What’s Your Summer Learning Plan?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkXN8X8kmuY/T1kJjpWjYVI/AAAAAAAABMI/dNVmJKcpeVs/s640/laptop_on_the_beach.jpg

It’s hard to think of summer when I awoke to large, fluffy snow flakes accumulating quickly on the ground this morning. And yes, it is May 3. Whether you’re staying in town, going on a traveling expedition, or spending time with your family and friends, it seems as educators we always find ways to integrate some kind of learning into our lives. Although summer is consider a break or holiday, teachers still find the time to do what they do best: learn!

Continuing with my own learning, I joined the vibrant twitter #satchatwc chat this morning focusing on summer goals and learning plans. Below I’ve summarized our discussion:

Question #1: Summer provides a great opportunity for us to focus on our own new learning. What’s on top of your list to learn this summer?

A1: Reading Learning by Doing to be more effective in true PLC implementation #satchatwc

— Amy Deslattes, NBCT (@amy_deslattes) May 3, 2014

A1: I spend a lot of time learning in my comfort zone. I'm going to out and learn more about math & upper level curric (HB5). #satchatwc

— Jennifer (@JennGRoach) May 3, 2014

A1 Expand knowledge of Twitter as PD tool. How we can expand it district-wide. #satchatwc

— Wade Stanford (@wadestanford) May 3, 2014

A1: Computer programming, all things Adobe, video/audio editing, incorporating 21st Cent Skills & Tech into education everywhere #satchatwc

— Oliver Schinkten (@schink10) May 3, 2014

Q1- get certified as #google ed. trainer #satchatwc

— Eric Smith (@esmith_eric) May 3, 2014

A1 – Making Learning Public – Blogging in the Classroom – SM to share the good news – #satchatwc

— Following Paul (@paulpichurski) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/learning_4_all/status/462602555801862144

A1: I plan to focus on our math instructional block and supporting teachers w documentation/conferencing/anecdotal notes, etc. #satchatwc

— Bethany Hill🌟#JoyfulLeaders (@bethhill2829) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/ccate2012/status/462602643550924801

Question #2: What learning opportunities are you making available for staff this summer? Share topics and any innovative practices.

https://twitter.com/jeffpercell/status/462605700628111361

A2: working with colleagues to explore #GAFE tools & looking forward to a visit from @gcouros #satchatwc

— Louise Pike (@lpikeEDU) May 3, 2014

A2: Goal is to create as many Prof Dev. webinars, classes & resources as possible on implementing 21st Cent Skills & Technology #satchatwc

— Oliver Schinkten (@schink10) May 3, 2014

A2: Our team is supporting close to 300 teachers with math PD. Supporting close to 100 with 1:1 Chromebook integration #satchatwc

— Shelley Burgess (@burgess_shelley) May 3, 2014

A2: Our district is hosting Hattie Visible Learning PD for school teams. I'm still hoping to get to #ISTE2014 #satchatwc

— . (@KeithPeters_) May 3, 2014

A2: Twitter chats & hopeful to books clubs on various topics. Ts lead a summer book club last year-it was amazing! #satchatwc

— Jennifer (@JennGRoach) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/learning_4_all/status/462604214951104512

A2 We will have a summer PD edcamp style centered on curriculum & best practices. Excited for staff to own learning! #satchatwc

— Wade Stanford (@wadestanford) May 3, 2014

A2: Just did a Twitter session for Ts this week, goal is to have discussions in summer w specific hash tag! #satchatwc

— Bethany Hill🌟#JoyfulLeaders (@bethhill2829) May 3, 2014

Question #3: Share your recommendations – What book and/or blogger do you think is a “must read” for the rest of us? Why?

