James+O'Toole+2012-13

__ **Links from James O'Toole** __  
 *  **Leadership Transitions: Lessons From Pope Francis** ||   ||
 * March 31, 2013  **by Jill Berkowicz and Ann Myers** ||   ||
 * Pope Francis is one of the world's most visible leaders and so far he seems to be creating a mini case study for the study of transitions in leadership. ||  ||
 *  @http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/leadership_360/2013/03/leadership_transitions_lessons_from_pope_francis.html?intc=es ||   ||
 * © 2007 Editorial Projects in Education ||
 *  @http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/leadership_360/2013/03/leadership_transitions_lessons_from_pope_francis.html?intc=es ||   ||
 * © 2007 Editorial Projects in Education ||
 * © 2007 Editorial Projects in Education ||

New Spotlights From //Education Week// //Education Week //<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Spotlights contain essential news and commentary on the big issues. These Spotlights provide the information you need to understand the most talked-about topics. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Download the latest Spotlights for free: **

 * **<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">College Readiness and Access **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Discover how schools are preparing students for the academic and financial demands of college. ||
 * **<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Data-Driven Decisionmaking **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Learn about successful district efforts in data-driven reform, how to put data into practice, and discover new tools used to predict student outcomes. ||

**<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Other Spotlights available for free download: **

 * **<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Math and the Common Core **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Take a look at how the common-core standards are reshaping math instruction, changing when content is being introduced, and how educators are preparing for new assessments. ||
 * **<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Implementing Common Standards **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Examine efforts to align textbooks to the common-core standards, learn about principal training methods, and discover ways to reduce costs associated with common-core implementation. ||
 * **<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Literacy and the Common Core **<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">: <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> See how schools are meeting the English/language arts standards by incorporating literacy skills across the curriculum, emphasizing nonfiction texts, and collaborating with librarians. ||

=<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">// Lesson and unit websites // – In this article in //Journal of Staff Development//, Julie Harris recommends several sites with free lesson and unit plan resources: =

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • LearnZillion – http://learnzillion.com <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • Literacy Design Collaborative – http://www.literacydesigncollaborative.org <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • Mathematics Design Collaborative – @http://www.mygroupgenius.org/mathematics • Promethean Planet – <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • BetterLesson – http://betterlesson.com <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“Building Better Lessons” by Julie Harris in //Journal of Staff Development//, February 2013 (Vol. 34 #1, p. 32-35), www.learningforward.org ; Harris is at plettaharris@gmail.com

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 1.5;">**Kim Marshall highlighted this article this week....thought I would share.** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Times,serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 1.5;">**6. How Principals Can Address Generational Differences Among Teachers**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> In this article in //NAESP Communicator//, John Eller (St. Cloud State University) and Sheila Eller (a Minnesota elementary school principal) suggest ways school leaders can differentiate their support of three distinct teacher cohorts: Generation Y (born between 1982 and the late 1990s), Generation X (born between 1964 and 1982), and Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964). “In order for a school to operate most efficiently and effectively, we need a balance of all three generations,” say Eller and Eller. They add that school leaders need to appreciate the different perspectives each brings and make sure to involve all of them in faculty teams and activities.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • //Generation Y// – These are the youngest teachers and they often multi-task and use technology while still paying attention. Principals should allow them to text during staff meetings, say Eller and Eller, and encourage them to use technology in their classrooms. “Check in frequently and ask them how they are doing,” they advise. “Simple, tangible rewards given privately… may pay dividends in increased motivation.”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • //Generation X// – This cohort values opportunities for decision-making and support in maintaining work-life balance. It’s best for principals to set broad parameters and allow autonomy – for example, flexible office hours for parent meetings rather than a fixed schedule.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> • //Baby boomers// – Principals can appeal to these teachers’ dedication to service and commitment to the team and praise the amount of time they put in, their impact on students, and the legacy they will leave the school when they retire.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Eller and Eller suggest using a staff meeting to divide teachers by cohort (or perhaps by the decade in which they were born) and asking each group to brainstorm the major cultural influences they remember (movies, news stories, stories, products), major political influences (presidents, legislation, debates, and issues), and their attitudes toward work, supervision, and rewards. Then each group can report out and the whole staff can discuss how people think about diversity among the generations, the role that each group has to play in the school’s mission, and how they can productively work through issues they encounter.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">“Maximize a Multigenerational Staff” by John Eller and Sheila Eller in //NAESP Communicator//, March 2013 (Vol. 37, #7, p. 1, 2), @http://www.naesp.org/communicator-march-2013

