New Tech Tool

The new tool I would like to implement into my curriculum is the app Educreations.  We have been talking a lot about it at our school over the last few months but I have never used it.  I would like to play around with it some and figure out a way to use it in my classroom.  I think it will be a great way to incorporate technology as well as allow me to redesign a task for better understanding for my students.  Stay tuned . . .

Presence

Building a capacity for presence has become more of a priority in my life in the past few years.  Before, I was simply skating through life, not giving a lot of thought or insight to what was happening around me.  But I have since discovered that I am much more engaged in my life when I am present in it.  By building this capacity for presence in my life, I have become a better wife, mother, teacher and friend. Part of developing presence is critical self-reflection.  I have worked to practice this with my classroom and my own life.  This capacity for presence has made me more intentional in my teaching - I am much more aware of where my kids are at and where they need to go.  I am more engaged with my own children and what they are experiencing.  This has spilled over into my relationships with friends, colleagues and family members.  I will continue to strive for a deeper level of presence by being willing and open to working on all aspects of my life.

Marzano's Teacher Level Factors

Before I read Marzano’s  chapter on Teacher – Level Factors, when I thought of teacher factors, I thought in terms of instruction/content knowledge, classroom management and a safe, trusting environment.  After reading the article and seeing Marzano’s ideas, I realized that my ideas of teacher – level factors fit into his factors of instructional strategies, classroom management and classroom curriculum design.  I maybe should have thought more about classroom curriculum design because it is crucial to student success.  Having a strong classroom curriculum plan is important in order for students to learn.  Combining all these factors makes for effective teaching and that leads to student achievement and success.

Technology Plan

Our district is very committed to the implementation of technology in the classroom.  This year all students from grades 6-12 received a device to use.  In the elementary schools, each grade level received a class set of iPads.  Each year we are required to write goals for our teaching and submit them to our principal.  This year we were required to write a technology goal as well.  My technology goal this year revolves around using technology more often in my classroom.  When using technology as a learning tool, students become more engaged in ways they can’t by simply doing paper/pencil tasks.  By using technology, students can explore and collaborate with others in new, creative ways.  My two goals for the 13-14 school year include:

1.     Integrate technology into my weekly instruction to support learning.

-       I began using Animoto as a way to do a digital book report for some of my higher students.  I am using itools weekly to support our math curriculum.  There are several apps and websites I have found that can be used to support both our math and LA curriculum.  The kids have really enjoyed more time on their devices and already seem to be grasping concepts quicker.

2.     Improve my knowledge and skills so I am able to implement more technology in my classroom.

- I have started to work on this by researching new apps and websites for games.  I have also been watching videos and reading up on how to integrate more technology into the curriculum.  I am working on moving from substitution to modification and redefinition on the SAMR model.

November New Strategy

This month I have started implementing math tubs into my classroom.  I found some math tub activities on TpT that I copied and put into bins.  Every Friday I put out 6 activities including iPads that focus on the skills that we are currently working on in our curriculum.  I let the kids choose where they want to go and keep track by having them check in at that station.  So far so good!  The kids have been really enjoying doing something different and don't even realize they are learning!  My plan is to leave out the same tubs for a month and then switch out the activities.  We'll see how it goes . . .