Building a Community of Readers (Storify Archive)

Tweetin' Tuesday Building a Community of Readers

#vdvchat for Building a Community of Readers

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   iLearn Academy@iLearnAcademy1

   RT @NicholasDiaz1: Thank you to all who participated in the first#vdvchat! Great meaningful conversation!

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Dr Timothy Purnell@SchoolSup

   RT @NicholasDiaz1: Thank you to all who participated in the first#vdvchat! Great meaningful conversation!

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Nicholas Diaz@NicholasDiaz1

   Thank you to all who participated in the first #vdvchat! Great meaningful conversation!

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   David Caterisano@Pedey15Sox

   RT @SchoolSup: Great work with the first Tweeting Tuesdays! Thanks for including me. #vdvchat @VDVprincipal@NicholasDiaz1

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Lisa Moor@LMoor6

   #vdvchat The iLearn video was very helpful! Great job.

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Nicholas Diaz@NicholasDiaz1

   RT @SchoolSup: Great work with the first Tweeting Tuesdays! Thanks for including me. #vdvchat @VDVprincipal@NicholasDiaz1

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Dr Timothy Purnell@SchoolSup

   Great work with the first Tweeting Tuesdays! Thanks for including me. #vdvchat @VDVprincipal @NicholasDiaz1

   2 MONTHS AGO
   

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   Lisa Moor@LMoor6

   #vdvchat I appreciate the iLearn video suggestions on your website. How can they be modified for older students?

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   Kerry Kuboski@MsKuboski

   #vdvchat Fun first chat!! Have a great Tuesday!

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    #vdvchat @NicholasDiaz1 @VDVprincipal Thanks for inviting me over this morning, what a great idea!!!

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Kerry Kuboski@MsKuboski

    #vdvchat Q3: IPAD Reading, Series/Genre study, Book Clubs

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    #vdvchat A3: I recommend this text-amazon.com/Goodnight-iPad…

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    Nicholas Diaz@NicholasDiaz1

    #vdvchat Q3: What are some creative reading ideas?

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    RT @Ms_Santangelo: #vdvchat I inspire reluctant readers by helping students make connections to the text through their own personal experiences.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Barbara Snyder@BsnyderA10

    @VDVprincipal #vdvchat A2 Exposing the children to as much literature as possible . Reading with the children for enjoymenmt.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    B. Santangelo@Ms_Santangelo

    #vdvchat I inspire reluctant readers by helping students make connections to the text through their own personal experiences.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    RT @GColon32: #vdvchat A2 Teachers can serve as models by sharing their own enthusiasm and love for reading, possibly inspiring others.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    RT @MsKuboski: #vdvchat Q2: Find motivating texts, often non-fiction, that interest students. Partner reading and Book Buddies are always fun!

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Kerry Kuboski@MsKuboski

    #vdvchat Q2: Find motivating texts, often non-fiction, that interest students. Partner reading and Book Buddies are always fun!

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Gabriela Colon@GColon32

    #vdvchat A2 Teachers can serve as models by sharing their own enthusiasm and love for reading, possibly inspiring others.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    #vdvchat A2:Teaching is personal. Making meaningful connections with the student-engage kids in what they love and trick them into reading!

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    Charlene Tackvic@ctackvic

    #vdvchat A2 By using just right texts and praising students' success.

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    Dianna Kemper@DKemper2

    @VDVprincipal #vdvchat A2 Practice, Practice, Practice!!!

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    Megan Lazarte@mlazarte79

    #vdvchat A2: we try to tap into their interests and find topics that would appeal to them.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    RT @GColon32: #vdvchat A1 I try to use culturally relevant texts when possible so that our diverse community of students can make real life connections.

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    Susan Haynes@VDVprincipal

    #vdvchat Q2: How do you inspire reluctant readers?

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    B. Santangelo@Ms_Santangelo

    #vdvchat Throughout the day, I engage students by promoting real-world related texts though reading partnerships.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Gabriela Colon@GColon32

    #vdvchat A1 I try to use culturally relevant texts when possible so that our diverse community of students can make real life connections.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jennifer Mitchell@8jmitchell

    #vdvchat A1 I infuse reading across all content areas. i.e. We are reading about forces and gravity as we study these topics in science.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    RT @VDVprincipal: Congrats to our third grade team for creating first grade level PLN! #vdvchat @SchoolSup @NicholasDiaz1 http://pic.twitter.com/4oVCx2QC

    KERRY KUBOSKI@MSKUBOSKI

    ·

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Kerry Kuboski@MsKuboski

    #vdvchat A1: I create multiple opportunities for small group work. Our new math pilot prog. also provides stories that infuse math skills!

