I recently started making regular visits to the website https://next.bloomboard.com/. I like the site because professional experiences have been curated around content directly matched to the classroom. Topics include early literacy, writing, classroom management, planning, Shakespeare, blended learning, Project Based Learning, math… in short, just about everything a sited-based educator is going to want ideas and support with. Paramount, all the experiences are free.
To illustrate what I am speaking to, consider this example Narrative Reading, Writing and Comprehension in Fifth Grade. The Topic has you review some learning, look closely at a couple of lesson plans, and watch a lesson demonstration. This is not profoundly different than most workshop models except any learner can opt into the experience. Moreover, you can see that the progression of experiences is targeted and specific.
There is also a community aspect to the site. Apart from learning from others, an educator can create their own content and learning exercises. This is the case with Karen N. Nemeth is an author, consultant and advocate for early education for children who are dual language learners. She has written books for teachers, administrators, families, and children on this topic. Karen has leadership roles at NAEYC, NABE and TESOL.
It is certainly worth taking a look at Bloomboard. Perhaps you will discover that platforms like this can level the playing field and allow all educators—regardless of what kind of state and district professional support they have—opportunities to learn and grow.
About Aaron Grossman
I am a 5th grade teacher at Roy Gomm Elementary in Reno, Nevada. I started working with elementary students as part of the Montana Reads program and AmeriCorps. In 2001, after graduating from the University of Montana and moving to Reno, Nevada, I student taught at Rita Cannan Elementary before receiving a 6th grade position at Veterans Elementary. I moved out of the classroom to be a Literacy Coordinator, then an Instructional Coach, and finally a School Improvement Program Coordinator. In 2011, I began working on the Nevada Academic Content Standards in the district’s Curriculum & Instruction Department. I returned to the classroom for the 2015-2016 school year to teach 4th grade at Huffaker Elementary.
Before returning to the classroom, I helped develop the Core Task Project that has been featured by National Public Radio, the Gates Foundation, American Radio Works, Eduwonk, the Fordham Institute, Vox, and the Center for American Progress. In 2014, I received the Leader to Learn From Award for my teacher-centered initiative and work to bring college, career, and civics ready outcomes into Northern Nevada classrooms (here).
In 2015, I was appointed by Governor Sandoval serve on the Statewide RPDP Council. The same year, Nevada’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Canavero placed me on the state’s State Improvement Team. This year I will be part of the National Council on Teacher Quality’s Teacher Advisory Group. I am Google Certified Educator and a Nevada Teacher Ambassador.
I believe strongly that teaching content is teaching reading and I make sure my students have ample opportunities to work with social studies, history, science and art outcomes. I do what I can to blend the learning for my students and this blog is part of that effort. You can contact me at coretaskproject@gmail.com
Core Task Project 
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