Technology In Education Growth, April, 2012

Some areas I have grown in with technology this year are:  *Compass Math  *Teacher WebPage  *HPLL Cart Distance Learning  *Document Camera  *Ordering materials online with CESA #11  *MORE Library System  *Blogger as a Portfolio

We have continued to use and grow technology use in the classroom.  I went to IPod training in March.  With the help of my daughter, we put some free apps on it.  I played with it.  My school does not have WiFi, so that limits app choices.  The tech department asked for the IPod back before I used it in my classroom, but encouraged me to check out 3-4 in May.  I hope to do this, and would like to see student interaction and response.

HPLL Cart - We participated in a lumbering and math lesson earlier this year.  We also communicated long-distance with Baylor University students.  We participated in a lesson about Georgia OKeefe, and graduate students observed and asked the students questions.  It was a good experience for us all.  To The Arctic with Florian Schulz was a wonderful experience.  Students got to go to the arctic and see the animal life and learn about the changing environment there. 

I have tried new technology this year, and have grown in my confidence in this area.  I am grateful to all of my coworkers and classmates who have been patient with me and helped me along this journey.  I will continue to use technology to supplement the curriculum, to allow students to demonstrate their learning, and to assist students in learning the skills they will need to be successful in adult life.

Reflection, April 2012

One of the best ways I have learned about best practices over the last two years are through discussions, sharing, and activities within our community and on D2L.  The other way is through reading books and magazine articles, especially from ASCD.  I feel I have grown in many ways over the last two years.  Some examples in my practice follow.  I know that I will continue to read about educational issues in my teaching years to come.

*Brain breaks in the classroom *Inquiry Projects  *Reflecting on my Practice  *Responsive Classroom  *Daily 5  *CAFE  *Educational Magazine reading

April 26, 2012 Action Research Presentation

Inquiry Project Presentation Reflection          Wednesday, April 25, 2012       

Osceola Elementary School (OES) and Osceola Intermediate School (OIS)

I presented my project during an in service to the OIS and OES K-5 staff and principals.  Specialist teachers were there, including teachers of art, music, physical education, and special education.   The total number was probably between 50 and 60 adults.

I had revised the presentation a few times, and practiced it at home.  My power point was organized with the main headings of Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Results and Implications for my classroom.  I used the post presentation checklist to be sure I met the criteria for a successful presentation.  I was nervous, but stepping up into the role of sharing wasn’t as scary as it would have been two years ago.

This presentation was valuable to all special education and regular classroom teachers.  These teachers are currently involved with inquiry projects.  There is the realization, in our second year of implementation, that the work we do with students will look different at different grade levels.  Different teachers and grade levels are doing different things, and it would be good to know what skills, projects, text coding, and units everyone works on.  The media specialist and I are working on a shared document, so I also talked about that.  I am hoping to fill the document by summer workshop in June, and then share.  Teachers will be encouraged to update it after that.

Following the presentation, there was time for discussion and questions.  I answered questions from my experiences, but other teachers also shared what their practices have looked like.  The sharing was beneficial to all, and the conversation meaningful.  Teachers are really working to hone their skills and make the process of inquiry most beneficial to students.  We are gleaning ideas from each other, and this was the perfect setting to continue the conversation.

After this discussion, we became familiar with the Common Core Speaking and Listening Skills, and needed to answer questions as to how well we are meeting these skills with the inquiry projects.  The sharing continued. My presentation was a good fit to this afternoon.  I am glad that our curriculum director asked me to present, and I am glad that I did. 

April 28, 2012 Update on PBIS and Environmental Ed

Reflection of PBIS and Environmental Education

I am understanding PBIS better after today's presentation.  I wonder if it wouldn't be more effective if every teacher could participate in the same training.  There might be less opposition from other teachers, and more clarity of purpose if everyone had the same training.  Just being asked to go through the training helps teachers get on board.  I've heard this is the next step for my school.  I'm struggling with the concept of rewards.  It will be interesting to see how this goes. 

Environmental Education

Brittany did a great job of presenting today!  I loved the tree activity, and wondered about adapting it for my fourth graders.  Lumbering is a part of our Wisconsin History curriculum, and I teach the concept of board feet.  Even though we were not sure what to do, or if our answer was correct, I thought the activity taught us perseverance and team work.  These are essential skills for our students!

The research I did this year with inquiry projects and all that I have learned in the last two years have solidified changes in my teaching.  Engaging, motivating activities enhance learning.  Hands-on projects are more engaging than lectures and worksheets, for teachers as well as students.  Brittany reminded me that I don't have to be the expert.  There are a lot of resource people in the community who could help with any number of projects.

April, 2012

April, 2012 Update

April 27  Math League Contest           Teacher Leadership           

I will take our top 33 students tomorrow morning.  They will participate in a 30 minute test.  I will score the papers, and report data to our principal.  This year I will also report our results back to the Math League.  I checked into using the computer lab, but we do not have 33 working computers, and the lab is booked with classes and MAP testing this time of year.  Maybe next year students will be able to test this way, so I don’t have to hand-score each test.

