Rigor is creating an environment in which each student is expected to learn at high levels,
each student is supported so he or she can learn at high levels,
and each student demonstrates learning at high levels (Blackburn, 2008).

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Summer is Almost Here!!

It's that time of the year again.  The year is winding down, and students will soon be gone unless you teach in a year-round school.  For me, it's my busy season.  I'll be traveling the whole summer, working with schools and districts on their professional development.  I'll post periodically, but not regularly until the year starts back.  Have a restful and reflective summer. Please remember to check in on my new radio show, WRGR:  Rigor Made Easy throughout the summer.  It will include topics such as:

Rigor for Students with Special Needs
Rigor in the Kindergarten Classroom
A Superintendent's Perspective of Rigor
Rigor in the Spanish and ELL Classroom
Facilitating Rigor in the Classroom
Rigor in the Science and Math Classroom
Rigor from a School Counselor's Perspective
....and more!!!!

 You can listen online or subscribe through ITunes.  Enjoy! Barbara



Monday, June 1, 2015

Summer Professional Development!

For many educators, summer is the perfect time to focus on professional learning.  Taking ownership of your professional learning through meaningful learning opportunities is exactly what the team at BAM Radio Network has available for you through their new summer learning series.   BAM Radio is the largest education radio network in the world offering programming from the nation’s top education organizations and thought leaders and reaching a wide audience of people passionately committed to quality education.

In addition to my show, Rigor Made Easy, which is about getting to the core of what rigor is and what it isn’t and how it can be implemented in the classroom, they have a group of new programs the span the educational spectrum.  As of now, these shows include:
  • HookED, with educators Matt Miller and Jed Dearybury, who connect with educators who are truly engaging their students and getting them
  • Teachers of the Year Radio is hosted by teachers of the year themselves. Gary Abud and Steve Perkins share ten minutes each week with some of the country’s best educators, learning about the latest and greatest in teaching, leading, and learning.
  • The Maker Movement is the focus of Movers and Makers, hosted by author/educator Laura Fleming and her co-host, educator Travis Lape.
  • Author and education consultant Rae Pica hosts Studentricity, offering strategies for teaching with students at the center.
  • Ed.Got Game! has been launched with new hosts teacher/author Matthew Farber and game-based learning teacher Michael Matera, who bring gaming to the classroom with intriguing guests.
  • EdChat New Zealand, connecting New Zealand educators with host connected educator Danielle Myburgh.
  • Gwen Pescatore and Lisa Davis, parent leaders, who shed light in learning from the parent’s side of education in ParentED.
  • Elissa Malespina and Shannon McClintock Miller are teacher-librarians who go Beyond Books, transforming teaching and learning.
You can also earn a badge through Laura Fleming's page for any of the shows.  I hope you'll take this opportunity to gain new knowledge through these shows.  Enjoy!