment on their work, follow the changes they were making, see their conversations amongst themselves, send chats to individuals or the entre class, see the screen they had open, and even see a list of all of their open tabs.

Big Brother? No. Efficient observation and effective communication.

I find that these tools allow me to better see what lessons need to be taught or re-taught (like citing sources), what they have mastered (how to imbed images), and where we might be moving next (screen casting).

What Are You Reading?

“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts added an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.

Books marked with an '*' I would put in my classroom library.
Books marked with a ^'#' would be in an middle or high school library.

David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell

 The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

 Wildwood by Colin Meloy

 The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

 The Maze Runner by James Dashner

 Gypsy Girl by Rosie McKinley

 Frozen by Melissa De La Cruz and Michael Johnston

 Inhuman by Kat Falls

 Heaven Is Paved With Oreos by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

 Rebel McKenzie by Candice Ransom