This week's post is all over the place (much like we are this time of year in the land of education). We've got math on the brain with a dive into teaching that uses literacy to improve math instruction and a TED Talk that every educator should see (regardless of the subject they teach). Plus, a look at the newest addition to the SAT, how teachers can bounce back from classroom "fails,"and the systemic problem of deepening school segregation in America. So take 5 and explore all the things we've been thinking about.

Graphics are a great way to make something clearer and easier to understand. I am constantly bookmarking and saving interesting posters and infographics that I find on the web.  Today, I'm sharing five with you that I think are most relevant for classrooms and libraries, focusing on social emotional health, growth mindset, physical movement, and (surprise-surprise) reading!

So, Take5 mintues and spend some time checking out these thought provoking graphics. Do they resonate as much with you as they do with me?

This week, we're back to a Take5 full of news and ideas from around the web. We've been reading about movement in the secondary classroom and key lessons that all kids need to learn. We're thinking about creating fantastic book displays to lure in readers, administrator observations, and using time on the school bus to extend learning. So, take a look and let us know what you think!

At this time of year, my school-based team is focused on helping our new students transition from elementary to middle school. One of the things that we have identified that kids need help with is developing effective study skills. All too often, students will write down "study for test" in their planner but they have no earthly idea what studying should look like. They also rarely have identified what study techniques work best for them as individuals. Consequently, our team decided to teach these skills to our students in the month of September. Gretchen and I created an easy one pager to help kids develop study skills and find what works for them. 

In last week's post Gretchen shared ideas about how to help foster reading at home. The experience in my home dovetails nicely with her focus on reading. My kid loves to read, but math is not her thing. She's good at it, but she'd rather spend time writing stories or reading. I was the same way. That doesn't bother me or really concern me as a parent.

​What is troublesome is the negative talk that has crept slowly into our home. She declares "I hate math" or "I'm not good at math." I've done all the things the experts have told me to do: Talk about how much I love math. Focus on finding math in every day life (I could do better at that). Talk about how I'm good at math and she's good at math. But it isn't working. So I've done a dive into ideas for help. So here's a Take 5 with a math focus for teachers and parents alike. It's messy. Just as with real math, there is not just one method to answer the problem; but the more you know, hopefully the more you can help your own kid or the kids in your classroom.