February 2017's Online Professional Development Opportunities

With everything that is going on in the country and the world, it can be a little hard to focus on other things. However, I've found that, at times like these, it can be comforting to to find things that you can do that are proactive and that can help improve the future. I've been telling my students that, as future teachers, they have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help bring about change. In order to do this, it is vital to keep learning new techniques in teaching. So, without further ado, here are some very promising (and free!) online professional development opportunities for this month.

Two Exciting Online Professional Opportunities for August 2016

I can't believe today is the first day of August (seriously, where did July go?)! This means that the start of school is just around the corner for most of us, and it also signals a prime time for some before school inspiration and professional development. Fortunately, there are two excellent (and free) online opportunities coming soon. This means that you can get ready for the school year and hear from some wonderful speakers without having to leave your couch. While I'll be posting about other PD opportunities later this week, I wanted to highlight these two before it is too late (as you'll see, one starts tomorrow).

EdmodoCon 2016 is August 2 (aka tomorrow) and 3. The conference focuses on how teachers can use Edmodo and other digital tools and resources to improve students' learning. Both days of the conference features numerous speakers and sessions on a number of topics related to education and education technology.

SLJTeen Live is on August 10, 2016. As I've mentioned before, this is a great opportunity to listen to authors speak about their work (this year's keynote speakers are Meg Medina and Maggie Stiefvater) and to interact with young adult publishers to learn about the different books and materials they offer.

June's Online Professional Development Opportunities

I know - it can be a little hard to even think about professional development in June, just as you are coming off of (or finishing up) another busy school year. However, kicking off your summer (or ending your school year) with some professional development can be great; besides being a chance to connect with other educators and reflect on the past year, it also can be nice to be in more of the student role for a change. With this in mind, here are some intriguing online professional development opportunities that are being offered this month.

SLJ TeenLive 2016 is Coming!

This week, I got an email about SLJ TeenLive 2016 event, which will be on August 10, 2016. This free virtual conference, which used to be called SummerTeen, is in its fifth year, and it just keeps getting better and better. The conference features keynote speakers (this year they are Meg Medina, the author of Burn Baby Burn, and Maggie Stiefvater, the author of The Raven King), panel discussion, and a virtual exhibit hall where attendees can ask questions, learn about new books, enter contests, and more. If you are interested in young adult literature, I highly recommend this event! It's fun and informative, and you can do it at your own pace (and in your pajamas if you are so inclined).

For more information or to register, click on the banner above or go to the registration page.

The Young Adult Library Project, Part III: LibraryThing App & TinyCat

Happy (almost) summer! After an unanticipated hiatus, I'm back to blogging, and I hope to keep it up on a semi-regular basis this summer and into the new academic year. One of the things that has spurred me to resume blogging are some new features, the LibraryThing App and TinyCat, that LibraryThing (which I have blogged about several times before) has unveiled over the past few months. These features add a great deal of functionality to what was already a great resource, particularly when it comes to maintaining a small library.

February's Online Professional Development Opportunities

While January can be a bit of a slog (the holidays are over, the weather is usually not so great, and teachers and students are trying to get back in the swing of things), I'm always amazed at how quickly the month can pass by. Now we're one month into the new semester, and things are, at least in theory, starting to settle down, which means it's the perfect time for some professional development.

January's Online Professional Development Opportunities

Happy (belated) new year, and I hope your 2016 is off to a good start!

While January can be a bit of a letdown after the excitement and stress of the holidays, I like to think of it as a time of renewal and starting fresh. If one of your resolutions for this year is to take part in more professional development, then here are some resources to help you.

Looking Ahead to Shakespeare's First Folio Tour

First, I apologize for the lack of updates. November and December once again proved to be my blogging downfall. However, I didn't want to let 2015 end without a new post, particularly since the new year is bringing something huge when it comes to English and English education. To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death in 2016, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Cincinnati Museum Center, and the American Library Association have partnered to bring copies of Shakespeare's First Folio to 53 sites throughout the year. This includes all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to the First Folio exhibit, the exhibition sites are also going to have related public events and activities.

As a self-professed Shakespeare nerd and a long-time fan of the Folger's approach to Shakespeare, I'm very excited about the potential that the First Folio has for students, teachers, and teacher educators. In addition to seeing the First Folio, which is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the related events should also offer a great way to get people thinking about Shakespeare. From my conversations with the host site in my state (I've been helping with outreach to my state's other NCTE members), it sounds like these events can include teacher workshops as well as lectures and student-friendly activities and opportunities.

For more information, be certain to visit the Folger page on the First Folio. Besides providing an overview for the First Folio and the tour, the page also has a link to tour dates, locations, and an interactive map.

Are you visiting the First Folio when it comes to a site near you? What do you hope to see or experience when attending the exhibit and/or the related events? Please feel free to share your answers and thoughts in the comments section.

