Independent versus Collaborative Learning

This week prior to school vacation, our students discussed the benefits in independent and collaborative learning. Our students expounded on the intellectual growth that takes place in class when several minds contribute and question each other. We agreed that different mindsets offer insights that can be overlooked when thinking or working independently. It was suggested that the alternating of class collaboration with individual outside of class thinking develops our critical thinking skills in different, but mutually beneficial ways. We want to be able to think on our own, but not exclusive of learning that so often takes place when we think out loud together. What great students I have the pleasure of learning with every day!

Cubic Graph - Determine Zeros, Factors and Equation

Students Speak Out on Student Engagement

Refer to the link from Edutopia that identifies the following as engaging to students:

1. Working with their peers
2. Working with technology
3. Connecting the real world to the work we do
4. Clearly love what you do
5. Get me out of my seat
6. Bring in visuals
7. Student choice
8. Understand your clients
9. Mix it up
10. Be human

Offer Immediate Feedback and Correction Opportunities

I realized several times this week the benefit to student learning by offering students the chance to correct their work immediately after it was passed in. As soon as students turned in their standards-based weekly check-in and I glanced over their math processing, I noticed some changes that students could probably make if they were given the opportunity. I simply circled the numbers of the ones that I wanted the students to check. In most cases, students were quickly able to identify their error and easily resolve it. To me, giving students that immediate feedback and the opportunity to "fix their work" is respectful, it creates more engagement and fosters a culture of genuine learning rather than one of gotchas!

Wednesday 11/20/13 Parent-Teacher Conference

Click here to schedule an appointment for our Parent-Teacher Conference. Please leave me your email as I may need to communicate with you prior to that evening. Thanks!

Grades Do More Harm Than Good

Chris Crouch (@the_explicator) wrote a thoughtful blog post explaining why Grades Do More Harm Than Good.

Conversion From 4-Point Scale to Letter Grades

The following table shows our conversion from the 4-point scale to letter grades:

• 0.00 to 1.99 - F
• 2.00 to 2.14 - D-
• 2.15 to 2.32 - D
• 2.33 to 2.49 - D+
• 2.50 to 2.67 - C-
• 2.68 to 2.84 - C
• 2.85 to 3.02 - C+
• 3.03 to 3.19 - B-
• 3.20 to 3.37 - B
• 3.38 to 3.54 - B+
• 3.55 to 3.72 - A-
• 3.73 to 3.89 - A
• 3.90 to 4.00 - A+

Reflections of Learning

It's only October 1st and I've learned so much as an educator since the close of school last June!

I've been influenced by several authors, countless dedicated individuals in my Professional Learning Network (PLN) and an amazing group of new students. Several authors have caused me to ponder over "focusing on power standards", "being fair and consistent", "maintaining a passion for teaching", "using meaningful formative assessments" and "cultivating a design thinking mindset". Allow me to credit these great thinkers and leaders:

• Tony Wagner - The Global Achievement Gap
• Larry Ainsworth - Rigorous Curriculum Design
• Dave Burgess - Teach Like a Pirate
• Rick Wormelli - Fair Isn't Always Equal
• Dylan Wiliam - Embedded Formative Assessment
• Tim Brown - Change by Design
• Tom Kelley - The Art of Innovation

Being a regular contributor on Twitter has enabled me to become a more connected professional. I have been challenged, exhilarated and supported by an ever-growing PLN. We enjoy weekly conversations or chats through #sbgchat, #colchat, #eqbook, #satchatwc and others. We're also available for each other when the need arises. Several individuals have been such a boost to my career that I'd be amiss if I did not give them the credit that is due them. These include Dr. Darin Jolly (@drjolly), Garnet Hillman (@garnet_hillman), David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse), Dave Mulder (@d_mulder), Jim Cordery (@jcordery), Shawn Cornally (@ThinkThankThunk), Dr. Lee-Anne Gray (@drleeanneg), Jasper Fox Sr. (jsprfox), Justin Nacarato (@teacherinme), Marlene Schoeneck (@maschoeneck), Cristian Casco (@cristian), Bobbie Lynch (@lynchteaches), Michele Corbat (@michelecorbat), Rodney Hetherton (@rodneyhetherton), Adam Hartley (@adamhartely2013) and Salome Thomas-EL (@principal_el). 

