As a new blogger and being new to the teaching field... I have two questions that I'm going to ask you all, as many of you are experienced teachers and/or bloggers! So, here it goes!
1.) What are some professional development books you suggest I get familiar with? I keep seeing a lot about Daily 5 and CAFE and Whole Brain Teaching... but I don't know any titles!
2.) How do you all find out about these awesome conferences? I've been to several in my home state (Ohio) - but I want to expand and go to as many different things as I can so I have plenty of resources at my hands. I saw a lot about I Teach K conference, but how do you find out about these conferences?!
Leave a comment below with your ideas/thoughts! I'd GREATLY appreciate it!
Thank you in advance for all of your help!
Have a good night, y'all!
I have to suggest that you check out Lucy Calkins books about writing workshop. I also hear amazing things about Strategies that Work and Comprehension Connections. I have CAFE and Daily 5 on order, too. Whole Brain Teaching actually offers all their training and books as free stuff on their website- amazing, and free! Don't feel like you have to do it all now, though:)
ReplyDeleteJenny
Luckeyfrog's Lilypad
Thank you :)
DeleteSara
I agree with the last part of that comment... DON'T try to take it all on at once. It is way too overwhelming. I just did responsive classroom training (and have all the books) and I really am interested in it. I have only done part 1 of the training (there is a part 2 that goes more into academic choice etc.) and I will implement just what I can handle in my situation. WBT is great and their conferences are free (so are all their materials). I am also interested in that but knew I couldn't try to take it all on this year (our school is trying to become IB certified too so that is another big task). Also, I was interested in Daily 5 but never read the books, so I took what people have said about it and will be making my own rendition of it this year until I have time to really learn it. Just do what works for you. And if you read the books and try something that works for a bunch of other teachers, but you just aren't feeling like it works for you, don't be discouraged.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gina :)
DeleteSara
I would also talk with your principal. They might be aware of possible workshops available through your district and they may be willing to pay for you to go as well. Even though I am at a private school, I always start with my principal and then I look for workshop postings at our system level. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteEileen
Second Grade Sunshine
PS: I received my Target card in the mail today! Thank you so very much!
Thanks for the advice - glad you got the card! :)
DeleteSara
Hi Sara! I really recommend "The End of Molasses Classes" by Ron Clark & Conscious Discipline by Becky Bailey.
ReplyDeleteJennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
Thanks, Jennifer! I actually have End of Molasses Classes! :)
DeleteSara
1) I have a LOT of favorite professional books! My absolute favorites are No More I'm Done (wonderful resource for writing workshop), Comprehension Connections (filled with very concrete ways to teach reading strategies), Cafe (more reading strategies!), and The Book Whisperer (a very empowering look on teaching reading!). Beyond professional books, I have two favorite just for fun teachery books too- It's Not All Flowers and Sausages and 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny... both are hilarious! If you go to the sidebar on my blog, I have links to all of those books if you want to check them out more!
ReplyDelete2) Once you start teaching, you will start to get all sorts of stuff in your school mailbox-- especially conference brochures. Then, once you go to a conference, you will start getting even MORE brochures! SDE is one of the major organizations that puts on teacher conferences (www.sde.com) so you can check their site. Have you ever been to a Phonics Dance conference? If not, I'd recommend it! It was one of the first teacher conferences I went to and I still use many of the strategies... fairly inexpensive, too! Make sure you find out what your district's policies are about conferences. A lot of districts will pay for your professional development! :)
Kate
EduKate and Inspire
Kate - I've got The Book Whisperer - love Donalyn. She's super sweet! But thanks for the great advice :) knew I could count on you!!
DeleteSara