You Matter!

Recently, I came across this video from Angela Maiers as I was preparing some material for Genius Hour. To some, it may seem kind of corny, but to me, it really hits home. I think it is really important to teach our students to be creative and to embrace the gifts that they were given. The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. So, let's celebrate our differences! 

YOU ARE A GENIUS AND THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR CONTRIBUTION!

Choose to Matter

Why should we teach kids to code?

Integrating Discovery Education Resources!

Every year, I do a Pirate Treasure Hunt with 2nd grade after their mapping skills unit.
This activity allows them to have fun and demonstrate to their teacher that they understand north, south, east, and west...
We all get Pirate Hats and this year I found a bunch of DE songs and sound effects to play along with the story I had made up!
All the information and templates are here in this Google document!  Enjoy, Mateys!  ARG!!!

Gamification Environment

WEMTA got me going on the concept of gaming in the classroom. I started reading "Reality is Broken:  Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World" by Jane McGonigal.  She states that the 4 traits of a game are:

• goal
• rules
• feedback system
• voluntary participation

She talks about flow, working at the very limit of your ability.  As you game, you get intrinsic rewards:

• Satisfying work
• Success
• Social Connection
• Meaning (something larger than ourselves)

So how can I apply this in a classroom?

Well, Jennifer Lynch, a 3rd grade teacher, became my ally and we began to brainstorm ideas of how to make her last math unit a more personalized unit with the twist of gamification.

We broke the unit, a review unit, into 4 modules. Fractions, Time, Story Problems, and Place Value were the modules students would need to master. They all took a pre-assessment. If they passed a particular section, they earned a +1 point (little piece of paper with a 1 on it) in their envelope and a class badge.

We explained the goal to the students and we spent some time talking about learning targets so the students understand what they were working towards.  We discussed the rules.  Not just the rules of the new "game," but how would this look and what kinds of behaviors would be required for this to work efficiently.

Students got feedback each day or at least every other from Jen or myself on how they were doing.  The participation wasn't even a factor because they were so excited to be a part of this new journey!

We created task lists (activities) for students to work on for each module.  On this task list there are games, individual activities, activities utilizing Storykit or Show Me on the iPad, and internet/app based games that are listed on our Google Site, Mission Math.  We also tried out a site called Manghigh and they LOVED it.  They all had their own log in and could earn medals there as well.  As students are working on their task list, Jen has time to work with small groups and I am walking around answering questions and facilitating other small groups. 

This is where we worked on flow.  Some students got it right away and others needed a little help to get going. :)  As a group, they worked together on Free Rice.  The goal is 1 million grains of rice.  Each time they play, they fill in a google doc and it adds the rice to our gauge on the Mission Math home page. 

When students felt ready, they could request the assessment (proficiency based progress).  After they took the assessment, Jen or myself would correct it (try to) and give immediate feedback. They would try again in colored pencil on anything they may have missed, after that, they either got a badge and +1 point, or we worked with them some more and then they assess again when they feel more confident.

There were very seldom times that students were not working.  Throughout this unit, there were two different guest teachers and both commented on how the students were so engaged and working so well.  Don't get me wrong, the start was a little rough...but they got it with practice and reminders. :)


Some things we learned...
Since we are not 1-1, it would have been easier for each student to have their own binder with their resources and learning targets.  That way, they have what they need to keep track and be successful and Jen can be the holder of the assessment and her iPad, which would house the progress spreadsheet she would need to track students.

Plan more time.  It was a bit stressful doing this at the end of the year due to time constraints of getting report cards done.

Having a couple of adults in the room as they are learning the "rules" or expectations is invaluable!  This is a new way for them to learn and having someone to facilitate as they are working improves the flow.

I have enjoyed working on this unit with the 3rd graders.  I am ready to jump back in, continue to make improvements, and enjoy the ride!

How do you know it's a mammal?

The 3rd Graders did a GREAT job investigating mammals!  Listen to all they have learned!!

Parent U!

Response systems

Socrative - Free - can use online, iPad/pod and android.

eClicker - only on iPads ($9.99 for teacher, students are free)

Nearpod - free - create content and then students can watch videos and then interact and practice things...

DEN Connects

This program will launch in August.

BETA site - http://www.denconnects.com/

Goals - 

• Get students on DE (Discovery Education)
• Model for teachers that we have more than just video
• Great instructional strategies 

First part of the projects is a scavenger hunt for kids.  Goes along with the calendar.
Citizenship is the "theme."


Second, the mini lessons.
There is one resource they highlight and then you get a lesson to do with your kids.

Third, Web 2.0 collaboration tools. (September is Voicethread)

Lastly, DEN chatter (connecting with another class)

It's structured and linear and easy to use.

Rock our World

Hoping that we have at least one teacher that wants to apply for this...

http://www.rockourworld.org/

It is K- college.

You apply.

It is about an hour a week. There is a theme. (Peace was a theme last year.)

The first week, you create a track in Garageband and then send it on to a share file. (You will need a mac for this.  If you really want this, don't let that stand in the way.  We'll figure it out.)

The next week, you get someone else's track and you add to it.  Each week is a different theme.  So, one week you may be assigned drums, one week you may get "sounds of your school," strings, voice, and so on for 6 weeks.

They do this in the fall and then again in the spring.

It's a great way to make connections around the world and collaborate with other classes.  You have a team that you create a music track with, but you also have access to skyping and connecting with all the other groups too!

Once you connect, you will be able to work on other projects together too!

Don't worry if you don't know how to use Garageband, Skype or upload a file. 

If you have an open mind, are willing to try a new adventure, and want to expose your students to other classrooms around the world, this is for you!

It's what you make of it!

Things to share:

A day in the life of an Oregon student

All about our state

curricular topics

funny jokes

songs

Q and A sessions

The benefit of an authentic audience...  Can you think of any Common Core standards that could be satisfied by a great collaboration like this?

Un-conference? HUH?

Ok - I have never participated in an un-conference before...  Here I am, let's do it!
What is it?
Last night, people posted on a bulletin board sessions they'd like to have.  They are NOT the leader, they are just starting the conversation.  You go, collaborate, and learn.
I am SOOO excited to try this today!
I will be blogging as I go through it.

I really think this would be an AWESOME way to do a Prof. Dev. day in Oregon.
We have some of the BEST teachers that have SO much they could share in this informal way!

Making Mobile Meaningful

Hall Davidson
http://linky.com/MDLA
http://linkyy.com/HallDavidsonHandouts

Use old phones that still charge and have an sim card to take pictures and record audio and listen to stories/songs.
YouTube - students can sent to your youtube account via a cell phone...  In your account settings you will find your email address.

Flickr will do the same thing.  flickr.com/mobile - you can shoot pics to an account.

Chrome app - when using YouTube, lights off will just show the video. Something to show on the chrome books?

iseismometer = free app

word lens = app

glue grommet over camera hole - grommet holds a 45 power microscope (amazon 43)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAqN8ihAFv8

leafsnap = identifies leaves

shazam

Google Translate App - state trooper saved a man who only spoke in chinese

(Would be great for ELL)

Other sessions - 

iClick Photography

STEM

Literacy in the Digital Age

Common Core Resources

Internet Projects Registry

http://findicons.com/