Finally, I'm extremely grateful for the amazing group of students that I have the pleasure of working with every day at Wilmington High School. They inspire, challenge, encourage and exhaust me every day. I am honored to work with such dedicated individuals. We enjoy an exciting, challenging and engaging learning environment every day.

This is a "Thank You" to so many people who continue to inspire me to Yearn 2 Learn!

Rik Rowe

Some High Points After 7 School Days

Most of my students and I have had a great start to our school year! Some of the contributing factors are:

• The attitude and energy we bring to class every day enables us to learn and communicate effectively.
• The respect and appreciation we share helps us to listen and value everyone's contributions.
• The effort my students and I put into learning outside the classroom makes our time together in the classroom more productive,
• My acquisition and understanding of Standards-Based Grading (SBG) from my Personal Learning Network (PLN) along with the willingness of my students to try this new approach will set the stage for an increase in learning and retention with excitement! 
• My PLN and my students are already communicating well in class and outside the class with the help of Twitter.
• Somehow I was blessed with an amazing group of students again this year! 
• I know I can reach out to my PLN for support at any time. I'm grateful to be on a team with such dedicated educators, even if they reside in different states! 
• Many of our students have already expressed the excitement they have for our school year! We will accomplish great things and have fun learning together!

The Case Against Percentage Grades

Tom R. Guskey created an exceptional read on why educators might want to leave behind traditional percentage grading.

Video Series to Support Standards-Based Grading (SBG)

Standards-Based Grading: A Video Series “Explainer”

Click here to view the first video (#1) in the series on the purpose of Standards-Based Grading (SBG). The video series is by Nathan Wear, Principal of Solon High School, and Shawn Cornally (@ThinkThankThunk), teacher at Solon High School and a lead practitioner of Standards-Based Grading. 

#2 No Credit for Effort?  (1:23)
#3 Won’t Grades Go Down? (2:20)
#4 How can an F become an A?  (1:21)
#5 Getting Into AND Through College  (2:07)
#6 Communicating this to Colleges  (1:11)
#7 Why not just get rid of fluff instead of all points?  (1:14)
#8 Does this Affect Eligibility  (2:40)
#9 Focus Exposes the Grading Farce  (1:34)
#10 Dealing w/the Implementation Dip  (4:03)
#11 No credit for Unproductive Work  (1:23)
#12 Bad Grades Early Aren’t Bad Grades  (2:05)
#13 Where Does It Go From Here?  (2:39)
#14 Timelines & SBG  (3:01)
#15 Teacher Struggles & Support for Them  (1:56)
#16 Paradigm Shift Required to Make This Work  (4:31)
#17 Won’t Kids Game This System Too?  (1:23)
#18 Isn’t this Experimenting on Kids?  (3:34)
#19 Is College & HS Different?  (2:20)
#20 Which Students Struggle Most/Least?  (3:51)

Let's Roll Our Six-Sided Skills Die

I'm planning to focus our learning through these six skills during our 2013-2014 school year. These are a combination of skills from Tony Wagner and Greg Miller.

1. Communication - Oral and Written
2. Collaboration / Networking / Influence / Leadership 
3. Critical Thinking / Problem-Solving
4. Creativity / Innovation / Imagination / Curiosity 
5. Digital Literacy / Access and Analyze Information 
6. Initiative / Entrepreneurialism / Adaptability

16 Habits of Mind

These are from Art Cost's 16 Habits of Mind:

1. Persistency
2. Managing Impulsivity
3. Listening to Others
4. Thinking Flexibly
5. Thinking About Our Thinking (Metacognition)
6. Striving for Accuracy and Precision
7. Questioning and Posing Problems
8. Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
9. Thinking and Communicating with Clarity and Precision
10. Gathering Data Through All Senses
11. Creating, Imaging and Innovating
12. Responding with Wonderment and Awe
13. Taking Responsible Risks
14. Finding Humor
15. Thinking Interdependently
16. Learning Continuously 