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ASCD SmartBrief for Education Leaders <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">March 18, 2013 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/ensOCNoQuMfExlrYfDitdIBjotrp <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> TODAY'S HEADLINES <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">MANAGEMENT & LEADERSHIP <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* How can empathy improve leadership? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Why ethics training is necessary for school leaders CAREER & RECRUITING <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Want that promotion? Step up your leadership game <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* The tactics of bad hiring managers <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">TECHNOLOGY & TOOLS <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Survey: How education leaders leverage technology <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Texas district replaces student information system following complaints POLICY & RESEARCH <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Some schools are seeking to recast role of school police <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Some Minn. schools to administer ACT to all juniors ASCD NEWS <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Oregon high school wins prestigious ASCD whole child award <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Our brains extended <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">EDITOR'S NOTE <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* What men value in this world is not rights but privileges.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/ensOCNoQuMfExlrYfDitdIBjotrp

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ASCD SmartBrief <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">March 12, 2013 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/enceCNoQuMfEgSdIfDcXhQfCdQso <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> TODAY'S HEADLINES <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">LEARNING AND TEACHING <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* How to engage students in inquiry learning <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Three Miss. elementary schools find success with literacy focus SCHOOL LEADERSHIP <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Gates: Why teachers should use technology to connect, collaborate TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Some districts line up to make digital conversion <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Is trying to control social media a lost cause? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">THE WHOLE CHILD <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Helping students to change negative thinking <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Ky. students reach out to family of Sandy Hook victim POLICY WATCH <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Dozens of Ohio districts, schools withdraw from Race to the Top <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Critics say parents are not seeking trigger bill in Fla. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">FACULTY LOUNGE <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Ill. kindergarten teachers to assess students for developmental gaps ASCD NEWS <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Making teacher observation matter <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Many opportunities to connect with your favorite education authors

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/enceCNoQuMfEgSdIfDcXhQfCdQso

Leaders, For the problem solvers among you, here is an interesting article. The second sheet has the problems a little clearer. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 1361K View Save To Drive [|Download] ||
 * [[image:https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/pdf.gif caption="Problem_Solving_Mar_2013.pdf" link="@https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=f49bd488a0&view=att&th=13d45016f5f7c772&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw"]] || **Problem_Solving_Mar_2013.pdf**

Leaders, I thought this would be of interest to you and beneficial for your parent newsletter. For the others, it is useful for our own children or in my case, grandchildren. :-) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 332K View Save To Drive [|Download] ||
 * [[image:https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/pdf.gif caption="Math_Elementary_Mar_2013.pdf" link="@https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=f49bd488a0&view=att&th=13d3a9bfae30b1f0&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw"]] || **Math_Elementary_Mar_2013.pdf**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Education That Beats Inflation: 7 Ways to Learn for Free

