Monday, June 1, 2015
Ilos Beta Launch/My first video
Sean Liggins from ilos sent me an email stating that they were doing a beta launch for the free version of their platform and asked if I'd like to be a part of their beta group. Since I have a passion for technology, naturally, I said yes! Here is my first video using ilos.
QR Code Experimenting
It's time for summer learning in our county, and I have been chosen to teach technology innovations to approximately 95 students, ranging from pre-k through 7th grade. I've heard and read a lot about teachers using QR codes and Aurasma for educational purposes, and I wanted to experiment with these items myself. The course that I'm teaching only lasts for 9 days, and I'm visiting 12 different classes for approximately 37 minutes each so I'm having to be very creative in putting something together in that length of time. The students and I have gotten off to a really great start. Here are a couple of samples from the younger group using the ChatterPix Kids App and a QR Code generator. Please use your QR scanner to scan these codes.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Reflection
It's the end of the school year. I have a senior graduating from high school (I've had one every year for the past 3 years). This means extra cleaning at home to prepare for out-of-town guests. I'm trying to finalize grades in my classroom and get the room all packed up. Everything has to be off the floor because it all gets moved out in order to have the floors cleaned and buffed. We're changing from teaching SPI's to TNReady. We're switching to pods. Our school houses 4th and 5th grades, and for the first time students will have four teachers instead of two. I'm excited because that means I can focus on one subject and do it well rather than having to plan for and teach multiple subjects. But who will teach what? And who will they teach it with? So many changes simultaneously can be a bit overwhelming; however, I embrace change. I think change is good.
As I reflect back over the year, its been a good year. I don't base my year on my scores (although I pray that they will be good scores). I base my year on how much I've learned and grown, and how much my students have learned and grown. I reflect on the life lessons and the aha moments. I look back at the days that turned into months and ask myself, "Were they meaningful?" The answer is yes. There was not a day that went by where we did not learn something meaningful. Some days we learned more than others. We grew together, learned together, laughed together, and there were also some tears. We shared those together as well.
Now it's almost time to close that chapter in my book. This class will move on; new classes will come (four next year instead of two). My last child will prepare to leave for college, which means my husband and I will become empty nesters. Next year life will be very different. Until then, I will embrace what I have left of this year, both with my students and with my own children.
As I reflect back over the year, its been a good year. I don't base my year on my scores (although I pray that they will be good scores). I base my year on how much I've learned and grown, and how much my students have learned and grown. I reflect on the life lessons and the aha moments. I look back at the days that turned into months and ask myself, "Were they meaningful?" The answer is yes. There was not a day that went by where we did not learn something meaningful. Some days we learned more than others. We grew together, learned together, laughed together, and there were also some tears. We shared those together as well.
Now it's almost time to close that chapter in my book. This class will move on; new classes will come (four next year instead of two). My last child will prepare to leave for college, which means my husband and I will become empty nesters. Next year life will be very different. Until then, I will embrace what I have left of this year, both with my students and with my own children.
Saturday, May 9, 2015
Transforming the Classroom to Black & White
I combined the ideas of http://www.designimprovised.com/2013/08/file-cabinet-makeover.html" and http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/01/dry-erase-painted-desk/, which I found on Pinterest to fuel my ideas for this project.
#EdBlogADay/My Big Take Away From Teacher Appreciation Week
Well, it's over. The daily celebrations that included lots of food, fun, and laughs have come to an end. Teachers all over the world were lavished with praise and a variety of gifts. It was a time set aside for people to stop and take time out to show teachers that they truly are valued.
There were as many ways to show appreciation for a teacher as there are cells in the body. Those moments were precious and will be forever remembered; however, my big take away is the thought that a great number of students who appreciate us most were unable to communicate to us the depth of their appreciation. These are the students who are never able to purchase a teacher gift because there's barely any money to put food on the table at their house. They are the ones who are too ashamed to tell anyone that they are being misused, mistreated, and neglected at home, but they know they are loved and cared for in the classroom. They are the students who are afraid to share that they are being abused and molested for fear of what may happen once Pandora's Box has been unleashed, but they feel safe in the classroom. They are the students who are being bullied when there are no adults around, but they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when they are in the presence of their teacher that no one, and I mean no one, will be able to harm them. They are the ones teachers are constantly on the look-out for in order to give them a better quality of life, and in some cases, save a life. They are the ones who appreciate us the most. They are the ones we should never overlook because they didn't bring a gift, make a card, or say an encouraging word. They fight a battle that most of us can only image, and with the help of a teacher, they will win. Sometimes it comes in the form of "outing out" that is more often than not called "behavior problems." But rest assured, they appreciate teachers in unspoken words and uncried tears.