The 7 Most Powerful Idea Shifts in Learning Today

See the link for details behind these 7 idea shifts by Terry Heick:

1. From Physical to Digital
2. From Standards to Habits
3. From Compliance to Play
4. From Schools to Communities 
5. From Reaction to Interaction
6. From Isolation to Connectivism
7. From Privacy to Transparency

Curriculum for Our Algebra 1 and 2 Summer Session

7:45am to 10:15am Monday through Friday - Algebra 2 Units:

1. Linear, Quadratic, Complex Numbers (6 standards) - DONE
2. Polynomial (5 standards) - DONE
3. Rational, Radical, Exponential, Logarithm (6 standards) - DONE
4. Functions I (4 standards) - DONE
5. Function II (6 standards) - DONE 
6. Trigonometry (4 standards) - DONE
7. Statistics (7 standards) - DONE

10:15am to 12:45pm Monday through Friday - Algebra 1 Units:

1. Linear Equations/Inequalities (9 standards) - DONE
2. Linear Functions (13 standards) - DONE
3. Functions (7 standards) - DONE
4. Systems (6 standards) - DONE 
5. Polynomials (3 standards) - DONE
6. Quadratics (3 standards) - DONE 

Aiming to Implement Standards Based Grading for 13-14

1. Shift from tracking by chapter to tracking by concept or content standard
2. Allow opportunities for students to show growth (through reassessments)
3. Refrain from grading any homework or practice
4. Provide timely and effective feedback
5. Spiral concepts throughout the curriculum and our assessments
6. Provide shorter and more frequent quizzes
7. Assess what is of value
8. Provide clear goals and expectations for performance
9. Encourage risk-taking, failure, iteration and experimentation 
10. Do what works best for the students in our situation

Credit to Action-Reaction 

The ABCs of Standards-Based Grading

I found a great deal of helpful points to ponder in this brief read.

Season Finale on Standards-Based Learning

We had our amazing Season Finale on Twitter tonight with #sbgchat. We have a tremendous group of dedicated professionals in our PLN. We start up again together mid August.

2013 Summer Session for Algebra 1 or Algebra 2

Our Summer Session is scheduled to run from July 8th through July 31st. Refer to the above tabs for the calendar of events for Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. The sessions will only run if there is enough enrollment. Any student who failed Algebra 1 or Algebra 2 should see their Guidance Counsellor immediately to inquire as to whether they are eligible for the18-day Summer Session.

Extra Practice for our Pre-Calculus Final Exam

This are 20 questions and their answers in the Final Exam folder via the Google Docs link.

13-14 Honors Pre-Calculus Assignment

I'll be collecting this assignment on the 3rd day of school as a pre-requisite set of skills. You might want to get this completed sooner than later! See you late August!

Optional redo of our #WHSPrecal Chapter 3 and 4 Integrated Assessment

Please see the tweet that was sent Monday evening with #WHSPrecal.

Innovation of Innovation

Be inspired by this intriguing video. What can we:

1. Imagine?
2. Look at differently?
3. Use differently?
4. Move?
5. Interconnect?
6. Alter?
7. Make?

#WHSPrecal Innovation and Choice Q4PA

Part I - Due by the end of class Friday, June 7th

1. Linear
2. Quadratic
3. Cubic
4. Radical
5. Rational
6. Rational
7. Decomposition
8. Exponential
9. Logarithmic
10. Trigonometric

Part II - Due by the start of class Wednesday, June 12th

1. Symmetry
2. Innovative Odd Positive
3. Innovative Even Negative
4. Polar
5. Vectors
6. Series
7. Series
8. Pascal
9. Probability
10. Polynomial

Concepts for our #WHSPrecal 5/31 Assessment

Our Chapter 3 and 4 Integrated Assessment is expected to include:

1. Symmetry of Graphs and Functions (3.1) - No Calculator
2. Inverses of Graphs and Functions - No Calculator
3. Brad and Christine - No Calculator
4. Solve a Radical Equation (4.7)
5. Solve a Rational Equation (4.6)
6. Decompose into Partial Fractions (4.6)
7. Polynomials (Zeros/ROS) (4.4, 4.5)
8. Rational (VHS, PD, EB and Graphing) (3.7)
9. Rational (VHS, PD, EB and Graphing) (3.7)

