Welcome Blog Post

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about who you are, where you are from, what you teach and anything else you want to include!

Blog Post #1

Before reading this book, what did you know about the Ron Clark Academy?  If you knew nothing about it, what are your first impressions after reading the preface and introduction to this book?   

Blog Post #2

Quote two sentences or phrases from this video. Why did you select these two particular quotes? What do they mean to you? How will they impact your teaching?

Blog Post #3

RCA’s Core Principles & Values:  Consider Core Principle #14 “Push yourself to innovate beyond your imagination,”  and Core Principle #24 “Create lasting traditions.”  What is the most innovative lesson you’ve implemented with your own students?   If none come to mind, push yourself to be innovative right now: how could you make a lesson you’ll be teaching next week more exciting?  What lasting traditions have you created with your students?   If you haven’t, what lasting tradition could you implement with your students and how soon could you start this?

Blog Post #4

Austeja Landsbergiene, in her TED talk “Can Teachers Change The World?” states “Teaching is not a profession.  Teaching is life.”  Do you agree?  Choose a quote from the video that you agree with and think needs to be shared with other audiences.  Who needs to hear this?

Blog Post #5

The Role of the Parent in the Success of the Child:  Choose two of the 12 statements (#25-36) to discuss.  Which of these statements do parents of your current students most need to hear?  Why?  If you are a parent yourself, which of these statements did you most need to hear?  

Blog Post #6

Shaka Mitchell, in his TED talk “Can Helicopter Parents Save Our Struggling Schools?” indicates we should be channeling the energy of parents and using it to benefit our students.  How academically involved are your students’ parents in your school?  What are some ways parents could become more academically involved in your classroom? 

Blog Post #7

Creating the Right Climate and Culture:  Where do you stand on the issue of homework?  How much do you give?  How often is it given? How do you grade it? What is your rationale for each of these decisions?  Please begin by stating the grade level of your students.

Blog Post #8

Paul Zientarski, in his TED talk “Want Smarter, Healthier Kids?  Try Physical Education” discusses the links between exercise and learning. Do you think your students get enough exercise?  If so, how much and how often are they getting it?  If not, what could you do to get your students moving more often?

Blog Post #9

Reaching Out Beyond The Classroom:  If there was no limitation on resources (money, time, etc.) where would you take your students to expand  the borders of your classroom? What steps could you take to make this dream a reality?  Or, if it seems completely impossible to you, how could you bring this place or this experience to your students?

Blog Post #10

Please post your thoughts about this course below.  What did you like about it?  What didn’t you like about it?  Would you recommend this book study to a colleague?