There were as many ways to show appreciation for a teacher as there are cells in the body. Those moments were precious and will be forever remembered; however, my big take away is the thought that a great number of students who appreciate us most were unable to communicate to us the depth of their appreciation. These are the students who are never able to purchase a teacher gift because there's barely any money to put food on the table at their house. They are the ones who are too ashamed to tell anyone that they are being misused, mistreated, and neglected at home, but they know they are loved and cared for in the classroom. They are the students who are afraid to share that they are being abused and molested for fear of what may happen once Pandora's Box has been unleashed, but they feel safe in the classroom. They are the students who are being bullied when there are no adults around, but they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that when they are in the presence of their teacher that no one, and I mean no one, will be able to harm them. They are the ones teachers are constantly on the look-out for in order to give them a better quality of life, and in some cases, save a life. They are the ones who appreciate us the most. They are the ones we should never overlook because they didn't bring a gift, make a card, or say an encouraging word. They fight a battle that most of us can only image, and with the help of a teacher, they will win. Sometimes it comes in the form of "outing out" that is more often than not called "behavior problems." But rest assured, they appreciate teachers in unspoken words and uncried tears.
Friday, May 8, 2015
Day 8 - #EdBlogADay/Why Celebrate Teachers
The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book. ~Author Unknown
I recently read in one of John C. Maxwell's books that a lot of times people don't think they've had much success because they fail to celebrate the small victories. They wait for something "big" to happen before they can celebrate. We need to celebrate small victories as well.
Teachers are those daily victors that need to be celebrated. Every day a teacher enters a room and imparts knowledge to his/her pupils. That knowledge will help propel students into their destinies. A teacher makes many sacrifices daily to insure that each learner gets what he or she needs in order to grow and prosper. Not only does the teacher impart knowledge, he/she also wears many other hats as well. Teachers are care-givers, nurturers, protectors, judges in the classroom, advisors, mentors, referees, entertainers, problem-solvers, disciplinarians, singers, poets, master story-tellers, innovators, visionaries...need I go on? I don't think there is a student on the earth that does not expect their teacher to be a magician.
With that being said, every day there are victories in the classroom, and every day there is a cause for celebration. Even if its a simple pat on the back. Each day doesn't always seem victorious, but I know from experience that regardless of what it looks like, every day is a winning day when students are learning. They don't always learn the skills that are being taught; sometimes they learn from their mistakes, or how to be a better person, or they may have an aha moment. That happens because of the environment set and the modeling of a good educator.
Teachers provide something that no one can ever take away. Material valuables can be stolen, lost, or destroyed; however, what a teacher imparts will last forever. That in itself is a reason to celebrate. Plus celebrating helps to keep things in perspective. Who is important in your life, and why? Who has made valuable contributions in your knowledge bank? Who has offered guidance and encouragement? Who has cared? If the answer is "A teacher," then be sure to celebrate them!
I recently read in one of John C. Maxwell's books that a lot of times people don't think they've had much success because they fail to celebrate the small victories. They wait for something "big" to happen before they can celebrate. We need to celebrate small victories as well.
Teachers are those daily victors that need to be celebrated. Every day a teacher enters a room and imparts knowledge to his/her pupils. That knowledge will help propel students into their destinies. A teacher makes many sacrifices daily to insure that each learner gets what he or she needs in order to grow and prosper. Not only does the teacher impart knowledge, he/she also wears many other hats as well. Teachers are care-givers, nurturers, protectors, judges in the classroom, advisors, mentors, referees, entertainers, problem-solvers, disciplinarians, singers, poets, master story-tellers, innovators, visionaries...need I go on? I don't think there is a student on the earth that does not expect their teacher to be a magician.
With that being said, every day there are victories in the classroom, and every day there is a cause for celebration. Even if its a simple pat on the back. Each day doesn't always seem victorious, but I know from experience that regardless of what it looks like, every day is a winning day when students are learning. They don't always learn the skills that are being taught; sometimes they learn from their mistakes, or how to be a better person, or they may have an aha moment. That happens because of the environment set and the modeling of a good educator.
Teachers provide something that no one can ever take away. Material valuables can be stolen, lost, or destroyed; however, what a teacher imparts will last forever. That in itself is a reason to celebrate. Plus celebrating helps to keep things in perspective. Who is important in your life, and why? Who has made valuable contributions in your knowledge bank? Who has offered guidance and encouragement? Who has cared? If the answer is "A teacher," then be sure to celebrate them!
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