ASCD News
Making a Difference for Kids in Poverty
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
Growing up in poverty can affect emotional responses and cognitive stimulation, cause acute chronic stress and influence health. Those challenges may seem insurmountable, but Eric Jensen -- author of "Teaching with Poverty in Mind" -- offers assurances that they aren't. During his session at ASCD's Annual Conference, he shared specific strategies educators can use to maximize the learning of students who have grown up in poverty. A post on the Whole Child Blog outlines these strategies.
A Conversation with Educator and Blogger Tamara Fisher
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 18, 2010
Tamara Fisher is a K-12 gifted-education specialist for the Polson School District on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Polson, Mont., who blogs about gifted education for Teacher Magazine. In the latest Education Update, Fisher discusses how educators can use Response to Intervention to meet the learning needs of gifted students. "Because RTI has its genesis in special education, a lot of people see it as 'a special-education thing,' despite multiple messages that it is a model for whole-school improvement," Fisher said. "Those of us in the gifted-education field look at the RTI model and intuitively see how gifted students can and do fit into it."
Four Great Conferences in One
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
ASCD's Summer Conference is the one opportunity educators have all year to focus on the four proven approaches to improving your schools: differentiated instruction, Understanding by Design, What Works in Schools and curriculum mapping. Experts in each approach -- including Grant Wiggins, Jay McTighe, Heidi Hayes Jacobs, Carol Ann Tomlinson, and Robert Marzano -- will be on hand to share their perspectives and answer questions. Join ASCD from 22 June to 24 June in Orlando, Fla., for a definitive professional-development experience.
Can't Get Kids to Read? Make It Social
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 16, 2010
How can you drag the wayward brains in your classroom back to deeper reading? Educational Leadership columnist William Ferriter says educators must begin by recognising that today's students are driven by opportunities to interact with one another. Conversations -- whether they are started on Facebook, through text messages or in the hallways -- play a central role in adolescents' lives. Understanding that participation is a priority, the best teachers create social reading experiences and blur lines between fun and work.
Annual Conference May be Over, But the Learning Isn't
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 11, 2010
ASCD's 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibit Show might be over, but that doesn't mean your learning has to stop, too. Whether you were one of the nearly 1,000 conference attendees from outside the US or couldn't attend the conference this year, you can catch up on sessions you missed by accessing Conference Daily and the ASCD Inservice Blog. New articles and session summaries will continue to be posted over the next several days.
ASCD EDge: A Global Phenomenon
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 11, 2010
More and more educators are joining ASCD EDge, the association's new online community, including more than 650 educators from outside the US. Those educators represent 94 countries, with most EDge members from outside the US hailing from Canada, the Philippines, Australia and Singapore. If you haven't already, sign up for EDge so you too can connect with educators from around the world.
Let's Stop Motivating Our Students
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 09, 2010
ASCD author Bob Sullo presented to a capacity crowd at ASCD's Annual Conference on Saturday, March 6, on his book "The Motivated Student." Sullo admitted upfront that it is not enough to just motivate students -- instead, educators should focus on engaging and inspiring their students. A post on the Whole Child Blog summarizes the session and shares Sullo's five steps for engaging students in learning. Read more about the session.
ASCD Selects 2010 Outstanding Young Educators
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 09, 2010
At ASCD's Annual Conference this past weekend, the association honored Brian Nichols, principal of Hidenwood Elementary School in Newport News, Va., and Michael Powell, assistant principal at Patuxent Elementary School in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. The two are winners of ASCD's 2010 Outstanding Young Educator Award. At the awards ceremony, ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter said, "Both strive to not only provide their students with top-notch academic programs, but also prepare them to become caring, successful, active citizens who contribute to their communities." Read more about the winners.
Streaming Live to You from ASCD's Annual Conference
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 04, 2010
Can't make it to ASCD's Annual Conference this year? Watch live sessions for free! For the first time, ASCD will make general sessions and other important sessions available to the public during the conference. Use your ASCD user name or your free ASCD EDge login to sign in and view presentations from influential educators such as Robert Marzano, Yong Zhao, John Merrow and Geoffrey Canada.
