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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Opening Minds to #cyberPD

Summer is the perfect time to catch up on summer professional reading.  Over the last few weeks, colleagues have been sharing their stacks of reading.  These posts are getting dangerous for me to read as my stack was already too big.  As I've stopped by blogs (Laura, Jill, Franki, Maria, NicoleJaquelyn) I've added more to my "to be read" pile knowing there will never be enough time.  So many books...so little time.

#cyberPD
We are happy to announce our July #cyberPD event.  Twitter has definitely made summer reading a greater learning experience as talking with colleagues about books helps me to think more deeply about ways to put this new learning into practice.  Last year, Laura Komos, Jill Fisch, and I hosted our first #cyberPD event where colleagues from all over talked together about Patrick Allen's:  Conferring (the entire conversation is living here).  The event was such a success, we wanted to host it again this year.  After viewing everyone's professional reading stacks we have decided upon Opening Minds by Peter Johnston.  This book seemed to be on a multitude of lists and is a professional read that would be helpful to educators in a variety of teaching and learning positions.

Opening Minds:   Event Schedule
I know everyone is excited to begin Peter Johnston's new book, but if you can wait until July we'd love to have you join us.  We are dividing the book into three sections.  Each week we will be posting a reflection on our blogs and the host blog will be the place to leave links of other blogs participating in the event.

July 11th  Chapters 1-3  Hosted here at Reflect and Refine
July 18th  Chapters 4-6  Hosted by Jill Fisch at My Primary Passion
July 25th  Chapter 7-9  Hosted by Laura Komos at Camp Read-a-Lot
July 26th  Twitter Chat (time to be announced)

How to Participate

  • Blog Reflection:  If you have a blog you may join us each posting date with your reflection of the chapters read.  Then link your blog to the host blog by leaving a comment and your link.  If you don't have a blog, but have been considering getting started this is the perfect opportunity.
  • Blog Commenting:  If you do not have a blog, you are welcome to comment on the host blog to join the conversation.
  • Twitter:  You can also participate by commenting any time on Twitter using the hashtag #cyberPD.  
  • Other:  Last year we had people participate using other sites as well.  If you can link, they will come.  :o)  We love a little creativity.  
Getting the Book
Peter's book is published by Stenhouse.  You can preview the book at their website.  The book is available in hard copy or e-book. (Though I haven't found it in an e-reader version yet that allows you to highlight and annotate.  Please let me know if you discover it somewhere.)  
We look forward to learning with all of you in July.  I hope you'll join us!

15 comments:

  1. I have already read this book and loved it!! It's a powerful and important read for all! I would love to reread it this summer and participate in this #cyberPD - thank you for hosting this PD for everyone.

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  2. Good morning, Cathy!

    I'm so excited! I've read most of Opening Minds during the school year. It will be great to read it again and discuss with such wonderful educators.

    I had read Patrick Allen's book last year before #cyperpd, but the knowledge I gained from reading it with everyone and discussing on-line led to a deeper meaning for me!

    Thank you so much for helping to organize again this year!

    -Barbara

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  3. Eeek! I have so much already on my tbr list, but am adding this! Thanks!

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  4. Yay! I've bought this but haven't read it yet. I will absolutely join in.

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  5. Great - i just got this book in the mail:)

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  6. Perfect choice! I'll be "there."

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  7. Just arrived home from SC and getting caught up on my blog reading. Great choice just ordered it and I will be ready to join in blogging, tweeting and learning! Thanks for the mention of my blog post.

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  8. I will be joing this group of thinkers and can't wait to dive in and pick all your brains!

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  9. I'm in...this should be a wonderful experience!

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  10. have the book and just learning how to join these great resources on Twitter and blog posts...now have a timeline to keep me moving forward....looking forward to the experience

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  11. Started reading Opening Minds today. I can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts!

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  12. I have about ten other professional books I need to read, but I definitely want to see what I can do to get hold of this and get going! Not sure about tomorrow though…

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  13. I'm in! So glad I checked Twitter tonight. :) I'm behind on my blog reading. Thanks Cathy!

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  14. This is the book I am so excited about reading. For years, I have ranted about the importance of teacher talk and student talk as a foundation for excellent literacy classrooms! This book has a wonderful premise. I can't wait to get it with my next paycheck . . . three more days!

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