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">//By Lou Carlozo, dealnews contributor// <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">At **dealnews**, we pride ourselves on our ability to spot bargains in any consumer product category you can name. That includes looking in to ways to save on your and your brood's education, though we wouldn't blame you if you've given up hope, as college costs have soared far above inflation for years. According to a 2011 Pew Research Center report, a four-year private college education tripled in cost between 1980 and 2010. Moreover, the study finds that fewer families think attending a major university merits such a hefty price tag. A whopping 75% of Americans say college is too expensive for most to afford: student loan debt for a bachelor's degree now averages more than $23,000 per student borrower, the Pew report finds. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Maybe that's why universities are so aggressively pursuing Massive Open Online Courses, or MOOCs. A recent article in The Verge details how 40 public universities (including Arizona State, Cleveland State, and the University of Arkansas) plan to offer free online courses in the spring, which will carry full credit. It's all part of an effort to entice potential students to sign up for a full degree program. The best part of MOOCs is anyone can take them; as long as you have a computer and an Internet connection, you're all set. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This shift towards free university-accredited classes got us thinking: What are some great ways to score some free learning, of any sort? With that, we fired up the dealnews Education Bargain Finder Apparatus (developed in conjunction with our top-secret team of university professors in tweed jackets with elbow patches) and came up with this list of ways you can get the learnin' without spending what you're earnin'. Read on, and study carefully: There could be a pop quiz at the end.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Yes, We Khan: The Khan Academy's Video Series
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you're spending all your time on YouTube watching dancing hamsters and Kim Khardashian talk about her pregnancy and not learning much, you might want to put that couch potato time to better use. Khan Academy claims to have delivered more than 241 million lessons via its extensive video library, which also offers students interactive challenges, and assessments from the comfort of their home, coffee shop, etc. Khan Academy is also an exhaustive resource for coaches, parents, and teachers: it offers a library of more than 4,000 videos that instruct K-12 math, biology, chemistry, and physics. It even reaches into the humanities with playlists on finance and history. Each video is approximately 10 minutes long and especially purposed for viewing on a computer.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">The Online Audacity of Udacity
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Another free online education site with a particular stress on computer science and math-related disciplines is Udacity, which currently offers close to two dozen courses at the college level. Udacity is unique in that it focuses on the fun parts of learning without quizzes, deadlines, and prerequisites. Like Khan Academy, it features bite-sized instructional videos; it also facilitates forums and meetups with peers to support learning. And when you're done, you get a certificate of completion that will help you with your academic and career advancement goals.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Learning in the Cloud: Pearson Opens OpenClass
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The textbook and learning industry giant Pearson launched OpenClass at the end of 2011. It's a system that integrates with Google's Android apps for education; with a single sign-on and a unified navigation bar, instructors and students can launch OpenClass from within Google Apps or access their Google applications from OpenClass. How's that for "smart smartphone?" Pearson's giving this online experience away because it hopes it will spark business for related products ranging from eTextbooks to tutoring software.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Free Books Worth a Look: The Gutenberg Project
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Imagine having a vast library of books at your fingertips, all for free, and as close as our laptop or tablet. Project Gutenberg offers more than 42,000 volumes, including free Kindle books, and eBooks previously published by reputable publishing houses. They will ask for a donation, which you should consider if you become a repeat visitor. The eBooks are free in the United States because their copyright has expired. The top 100 books can be found here and include //Les Miserables// by Victor Hugo, //Beowulf//, and //Pride and Prejudice// by Jane Austen.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">More Free Books Worth a Look: The Harvard Classics
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Curated by Harvard University President Charles W. Eliot and published in 1909, the Harvard Classics are just what you'd expect: great volumes from the world of literature, philosophy, religion, history, and folklore. Want 'em for free? To quote Shakespeare, all thou need doest is to clicketh here. The 52-volume series includes Charles Darwin's //On the Origin of Species//, Adam Smith's //Wealth of Nations// and two collections of Elizabethan drama. Eliot claimed that 15 minutes of reading in these volumes every day would form the foundation of a sound liberal arts education. They're also said to counteract years of brain atrophy from watching aforementioned Kim Kardashian videos.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Handy Courses in Home Improvement
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We understand that for some of you, reading a free volume of Plutarch under ye olde oak tree isn't going to cut it, though learning how to work a miter saw would. Home Depot offers free weekly workshops on a wide range of categories. Understand that with Home Depot's free instruction, you're stepping into a consumer candyland of all sorts of cool tools on sale, so if you spend $1,000 on a power tool arsenal, don't say we didn't warn you. Upcoming workshops include "Installing Door Locks & Accessories" (March 9), "The Newest Trends in Vinyl Flooring" (March 10), and "Front Entrance Update" (March 16). Seminars typically last 90 minutes. Want more? Lowe's offers free online shop class projects that show you how to build an entertaining cart, or how to use — you guessed it — a miter saw.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Free Cooking Classes at Sur La Table
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you go to all that trouble to make an entertaining cart, why not learn how to make some exquisite cuisine to go with it? If you're tired of boiling hot dogs and zapping microwave meals, Sur La Table offers cooking classes that show you how to make items such as "Tasty Thain Noodles" and "Perfect Pizza at Home." Free and delicious! What's stopping you?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">And now for that pop quiz we promised you, and it's a tough question: //Are you ready to take a step forward in making your learning dreams come true?// <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">a) Yes <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">b) Maybe <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">c) Not Sure <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">d) I'm watching a Dancing Hamsters video and cannot be disturbed <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">e) None of the above <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If you answered "e" because cost is the obstacle, we understand. But with all the free resources we've just given you, the only commodity that hangs in the balance is time. You may not think you have the time, either, but to quote a wise and wonderful mentor of mine, "Don't find the time: Steal it." Your learning adventure awaits. The YouTube videos can wait.