April 26    Math Coaching                  Best Practice, Teacher Leadership, Educational Research

I observed a third grade teacher and his class today.  I saw his students behave much differently than when I was in before.  On the positive side, I feel like I have lots of coaching questions for him this time to help him reflect on his practice.  I also have some suggestions, should he ask for my opinion.  I liked seeing the curriculum in the grade before mine; it informs my practice.

April 26   Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox             Social Justice

I read this book to my students today.   It emphasizes that no matter where we live, what we eat, what language we speak, or the color of our skin, we all laugh, hurt, cry, love, and matter.   It went well with our celebration of a school-wide Read to Feed program.  Our students read 219,161 minutes in March, and collected $7849.12 from their reading.  This supports our OHS Empty Bowls initiative, and will be given to Heifer International. 

April 26   Data Analysis – Math             Best Practice, Teacher Leadership

Fourth graders are currently on Unit 8 in math.  I copy the unit tests so we can preview them at our SOC (Student of Concern) meeting, and also make a data analysis sheet.  We tally student errors, and bring them to the meeting for discussing.  The “laying it all out there” of our professional learning community is not evident yet.  Two of us are on board, and we need to lay a very trusting relationship so others will share.  Then we will be able to learn from each other. 

April 25    Presentation of Research             Teacher Leadership, Best Practice, Educational Research, Learning in Community, Technology in Education

I presented my research to K-5 staff and principals today.  I was nervous, but I’ve grown a lot in confidence in the past two years.  I really believe that if each teacher takes one thing from it, then it was worth it.  In reflecting on my research, I remember how I grappled with the constructivist approach two years ago.  I see how I have changed as a teacher, changed into a leader, and I know it is because I invested myself into this master’s program.  It has been a lot of work, but I have gained new practices and habits that make me a valuable employee and effective teacher.

April 23  HPLL Cart     Technology, Teacher Leadership

I signed up for the video conference entitled “To the Arctic” with photographer Florian Schulz.  I invited another fourth grade class in because they study the Iditarod each year.  We previewed some great photography by going online at http://welcometothearctic.org/multimedia .  We also Googled To The Arctic Imax, and watched a few minutes.  Fifty Imax theaters are currently running this presentation.  Students were struck by the floating ice and watched a polar bear with her two cubs jump from ice chunk to ice chunk. It was great way to remind ourselves to take care of our Earth!

April 19   Math Coaching                 Best Practice

I taught a fifth grade math class for 30 minutes so the teacher could observe in another classroom.  I was happy to see how the fifth graders were using algebraic concepts and seeing patterns with area and perimeter.  It was a good chance to step into another classroom.

April 8, 2012 Updates

Classroom Ordering for 2012-2013 -  April 5                 Best Practice, Learning in Community

My classroom order was due on April 5.  We were told that the money is getting tight, and we should order conservatively.  We are required to rate our supplies as a 1, 2 or 3, based on need.  I put on a standing desk, and even though I can live without it, would like to offer this to students who would rather stand during instruction and work times.  I have purchased 6 comfy circle and camp chairs in the past, and students enjoy alternatives to their desks.  Watching Mary’s video of her action research affirmed that I made a good decision to ask for this piece of furniture. 

After visiting The Sisters website for The Daily Five, I also ordered baskets, so all of the books on my shelves can have book jackets facing out.  They claim that students are more engaged by this arrangement.  In talking to a coworker, though, I believe it is sometimes teacher recommendation, or even a read-aloud that can encourage a student to try a certain book or author.  I know that different strategies work with different students.  It is good to have a basketful of ideas at all times!  One think I’ve learned through the master’s program is that it is worth the time to read from a variety of sources and use what I can to impact my classroom.  Never stop learning will be my motto.

Report Cards and Student Behavior - April 2                Best Practice

Third quarter report cards went home.   Was I too generous with marks?  I work very hard to be accurate.  Is it spring fever?  Did my feeling poorly affect my ability to be responsive to student behavior?  I have reflected a lot this weekend.  One thing I know for sure.  I will use the Responsive Classroom motto, “Go Slow to Go Fast” when I go back to work tomorrow.  I was surprised that students seemed to forget our classroom rules.  We have much to learn before the end of the school year, so I will get us back on track quickly!

Cloud Update  – March                            Technology, Teacher Leadership

I met with Breanna from the tech department and she walked me through using the cloud for sharing files.  I was able to share with my grade level successfully and learn a few tips to using the cloud.

Video Conferencing  with the HPLL Cart, March 26         Technology, Teacher Leadership, Best Practice, Learning in Community

My class held a video conference with graduate students from Texas.  These  students are all going to school to work in museums.  They had never seen a video conference and wanted to experience what it looked like.  We set up the conference and learned about the artist, Georgia O’Keeffe.  My superintendent came, along with the local newspaper.  It’s not every day that fourth graders are called upon to assist graduate students!