Episode 121 - Welcome Back to School

This week marked our first day back after our summer hiatus.  We spent the time talking about the learning we did over the summer and how the start of the school year has been going.  We got into a brief discussion about how important we are to the atmosphere of the classroom.  We will return to this topic at a later date.

You can listen to the audio here.

Episode 120 - The Flipped Classroom

This week we talked about the idea of flipping the classroom.  After having read an article about it in the May ISTE Leading and Learning magazine, we decided to tackle the topic ourselves.  Luckily, Jon Bergmann, originator of the flipped classroom, was able to join us.  


The audio archive is here.

Episode 118 - Test Prep and Keeping Things Exciting

This week, we discussed the difficulties with preparing students for the major state tests without making the whole classroom be about test prep.  With Race to the Top, it's not easy.


Chat and archive can be found here.

Episode 116 - Teaching Tolerance

This week, we discussed the idea of teaching tolerance, respect, and acceptance in school.  How do we do this in our classrooms and how do we help parents understand what we are doing?  We were joined by Amanda Marrinan.


You can hear the show and read the chat at EdTechTalk.

Episode 115 - What keeps us motivated?

For our first show of 2012, we decided to discuss our goals for the New Year.  This led to a conversation about what keeps us motivated in our classrooms?




Chat and Audio can be found here.

Episode 114 - Serendipity

This week, Maria was sick and the chat room was not hopping.  I guess everyone is busy getting ready for the holidays.  But Sheila and Lisa did have one guest, who we were thrilled to call into our skype call to have her join the chat.  Amanda Marrinan took time away from her beach vacation to talk with us about how technology is working in the classrooms.  Sheila, Amanda, and Lisa shared many very exciting for us, and getting to be commonplace for the kids, activities that occur daily in our classrooms.  Enjoy the conversation.


The conversation can be heard here.

Episode 113 - Objectives - Should We Share Them With Students?

This week, Maria brought us an article about sharing objectives with students.  This author gave various reasons not to share objectives.  We debated the issue. Our next Conversations show will be held on Monday, December 19th at 8:00 Eastern. 

Chat and audio here.

Episode 112 - Character Education

This week, during our new Monday night time, we discussed Character Education.  As educators, we recognize the importance of teaching values but sometimes feel we are fighting an uphill battle.  How do we keep it going? 


Audio and Chat can be found here.


Our next show will be Monday, December 5, at 8:00 Eastern.  Hope to "see" you there.

Episode 110 - New Role for Librarians

This week Joyce Valenza and CathyJo Nelson joined us for a conversation about libraries and the new role of the librarian.

You can find the audio and chat archive here.

Episode 107 - Back to School Night

This week we discussed Back to School Night, debating what parents want to hear, what we want to say, and what our administrators expect us to say.  


The Chat and Audio can be found here.

Conversations #105 - June 19, 2011

This week we were joined by Amanda Marrinan, who was in the same time zone as Lisa, Maria and Sheila! She was visiting Maria before heading to ISTE11. This week we discussed our professional and personal plans for the summer. Curriculum planning and having fun were at the top of the list!

This is our last show of the season. We will be taking time off for the summer, but will be back in the fall! If you have topic ideas, please share them here!

Episode 104 - How do you end the year?

This week we discussed ending the school year. Although for some listeners this was a reflection, Lisa, Maria and Sheila still have about 2 more weeks to go! The chat contains plenty of ideas and links!

Audio and chat are located here.

Episode #103 How has your teaching changed with collaboration?

This week we talked about how collaboration and being connected has changed our teaching practice. We looked at how we use Twitter to reach out to our PLN for feedback, advice, support and ideas. John Fladd joined Maria and Lisa to share his thoughts on the topic. Sheila will be back next week.

Chat and Audio here.

Episode 102 - What Message Does Your Classroom Send?

This week, we discussed the message people get when they come into your classroom.  Does your room portray the message you want it to?  How do you get people to understand your message? 


Chat and Audio here. 

Episode 101 - Should I Stay or Should I Go?

This week Miguel Guhlin joined Lisa, Maria, and Sheila to continue a conversation he had started in a chat room a few weeks ago.  His question: Do you bloom where you are planted or do you move to bloom?  We discussed the pros and cons of staying in a difficult teaching situation where you can do great work for children or moving where you are more supported.


Chat and Audio Here

Episode 100!!! A Celebration

This week we celebrated our 100th Episode.  We talked about how we got started and moved right into a conversation about being connected as educators.  It was great fun!


You can find the chat and audio here.

Episode 99 - Teachers Advocating For Themselves

This week, Lisa, Maria, and Sheila got a bit political, talking about today's politics of teaching.  Our kickoff was a series of tweets by Diane Ravitch, @dianeravitch, about the need for educators to advocate for themselves.  Join us this week in finding a way to promote educators to the public - or at least to your parents.


Chat and Audio can be found here.

Episode 98 - School Rules

This week, Lisa, Sheila, and Maria talked about school rules - what are they, why are they, what should they be.  We started the show with some exciting news about our friend, Amanda Marrinan.  John Fladd also shared some great news with us.


You can find the chat and audio here.

Episode 97 - Exploring New Cultures - Heading to Belize

This week, Sheila brought along Tracy Sherrill and Tom Waldron to discuss the UNH Teacher Program trip to Belize.  These extraordinary teachers learn about working cooperatively and working with different cultures by traveling to Belize to work in schools there.  

You can find out more about the trip at this link. http://www.unh.edu/education/index.cfm? ID=AE6D7DDC-B1D3-0174-77D3FF16EAA9DDB8

Chat and Audio can be found here.

Conversations #96 - Spring in the Classroom (March 27, 2011)

Spring time is here! Well, on the calendar at least. Do our classrooms have seasons too? We discussed if there were spring/seasonal differences that affect our teaching and our students. Does your classroom change? The building staff? You?