ASCD Conference Sparks New Learning for All

In April, I had the privilege of attending the ASCD conference in Atlanta, Georgia, with four colleagues.   We cannot say enough about the caliber of the conference, the sessions, the speakers, and the resources provided to educators.  From student engagement to technology, growth mindset, grit, personal learning networks, project based learning, and much more.  Our heads were certainly buzzing with ideas and information when we returned.  Our teacher leaders have several key strategies to put in their instructional play-books to use with teachers.  Our teacher leaders also have several ideas and topics to utilize for TQSA workshops next year.  

In May the five of us presented our information to our fellow teacher leaders. We have broken our learning down into a few key points to share our insights and favorite moments.

  Debra:  My two favorite take-aways are Project Based Learning and Manny Scott

Manny Scott is a powerful speaker.  He is an original Freedom Writer featured in part in the 2007 movie.  His key note speech shared a powerful story about how should/could we work with students who have the least, but need the most from us. 

  For more information on Manny Scott visit: http://www.mannyscott.com/about-ink/meet-manny/

   I also attended several sessions on project based learning and student engagement.  I have   piles of information that I cannot wait to share with teachers about how project based learning can really ignite engagement, and help student meet standards and benchmarks in classrooms K-12.

Books for your summer reading list:

•Your Next Chapter

•The Power of One- The Manny Scott Story

How to R.E.A.C.H Youth today(Relationships, Engagement, Awareness, Convince, Hand

•Implementing PBL (Solution Tree, 2015)

• Real-World Projects (ASCD Arias, 2015)

• Reinventing Project-Based Learning: Your Field Guide to Real-World Projects in the Digital Age, 2nd Ed., co-authored with Jane Krauss (ISTE, 2014)

• Setting the Standard for Project Based Learning, co-authored with John Mergendoller and John Larmer of the Buck Institute for Education (ASCD, May 2015)

• Thinking Through Project-Based Learning: Guiding Students to Deeper Inquiry Through Project-Based Learning, co-authored with Jane Krauss (Corwin, 2013)

Laura:  Growth Mindset- Carol Dweck 

   A growth mindset individual wants to learn at all costs. (If you’re not challenged, you’re not getting smarter.) This individual believes that hard work is key. (Combination of good strategies and help from others). Growth mindset individuals confront mistakes and deficiencies.  These individuals learn from mistakes.

Interesting Facts:

1.  Parents’ and teachers’ mindsets are not related to their children’s/students’ mindsets

2.  Research has shown that process praise—tying learning or accomplishment to the 
process the child engaged in— leads to a child’s growth mindset and desire for challenge

Big Ideas of GRIT

1.  Resiliency and grit are inherent human traits.

2.  We can create havens of resiliency and grit in our classes and schools.

3.  We can foster a growth mindset in our students.

Books to Consider:

New Book being released in September:  Teaching the Whole Teen: Everyday Practices That Promote Success and Resilience in School and Life by Rachel A. Poliner and Jeffrey Benson

Grit to Go:  Classroom-Ready Resources to motivate growth mindsets by Jim Grant & Caleb Grant

What Gritty kids do when no one is looking by jim Grant and caleb grant

Grit to Go by Jim grant

10 steps to managing change in schools by jeffrey benson

hanging in by jeffrey benson

Jessica:  PLNs and Professional Development

Why Personal Learning?

~Taking control of your own professional development

~Constant supply of resources

~Authentic audience and feedback

         

         Jessica shared an abundance of tools that teachers can start accessing to increase their content knowledge and utilize in daily instruction.  These tools are just a few examples of topics to pursue in PLNs.

Tina's Picks:  Cathy Vatterott, Todd Whitaker, and Equity

 Cathy Vatterott- The Homework Lady

~We need to re-think homework.

~The belief in the value of homework is akin to faith. The true believers hold homework in such reverence, many educators are afraid to recommend that we eliminate it completely. 

~Too many people won’t accept the idea.   

~How can anyone be against work?

Equity is: 

•the commitment to ensure that EVERY student receives what he or she needs to succeed. (academic and social)

•Recognizing that not all students are the same.

•They learn at different paces

•Staying focused on outcomes—academic and developmental

Todd Whitaker 

How To Get All Teachers To Become Like the Best 

Teachers

The difference between a good and bad educator is a cavern, not a 

sliver.

•Can not learn how to be great from someone average

•Stop generalizing….call it like it is. Bad is bad, good is good

•Teach, don’t tell

•People do the best they know how

•Can’t teach nice, personality, disposition



*We hope that you enjoyed a peek into the content and resources provided in this 
blog post.  Should you have any questions or want to dig deeper into these ideas this 
summer or next fall, contact:

dbarry@linnmar.k12.ia.us or @ 319-447-3450

ewatts@linnmar.k12.ia.us or @ 319-447-3451

toberbroeckling@linnmar.k12.ia.us or @ 319-892-4869

lrobertson@linnmar.k12.ia.us or 319-892-4864

jezimmerman@linnmar.k12.ia.us or @319-892-4855