Diigo List

I have created a diigo list called "Family Communication." Several resources are bookmarked which include handouts I have already sent/given to parents this year regarding reading and/or other learning at home. I also discovered these great reading newsletters which explain to parents the different comprehension strategies we are working on and how they can support their child by practicing and discussing with them. I have linked this diigo list to my school wires website as a sort of archive for parents to access these handouts that they may have tossed out or can no longer find in my first email attachment. The handouts can be accessed anytime, and as we move to new skills, old ones can be referenced and continued.

Why Kids Need Schools to Change

This article was indeed thought provoking. At times I even found myself laughing or thinking "yeah right!" For example:
"In an ideal world, the school day would reflect kids’ changing needs and rhythms. There would be time for free play; school would start later to allow time for students’ much-needed rest; the transition time between classes would be longer, allowing time for kids to walk down the hall and say hi to their friends and plan their next moves; kids would have the opportunity to step away from school “work” in order to regroup and process what they’ve absorbed. “The actual encoding of information doesn’t take place when you’re hunched over a desk,” she said."

I guess that's why the article states, "But until the directive comes from those in power — national and state policymakers, superintendents, principals..." There's nothing I can do as a teacher about making those changes. I have to think about WHAT I CAN DO. I can try and incorporate the latest technology and make learning engaging and rewarding. I can explore the suggested "Five Criteria that Challenge Success."

1. Project-Based Learning
My education program at Mizzou was this and I loved it! I understand because I'm not the best test taker myself. I was able to perform and showcase my knowledge. I was extremely successful.

2. Alternative Assessment
My daily frustration!!! I have a couple students who tank my eValuate average every month! No, they are not performing at a third grade level, but they are learning and progressing.

3. Scheduling
A high-school memory of frustration...tests all on one day!

4. Climate of Care
Something I think we do well. :-)

5. Parent Education
Many parents do not VALUE their child's education and it shows! There is way too much screen time! A balance of play, exercise, and schoolwork is needed. At 24 I feel I'd be a more competent parent than so many who are. Parent education is important!

That's my soap box on needed school change.

Using Facebook in the Classroom

After reading the blog post "8 Real Ways Facebook Enriched Ms. Schoening's First Grade Class" I thought about the ideas suggested that I am already using with my classroom Facebook page as well as new ideas I might try. For example, as the teacher, I am the only one that currently posts on our page on behalf of our class. I never thought about letting my students post to the page, showing it to them, and making them more a part of it...our class page instead of my class page. I have some questions though that were not clear in reading the post. Do the students post via her log in (i.e. "Miss Chapman's Class"), or do they have a seperate log in like "student" or do they each have their own log in to post on the class page? How does that work as they cannot have Facebook being under 13. I'd like to know more about the methods used for having students contribute and post to the page.

I have been using the photo albums to post pictures of students working and learning as well as student work. However, I need to begin to do it more frequently now that we have iPads. I think utilizing the "notes" section for students to publish a piece of writing is an interesting idea for sharing and something I may think about in the future.

When I discovered Pinterest, it was bye-bye Diigo, but I've just "rediscovered" my interest in Diigo thanks to joining a Diigo group. After searching for various groups, I decided to join one called NiscLearners. NiscLearners is a professional learning network for teachers who are interested in using technology with their students. After joining, I found myself checking out the many bookmarks and absorbed in new ideas. In one bookmark, I learned about the possibilities of creating my own digital stories and doing digital storytelling with my students. I was also able to download a digital storytelling planning map as well as a rubric for grading. One my favorite discoveries was ideas for using QR codes in the classroom. The link discussed how an art teacher posted QR codes at an art fair next to students work. A code could be scanned to view the child artist's narrative, summary, or description of the artifact. I thought about how I could do this with hallway displays. I could start small with one QR code which would inform visitors of what we had been studying and what the pieces hanging in the hallway represented. I could later simulate the art teacher and post QR codes on each child's piece which would lead them to more information. I also learned about great apps for the ipad which I anticipate being useful very soon. Something called "Air Sketch" was continously mentioned as an app which is a wireless whiteboard on the ipad. I also discovered another blog called "iLearn Technology." This is also an edublog about integrating technology in the classroom. I added this one to my Google Reader! I also read about digital portfolios. The possibilities are endless with keeping a digital portfolio for each student. Not to mention, less paperwork for filing and storage in the classroom, and a way to communicate student's work and progress easily and frequently with parents. I am wondering if there are any apps or programs that already exist involving digital portfolios for students? Joining a Diigo group is going to be very beneficial and another is another PLN that I am truly excited about!

Professional Learning Networks

My new favorite professional learning network is blogs via Google Reader. I love that all of the blogs I follow are located in one place where I can view recent posts with educational information and activities. I have recently been focused on my literacy instruction, and the best things I've learned via bloggers include ideas and downloads for reciprocal teaching. I have discovered various templates for students to provide written response to reading during guided reading groups. Students can then share their thinking and lead some of our discussion themselves.

I am also learning a lot more from Pinterest now that I've reorganized some of my boards and pins. Because I now have more specific titles for each of my boards, I am finding it much easier to make better use of this learning network. I have used many more ideas from Pinterest in the last couple weeks than I have in a while, simply because I have been able to find the resources!

I have no idea what teachers did before blogs and Pinterest and professional learning networks. I'm so thankful I have begun my career in education at a time when these networks are rapidly growing and expanding!