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    Barbara Snyder@BsnyderA10

    #vdvchat A1 During the day I teach reading in small groups.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jason Solomon@VilleTechNews

    #vdvchat A1: IMHO- Engaging the students, in all cont. areas, in authentic tasks that require reading is the best way to infuse reading.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Dianna Kemper@DKemper2

    #vdvchat A1 During the day, I review the small lesson we intoduced previously.

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Megan Lazarte@mlazarte79

    #vdvchat Good morning! Megan Lazarte - 3rd grade Special Ed teacher

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Jennifer Mitchell@8jmitchell

    #vdvchat Good Morning VDV!! Jen Mitchell 3rd grade

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Nicholas Diaz@NicholasDiaz1

    #vdvchat Q1:How do you infuse reading throughout the instructional day in a meaningful way?

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    Gabriela Colon@GColon32

    #vdvchat Hello everyone! -Gaby Colon

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    B. Santangelo@Ms_Santangelo

    #vdvchat Happy Tweetin' Tuesday from Brittany!

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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    barbara gardner@barbaragardne20

    #vdvchat barbara gardner-- art teacher

    2 MONTHS AGO
    

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Servant Leadership: Are you on the right leadership path?

 "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." - Mark 9:35

Servant Leadership can be defined as the natural desire of a leader to serve first rather than to be served. The striking difference between a servant leader and other leadership styles is that the servant leader seeks to ensure that other people’s highest priority needs are being met. There is some debate as to the number if characteristics that define a servant leader.  This blog will focus on five characteristics that will help you determine if you are on the path of service.

1. Empathy: The servant leader attempts to truly empathize with others. Staff members must be considered not only as employees, but also as people who need (and desire) respect and appreciation for their personal development. 

2. Awareness: The servant leader possesses a general awareness and especially self-awareness. Through reflection, he/she is not afraid of acknowledging his/her weaknesses.  He/she has the ability to view situations from a more integrated, holistic position.  This characteristic helps the servant leader base decisions on what is best for others.

3. Healing: The servant leader has the ability to heal others (emotionally) and his/herself. A servant leader finds solutions for his/her staff and resolves conflicts to boost morale because he/she sincerely wants to encourage and support the personal development of each individual.

4. Listening: A servant leader has the motivation to actively listen to his/her staff and supports them in decision-making.  The servant leader also pays particular attention to non-verbal cues and "listens" to what his/her staff members' body language is communicating.

5. Persuasion: A servant leader does not take advantage of his/her authority and status by coercing compliance; they rather try to convince those they serve.  Dale Carnegie (How to Win Friends & Influence People) describes persuasion as "arousing in the other person an eager want."

We'll end this blog with a quote from a champion of servant leadership, Robert K. Greenleaf,

“This is my thesis: caring for persons, the more able and the less able serving each other, is the rock upon which a good society is built...If a better society is to be built, one that is more just and more loving, one that provides greater creative opportunity for its people, then the most open course is to raise both the capacity to serve and the very performance as servant of existing major institutions by new regenerative forces operating within them."

Bright Hub Blogs

 

Here are my latest blog posts featured on Bright Hub Education:

Classroom Management in the 21st Century

Will the CCSS Better Prepare Students for College and Careers?

A Positive Perspective on Public Education

Finding Lesson Plans that Meet Common Core Standards

Common Core State Standards

I recently wrote a three-part blog series for Bright Hub Education on the Common Core State Standards:

A CCSS Guide for Parents

Integrating the CCSS into Lesson Plans

Incorporating the CCSS into Your Teaching Style

iLearn Academy

iLearn Academy is coming soon!  

See the videos below to learn more.

VDV Summer Enrichment Program

This summer, students from Van Derveer Elementary School expanded their educational experience by participating in the Summer Enrichment Program.  Please enjoy the video podcast highlighting the great work they did over the summer. A special thank you to Mrs. Katherine Neary (program director and district supervisor) and the entire staff for making the program truly enriching!

VDV Summer Reading Program

I recently collaborated with our two reading specialists, Mrs. Jessica Warner and Mrs. Francesca Bardes, regarding our Summer Reading Program.  The following podcast offers information about our program while providing the community with helpful reading strategies to improve student comprehension and fluency.  Enjoy!

VDV Takes the Title!