Pre-Calculus Q4 Survey

I'm asking for input from our #WHSPrecal students for:

• Best test date(s) for our Chapter 3 and 4 Integrated Concepts Assessment
• Perceived proficiency levels for our Chapter 3 and 4 Concepts
• Q4PA ideas, formats and suggestions

Please use our link: https://t.co/qT6QAkBkt6

Intro to Prob and Stats Concepts for Tuesday May 21st

Know how to use a graphing calculator to support the following:

1. Frequency Distributions
• Classes
• Relative and Cumulative Frequencies
• Midpoint
• Real-World Situations
2. Central Tendency
• Mean, Median, Mode
• Outliers
3. Box-and-Whisker Plots
• Quartiles
• Range versus Interquartile Range
• Real-World Situations
4. Measures of Variation
• Population (and sample) Variance
• Population (and sample) Standard Deviation
• Real-World Situations
5. Probability
• Heads and Tails
• Men and Women
• Coins
• Dice
• Cards
• Real-World Situations
6. Pascal Triangle
• Draw it
• Use the Pascal Triangle to get a specific term
• Use the Pascal Triangle to expand a binomial
• Factorial math
• Real-World Situations
7. Combinations
• nCr when order does not matter
• Factorial math
• Real-World Situations
8. Permutations
• nPr when order (or position) does matter
• Factorial math
• Real-World Situations
9. Fundamental Counting Principle
• Factorial Math
• Real-World Situations
10. Binomial Distribution
• BinomPdf()
• Graph the Distribution
• Real-World Situations

We're Transitioning from our Google Site to this Blog

The tabs across the top enable you to access various "pages". These include:

• Posts - My latest blog posts
• Front Page News - The Front Page of our Google website
• Rotating Schedule
• Extra Help Session Dates
• WHS Mission Statement
• Courses/Links - A listing of the courses I'm facilitating this school year including
• Program of Studies Description
• Link to Google Docs (This "page" has the links.)
• 1st - Link to our Period 1 Calendar
• 4th - Link to our Period 4 Calendar
• 5th - Link to our Period 5 Calendar
• 6th - Link to our Period 6 Calendar
• 7th - Link to our Period 7 Calendar
• WHS Calendar - The WHS Calendar of Events still linked to the Google website

TypeLink is a Simple but Intuitive Wiki Tool to Store and Relate Concepts

TypeLink is cloud-based computing that allows for relating and storing information via a desktop, iPad or iPhone. I think I'm going to transition much of my process to this tool. I'll be able to:

• Store contact information including names, books they have written  blogs they port to and their Twitter account and websites.
• Store the Units for all course I teach relating one Unit, Chapter or Section to any other.
• Store the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and link them to our curriculum
• All my TypeLink "Pages" can be made Public and a URL automatically created to give others (collegeues, students and parents)  access 
• Any information that is "Private" or not ready to be made "Public" can be hidden
• Access my "Pages" from any browser using the automatically generated intuitive URLs

10 Practices That Drive Innovation

Dave Burkus in his Leadership, Innovation and Strategy blog expounds on the following:

1. Use Technology to Collaborate and Share Knowledge.
2. Promote Innovation as an Organizational Value.
3. Include Innovation as a Leadership Development Competency 
4. Tie Compensation to Innovation
5. Develop an "Idea-finding" Program.
6.  Fund Outside Projects.
7. Train for Creativity.
8. Create a Review Process for Innovative Ideas.
9. Recruit for Creative Talent.
10. Reward Innovation with Engaging Work.

Communication For Other's Benefit

"Never allow your personal agenda to override the (person) you're talking to because his or her soul is more important than your winning the argument for the moment."

"Truth that is not undergirded by love makes the possessor of the truth obnoxious and the dogma itself becomes repulsive."

Ravi Zacharias in an audio Q & A at Oxford.

10 (or 12) Things Every Teacher Needs To Survive

1. Humility
2. Wonder
3. Optimism
4. Service
5. Coffee
6. Introversion
7. Agility
8. Energy
9. Humor
10. Stories

I'd like to add Sleep and Exercise!