Watching "A Day Made of Glass" was eye opening. Sometimes when I see glimpses of new ideas or hear bits about what the future holds in regard to technology, it can be overwhelming and even a little bit scary. While I at times still find myself in these situations wondering, worrying, or questioning, I have been trying to channel some of that energy into a more positive vision thinking about the advances and benefits to this rate of growth and development.
This video absolutely helped me view our technological advances more positively. In the first scene the young girl wakes up to her alarm clock, and I thought about how neat that would be to see first thing - everything I wanted right there - time, weather, notes about the day, etc. The windows and light entering the room is also something I would enjoy, as I like it black when I am sleeping but love the bright light in the morning. I would love to know more about the closet capabilities with outfits and matching items. The classroom technology use and the use at the hospital/doctor was unbelievable. When the video showed the patient receiving a brain scan and how quickly and easily technology appeared to show the makeup of his brain was when I really realized what advances we could make in so many areas thanks to the technology we have and are going to have in the near future. As a Jurassic Park fan, my favorite part might have been the scene in the park with the dinosaur. I thought about student engagement and future field trips and learning possibilities.
I became so interested in this video and had so many questions, so I actually followed up and watched the video which describes and explains each part - what is  possible now and what is not possible yet. I hope to continue feeling inquisitive and excited about our technological advances.

To be an active learner means to be engaged, to be an active participant in one's own learning, to be hands-on. In my building I was introducted to an activity called "Quiz, Quiz, Trade" and I feel that it is a great example of active learning. For this activity, each student receives a strip of paper with a question and answer on it. The information may involve a particular vocabulary word, or any question related to content in a subject area. Students walk around with their hand in the air looking for another available person. These two find each other, high five, and stand together. One individual reads their question to their peer who then proceeds to answer. Then the other reads the question and first student replies. Students then swap/trade their strips of paper, put their hand in the air, and look for another person to quiz and trade with. I have used this activity in my classroom and my students really enjoy it. It has also been very beneficial, as students have performed well on tests involving difficult vocabulary when we did this activity.
While there are still numerous activities, like this one, where students can be active learners, technology is becoming a major piece when it comes to engagement. Kids today like the young girl in the video are so "tuned in." Toddlers are intrigued by iPads and are able to use them properly to play games and educate themselves. Students know how to use devices and technology better than some of their teachers. We are constantly in a race to keep up. Many students now have their own devices where they are the active participant in using and manipulating the technology. We need to take advantage of these learning tools that so many students have at their fingertips because they are so actively engaged by them. Education is changing, and while students in the past may have taken keyboarding, now they need courses on browsing the web, doing internet research, and using various apps or computer programs. We need to teach these skills so students can be successful in this digital word. This knowledge is applicable and beneficial. Education is changing, and we have to think about how traditional classrooms will adapt and change to accomodate the active learner. "Do you recognize me? Very soon I will be your student, but I will not always sit in your classroom."

I was excited to be a guest blogger on the LiNC blog, yet I could not find a place to comment/post. I wanted to share Answer Garden. Answer garden is a great online tool for brainstorming. It can also be embedded to a website or blog to be used as a poll or guestbook. Once you've accessed the site, you simply click "Create an Answer Garden." Then, you enter a topic or question. By adding your email address, you can access the garden later to view or make changes. When you continue, a simple box pops up where can start submitting answers. The answers then appear in the blank white space creating a sort of word cloud.

I have used Answer Garden in my third grade classroom. At the beginning of the year, I used it as a brainstorming activity where students generated ideas about how they'd like our classroom to be. With my Epson Projector, students could watch as I entered each response as opposed to writing their ideas on the board or on chart paper. I also used Answer Garden at the beginning of a science unit on plants where I submitted student responses regarding their background knowledge about plants. I wanted to see what my students already knew, so we created an Answer Garden. I have not yet embedded this tool to a website or blog, but I think it would be a great way to communicate with parents and/or get others ideas. In older grades, getting on the Answer Garden and submitting a thought about a reading or a quick response could even be a homework assignment. I think the possibilities are endless. Hope you enjoy!

Believe. Dalton Sherman's keynote speech was enjoyable to watch. His message made me think about the powers and responsibilities I hold as a teacher. Just as Dalton stated, sometimes the teacher is the only adult role model in a child's life, and perhaps the only person who truly believes in the young student. I have seen this, and I have been this. When he said, "You're the ones who feed us, who wipe our tears, who hold our hands..." I thought about the many roles I serve as a teacher. I am never just a teacher. I am always acting as a counselor supporting students in their social/emotional growth, I am a doctor applying first aid cream and bandaids, I am a referee on the playground outside at recess, and I fulfill many more roles each and every day.

When he said, "Do you believe in yourself?" I thought about the many times I have doubted myself. As a new, young teacher, there are constantly lessons that I feel could've been improved or presented differently or more clearly. However, the positive note of each doubt is the professional reflection that I've grown to become quite good at. In essence, I do believe in myself as a professional educator. I believe that I can reach students, and that what I'm doing is not shaping just my current students generation, but future generations as well.

The comment by Dalton, "There's probably easier ways to make a living," made me laugh. While there are moments when this thought clouds my mind, I remember the words Dalton followed up with indicating that teachers hold the "most important job in the city today." On any rotten day, the faces of my students, their successes and joys are motivation. I believe in them, and I want to be there to support them and guide them to reach their highest potential.

The speech made me think more about how I might show each of my students that I believe in them, and how I would want them to say, "I know my teacher believes in me," if they were ever prompted or asked. Last year, as part of professional development, each teacher was asked to write a letter to a student who could use some encouragement. This letter would let the student know that as his/her teacher, you believe in him/her. I think there is a student or two, that might enjoy a letter from me like this this year. Perhaps there is another gesture, or a simple "I believe in you" that might brighten a students day. 

I believe that Dalton Sherman can stand up there fearless. He can "do anything, be anything, create anything, dream anything, and become anything." For so many students, the sky is not even the limit, if we all believe.

After reading "How to Make Better Teachers," an article by Dean Shareski, I am very excited about beginning to blog!