A Worthwhile PD...Really?

Today was a district-wide PD day. Duh, duh, dun. 

Usually this means able to sleep in, an outfit that involves jeans, actually getting to drink my tea before it's cold, be home before school would normally gets out, a long lunch where you get to enjoy your food, and boredom. 

I am so glad to say I got all of the above but the boredom plus a nap. 

Our presenter was a fellow Michigan teacher who teaches high school English. 

She was entertaining and seriously made me consider wanting to teach high school if I could work sarcasm and jokes into teaching. She had us laughing throughout the whole day!! Holla! 

(She said this often.)

The topic was the forever hot word- differentiated instruction. For once, I walked away not feeling overwhelmed but energized and full of ideas. We even had time to work on what we will take back to our classroom tomorrow.  My co-teacher and I revamped our math and workshop time to fit in differentiation in a more systematic way while involving the students in grading. More to come on this soon I promise! I am so excited to see how it actually works.

The self grading is so important. Did you know it is the number 1 indicator or rather approach to influencing academic achievement?? 

So tomorrow I am pulling out my Stoplight assessments, stressing all those I can statements, and revamping workshops!

Just thrilled to have been in a productive PD environment! Maybe it was because she is a teacher and understands. 

Here is a photo from the weekend. Did some cross country skiing to this lookout over Lake Michigan. Usually in the nice warm months the parking lot is overflowing, there are tour buses, but in the winter it is only the adventurous who get to enjoy. 

Happy Monday!