Banned Books Week 2015

Yesterday (September 27) was the first day of Banned Books Week for 2015. As I wrote last year, Banned Books Week is of special interest to me as a former English teacher and current teacher educator. Besides being a fascinating topic (especially when we start exploring just why certain books have been challenged or banned), it is a timely one for my students. As they think about their future classrooms and what they will be teaching, they often express concern about bringing in more modern literature because of the possibility that the books might invite controversy. This is especially true when it comes to young adult literature.

September's Professional Development Opportunities

In August, #nctechat's topic was professional learning networks (PLNs), which is near and dear to my heart. Near the end of the chat, the participants were asked to share their goals regarding PLNs in the next school year. One of my goals is to keep active in my PLN, which is easier said than done. Based on the first week of classes, this looks to be a busy semester! Luckily, there are some great professional development opportunities this month to help keep me engaged with my network and to provide support, ideas, and enthusiasm, even as things get busy.

June's Professional Development Opportunities

I can't believe that it's June and that another school year has come and gone! I have a lot on my plate this summer, but I'm looking forward to being able to tackle the work at a more relaxed pace. I'm also excited about having the time to do more professional development. While I would love to take part in some of the on-site workshops and conferences, the time, finances, and logistics involved make this difficult for this summer. Luckily, there are a number of upcoming online webinars and other professional development opportunities that provide opportunities for enrichment without the cost of travel or registration fees.

February's Free Professional Development

Greetings from the snowy Midwest! Even if it isn't cold and icy where you are, February tends to make it seem like you are in a rut (or are living in a version of Groundhog's Day set in a school). Besides taking some time to decompress and get some much needed rest and relaxation, a great way of getting rejuvenated is to take part in some free webinars and education chats. You'll get some good ideas and connect with some great people, and you can do all of this without having to leave the warmth and comfort of your home (this is a huge bonus if your streets are covered in snow, the temperature is below freezing, and the plow has trapped your car in an icy fortress for the fifth time in three days).

A Young Adult Literature Library Project

One of my projects for 2015 is setting up and establishing a young adult literature library to go along with the already-established children's literature library there. While getting the space and bookcases was quite an undertaking, it was only part of the battle. Right now, my intrepid student assistant and I are in the process of cataloging, marking, and shelving all of my YA books. Here are some of the tools and resources that have been invaluable in this project (which is ongoing):

November's Free Education Professional Development

I can't believe that it is November already and that in 18 short days, I'll be heading to the East Coast for the 2014 NCTE Annual Convention and ALAN Workshop. The convention is one of the highlights of my year; I consider it my Comic Con (yes, I manage to out-geek even the geekiest). For those of you attending the convention for the first time, I'm hoping to have a post of advice and tips to help you make the most of the experience (and leave the convention with your sanity intact). I also think that the November 17 #engchat will be dedicated to helping new attendees get ready.

However, if you aren't in English or if you aren't able to attend the convention, there are still many virtual professional development opportunities that you can access for free this month.

PBS has some great-sounding offerings this month for teachers at all levels. The first, Finding Your Roots in the Digital Age, is hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and promises to have ideas for social studies and science teachers. The second is How to Integrate Game-Based Learning Into Your Classroom, and  it features gaming experts Alan Gershenfeld and Rebecca Rufo-Tepper.

As always, edWeb.net has a plethora of free webinars on topics ranging from differentiated instruction to gaming in the classroom. For ELA and English teachers, your best bets include:

• Picture This: Engaging Students with Online Images on November 3 at 4:00 pm
• Writing Instruction for Learning Synthesis on November 10 at 3:00 pm
• Getting the Most Out of Integrating eBooks in the Classroom on November 12 at 3:00 pm

The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has some intriguing offerings this month for their members (you can join for free):

• No Sweat, November! Keeping Middle Grades Students Engaged and Motivated on November 12 at 3:00 pm
• Six Secrets for Teaching Boys in Your Middle Level Classroom on November 18 at 3:00 pm

So Much to Read, So Little Time - October 2014

Since my school is having its fall break this week, I've been playing catch-up with all of the work that has been backlogged during the first half of the semester. Besides straitening my office, planning lessons, and grading papers, I've also been trying to do some more reading. I'm teaching a content-area reading course for the first time, and while it has required a lot of preparation and work, I've really enjoyed it. A new course is a great way to keep teaching fresh, since it forces me to start from scratch with the class objectives, assignments, readings, and activities. This particular course presents an additional challenge because I wanted to dedicate several weeks to supplementing content-area textbooks with articles and trade books. Consequently, I've been trying to do some extra reading in order to be able to share books with my students. Here's a partial list of books I've read this fall for my content area reading course:

Angel Island: Gateway to Gold Mountain - Intended for middle school students, this book examines the legacy of Angel Island, which some called the "Ellis Island of the West." However, despite this nickname, the immigrants who passed through Angel Island were often treated very differently than those who came through Ellis Island. This would be a great resource to use with middle school students who are studying immigration.