A3 Reading The Speed of Trust helped me focus on the things to build relationships #satchatwc

— Chris Almeria (@ChrisAlmeria) May 3, 2014

Blogs: @jonathankegler http://t.co/TkyiAIAPK3 and @bethhill2829 @DrMattParker for sure!!! #satchatwc

— Jennifer (@JennGRoach) May 3, 2014

Getting ready to read The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools by Liz Wiseman #satchatwc

— Shelley Burgess (@burgess_shelley) May 3, 2014

A3 A must read is True North by Bill George. Guides you to find yourself as an Authentic Leader. #satchatwc

— Wade Stanford (@wadestanford) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/jeffpercell/status/462606763695415296

A3: An inspired read “Resilience begins with Beliefs”- Sara Truebridge thanks @TracyMcphail #satchatwc

— Louise Pike (@lpikeEDU) May 3, 2014

A3: A case for more reading, writing, and talking. Not just for ELA teachers. http://t.co/FGIJNrsym0 #satchatwc

— Rich Hovey (@TeacherHovey) May 3, 2014

Reading Creativity Inc. by Ed Catmull, Scaling Excellence by Bob Sutton, Keith Sawyer on Creativity, Sims and Belsky on Ideas. #satchatwc

— David Culberhouse (@DCulberhouse) May 3, 2014

A3 – 12 Touchstones of Good Teaching – Bryan Goodwin – Straightforward, Simple, Applicable Work in this book…#satchatwc

— Following Paul (@paulpichurski) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/LeadEdTech/status/462606231756996608

A3: Love Teach Like a Pirate by @burgessdave and Shifting the Monkey by @ToddWhitaker! #mindshifters #satchatwc

— Bethany Hill🌟#JoyfulLeaders (@bethhill2829) May 3, 2014

Question #4: How about for our students? What are you doing or what do recommend to keep students engaged in learning this summer?

A4: I have heard of geocaching only find a book & journal at each place. Take a book and leave one. #satchatwc

— Julie Szaj (She/Her/Hers) (@shyj) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/ccate2012/status/462608700918607872

A4: I saw on Twitter that someone was having their students write a "Summer Bucket List." Thought this was a great idea! #satchatwc

— Mark Anthony Johnson (@mc_bossy) May 3, 2014

A4: Providing them with list of online resources, offering feedback all summer, keeping them updated. #satchatwc

— Oliver Schinkten (@schink10) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/mosspike/status/462608370315558912

https://twitter.com/Perednia/status/462608333644394496

https://twitter.com/learning_4_all/status/462608296101167104

A4: We are kicking off a summer reading challenge where take 5 books of their choice home and we mail missions to do w them! #satchatwc

— Bethany Hill🌟#JoyfulLeaders (@bethhill2829) May 3, 2014

Question #5: What would an ideal day of learning look like for you this summer?

A5. A little reading and reflecting in the morning sun followed by copious amounts of play. #satchatwc

— Scott Carey (@Scareysci) May 3, 2014

#satchatwc A5 sitting around a bonfire with T friends chatting about ideas

— paul shircliff ☮️ (@shirky17) May 3, 2014

A5 reading the newspaper, Twitter chats/browsing, podcasts, some hands on work at home. #satchatwc

— Dave Bircher (@bircherd) May 3, 2014

A5 Room full of teachers developing their own learning sessions & then guiding those sessions. Excitement on their faces! #satchatwc

— Wade Stanford (@wadestanford) May 3, 2014

A5: Ideal is Twitter chats… on the beach, my stack of books to read…on the beach, blogging and reflecting…on the beach! #satchatwc

— Bethany Hill🌟#JoyfulLeaders (@bethhill2829) May 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/mosspike/status/462610799106617345

A5: Summer edcamps! 😉 #satchatwc

— Julie Szaj (She/Her/Hers) (@shyj) May 3, 2014

The last question asked about non-educational plans for the summer and of course many answers consisted of spending time with family members. The great ideas in this chat made me think about what my summer plan is. What do I want to learn this summer and how do I want to grow? This will be the first summer in years, that I won’t be traveling to an exotic place, and as much as that aches me, instead I am embarking on a new journey of starting my masters. Continuing and expanding my learning is something I’ve always wanted to do, but hadn’t the time. Having to be in town for my sister’s wedding and family visits seemed like the perfect opportunity. A great balance of educational and fun!

Regardless of if you have plans, or are trying to build some now, I challenge you to do something for yourself. Take control of your own learning and follow the path you desire. You may be surprised with where it leads you.

What’s Your Summer Learning Plan?

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