<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Colleagues, <span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">I thought you might find this of some interest, perhaps even to pass along to others on your staff. @http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/01/11/the-dicey-parent-teacher-duet/

Leaders, As we enter the testing time, I thought you would find the attached article on test stress relief and performance enjoyable. I hope this helps your students. Good luck! <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 392K View Save To Drive [|Download] ||
 * [[image:https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/pdf.gif caption="Test_Anxiety_Feb_2013.pdf" link="@https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=f49bd488a0&view=att&th=13d01f091940e2c8&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw"]] || **Test_Anxiety_Feb_2013.pdf**

Leaders, It is infrequently that we hear about the positive effects we educators have on children. In a world that looks mainly at criticisms, how wonderful it was for me to read last evening what the Delaware Lieut Governor said about his son's teacher. This applies to all teachers who have such an influence on children. All of you are doing an important, wonderful job. I just though I would share it with you. Have a great day for you are making a difference. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> 126K View Save To Drive [|Download] ||
 * [[image:https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/pdf.gif caption="Teachers_Being_Thanked_Jan_2013.pdf" link="@https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=f49bd488a0&view=att&th=13c3f7a941c0f7c2&attid=0.1&disp=safe&zw"]] || **Teachers_Being_Thanked_Jan_2013.pdf**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaders, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> I am confident that all of us have experienced the students who are self motivated to exceed and overcome many obstacles to be successful. Many of us personally are/were those same students. So just how much does "grit" count in the realm of intelligence. Are the most successful people the smartest? Can "grit" be taught? Researchers are investigating this situation. I thought you would find the attached article interesting. Yes, there is something to be said about reading "The Little Engine that Could."
 * Grit_and_Character Education _HEL_Jan_2013.doc**

=<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 15pt;">College Board to make changes to SAT = <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">//By Lyndsey Layton// <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; display: block; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The SAT, the most widely used college entrance exam for generations of students, is getting a makeover.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">29 November 2012 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> TODAY'S HEADLINES <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">LEARNING AND TEACHING <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Finland ranked No. 1 in education <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* UK teachers ask students 3 questions to personalise lessons <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Norwegian maths app series to focus on algebra, then geometry PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* UK recruits more teachers from Canada <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Training on bullying issues sought for New Zealand's teachers REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Spotlight on United Arab Emirates <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Students in United Arab Emirates choose Internet over homework <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* UAE to maintain English education requirement REFORM AND RESEARCH <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* South Korea works to wean students off digital devices <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Turkey allows female students to wear headscarves in school ASCD NEWS <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Giveaway: Your chance to win a new book on helping students with special needs thrive <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* We're reading

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/ebdgCNoQuMeUoLAAfDcXhQcNcoiZ

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">ASCD SmartBrief <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">November 6, 2012 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> TODAY'S HEADLINES <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">LEARNING AND TEACHING <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Kindergarten prep begins at birth in Mo. district <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Mass. elementary schools consider adding Spanish to kindergarten <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* U.S. version of Singapore math is added to Ill. district curriculum SCHOOL LEADERSHIP <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Teacher: Reform movement hinges on collaboration TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Students to take to Twitter on Election Day THE WHOLE CHILD <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Students, teachers returning to class post-Sandy need understanding <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Leadership development class aims to boost school climate <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* L.A. schools continue work to help students exposed to traumatic events POLICY WATCH <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* D.C. parents are notified about teachers who are not "highly qualified" <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">FACULTY LOUNGE <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* ASCD's Carter: Education as a unifying issue ASCD NEWS <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Moving the Common Core State Standards from adoption to implementation to sustainability <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">* Webinar: Critical strategies for empowering 21st century teachers

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">@http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/dYytCNoQuMeSkcBkfDcXhQfCkAlM

I read this very interesting article in "Time" on reinventing colleges and thought you might find it interesting. It certainly opened my eyes on some of the changes going on now and in the future. Elementary leaders can benefit from knowing what is going on in higher education so I sent it to all. Perhaps some of you are struggling with the cost of a college education for a child. It looks like changes are not that far behind. Reinventing Colleges October 2012

Working With Challenging Students from ASCD Express Home

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">**4 Ways to Knock Out Stress** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">If your anxiety level is sky-high, follow these steps to give your frazzled mind and body a break.

