Picture of Marcia Gentry during one of the strands "Enrichment Clusters for All Students"
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
What Lights You Up?
If you have ever watched the video of Ma and Pa Kettle (You Tube) about solving a math problem, then you know how much laughter we had this morning as we listened to Ms. Math – Dr. Rachel McAnallen . I don’t think there was a person in the room who did not re-examine the way we were taught math and probably perhaps the way many of us have taught math to our students. I hope I never again see a student who has “D M S B” on their worksheet as they solve a division problem. If you’d like to experience what we did with Ms. Math then visit the Confratute Ning at http://www.confratute.ning.com/.
Dr. Joe Renzulli discussed that an enrichment program deals with much more than just test scores. As our Enrichment Team looks at theory and research (as it relates to enrichment), we will have to decide what our goals of schoolwide enrichment will be for Austin Elementary. From the goals, how will we go about organizing and implementing this at our campus? There are many ways in which we can deliver enrichment opportunities ----from enrichment clusters, using Renzulli Learning, compacting the curriculum, offering Type 1, 2 and 3 learning experiences to so much more.
Austin Elementary’s Enrichment Team is composed of Heather Cechin (Kinder), Beth Cook (3rd grade), Liz Malone (5th grade), David Barnette (Music), Cathy Kirby (GT Facilitator), Debbie Sblendorio (Dyslexia), Sarah Daugherty (IT Specialist), and Teresa Raney (Literacy Coach). This team will plan – organize – look at schedules – organizes clusters - recruit enrichment mentors - identify enrichment events and the list continues.
What do I mean when I talk about Type I, Type 2, and Type 3 Enrichment opportunities? It really isn’t rocket science! Type I experiences bring a learner in touch with kinds of topics in which s/he may develop an interest. It can be something as simple as a two-minute announcement each morning about a topic. Guest speakers, field trips, virtual field trips are also examples of Type I experiences. If interest is peaked, it can lead to Type 2 or it can skip directly to a Type 3 experience. Type 2 consists of materials, methods, and instructional techniques that are concerned with the development of higher-level thinking and feeling processes. Type 3 consists of activities where the student becomes an actual investigator of a real problem or topic.
What a Veteran Means to Me is an incredible video that was created by a young lady who had an interest in poetry. She checked out many poetry books to read. From this, she wrote the poem “What a Veteran Means to Me” – this then led to the video with the same title. I will find the link for this tear-jerking video so you can watch.
Dr. Joe Renzulli discussed that an enrichment program deals with much more than just test scores. As our Enrichment Team looks at theory and research (as it relates to enrichment), we will have to decide what our goals of schoolwide enrichment will be for Austin Elementary. From the goals, how will we go about organizing and implementing this at our campus? There are many ways in which we can deliver enrichment opportunities ----from enrichment clusters, using Renzulli Learning, compacting the curriculum, offering Type 1, 2 and 3 learning experiences to so much more.
Austin Elementary’s Enrichment Team is composed of Heather Cechin (Kinder), Beth Cook (3rd grade), Liz Malone (5th grade), David Barnette (Music), Cathy Kirby (GT Facilitator), Debbie Sblendorio (Dyslexia), Sarah Daugherty (IT Specialist), and Teresa Raney (Literacy Coach). This team will plan – organize – look at schedules – organizes clusters - recruit enrichment mentors - identify enrichment events and the list continues.
What do I mean when I talk about Type I, Type 2, and Type 3 Enrichment opportunities? It really isn’t rocket science! Type I experiences bring a learner in touch with kinds of topics in which s/he may develop an interest. It can be something as simple as a two-minute announcement each morning about a topic. Guest speakers, field trips, virtual field trips are also examples of Type I experiences. If interest is peaked, it can lead to Type 2 or it can skip directly to a Type 3 experience. Type 2 consists of materials, methods, and instructional techniques that are concerned with the development of higher-level thinking and feeling processes. Type 3 consists of activities where the student becomes an actual investigator of a real problem or topic.
What a Veteran Means to Me is an incredible video that was created by a young lady who had an interest in poetry. She checked out many poetry books to read. From this, she wrote the poem “What a Veteran Means to Me” – this then led to the video with the same title. I will find the link for this tear-jerking video so you can watch.
Opening Keynote
Yesterday was the Opening Keynote with Dr. Renzulli and his wife, Sally Reis. They discussed the theories of enrichment and talent development as well as the goals of Confratute:
· To learn
· To create and produce
· To interact
· To enjoy and relax.
