Adam Chiocca shares and blogs here.

Burlington High School Principal's Blog: Holiday Traditions at BHS : BHS had its annual Holiday Traditions on Friday, December 20. Holiday Traditions is a school-wide event for over a 1,000+ students; that p... Thanks to our Principal, Mr. Sullivan, for posting and sharing this! Seasons Greetings ~~~ Mr. Chiocca

Please enjoy this iMovie I just made, to show you our wonderful Holiday Traditions event, which takes place annually each year, in December, here at BHS. Seasons Greetings ~

Greetings! Sorry... too busy to blog. Here's a picture of my youngest cutie pie. Warm regards, Mr. Chiocca

Hello Families, Students: Since it’s August, and you’re preparing to go back to school (or send your child back to school), you may have looked at our district’s site & calendar.  It can be found here:  http://www.burlington.org/residents/schools/burlington_public_schools/index.php In the late days of August, before school resumes for students, you may notice that we have 3 days of PD.  What is PD?  It is “Professional Development,” and it’s part of teacher contracts.  We teachers need to learn new things too, especially in this ever-changing world of the latest and greatest technology apps, programs and software.  I can share that I have learned a few things that I will be using in this upcoming school year (2013-2014). I am going to start using EdModo and Evernote.  EdModo is basically a “lite” version of Blackboard (the software used by many universities from which instructors teach and share all class documents, files and assignments).  It’s a kind of LMS (Learning

Greetings Parents, Families: Busy summer…? Perhaps for some of you... I know that others, like myself, are trying to enjoy some “R & R” … which stands for “rest and relaxation.” Since I pour 100% into my teaching during the school year, I must admit that I try my best to “recharge my batteries” during each vacation. I will however, share that I make my children, ages 9 and 7, do some reading and learning activities each day. Yes, I require that my kids do: at least 10-15 minutes of age-appropriate/ skill-level appropriate reading (out loud, so I can help with decoding and pronunciation); some math (like flash cards, to reinforce those basic skills); and our daily music practice (piano lesson practice time). I encourage you to insist that your child continues to improve their academic skills and increase their knowledge in ways that you think might help them in the upcoming school year! Finally, let me also suggest day trips to expose your child to places that can enrich t

Today, I want to articulate and share my personal philosophy on the role and purpose of education.  I am sharing this with you today, because I was inspired today by Dr. Geoffrey Canada, via TED Talks.  Sometimes many words can tell a good story or express the message one wants to get across, but for this post today, I think I would like to keep it short and sweet.  Since I’m a teacher of English Language Learners, I first want to point out that I have already used 3 common American expressions so far in this post!  Can you find them?  Good for you, if you were able to find them, and some could argue there’s a 4 th , but I just want to share these three expressions:  (1) “to get across;” (2) “short and sweet;” and (3) “point out.”  Well done! I believe that each and every child should have the right to a free and fair public education, from Pre-K – 12, with quality instruction, engaging curriculum, appropriate guidance, safe schools, free or reduced breakfast and lunch (when appl

Hi everyone.  Ok, so I am currently (May-June 2013) in an online graduate course, on emerging trends in education and distance learning, and enjoyed this week’s lecture notes and required readings.  I just posted this to our “discussion board,” and thought I could share it with you, my dear visitors!  Here’s what I learned today! Learning is a good thing, I say!  Here I sit, in my classroom, reading our assigned lecture materials, and I’m happy to report that my mind is engaged and I’m learning.  I know this may seem funny, but as some of you know, after plenty of grad work, one can often feel “Tell me something I don’t already know…”  How refreshing it is to learn new content.  I would like to first share how I enjoyed learning about theories that I don’t think I learned about in college; those of industrial sociology, Fordism, Post-Fordism, and the industrialization in education. Something peculiar though, I thought, is how Instructor Skipwith shared that this “is the best way

Good day! Let me tell you what our ELL students are currently doing in our ELL classes (Burlington, grades 6 – 12). They are doing Unit 5 – A Personal Research Project: Learn what you want! You see, I know that in education, we most always are directing the students on what to learn about; what to study. Our direction and guidance is key, but I think it is also good for the mind and soul to be able to explore a topic or subject that “they’ve always wanted to learn more about.” Mr. Chiocca had to obviously approve each student’s topic. We started with 10 “I wonder” statements created by the students. They needed to come up with, and write 10 statements about topics or subjects that “they’ve always wanted to learn more about.” Most research was then done online, with support from me, about how to cite properly, and that you cannot “cut and paste,” but that you must read, learn and then paraphrase or restate what you’ve learned “in your own words.” I know that too often, st

Excited for the iCon2013 conference on technology for educators, this Saturday, March 23rd, 2013, at the Marshall Simonds Middle School. View Larger Map

We are fortunate, I believe, for all that has been implemented and offered, in regards to technology integration, for the Burlington Public Schools.  With forward-thinking leadership and support from Dr. Eric Conti, Superintendent, Patrick Larkin, Asst. Superintendent, and Dennis Villano, Director of Technology Integration, the Burlington Public Schools have leaped ahead to become one of the leading tech-progressive districts in Massachusetts. Burlington High School was one of the first public high schools in Massachusetts to go one-to-one, in September 2011.  Throughout the 2011-2012 school year, teams of faculty, staff and administrators from public schools, from all over Massachusetts , came for day visits to Burlington High School .  Now, in February 2013, the Marshall Simonds Middle School became one of the largest one-to-one middle schools in North America .  Some elementary classrooms in Burlington have started pilot programs.  It is clear that our leaders are aware

Learning In Burlington: Are You Sure Your Child Isn't Using Social Media? : What Apps Is Your Child Using? Just because your child does not have a Facebook or Twitter account does not mean they are not using soc...

This week, January 14 - 18, 2013, we had the ACCESS Testing, which is the new mandatory state testing for ELLs in Massachusetts, as well as for many other states, who have joined the WIDA Consortium.  I like this testing system for a few big reasons: 1)  It goes beyond "BICS" (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and standard English by putting the focus on academic language and content; 2) It doesn't just cover some main content areas, but rather challenges students on complex subjects, concepts and vocabulary, while remaining within reasonable levels of difficulty; and... 3) It isn't too long or too challenging for our ELLs, who often leave school each day tired, from just having to "survive" in a new and different language. Even though I'm a fan of the new ACCESS Testing, I will say that it has its flaws and needs editing & revision. If you'd like to learn more about this new mandatory state testing for ELLs, check out this si

On Friday, December 21 st , 2012, the BHS Multicultural Club held their annual  Holiday  Traditions event in the cafeteria (Periods 1-3).   Holiday  Traditions is an opportunity for people to express their diverse cultures and backgrounds.    Students and their families prepare food, design a poster and explain to others about their culture as well as go around and learn about the cultures of others. Thanks to Mr. Chiocca for helping this event to be a huge success!