==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Kids and Taxes == <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #555555; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">New research by Wharton’s **Alexander Gelber** offers evidence that supporting low-income parents through tax reform can boost their children’s intellectual abilities. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Read more **

==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Racial Categories == <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #555555; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Discussing her research, PIK professor **Dorothy Roberts** defines race in social, political and biological terms, not differences at the molecular level. ( **Video** ) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Read more **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaders, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Just thought you would enjoy this creative way to make money or fund raise. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Enjoy, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jim <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Teachers Sell to Peers Online

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaders, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> Attached is an interesting research article entitled "Measuring School Capacity: Maximizing School Improvement" After reading this you might reflect where you believe your individual school fits into the capacity picture. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Enjoy, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jim

==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Being Nice == <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #555555; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">After studying the social networks of a group of baboons, a team of Penn researchers has shown that being friendly provides an evolutionary advantage. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Read more **

==<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif;">Across Domains == <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #555555; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Registration is open for Creation of Artifacts in Society, a free online course taught by Wharton’s **Karl T. Ulrich**. The Coursera class starts Oct. 22. ( **Video** ) <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Read more **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaders, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> I have attached two interesting items. First is a transcript of an interview with Paul Tough and his research on "How Children Succeed." Then there is also an audio site, which I think you can access for free the first time, to hear about how educators might use free technologies in the classroom. I listen to these items on a CD in my car. If you or your school can afford it this School Leadership Briefing item is useful. You get a CD each month which could lead to a professional library. Also subscribers can download the discussions to other type of devices. Just something for you to consider. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Enjoy, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jim

<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 13pt;">Using Free Technology to Bring 21st Century Skills Into the Classroom **

<span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">With Jared Covili <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Professional development expert Jared Covili, author of the new book, //Going Google: Powerful Tools for 21st Century Learning//, describes the wide array of free Google technologies available to schools and explains how to use them to encourage teaching 21st century skills. Continue →

Leaders,

I hope you find the attached article interesting. All educators know that intelligence is only one piece of the success of an individual. It seems that "grit" and how we handle "failure" is also extremely important. I personally can recall as an elementary school student/child reading and rereading the book entitled "The Little Engine that Could." I know it had an effect on me in my career and growth. So all of us are having an effect on all our children without us realizing it. Enjoy.

Have a super day.

Jim Failure is Not Bad

Instilling Ownership and Responsibility in Student-Centered Learning- In student-centered learning environments, students at the center of their learning are often engaged in a variety of activities both relevant and complex. It is here where the focus is driven by student choice rather than what the teacher dictates

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Florida high-school math teacher Donna Noll uses a Livescribe smart pen to record her spoken and written notes, then posts the content on her class Facebook fan page for her students. Noll says she includes overviews and sample questions for students in her calculus and algebra classes. She adds that the technology allows her to explain problems quickly, as if she's sitting right next to students. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">U.S. News & World Report <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> (9/4)
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Teaching math with a "magic pen" **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Leaders, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I know you are taking the lead in improving your school. John and I are proud that our DL schools have the characteristics of a good school as related in the attached article. Just thought you would be interested in this reading. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Enjoy and have a super opening of this school year. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Jim

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**<span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">How to identify good schools **

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Strong schools share five key characteristics, writes Robert Maranto of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. He writes in this opinion article that good schools are transparent, positive and honest places. Teachers put education before other issues and are challenged just as much as the students, he writes. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #1155cc; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Baltimore Sun <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #666666; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> (9/4)

On Line Course - A hero for Free education and now perhaps for credit.

Leaders, When you read the attached article, you will clearly understand how far advanced you are in school reform and how thoughtful your principal was to agree to be in DL with its professional learning communities structure. You have been doing all that the research indicates should be done in PLC's and you are making a difference in student learning. Keep it up and lets have a super opening of the new school year. Jim