Connecting the Dots

A * B * C    or    1 * 2 * 3

Connecting the dots used to be one of my favorite preschool workbook activities.
I was a pro - and it was so fun to see the bigger picture when the end dot met back at the beginning.

As I get ready for a month of conferences, I look forward not only to the new learning and ideas that will be gained, but also to the connecting that I will do with some great educators.

It's all about connecting the dots.

From learning - to leaders - to ideas - to new insights - and back to your classroom again.

These are the conferences I'm excited to attend in the next 4 weeks ~

Standards-Based Grading Conference at Grand Wood AEA - March 30th in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
As my district starts to enter the world of standards-based grading, I'm excited to learn about the how's and why's of where to start.

Iowa 1:1 Institute at at Iowa Events Center - April 8th in Des Moines, Iowa
My school has 1:1 Chromebooks for 3-5th graders. I was SO excited to win a free trip to this conference from an EdCamp I attended last fall. I look forward to the great array of topics and speakers that will be available.

Iowa ASCD Curriculum Leadership Academy "Assessing the Core: Grading for Learning" - April 23-24 in Johnston, Iowa
This will be a great follow-up conference to the standards-based conference from March 30th. I'm looking forward to two great days of learning from national and local speakers about the process of implementing standards-based grading. In addition, I'm thrilled to spend the two days with one of my awesome 4th grade teammates as well. :)


More importantly than learning and enjoying the few days of conferences that I have coming up, I hope to take my learning to the next step -- action.

Because connecting the dots is not enough.......it's seeing the big picture that the dots merely outline. It's taking steps to implement the learning and improve my practice in light of it. :)

It all starts tomorrow..........