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.

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, 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!

March Updates

Getting to Know my Students - March 25, 2012            Best Practice
When I first began teaching, it was all about teaching the kids to strive for 100's on tests. Now I have a better sense of reality. They won't all get 100's! I do more with helping students set goals for that area they will have to work hard at to improve, but one that will build their confidence. We talk about the different kinds of smarts: interpersonal, intrapersonal, academic, physical, musical, etc.
One student who called me names in the hallway twice at the beginning of the year has become a student I've spent a lot of time trying to understand. Some of his behavior stems from his lack of confidence with a couple academic areas. As I've worked with him on academics, his confidence has grown, his satisfaction with school increases, and the name calling ceased.

Cloud Update - March 22, 2012                    Technology, Curriculum Development
I shared the math files with my coworkers, but didn’t share at the right account (@live account), so they didn’t get the files.  I called in tech support, and met with Brianna to trouble shoot Skydrive.  I feel more confident, but know that I will need to follow these same steps a few times for them to be automatic.  I will share the last reading units today.  Hopefully, I will remember how.

Principal Retiring - March 14, 2012       A Good Principal for the Past Ten Years!
Our principal announced his retirement to us today.  It wasn’t totally unexpected; he’s been hinting for a while.  His motto has been not to micromanage, but to do everything possible to support teachers.  Here are a couple things I will remember him for.  *Taking the boy who came to me angry off the bus, to the gym and throwing a basketball with him at the start of the day.  This boy always came back smiling and was mostly fine after that.  *Processing with students and helping them to own up to their mistakes.  He was honest that changing behavior was tough, but it could be done.  *Supporting me by printing off any technology report I needed.  He could always do that quicker than I!  *Having an open door policy. 

We held our Lumberjack Day – March 9, 2012   Teacher Leadership, Best Practice, Curriculum Development
Pam set up the breakfast area, and worked with our principal for the funds and the cooks.  120 students ate quietly, and then got up and went to work!  I worked with the custodians to set up tables for making paper and for the space for the homemade paper to dry.  I also encouraged all teachers to shred paper and make slurry with their students.  Four of the five teachers did this, and I was glad that so many students had this opportunity.  The past few years, my students were the only ones to have this experience.  My husband fixed a stand to put wood on, and I brought wood in, a peavey, cant hook, crosscut saw, handsaw, a ripsaw, and an axe.  With the pictures and artifacts from CESA that I ordered, students had enough to keep them busy while they waited to saw through some lumber.  We all cleaned up at the end of the day, and we had a successful day!  I am sure we will do this again next year, and it saved us $240.00 bringing in an outside presenter.  It does take a village, though!

March 6, 2012 Update

Goal Setting Update  3/5                             Best Practice

After two weeks of goal setting, I asked the students how this was going.  I am trying make this easy management for me, and also beneficial for them.  Some students didn’t see the need for the goal.  Others felt it was helpful.  One student who recently improved in math was in favor of having the goal.  Another student who is working on accurate, fluent reading was also in favor of the goal.  Both have improved.  The reader had the top reading test score in the class.  I can tell both students have been working on their goals.  To be a little more helpful, if students do not have goals this week, I will brainstorm with them a goal they can work on.  This seems to be a good practice for those who have named a doable goal.

Cloud Update  3/5                     Technology, Teacher Leadership

I have no more data storage space left on our district site.  This shows how much I have contributed to the team this year!  So, over the weekend, I uploaded the last three math units to the cloud.  None of us teachers in fourth grade feel that comfortable with accessing and using information out there.  So, I’ve given everyone about three weeks to begin figuring it out.  That’s when they will need access to the files out there!

Math Prometheans      3/5                      Technology, Teacher Leadership, Best Practice

Last weekend I finished adding the student worksheets to the last three math units.  This was a goal of mine this year, and it is finished!  I am so glad that I have done this!  I find it very beneficial to go over the homework assignments in class together.  I can still find those students who did not finish it, and ask them to stay at recess to show me they understand the concepts.  It continues to free my evening time; I correct very few math pages.  Yet, I feel that I can point out any students who need support with math this year, probably better than any other year.  In fact, instead of spending my time correcting homework, I have more time to prepare for the next lesson.   I am using data from unit tests and checking in on questionable skills during Response to Intervention time.  With the adoption of Common Core this fall in math, we will go through some training this summer.  Guess what I will be doing?  Updating all nine units of math with the instructional lessons and new student worksheets!  I already know one way I can lead within my grade level for next year!  This job is not done yet.

Lumberjack Day     3/5                          Teacher Leadership

Together the fourth grade team has put together a Lumberjack Day for our students.  I ordered a lumber kit from CESA #11 so students can look at artifacts ( pictures and tools) from the early 1800’s.  I have gathered tools and logs to cut and roll.  We have passed the shredder to all classrooms so all students can shred paper, soak it, and make slurry.  On Friday all students will dress like lumberjacks, eat like a lumberjack, and participate in a lumberjack poem, reader’s theater, make paper, and do other activities.  This will be a fun and educational event.

February 26 Update

Organizing for SOC Meetings 2/24/2012 Best Practice, Teacher Leadership

When we began SOC (Students of Concern) Meetings our grade level wrote protocol for behavior. One of our agreements was to come to each meeting prepared with any data we need. I have succeeded, but always feel like I am gathering those documents that I need throughout the day. I labeled a folder “SOC Meetings” and put in my class data in math and reading, and results of our recent math test, along with its data analysis that is on the agenda for our meeting this week. I will be more organized.

Do The Math Intervention 2/24/2012 Best Practice

A fourth grade teacher has finished implementing a 30-day multiplication intervention for about 6 fourth graders. I was able to share through email the growth that 2 of my 3 students have shown in recent unit test scores and in multiplication rocket math, and positive attitude change toward math. Sharing students is a new practice that I hope we will continue after seeing results like this.

Goal Setting       2/13, 2/20, 2/27                                                Best Practice

Students have been setting goals each Monday morning.  If it is a goal they have not reached yet, they can keep the same goal into the next week.  They wrote their goals and taped them onto the top of their desk.    We will continue to work on this for a month and then evaluate its worth.

Student Led Conferences 2/13, 2/15 Best Practice

Nineteen fourth graders spent 25-30 minutes after school sharing their growth with their parents during student led conferences. This practice began when a coworker was in her master’s program and made this topic her action research. All fourth grade teachers and many third and fifth grade teachers continue to prepare students and guide this practice. It continues to be a success for all involved.

Using the Cloud 2/13/2012 Technology, Teacher Leadership

Our grade level is keeping our agenda for our SOC Meetings on the cloud. Any one of us can update the agenda. Meetings will be saved and archived. One of our teachers stepped up to set this up, and it is great to see more teachers sharing leadership.

Promethean Work, July 2011

July was a hot month to be out working in my flower garden, so I spent time organizing my jump drives.  Last year six 4th grade teachers created promethean flipcharts for reading, writing, language skills, and spelling.  It was a lot of work!  I brought them all home, more accurately renamed them, and reworked the first four weeks of Unit 1.  I also pulled out the language skills from the writing lessons and renamed them; they will be much easier to locate now.  My jumpdrives are organized and ready to go!

I spent time working on my Math prometheans, too.  I added vocabulary to each lesson, and pages to review homework each day.  Reflection has taught me that I don't have to correct each day's homework.  But, we do need to go over it each day in class before beginning the next lesson.  The practice of homework  will remain just that ~ practice.  It will be more beneficial for students to review and clarify skills, and will save me a hunk of time each night.  I still need to add the workbook pages to the flipcharts when my work computer is ready; my other option is to use the document camera to project student work.