The End of the Line - This is an elementary/middle grade fictional story set in Amsterdam during World War II, and it follows two elderly brothers as they try to protect and care for a young Jewish girl whose mother is taken away by the Nazis. While the premise sounds intense, the book manages to provide accurate information about life during the Holocaust without being too graphic. However, I'm not certain that this is a book I'd use in an elementary or middle school class (the publisher page notes that it is intended for ages 8 - 11). Some elementary students might not be ready for such a heavy topic while middle school students might find the book too simple. That said, The End of the Line might work well as an alternative text in a middle school social studies class because it offers a perspective not always included in textbooks (the experiences of civilians during war) and because it could be a good text for struggling readers.

Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America's Presidents - I received this book through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, and while it seems a little young for middle school, it has some interesting and fun trivia. For middle schoolers, I'd probably use the trivia at the beginning of the unit (or throughout it) to engage the students with the different presidents. Additionally, the book could be a good model for a final project where students would find trivia on the different presidents and compile it in a children's book for elementary students.

In the Shadow of No Towers - Unlike the previous books, this book is definitely more suited for high school students. Written and illustrated by Art Spiegleman, In the Shadow of No Towers examines the events and aftermath of September 11 from a New Yorker's point of view. The book has some adult themes and language, so it might not work for all high schools, but it is work reading and examining because of the way it captures the experience of being in New York during those dark and troubling times.

Do the Math: Secrets, Lies, and Algebra - One distinct challenge about reading in the content areas is finding fictional books that would appeal to teens while also fitting in a particular subject. Do the Math manages to have a (relatively) strong connection with math while also being an engaging and accessible read. In it, Tess, an eighth grader who loves math and thinks about people and situations in terms of math problems, must deal with the social drama that comes with middle school while also confronting some moral dilemmas.

Math Doesn't Suck: How to Survive Middle School Math without Losing Your Mind or Breaking a Nail - Danica McKellar (aka Winnie Cooper on The Wonder Years) wrote this nonfiction book to show girls that math can be approachable and fun. I applaud the effort, and McKellar does a nice job explaining and walking the reader through different mathematical concepts in a way that is understandable, even for people who aren't that skilled in the subject. However, I'm torn about the way the information is presented, since it could be a little too girly or cutesy for some. That said, I could see it being effective for a specific group of students.

What have you been reading this fall? Do you have any suggestions for books that might work in a middle or high school content classroom? Please leave your comments and thoughts below!

National Day on Writing 2014: Are You Ready to Write Your Community?

The National Day on Writing is coming and coming soon (October 20). This day, established by NCTE, is a time to help make people aware of the importance of writing and to celebrate writing. According to the NCTE website, the National Day on Writing:

• points to the importance of writing instruction and practice at every grade level, for every student and in every subject area from preschool through university (see The Genteel Unteaching of America’s Poor), 
• emphasizes the lifelong process of learning to write and composing for different audiences, purposes, and occasions, and 
• encourages Americans to write and enjoy and learn from the writing of others.

October is Connected Educator Month

While I associate October with a lot of exciting things (fall weather, fall break, and the midway point in the semester), perhaps the thing that I'm most excited about (well, besides fall break :) is Connected Educator Month (CEM). According to the CEM website, the purpose of CEM includes:

• Getting more educators proficient with social media to improve their practice
• Deepening and sustaining learning among those already enjoying connection’s benefits
• Helping schools credential/integrate connected learning into their formal professional development efforts
• Stimulating and supporting innovation in the field

October's Free Education Webinars

Even though it seems like September just started, October is just around the corner, we have just started the sixth week of school, and some teachers might be experiencing the downward slide to the low point of the first-year roller coaster. However, virtual professional development, which is a great way to get rejuvenated, is just a few clicks away. Here are some of the free upcoming webinars and online professional development opportunities coming in October.

Preparing for Banned Books Week 2014

Earlier this week, I saw an article on The Atlantic website with the provocative title, "Who Should Decide What High School Kids Are Allowed to Read?" The article examines the recent controversy surrounding the young adult novel The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which is about a gay teenager who is trying to come to terms with her identity. Although it focuses on the debate on whether or not Cameron Post should be an option for students at Delaware's Cape Henlopen High School (the school board first voted to remove the book from a reading list and then, after the backlash, they reinstated the book but also decided to abolish the list to allow students to choose anything they wanted for summer reading), it also provides an opportunity for readers to think about censorship in general, especially when it comes to students.

Tips for Building Your Classroom/Office Library

For many new teachers, the list of things needed is long and the resources to get these things are limited. This is especially true when it comes to the classroom/office library. Having books in a classroom or office for students to read and use is very important. Besides serving as a resource for students, books also give a space a more welcoming feel and provide a tangible (and practical) link to the subject area. However, books are expensive, and given that teachers often spend their own money on such necessities as pens and paper for their students, a classroom library might seem like a chimera. However, there are resources where teachers can find cheap or free books to help them create a classroom library of their own. Here are a few of my favorites: