Melanie Ruiz
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Objective Assessments
Are tests the only objective assessment of student learning? “If assessment is to be a positive force in education, it must be implemented properly. It cannot be used to merely sort students or to criticize education. Its goals must be to improve education. Rather than ‘teach to the test,’ we must ‘test what we teach.’”…
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Drug Free is the Way to Be!
Next week is Red Ribbon Week and my class made a poster for the school-wide contest. I had to find a way to get tech involved so I had the class make a movie about the effect of drugs. There is a QR code on our poster that will lead those who scan it to…
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Technology Infused Classroom
When thinking about what a technology infused classroom looks like, I found I agreed with what the Innovative Designs for Education Corporation published as it’s 10 core principles of successful “learner-active, technology-infused” (LATI) classrooms: Learning from a Felt Need High Academic Standards Higher-Order, Open-Ended Problem-Solving Student Responsibility for Learning Connected Learning Collaboration Individual Learning Paths…
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Red Ribbon Week
Hello Families! Next week is Red Ribbon Week at Dorothy Grant Elementary. The image above is what we have planned for the students to do to celebrate and reinforce the importance of being drug free. It is important to note that on Tuesday for sports attire day that we ask students to avoid wearing anything…
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3rd Annual Target Sports Lunch
Hello Families, Tomorrow we will have Target visiting us at lunchtime to teach the kids new games to play at recess. Please send them dressed ready for activity (sneakers, no sandals). Please click the link below for full details. Target Sport Lunch ~Mrs. Ruiz
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Grading
Hello Families, Since we have adopted the Common Core, our grading and scoring have changed. One of the more noticeable changes will be the lack of letter grades. In primary, you were likely used to seeing Outstanding (O), Satisfactory (S), Needs Improvement (N) and Unsatisfactory (U). Once you receive your first progress report (which you should this…
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Visual Literacy & the Internet
Visual Literacy is not a new concept. As a matter of fact it was concept given a name in 1969 by writer and educator John L. Debes. To put it simply, visual literacy is defined as the ability to make meaning from what we see. The fact that this concept was around before the Internet…
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Summer Slump
Hello Everyone! I am often asked about educational apps and programs for students. I wish I knew them all well. There are so many great programs out there! One site I personally turn to when evaluating technology for my 9 year old son is Common Sense Media. They have a great guide on avoiding the…
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Class News for May 16th
Hello Families! As we come up on the last several days of school I have decided there will no longer be any “official” homework. Instead I am sending home easy to do science projects and math art for students and families who still want something to work on. Any work completed will be worth ClassDojo…
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Homework
Hello Parents and Families, I am curious as to your thoughts on homework for the last 13 days of school. Please reply to this survey. If you would like to make a comment on the subject, please do so in the comments area of this post. Thank you! ~Mrs. Ruiz
21st Century Educator 