See Terry Heick's article. 

10 Ways to Teach Innovation

"The burden of reinvention falls on today's generation of students" says Thom Markham.

What Does "Design Thinking" Look Like in School?

"Design thinking weaves together a lot of standards that need to be taught in ways that students will really need to use them" says Katrina Schwartz.

Cloud Outliner is my new Favorite App!

Cloud Outliner allows us via our iPhone or iPad to create and update outlines with promote, demote, collapse, expand and syncing functionality with a very simple and intuitive user interface. There is also functionality to send your created or updated outlines to Evernote! I'm using version 1.8. Love it!

Wilmington Boys Hockey Wins Second Division 2 Title

Congratulations to the WHS Boys Hockey Team on their win at the TD Garden.

Top Ten Things Students Need From Teachers

In Jennifer Nichols' article, "10 Things Students Need From You", she identifies the following as needs students have for their teachers:

1. I need to feel important 
2. I need you to care about me
3. I need to care about my future
4. I need to see past the work
5. I need to understand why
6. I need you to protect me
7. I need you to make learning fun
8. I need you to be a model for me
9. I need to know that I can be myself
10. I need to build skills for my future

Jumping into the 21st Century

Tina Barseghian has a follow-up post of Jumping into the 21st Century to show it's worth it for teachers to get out of our comfort zone and consider the students' futures in these uncertain times.

Creating Classrooms for Inquiry Learning

Enjoy the uplifting read from Tine Barseghian in Create Classrooms We Need.

1. Be flexible
2. Foster Inquiry by Scaffolding Curiosity 
3. Design Architecture for Participation 
4. Teachers Teach Kids, Not Subjects
5. Provide Opportunities for Experiential Learning
6. Embrace Failure
7. Don't Be Boring
8. Foster Joy 

Google Apps to Improve Our Chrome Experience

Check out Richard Byrne's 13 Good Chrome Extensions and Apps, specifically the Daum Equation Editor.

Collaborative Outlining Tool for Education? Awesome!

thinklinkr

With refined collaborative capabilities, thinklinkr allows multiple users to synchronously edit an outline. It is a feature rich outliner, with the full range of functionalities including the ability to import and export outlines, track revisions, and switch between different outlines. The interface is well developed and is supported by an extensive range of keyboard shortcuts.

However, some may find the interface a little cluttered and the range of functionalities a little confusing for many outlining tasks.

What does any one know about this tool? 

Things You Should Focus On

Shane Parrish, @FarnanStreet, suggests with this very simple visual the Things We Should Focus On.

Things to Make Us Happier

Eric Baker offers yet another dose to improve life with "Here are the things that are proven to make you happier."

Top Ten Every Day

Eric Barker suggests the 10 Things We Should Do Every Day. This includes:

1. Get Out in Nature
2. Exercise
3. Spend Time with Family and Friends
4. Express Gratitude
5. Meditate
6. Get Enough Sleep
7. Challenge Yourself
8. Laugh
9. Touch Someone
10. Be Optimistic

How many do you do every day? 

A New School Designed by Students?

Check out Tony Wagner's (@DrTonyWagner) latest installment regarding new schools.

Take Your Learning to the Next Level

When we take our learning to the next level, we take our habits, character, attitude and work ethic along with us. What do YOU need to do to step it up? ~ Coach T (@3PointPlayer)

9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning

I'm trying to get my arms around the 9 Characteristics of 21st Century Learning.

Time to Survive and Thrive!

I'd like to improve our ability to incorporate Dr. Tony Wagner's Seven Survival Skills in our learning. They are:

• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Collaboration Across Networks and Leading by Influence
• Agility and Adaptability
• Initiative and Entrepreneurialism 
• Effective Oral and Written Communication
• Accessing and Analyzing Information
• Curiosity and Imagination

What are your thoughts on how these can become more of our collaborative learning? 

Don't Let Your Studies Get in the Way of Your Education

Dr. Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap, encourages students "Do Not Let Your Studies Interfere with Your Education". Are your studies, your homework or your teachers getting in your way? Am I?

Learning is Great; Homework is Not

Chris Thinnes enables elementary through high school students to have a voice regarding whether we should have homework and what it should be in "Learning is Great; Homework is Not:" Elementary Student Voice on Homework. Kindly share your thoughts on what increases our learning outside of our classroom. After all, that's where the rest of our lives will be spent!

Is Being a Better Teach Within Reach?

Whew! Google has just offered 25 Ways To Become a Better Teacher! Just in time! Help me know where the first place is we can improve to make all of our futures more exciting and engaging!

Am I a 21st Century Educator?

See the 25 Signs You Might Be A 21st Century Teacher and offer some suggestions as to how we might alter our learning environment to prepare us for the future that we can't even imagine!

Will You Get Stuck as the World Shifts?

Katrina Schwartz shares her 7 Essential Principles of Innovation Learning on Mind/Shift. Tina Marseghian also speaks about Gaming as the new Essential Literacy. Really?

21st Century Competencies, If You Dare...

Greg Miller, Principal of Pre-K to Grade 6 in Southern Alberta, Canada shares in his Relection - "Oh, How Things Have Changed" the skill set needed to move into the 21st Century. Be ready for his insights!

Make Sure You're Not the Weakest Link

Maria Popova's article entitled "How to Save Science: Education, the Gender Gap, and the Next Generation of Creative Thinkers" provides great insight for learners and graduates to find success in the years ahead. Let me know your thoughts.

Can I Redo my Last Test Since It Was Not my Best?

Eric Sheninger, Principal of New Mildford High School, offers some interesting thoughts on when Second Chances should be offered for real learning to take place. I welcome your comments.

I Used to Think Grades Were Stupid...

Consider reading the thought-provoking article on Teachers.Net called I Used to Think Grades Were Stupid; Then I Found Out I was Right. I welcome your comments.

Integrating the 16 Habits of Mind

The George Lucas Educational Foundation published 16 Habits of Mind that can lead to success in learning and mastering concepts. Check this out. I'm sure you'll be as intrigued as I am.

Creating a Content Canvas

I'm thinking we might want to create a "content canvas" where we can update, enhance and relate the concepts we're learning and applying. I'm wondering whether this "canvas" should exist in Google Drive, a Blog or Evernote. I'd like to provide an outline of the course in terms of sequential Units. We could then begin to expand, connect and relate the concepts we're learning along with the ones we already understand. I want to link and relate concepts. Should this be similar to our Q2PA of relating Chapters 5 through 7? I'd like to be able to embed links, videos, images and attachments. Thoughts?

Some Core Competencies we can relate might include:

• Our "Big Nine", ASTC, Soh-Cah-Toa
• Law of Sines, Law of Cosines, Polar Coordinates Distance Formula
• x=rcos theta, y=rsin theta and tan y/x = theta for Polar and Vectors
• Reciprocal, Quotient and Pythagorean Identities 

Phases of the Design Process from 3/7/13 Webinar

Design Process Phases by Grant Wiggins:

• Frame
• Investigate
• Generate
• Manifest
• Evaluate
• Refine

Review the #ubdchat from the 3/7/13 Webinar

The #ubdchat hashtag was extensively used during tonight's Webinar on Design Thanking for Education with Grant Wiggins, David Jakes and Don Buckley. Review the discussion.

3/7/13 Design Thinking Webinar

Moderator: +Kristen Swanson 

Panel: @GrantWiggins, @dJakes, @DonBuckley

Curriculum Design Components (iterative):

• Design Process
• Design Standards
• Design Elements
• Design Tools

The content and presentation must be engaging. One student's comment was "The more the teacher spoke, the more the student felt alone". One of our goals should be to engage the minds of all involved. This engagement takes place in the learning environment (collaborative classroom), online question resolution (Twitter) and while practicing (i.e. homework) (often in isolation). 

Our #WHSAlgebra 3/4 Warm-Up

Our 3/4 Warm-Up is due Friday, March 8th. Period 6 should remember that it is due at the start of our class. There will be no time allocated to work on it in class Friday.

Twitter feeds now embedded in my blog!

Thanks to Jason Luciana @WHSLampLighters who helped me to embed Twitter hashtag lists in this blog.