10th Annual the ART of TEACHING Conference

September 26, 2015

We were all so excited to listen to the amazing speakers that Cotsen acquired for this year's conference. I was especially looking forward to hearing Kate Roberts and Christopher Lehman speak. They co-authored the book: Although Christopher Lehman did a great job I was really hoping to spend the session listening to Kate.  He didn't really share information about Close Reading, but had some amazing information on taking notes. It really strengthened my love for Sketchnoting even more. I think it is a great way for students to visually take notes.

 

Lehman's READ - COVER & JOT - REREADtechnique will be a great tool for my students to use.We finished our day in a session with Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst who have co-authored many books. Their presentation on Vocabulary - What Matters Most was very insightful and really helped me better understand the struggles students have with reading when they come across unknown words. I plan to implement the use of the SOMEBODY/WANTED/BUT/SO THEN in my Readers Workshop immediately.
 
I am so excited about this year andthis conference was a great way to kick it off!
~ Sandie

I know we all want to learn more about 

so here's a link to their website where you can explore their free downloads, videos and forum.

Be sure to read the short articles in the “First Steps” menu for an overview of their
daily instruction strategies. Next, look through the articles in the “Levels” menu for a
summary of the year long classroom management system. Finally, read the notes in
the “Goodies” menu for a  description of many of thier free downloads. They have a book too.
Maybe we can look at as an inquiry Book Study.

www.wholebrainteaching.com 

Toohey Tech Recommendations

Imagine an organization tool that can help with volunteers, conference schedules, and more. I discovered Volunteer Spot and after using it this year for parties I think I want to use it even more next year.

No more "reply-all" email chains, clipboards to pass around or spreadsheets to juggle. This website provides a simple, free signup and scheduler first-hand.

volunteerspot.com

Jeff Anderson has been sharing writing strategies with teachers and students for over 25 years. Whether presenting at national conferences like NCTE, ASCD, or in classrooms or writing his books for teachers or middle grade readers, Jeff’s passion for writing and grammar inspires teachers and young writers to soar. When he’s not writing with his “revising” dogs at home near downtown San Antonio, Texas, he’s walking, talking, or doing staff development around the US (and sometimes New Zealand).

The Write Guy (link)

Cotsen Foundation Year End Luncheon

Skirball Center - Cotsen Auditorium

Devra, Megan, Courtney, Carrie, Wendy, Karen, Sandie, Debbie
The COTSEN 7 and our Fabulous Principal Wendy Hudson

Mrs. Margit Cotsen
Family Member and Cotsen Foundation for the Art of Teaching

Team Kindergarten
Courtney & Carrie

Spring 2015 Newsletter

Premiere Cotsen Alumni Conference

 TMA Cotsen fellows and mentor attended the first ever Premiere Cotsen Alumni Conference in Long Beach. 
We had the privilege of listening to Harvey Smokey Daniels.

No Foolin' Inquiry Meeting About Math

The fabulous Cotsen fellows met on April Fools Day to talk about math!  We read an article called Number Talks Build Numerical Reasoning.  Fellows were asked to reflect on their reading by recording ideas from the article they could agree with, something they would like to argue, an assumption the article makes and an action step the article inspires them to take.

Here is a sample of what we completed in inquiry. 

Inquiry Video Links:

Ted Talks

Debbie's Math Warm-up

Sample Number Talk Videos:

Number Talk Sample

Fourth Grade Number Talk

Math Solutions Number Talks K 2 Rekenreks

6th Grade Number Talk

Looking for a way to spend your Cotsen money?  Order your copy of the number talks book today!



Fellows, be sure to post a comment about what you tried to implement in your class!  We are eager to learn from one another.