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Highest Common Denominator
Parent involvement nights, a focus on writing across the curriculum, and a culture of acceptance are just a few components of what makes my school such a great one to work at. My staff is also willing...
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Feedback After an Evernote and iPad Workshop
I recently hosted a one hour technology session for district staff. The topic: Using Evernote on the iPad to Confer With and Assess Readers. Afterward, I emailed each participant a survey via Google...
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Examples of Practice: Goodreads and the Common Core
Literature and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the very first standard is titled “Reading: Literature”. I say this because some educators have expressed...
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Making a Case for iPads
Within the next month or so, I along with two other administrators may be going to our board of education with a proposal to purchase iPads for our K-5 buildings. Specifically, we would be looking at...
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Examples of Practice: Finding My Reading Balance with Bookcrawler
I just finished the excellent Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. Set in the not too distant future, a homeless teenager named Wade is part of a virtual world, along with just about everyone else on the...
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Twitter Is Like a Radio
I will be presenting with fellow principals Jessica Johnson and Curt Rees on Monday, February 4 at the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators (AWSA) Elementary Principals Conference. The...
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Using Evernote to Confer with Readers and Writers
On January 31, I shared with several teachers about the possibilities of using Evernote to document student learning in literacy. Led by Amber Garbe (@ReadattheEDGE), this group of reading teachers...
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Evernote Smart Notebook – Is it Worth it?
I just received my Evernote Smart Notebook from Moleskine. I have been wanting to try this paper/digital tool for a while. The Evernote technology is able to “read” your handwriting and make it...
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How Should Social Media Etiquette Be Taught in Schools?
An adapted version of this post can also be found at Ed Tech Magazine’s website here. Before we ask how, I think we should be addressed why social media etiquette should be taught in schools. (I am...
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“Preparing for Our Changing Future”
So, I come home after showing teachers how to use Google Reader for subscribing to blogs and online news, and find out it is being retired this summer. My initial reaction was, “What?!?” I felt I had...
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Are You Changing, or Are You Growing?
Change is inevitable. Growth is optional. - John C. Maxwell Although snow is still on the ground here in Central Wisconsin, I am preparing for the upcoming gardening season. Two new raised beds will be...
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If I Post on My Blog and No One Reads It, Did I Really Write It?
My staff and I are having some good conversations about the how and why for becoming more connected online with our families. Questions such as “Why should we?”, “What are the benefits for students?”,...
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Bringing the Book Club to the 21st Century: eReaders and Literacy Intervention
An adapted version of this post was published on Ed Tech’s website, found here. “Hey, Mr. Renwick, when are the iPads coming in?” “They’re not iPads – they are eReaders. I am not sure.” two days later...
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eReaders and Research
My last post briefly described the process used to deliver eReaders to reluctant readers in my school. Because this just recently happened, it will be a while before I can share any type of data about...
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My (Somewhat) Successful Attempt at Disconnecting
During my spring break, I vowed to stay offline for two whole days. 48 hours. No Twitter, blogging, emails, or even web access. My goal was to be in the dark and yet see the light. I had felt lately...
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Connected from the Start: A Necessary Read
A good book encourages thought. A great book will change the way you think. When Lani Ritter Hall, co-author of The Connected Educator, asked me to review Kathy Cassidy’s new e-Book Connected from the...
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Tweet Your Appreciation for Teachers This Week
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. My school is going to try something new. We will draw students’ names every day this week. When they come down to the office, they will be asked to share what...
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Best Read Aloud You’ve Never Heard of: The Smartest Man in Ireland
I wrote this post to summarize a book I had read aloud to 3rd graders. The students and teacher saw how I embedded a Glog into a post on our school blog (which you see here). Recently, I shared the...
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What’s Your Intention? Mindfulness, Technology, and Hamlet’s BlackBerry
Has your connectedness made you feel overwhelmed at times? I would answer yes. Spurred by this realization, along with a colleague’s recommendation, I read Hamlet’s Blackberry: A Practical Philosophy...
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Assessing Engagement
This post on Stenhouse’s blog is a follow up to my initial offering, Increasing Engagement. If you have a question, comment, or suggestion about this program, please share in the comments. I will...
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