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2014 was an incredibly busy and fulfilling year. I was able to connect with and learn from so many great people. I hope 2015 is even better. Here is a list of all the awesome things that went on in 2014:
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The following blog post was written by two Black River Middle School students, AJ and Vince.  Here at BRMS we have stepped up to help a fellow student and friend who is battling Lymphoma Cancer. What we have done is assign him a new Chromebook dedicated to Google Hangout. As he fights his battle with this disease, he will be able to see all of his classmates and teachers from home.Throughout the year, we will use Google Hangout each and every day so that Sebastian can remain "in school" even while he is recovering at home. We will sync his Chromebook to the one(s) at school and in that way, he can proceed with all of his academic work.This means that while he is at home he can proceed in his academic work. We bring his Chromebook to each of his classes so he is basically at school each and every day that he feels well enough to participate. We put the Chromebook where he usually sits so he feels right at home in a learning environment with our great teaching staff at BRMS. We are, with the help of some students, trying to create a Google Classroom for our teachers to upload all of their assignments and notes. This will help him catch up and learn the 8th grade curriculum. For example, the teachers will be able to upload a PDF or a Google Document so he can learn the topic and be able to do the homework and the activities. This will be a great thing , since when he beats Lymphoma he will be all caught up.  Google Hangout being used to experience social studies class from home.  Google Hangout being used to see high school band perform. We are so lucky to have the technology to use to help all our students learn regardless of special situations, or how the ability to incorporate technology like this is one of the reasons we're a school to watch.
 I am excited to announce that the Tomorrow's Classrooms Today Conference will be coming to Roman Catholic High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Friday, June 26. The Founding Partners at Evolving Educators LLC (Brad Currie, Billy Krakower, and Scott Rocco) have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes to make this dream a reality. Attending this educational event makes tremendous sense. Why? Simply put, the innovative sessions will push all attendees to find new ways to make their schools and classrooms conducive to the mantra "what's best for kids." As an added bonus #TCT15 takes place the day before ISTE 2015. Roman Catholic High School is literally a 10 minute walk from the Philadelphia Convention Center. So, as you are making plans for your trip to the City of Brotherly Love, strongly consider starting the experience on 6.26.15. If you are interested in submitting a proposal to present make sure to click here. Registration information can be found here. Word on the street is that Jerry Blumengarten, aka Cybraryman, and Rich Kiker will be in attendance and presenting on a number of topics. Follow the #TCT15 hashtag stream below or "like" the Evolving Educator Facebook Page to stay on top of up to date information regarding the conference. There is no doubt that this will be a "game-changing" experience that will move the educational conversation forward. Brad Currie is the author of All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities. He is one of the founding partners of Evolving Educators LLC. Brad is a 2014 ASCD Emerging Leader and Bammy Award Finalist. He currently serves as a K-8 Supervisor of Instruction and Middle School Vice Principal for the Chester School District in Chester, NJ. Learn more about Brad by following him on Twitter @bradmcurrie or visiting his website at www.bradcurrie.net. 
The following guest blog post was written by Diane Basanese who is 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher for the Chester School District in Chester, NJ. It focuses on the integration of Google Classroom to meet the needs of diverse learners in a "anytime, anywhere" environment. Vacation Classroom Aruba, Jamaica ooh they want to take ya. Bermuda, Bahama, were did my whole class go? Key Largo, Montego—teachers, why don’t we go? Whether parents and guardians should or should not pull their children out of school for vacation is a controversial topic. While family vacations do have their merits—family bonding, learning outside of the classroom, exposing children to new places—it should be recognized that it can difficult for students to “catch up” after missing school. And, let’s face it; there are just so many hands-on activities and group projects presented in the classroom that students simply can’t make up. However, I have discovered a way to keep my pupils on track by creating a “Vacation Classroom” that they can access within my Google classroom. Here’s how it works: I decide what the most important lessons are, and I post this modified cluster of work in my Vacation Classroom. This way, the students are able to prioritize their work more effectively. As students come to me and tell me they are leaving, I invite them into my Vacation Classroom. I date the work so that they know when the assignment is due. Since I date the assignments, I only have to post the work one time, even if multiple students go on vacation. The students will receive individual copies of the work and I can check it while they are away. Students are free to continue to visit their regular Google Classroom if they choose to, but they are only responsible for the assignments in their Vacation Classroom. No papers, no pencils. Students won’t have to travel with heavy books. More importantly, parents will be delighted that their children have access to important assignments that will help them return to school anxiety free. In your Vacation Classroom,one size fits all. Ultimately it is the teacher’s responsibility to make sure that materials are provided for learning. Hopefully, our efforts will be supported by the parents and guardians doing everything that they can at home to help their children to catchup. Vacation Classroom can make our part easier, just remember these three easy steps: modify the work, cluster the most important assignments, and post. Virtually, you will be there on vacation with your students. So pack some important lessons,and you may even make it to Kokomo.
Brad Currie is the author of All Hands on Deck: Tools for Connecting Educators, Parents, and Communities. He is one of the founding partners of Evolving Educators LLC. Brad is a 2014 ASCD Emerging Leader and Bammy Award Finalist. He currently serves as a K-8 Supervisor of Instruction and Middle School Vice Principal for the Chester School District in Chester, NJ. Learn more about Brad by following him on Twitter @bradmcurrie or visiting his website at www.bradcurrie.net. |
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