New Apps in the Classroom

Over the last couple weeks, I have implemented some new technology into my classroom.  Here are the  (free) apps and how it went:

1. Too Noisy - This is an app that measures how loud your students are.  There is a meter that moves with the noise and a happy face that begins to cry when the noise level gets too high.  The background also darkens and becomes stormy when the kids are too noisy.  I began using this app to combat talking and noise in the hallways.  I hold the iPad over my shoulder so the kids can see it as we walk to their specials.  If they are able to keep the happy face happy, I give them all a point on Class Dojo.  It has worked amazing well!  They are all so in tune to the app and watching the meter.  It has changed how we walk down the hallway:)

2. Math Fight - This is an app that allows students to compete against each other with their math facts.  It begins with a countdown and then gives them both the same math problem.  It gives three choices of answers on the bottom and they need to click on the correct one.  Whoever gets the right answer first gets the point for that round.  Each round gives 10 problems.  At the end of the 10 problems, the one with the most right answers wins.  I started using this app to help the kids increase their knowledge in math facts.  So far we have just been using the addition problems.  The kids absolutely love this app!  I have never had kids so excited to do their math facts.  They love choosing a partner and then trying to beat them.   I have the iPads out during my center time and they enjoy competing and trying to beat their previous scores.

Classroom Management - What Works in Schools

After reading Chapter 8 The Teacher-Level Factors, in Marzano’s What works in Schools, I have a greater understanding of teacher-level factors and the impact that an effective teacher can have on student achievement.  The decisions I make as a teacher strongly outweigh the decisions made at a school level (Marzano, 2003).  After reflecting on this chapter, I decided that I wanted to implement two of Marzano’s classroom management strategies into my first grade classroom to improve student achievement.  My main emphasis was to be present and intentional in this implementation process.  I chose the first strategy, establishing and enforcing rules and procedures, because it had to do with my AR topic.  Throughout the past few weeks, I remained consistent with my students when it came to enforcing rules and procedures.  I carried my iPad around with me throughout the day to keep track of any behaviors that I needed to address with them.  Doing this assisted me in remaining consistent with my expectations and consequences. 

            The second classroom management strategy I implemented was carrying out disciplinary actions.  I worked hard to be consistent and I no longer gave out warning to those students who were off task.  I simply had them move their clothespin down and followed through with parent contact if a take a break was needed.  I also focused on using my nonverbal cues to reduce student behaviors.  This worked well as a quick visual reminder for those students who were off task. 

            The action steps in Marzano’s chapter 8, What Works in Schools, were a great reminder of how our classroom rules, procedures and disciplinary actions should be addressed in an elementary setting.  I took time during our days to review the importance of being a kind, polite, helpful and respectful friend.  We took time to not only review classroom rules, procedures and disciplinary actions but also to model and practice them.  The actions experienced over the past few weeks have guided me and my students to recreate and to maintain a learning environment that is conducive to successful instruction (Brophy, 1996).

December New Strategy

My new strategy I used this month was part of my AR research topic of classroom management.  I found an app called Too Noisy and put it on my iPad.  The app is a visual for the kids when they get too loud.  There is a meter that measures the noise level and when it gets too loud, the screen gets dark and stormy and the smiley face starts to cry.  I use it especially when we are walking in the hallways - the kids love it and it really helps keep them quiet in the hallways.

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 . . .

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . .

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . . .

This statement describes just what it is like in today’s world of teaching, learning and education.  There are parts of education that are great, something to be proud of, such as, the use of technology, effective teachers and appropriate interventions.  But there are also parts that are not so great, things we are overwhelmed and stressed by.   More and more responsibilities being passed down to teachers, tougher kids, struggling families and diminishing test scores round out some of the challenges.

Response to reading:

            After reading Marzano’s article, What Works in Schools, I learned all about the criticisms of years past in the educational system.  He writes about how in previous studies, it has been found that schools have done little to lesson achievement gaps and that student achievement is mainly a function of student background.  While this may have been true in the past, I do not feel it is an accurate portrayal of our current system.  The educational system may still struggle with achievement gaps, but I think that effective schools work very hard to help kids overcome their backgrounds.  Every year I see kids who come from struggling homes and families and yet they manage to achieve amazing things at school, academically and socially.  They are the kids who we see them and say, “I don’t know how they did it!”

            Marzano goes on to write about how the system can have a tremendous impact on student achievement if we follow the direction research points us in. The difference is that effective schools provide interventions designed to overcome student backgrounds.  How do schools become effective?  One way is for the organization to include shared decision-making and delegated authority.  Marzano also writes that there are three factors affecting student achievement: schools, teachers and students.  I completely agree with this idea.  I think a lot of factors go into why a student may or may not achieve and that it cannot be based simply on one factor. 

            Overall, I feel that the educational system is at a fork in the road.  Do we want to continue down the road that leads to frustration, teacher burnout and lack of achievement or do we want to go down the road research directs us too?  The one filled with effective schools, happy staff and high student achievement.  I know which one I choose . . . .