Teaching Learning Leading K-12

143: Teaching in the Fast Lane with Suzy Pepper Rollins

 

You may remember Suzy from a couple of earlier interviews: Episode 2 where we talked about her instructional program called Math in the Fast Lane and on Episode 43 we talked about her book Learning in the Fast Lane. She is a national presenter, life-long educator, founder of Math in the Fast Lane ( a resource for helping teachers in grades 3-8 help kids with better understanding math), and now the author of two books published by ASCD- Learning in the Fast Lane and Teaching in the Fast Lane.

Suzy is energetic and passionate about helping teachers help their kids become academically successful. She has a nack for writing books that are easy to read and put to use in the classroom. Her research-based approach shares the research but gets to the practical immediately. No translators are needed here.

Today we talk about why she likes helping teachers and we dig into several parts of Teaching in the Fast Lane. You will hear her talk about the active classroom and what that requires. By the way, I love the way each chapter ends with a list of Questions to Ponder as well as her thoughts about stations and standards walls.

You are going to love Teaching in the Fast Lane and don't forget to check out her first book, Learning in the Fast Lane. 

 

Suzy also has taken on a new venture called myedexpert.com. You will hear us talk about this exciting way for teachers to get help from colleagues.

Thanks for listening!

Enjoy!

Connect with Suzy at:

suzyprollins@gmail.com

or go to myedexpert.com

and learn more about -

Teaching in the Fast Lane: How to Create Active Learning Experiences

MyEdExpert.com

Learning in the Fast Lane: 8 Ways tp Put All Students on the Road to Academic Success

www.mathinfastlane.com

 

Length: 30:14 

142: Great Ideas for Awesome Field Trips

In episode 141, I explain four reasons why field trips are important. 

Yes, technology has made it possible to take virtual trips but there is still nothing like being there. Nothing replaces getting your hands dirty or learning first hand in the environment of whatever the activity or event is.

 

4 Reasons Why Field Trips Are Important:

1. Experience

2. Questions

3. Connection with Real-Life and Others

4. Future Thinking

Listen to episode 141 to hear me explain these reasons.

Today, I'm sharing some thoughts about great field trips to introduce to your kids and classes.

I hope that you will recognize the important role that field trips can play in getting the kids engaged in your subject area. Don't make excuses. Look at the standards, identify an excellent unit, and identify what field trip you will take to get the kids engaged and wanting to know more. 

What ideas do you have for awesome field trips?

Length - 25:36

141: 4 Reasons Why Field Trips Are Important

 

Field trips are important.

There I said it.

Too often the experience of good interaction with the real world get axed in the name of ..."not enough time." This is so not right.

Kids get excited to learn more by experiencing those activities, events, or things that make their brains go, "I have got to know more." Today I am talking about my...

4 Reasons Why Field Trips Are Important.

 

1. Experience

2. Question

3. Connections with Real-Life

4. Future Thinking

 

 I hope that you will look at your standards and start making plans to insert that awesome field experience. Make room for it. You will discover that if you handle it right you will inspire kids to want to know more.

Enjoy!

Start planning now.

Length: 21:57

140: 12 Things No One Told Me About Being a School Administrator

Did you ever feel like saying, "No one ever told me about this?"

Come on you know what I'm talking about.

One day, while thinking about this issue or challenge you are facing, your mind says to you, "You know you asked to be an administrator."  

You suck in a whole bunch of air, put your hands in your pockets and then say to yourself, "Yea, but there are so many things that no one told me about...."

Today I am explaining my list of 12 Things No One Ever Told Me About Being an Administrator.

Do you have days like this? Do you have your list of things that you wish someone would have told you about? Hmmm? Maybe you just wish that there was a book that let you look through those ideas about dealing with.... (you fill in the blank.)

Many of these experiences changed my way of doing things and created lessons for life and leadership.

So what's on your list?

Length: 24:31

 

139: Expanding Your Network

 

Did you listen to my last episode? What?

If you did not I hope that you will go back and check it out...follow this link 138. In that episode I spoke about the need to be a lifelong learner. Matter of fact, I had a list of 14 ways to follow this pledge- I am an educator. I am a lifelong learner. 

Today, I am focused on the 12th point on the list from episode 138 - Join Professional Organizations; Expand Your Network.

In this episode, I focus on what a network is, how it can help you, why you want to expand your network, and how to expand your network.

 

 

 

Whether you are an administrator or classroom teacher you need to create a network and work on expanding it.

You need to seek out a professional organization that suits you and get involved.

You get out of them what you put in...remember that. If you don't get involved you really won't get the most out of these organizations.

Start today.

Expand that network...

Thanks for listening!

Here are Some Links to Help You Connect with Professional Educator Organizations-

Math

English

Social Studies

Science

Principals/Administrators 6-12 (National)

Principals/Administrators 6-12 (Georgia)

Principals/Administrators 6-8 (Georgia)

Principals/Administrators K-5 (National)

Principals/Administrators K-5 (Georgia)

Georgia Curriculum and Instruction

Georgia Association of Educational Leaders

Superintendents/ Other Administrators (National)

Superintendents/ Other Administrators (Georgia)

 

Length: 13:42