3 Ways of Getting Student Feedback to Improve Your Teaching

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Edutopia: 7 Tips for Your Next Read-Aloud by Monica Burns

Reading aloud to children is an essential part of the school day. Experiencing stories as a whole class or in a small group can help students learn essential reading skills. Educators who read aloud to children understand the importance of modeling thinking, providing opportunities to talk about books, and encouraging students to respond to reading with their own thoughts and opinions.

As schools increase the amount of technology available to teachers, educators are presented with unique opportunities to incorporate tech tools into their instruction. When teachers thoughtfully integrate technology, they make clear connections to learning objectives. Technology can enhance learning experiences by increasing the frequency and quality of interaction with a text. Here are a handful of tips for integrating tech tools into your next read-aloud.

Beam in a Guest Reader

With free video conferencing technology like Google Hangouts and Skype, it's easy to bring a parent, librarian, or author to your classroom. These virtual visitors can read a book to your students and hold each page up to the screen as they bring the story to life. Beaming in a guest reader is a great option to energize your read-aloud and get students excited about a special reading event.

Use the Big Screen

Making sure that all students in your class can see the words and illustration on each page of a read-aloud can be a challenge for teachers in rooms of any size. We're often used to leading a read-aloud with students sitting on a rug and the teacher sitting at the front of the classroom. If your classroom has a projector connected to a document camera, hold your read-aloud book so it is displayed on the big screen. This will make it easy for all students to follow along with the text and illustrations on the page.

Set Up an Online Exit Slip

After students have listened to a read-aloud, they can respond to comprehension questions or share their opinion through an exit slip on their tablet. Students might submit their answers on Socrative (a great, free BYOD tool that works on any web-enabled device) or post their responses in a forum that you're already using, like iTunes U or Schoology.

Try a Digital Text

Another way to make use of the big screen in your classroom is to introduce a digital text. Whether you've downloaded a book to your iPad or found a text hosted on a website, you can project this digital text on the big screen for students to follow along with the animations as you read. Many digital texts let users tap on specific words to hear them read aloud, or include background music to set the mood for the reader.

Sketch a Picture

A response to reading can take many forms. Instead of being asked to write in response to a read-aloud, children can answer a prompt or reflect on a book through illustrations. Adobe Sketch and Drawing with Carl are two great iPad apps that give students access to art tools on their tablets. You might ask them to bring the tablets to the rug and sketch a response to a question that you pose. Students can show their drawings to a neighbor or pass their devices in a circle to share with classmates.

Record a Response

Many laptops and tablets come equipped with a built-in camera. Easy access to a camera can provide a new opportunity for students to respond to what they've read. They can use the camera to record a short response to the book, or use an app like ChatterPix Kids or Tellagami to create a 30-second clip about their favorite part. These shareable creations might become part of a digital reading journal or something that is uploaded to a class blog.

Get Social

In a post last year, I shared how teachers can tweet the read-aloud. If you don't have a class Twitter account, you can still ask students to respond to reading in a similar fashion. Provide students with a prompt like these:

• In 140 characters or less, tell one thing that surprised you in this book.
• Snap a picture and write a caption for a faux-Instagram account showing your reaction to the ending of this book.

You'll create an opportunity for students to connect their classwork to popular real-world platforms.

Monica Burns

Flex Day Information

Please carefully read the following information pertaining to flexible professional development days.

For the 2016-2017 school year, August 16th and 17th will be deemed as flex days.  To earn the credit for the two flex days, you must complete 12 hours of professional development outside of the school day.  Flex days are designated for professional development.  However, you are given flexibility regarding the professional development.

To access all forms and information about flex days, go to http://trussvillecity.schoolinsites.com/ .
• Click on “Staff” at the top of the page.
• You will see the Flex Day Catalogue under Staff Resources. Click on the words, “Flex Day Catalogue.”
• Click on the tabs at the top of the page (Home, PD Opportunities, FAQs, and Registration Information) to access forms and to see the PD opportunities listed.
• Check the Flex Day Live Binder often over the next few weeks as it will evolve as more opportunities are added.

As a part of the Trussville City Schools professional learning program, you may write proposals to lead professional development sessions.  To earn professional development flex hour credit, you may participate in Professional Learning Communities, grade level/department teams, or book studies, outside the school day.  You must present your idea to your principal to ensure that it follows the philosophy of the system-wide instructional program.  If the project is approved, you or one person from the proposal team must complete:

• a project application (see Registration Information tab in Flex Day LiveBinder),
• sign in sheet, and
• summary form (see Registration Information tab in Flex Day LiveBinder) to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Teachers who lead professional development may count the sessions they lead toward their flex hours.  Requests to use flex hours for professional development outside of the Trussville City Schools system must be pre-approved by submitting a form to your principal.  Funding is not guaranteed for professional development outside of Trussville City Schools.
• Everyone must register in STI PD or complete the pre-approval process for PD not on the approved list before leaving for the summer.
• Remember, all Flex PD not on the approved list must be approved by your school principal.
• If attending a session outside of TCS, you must submit a project application prior to attending the training, and an agenda and certificate of attendance to Curriculum and Instruction upon completion.
• If you have any questions, email Beth Bruno.
• On August 18th, request professional development days for August 16th & 17th in the time system.  (Please do not request these days before August 18th.)

HTHS Awards Program

Today was a special day at HTHS as seniors were recognized and presented over $9,000,000 in scholarships from colleges, the military, and various organizations.  The event was coordinated by counselor Laura Stalls, with lots of support from Tim Salem, Amy Cane, Heather Winship, Leta McGeehee, Cori Hallmark, and Jada LeCroy.

Thank You!

I am filled with gratitude!

I am thankful for Mandi Logan for designing an outstanding presentation for counselors and community members to introduce our Counselor Advisory Committee.

I am thankful for Phyllis Faust for leading our schools in pretty much flawless testing procedures!

I am thankful for counselors Krista DeMent and Amy McIntyre who worked hard to ensure a smooth testing experience for everyone at HTMS last week.

I am thankful for Lisa Berry, Anjell Edwards, and Niki Lincoln for establishing a culture of excellence at HTMS.

I am thankful for HTMS teachers for preparing students to do very well on their ACT Aspire and for making school a joyful place for middle schoolers.

I am thankful for Diane Byars for her leadership and care for our exceptional students.

I am thankful for Kristi Stacks, Melanie Glover, Leigh Stovall, and Dawn Kilgore for planning and executing great support for new teachers this year.

I am thankful for Barry Davis for working tirelessly to get our new schools ready for school this fall.

I am thankful for Theresa Ray for keeping us all certified!

A Special Prom

Trussville City Schools hosted their annual prom for students in our Life Skills Academy from HTHS and neighboring school districts at the Trussville Civic Center Monday.  Students danced and dined throughout the morning.  Peer Helpers from HTHS assisted with the prom that was also attended by various staff members from our district. 

The students learn popular dances in Adaptive P.E., led by Coach Tim Meacham. Students also learn proper table etiquette, conversation skills, and appropriate attire for formal events. They get to apply all the skills through this real world event. This is an exemplary way to teach relevant lifelong skills in a meaningful way.  The program is coordinated by HTHS teacher Carrie Jones

Quotable Quote

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”

—Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
16th U.S. Presiden