Neurodiversity - An Important Word for Teachers

I just finished Thomas Armstrong's book "Neurodiversity in the Classroom" and I have to say it is a must read for any educator.  This thoughtful book links common sense ideas and practices schools can easily implement in their buildings to better reach all students.  Simply reading the table of contents will provide an outline of what teachers and schools can easily do to improve their ability to reach and teach all students.

We as educators focus on deficits, and not strengths, and its no wonder we run into 'challenges' as we work with a great

Too many of our students think that school is a place where they have no strengths.  Why not create a classroom environment where students can use their strengths to demonstrate their learning?  I love Dr. Armstrongs term...POSITIVE NICHE CONSTRUCTION.  In the animal kingdom, organisms always build a niche where they can succeed, why don't we do this in schools too?  Fostering curiosity, success, and learning in students is a special skill, and Armstrong's book will give every educator great ideas on how to do this.

Our education system needs to do a better job of helping students understand their strengths, and in my mind, Armstrong's book will help all educators do just that...

LINKS:

Get the book here...

Follow Armstrong's blog here...

For those who would rather listen...check out this great Youtube of Dr. Armstrong here...

How to Teach a Love of Reading...

Teaching students the importance of Literacy is critically important to their future success.  That said, do we teach students to love reading?  Or, do we teach students to hate it?  These are important questions, but as a starting point for me, I would strongly encourage every teacher, administrator, EA, parent and student to read Kelly Gallagher's book...

Readicide:  How Schools Are Killing Reading and What You Can Do About It.  

(For teachers in Red Deer Catholic its worth noting that the Foreword is written by Dr. Richard Allington, who is coming to Red Deer in late August for our opening PD day.)

During the summer months, many people read because this is one time in the year they have time to do so.  If this is you, grab a copy of this book, and enjoy!  This book is truly a great read, and I know it will change how you look at how you teach reading in your classroom, no matter what your grade level.

You can follow Kelly Gallagher's blog here...http://kellygallagher.org

And on Twitter here...@KellyGToGo

What if your PD Looked Like This? What the heck is #redcamp

What if your PD looked like this? 

(click on the link;)

If you've watched the video, I hope you've come to understand a little bit about the power of intrinsic motivation and autonomy.  With regards to Teacher Professional Development, this seems to be a new concept.  Personally I believe many teachers in North America have forgotten how important it is to maintain the professionalism and art that is teaching. 

As teachers, we have to do more than handout worksheets, and get students to fill in the answers.  As an example, I recently had a conversation with a colleague who explained that a student of hers was complaining that her Social Studies school work was too hard.  "Couldn't we just complete worksheets, you know, the kind where the answers are in each chapter of the textbook?"  This is an interesting dilemma for a teacher; the idea that a student would complain that their assignments made them think, create, and problem solve.  As Professionals it is important that teaching is much broader than handing out questions.  Great teachers engage, discuss, and get their students thinking.  Teacher Professional Development should be like this too.  The #edcamp model is a great example of how this could work, and I truly hope that teachers throughout Central Alberta will give this kind of learning a try.  Teachers love to "talk shop" and this un-conference does just that!

In life, the answer isn't always at the back of the book, and I believe when it comes to teacher Professional Development this is true too.  As a profession, we can't be the students who are complaining that they have to think at school.  We have to embrace our learning needs, wants, and challenges.  We can't let people do this for us.  If we do, then we are just technicians, we are less than professionals.  Professionals always try to better themselves, so why not try #redcamp.  It's local, it's free, and it may just be the kind of Professional Development you're looking for.

For further information, check out this great TED talk by Kristen Swanson.