On Friday, April 27^th teachers and staff from each of the three schools in Somerville played in a charity flag-football game called the “Super’s Bowl”.  A total of $1,300 was donated to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County.  The game took place on the Somerville High School Football Field.  There were outstanding musical performances from national recording artist Ian McGlynn, SHS student Chris Lorenc, and VDV speech therapist Dayle Kurland.  Game one was between Van Derveer School (VDV) and Somerville High School (SHS).  VDV first grade teacher, Danielle Mattia, scored the first touchdown of the tournament and ended up with over 100 yards rushing!  VDV 2^nd grade teacher & Quarterback, Mike Dougherty, threw 3 touchdown passes in the game!  In a close game, VDV prevailed over SHS 21-14 to move on to the championship game.  The high school and middle school played in the 2^nd game.  The middle school jumped out to an early 7-0 lead.  However, the high school scored 24 unanswered points to win the game 24-7.  The Championship game was a rematch of the first game between VDV and SHS.  This time VDV dominated the game 20-6 to win the championship! Kerry Kuboski contributed with over 30 yards rushing and Lindsay Frevert made a great over-the-shoulder diving catch for a key first down. It was a great event for the whole community and I feel blessed to have been part of the inaugural Super’s Bowl.  A special thanks to the Somerville Community for making it such a great night!

THE SUPER'S BOWL!

It is with GREAT excitement that we will be holding Somerville’s FIRST  Superintendent’s Bowl  (a.k.a.The Super’s Bowl) to raise money for the Somerset County Food Bank.  On Friday, April 27^th at 6pm on the Somerville High School football field, staff members from each Somerville School (VDV, MS and HS) will play in a flag football tournament! We are hoping to make this a wonderful, friendly competition that is fun for players and spectators alike, and also helps raise money for an organization that benefits SO many people in our community.   

WHICH SCHOOL WILL BRING HOME THE TITLE?

NJ ASK 2012

I recently had the privilege to collaborate with Mr. Robert Reavey (Assistant Principal of Somerville Middle School) to create an informational podcast. The podcast is entitled "2012 NJ ASK GUIDE"and was created to provide parents with important information regarding our upcoming state exam.  Below is the fruit of our labor:

The Snow Bowl!

As I previously blogged, on Friday, March 2nd, a team made up of NJ teachers and administrators played in the Snow Bowl!  This charity flag-football tournament was played at Metlife Stadium and helped raise funds for the NJ Special Olympics.  My team, The Educators, raised over $1,700!  How did we play?  Well, we won the first game 24-16!  However ,we lost two close games and barely missed the playoffs.    How did the Assistant Principal do?  10 catches for 200 yards, and 4 touchdowns! Great cause...wait till next year!

NJ SPECIAL OLYMPICS

So a group of NJ educators (myself included) are taking part in the 2012 New York Football Giants Snow Bowl at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on March 2, 3, & 4, 2012. Funds raised through the Snow Bowl help to advance the goal of Special Olympics New Jersey, to provide free year-round training and competition in 24 Olympic-type sports to more than 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities. 

You can make an online donation of at least $5 or more by visiting my personal donation page and helping me reach our team's fundraising goal. The link is at the bottom of this blog.


Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Special Olympics - New Jersey

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2012 Teacher of the Year!

Van Derveer School is proud to announce our 2012 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Nancy Kisbaugh!  Ms. Kishbaugh is an effective, enthusiastic, and selfless educator who is always willing to lend a hand.  Ms. Kishbaugh was the first teacher I met at VDV School.  It was a hot day in August, and here was a teacher who could have easily been enjoying the shore, but instead gave up her own free time to assess our incoming Kindergarten class. I knew right away that this was a special teacher. This honor is well deserved!  Congratulations to Ms. Nancy Kishbaugh, our 2012 Teacher of the Year!

Keeping My Word

Congratulations Giants fans from Van Derveer School!  So myself and several students in our school made a wager that if the 49ers won they would have to wear red shirts to school.  If the Giants won, I would have to wear a shirt of their choosing.  Well if you don't know who won...YOU DO NOW!

Good luck in the Superbowl Giants!

Sportsmanship and the Championship

So the big game is on Sunday! I being a HUGE 49ers fan and the majority of VDV School being HUGE Giants fans, we decided to make today 49ers/Giants day! Staff members were allowed to wear jeans and either red (for the Niners) or blue (for the Giants) with a $5 donation.

The proceeds will be donated to the Somerset County Big Brothers Program. It was a fun day that allowed us to showcase good sportsmanship! Good luck to the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers on Sunday and may the best team win! Enjoy the videos below fans!

Celebrating Van Derveer!

I am blessed to be able to serve the students, staff, and parents of Van Derveer School!  In order to celebrate our school community we created a podcast titled Leading With Heart.  Enjoy!