- Read more about the live streaming.
- Get your official user name or ASCD EDge login.
The Ultimate PLN: ASCD Annual Conference Scholars
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 04, 2010
The inaugural class of the ASCD Scholars started in September, but the educators who comprise the programme will sit down together for the first time at ASCD's Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas, this weekend. This international group of teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals and university professors will work on multiple goals, including reflecting on and applying conference learning to real implementation back home.
- Learn more about the scholars.
CTB/McGraw-Hill Sponsors ASCD
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 02, 2010
ASCD announced today that CTB/McGraw-Hill is a Premier Sponsor of the association. CTB will provide support to ASCD's Whole Child Initiative and participate as a key sponsor of the association's top conferences. ASCD Executive Director Gene R. Carter said, "CTB's goal has always been to improve student achievement in every classroom building on an 82-year tradition of its core mission to help the teacher help the child."
- Read the press release.
Education Unbound
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Mar 02, 2010
What if it's the system that's the problem? What would it take to nurture systems in which educators are free to succeed? In Frederick M. Hess's new ASCD book, "Education Unbound: The Promise and Practice of Greenfield Schooling," he calls for and spells out a "greenfield" approach to schooling that seeks to tear down bottlenecks, free up expertise and create the conditions where outstanding teaching and learning can flourish.
- Learn more about Rick Hess and his book.
Making the Most of Face Time
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 25, 2010
ASCD's annual conference next week provides opportunities to meet and speak with educational leaders from all over the world. In an ASCD blog post, ASCD Scholar Jen Morrison writes that the conference provides the perfect opportunity to run into that author of your favorite book, that politician, that reporter or educational documentarian, or that guru who has influenced your work for years. Morrison asks readers who they'd like to meet at the conference, and she wants to know what they think is the value of face time in the age of virtual access 24/7.
ASCD's Conference Daily is Online
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 25, 2010
As part of ASCD's commitment to keep attendees and members informed through the use of technology, the Conference Daily Web page will bring the latest news stories, blog posts, tweets, schedule changes, photo slide shows and video from the conference. Visit www.ascd.org/conferencedaily to stay informed and to join the conversation. It's your best resource for session information and special events such as the Welcome Reception on 5 March.
International Professional Development Institute in Rome
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 23, 2010
An ancient city of language and learning, Rome will play host to world-renowned differentiated instruction expert Carol Tomlinson and her esteemed ASCD faculty member colleagues for an ASCD International Institute from 16 to 18 April. Explore practical strategies that can be used immediately to support all students for success. Discover what authentic differentiation is and how to integrate into every grade level and subject area.
- Learn more about ASCD institutes.
Authors Talk About Transformative Moments
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 23, 2010
ASCD features new videos from ASCD best-selling authors talking about their transformative moments. The new videos feature Harvey Silver, John Merrow and Jay McTighe share turning points in their careers on ASCD's home page. All the authors starring in the videos will be presenting at ASCD's Annual Conference, themed Critical Transformations," from 6 to 8 March in San Antonio.
- Watch the videos.
- Get to know ASCD authors on ASCD EDge, the professional networking site for educators.
Full Disclosure?
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 18, 2010
In a blog post, ASCD Scholar Jen Morrison asks if it's realistic to believe that school leaders can be completely candid about what's going on in their schools or districts. She asks readers to share their thoughts on those things that faculty members need to communicate behind closed doors and what they'd tell their school's parents if they were getting on a plane tomorrow.
ASCD Supports US First Lady Michelle Obama's Campaign to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids
ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief | Feb 18, 2010
In a recent statement, ASCD Executive Director Gene Carter commends US first lady Michelle Obama's efforts to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity by calling on parents, educators, policymakers and business and community leaders to work together to develop comprehensive solutions that build on proven strategies and mobilize both public and private sector resources. The statement describes ASCD efforts to stay at the forefront of advocating for school-community health collaborations, including ASCD's Healthy School Communities, which provides practical resources such as the Healthy School Report Card to help communities address the health and well-being of students and educators in evidence-based ways that support learning and teaching.
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