So far today we have accomplished all four goals! Beth and I learned a little about the Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Reading (SEM-R), some of us went to a bookmaking class and created foldable books that could be used for any grade level (check this out www.makingbooks.com ), we talked with some teachers from New York, and of course had a little down time in the evening to do some UCONN shopping at the campus bookstore. Looking forward to another great day!
· To learn
· To create and produce
· To interact
· To enjoy and relax.
So far today we have accomplished all four goals! Beth and I learned a little about the Schoolwide Enrichment Model in Reading (SEM-R), some of us went to a bookmaking class and created foldable books that could be used for any grade level (check this out www.makingbooks.com ), we talked with some teachers from New York, and of course had a little down time in the evening to do some UCONN shopping at the campus bookstore. Looking forward to another great day!
Monday, July 12, 2010
The enthusiasm is contagious!
Today was another great day at the University of Connecticut. The keynote speakers, Dr. Renzulli and his wife, Sally Reis, spoke passionately about the merits of the Schoolwide Enrichment Model. Dr. Renzulli conveyed the message that although many academic areas can be measured, the parts of the intellect that cannot be tested are creativity, curiosity, ambition, and the sense of adventure. He encouraged us, as teachers, to find enrichment, utilizing open ended questioning, and infuse it into the curriculum.
Later, a group of us attended the first of four classes on Enrichment Clusters. It was the consensus of all those in attendance that the expectations for our students after 13 years in school were that they would be innovative, motivated, problem solvers with a sense of value and self respect. Later this evening, Liz, Heather and I collaborated on the homework assignment on evaluating clusters for authentic methods, advanced content, student driven, product and authentic audience.
We also attended a class on bookmaking. I can't wait to share what we learned!
I'm looking forward to tommorow!
Later, a group of us attended the first of four classes on Enrichment Clusters. It was the consensus of all those in attendance that the expectations for our students after 13 years in school were that they would be innovative, motivated, problem solvers with a sense of value and self respect. Later this evening, Liz, Heather and I collaborated on the homework assignment on evaluating clusters for authentic methods, advanced content, student driven, product and authentic audience.
We also attended a class on bookmaking. I can't wait to share what we learned!
I'm looking forward to tommorow!
Confratute 2010
I'm sitting here in my dorm (big smile) with my room mate, Debbie, and we are completely in awe and loving our Confratute experience!! I love the fact that we are getting to know Dr. Joe Renzulli and his wife, Sally Reis!! We have the wonderful opportunity to walk side by side with them; all while learning how to implement the Schoolwide Enrichment Module in our school!!
This afternoon, I was able to attend SEM-R. This session had me so pumped!! I can not wait to get back to school and start teaching reading again!! Cook's Cubs...get ready...you and I are in for the best year of our lives!!
Debbie and I are very honored to have been chosen to attend this conference and even more grateful to the Coppell Gifted Association for providing the funding for us to attend!! I look forward to sharing all that we are learning with our colleagues. We also hope to be able to have an opportunity to share what we have learned with the Coppell Gifted Association!! You are the best!!
This afternoon, I was able to attend SEM-R. This session had me so pumped!! I can not wait to get back to school and start teaching reading again!! Cook's Cubs...get ready...you and I are in for the best year of our lives!!
Debbie and I are very honored to have been chosen to attend this conference and even more grateful to the Coppell Gifted Association for providing the funding for us to attend!! I look forward to sharing all that we are learning with our colleagues. We also hope to be able to have an opportunity to share what we have learned with the Coppell Gifted Association!! You are the best!!
First day and night!
We arrived to the University of Connecticut yesterday afternoon. It is a beautiful campus with so much pride and tradition. We started off our week with registration, checking into our dorms… yes, dorms! Then we headed to dinner in the cafeteria. We had our first session last night from 7:00-8:30. We did a group scavenger hunt in which we were given 10 clues. We then had to solve the clues then take pictures of our answers in creative ways. After we gathered our pictures, we used a great online resource called Comic Life (http://plasq.com/comiclife-win ) to make a comic strip. This would be a great tool to use to re tell a story, I know even my kindergarteners would love it! Use the demo version, it’s totally worth checking out! After the session, we went to the Patio Party, we had a great time! Here are some pictures, the first one is of the patio party and the second one is of our dorms! ..... Off to hear our key note speaker, the one and only, Dr. Renzulli!!!
Monday - Our First Day
So far, so good! We all made it to UConn safe and sound. Richardson ISD sent 37 staff members - WOW! We checked into our dorm rooms and are all close to each other - David and Cathy are keeping everyone entertained. Last night, we had "Patio Time" where there was dancing and good times had by all. Today, we have gotten some of the history of Confratute and learned that there are approx. 700 in attendance (represents 38 states and attendees from around the world - the farthest traveled is a gentleman from Guam).
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