Back from day 2 of the Smart Ed. Services "Ohio Free Tech" conference and all I can say is "WOW"! First, it was free! 2 days of quality presentations, for the most part, and I came away with as many ideas (some more practical then others) as I discovered in the 2 days I was at the eTech conference in early February. I think the biggest difference between the conferences was that the focus in planning seemed to be on the attendees. Pre-registering for sessions allowed them to hold the largest sessions in the largest room. eTech just squeezed as many as possible into 1 room and then shut the doors. I think many of the presenters at the Ohio Free Tech presented a couple of times and that allowed more people to attend their sessions.
I was particularly impressed with 2 of the presenters. Tammy Worcester presented loads and loads of free and practical tools for teachers from a variety of sources. I've "known" Tammy (never met her in person, just followed her in the ed. tech. world) since my beginning days as a technology coordinator and she was a complete ball of energy! She was quick and gave many ideas/resources/concepts in a short time frame. Very organized and I was impressed! Jim Klein is the IT person for Saugus Schools in California and he presented numerous ideas for both Open Source solutions and a variety of Learning 2.0 ideas/themes. I was interested in Jim's session on Open Source software because we run Ubuntu on our data server and I think that when we first built the server, we were almost ready to ditch commercial software for the Open Source solutions. For a variety of reasons and multiple changes in the volunteer department, we didn't proceed. Jim's passion and enthusiasm for what he does is obvious and I now really want to take a second look at what we've planned for and how we could make some important changes. I think the best idea that Jim presented was that all of the technology in the world doesn't "make" students' learn, we must give them a platform to share their learning with the larger community.
The conference also included many other fantastic presenters. Dr. Jamie McKenzie was on hand both days and shared with us his ideas for higher order thinking skills and how technology integration can move on from being "scooped up and smushed" information to creating original content. I've read many of his articles and it was nice to see him present in person.
I certainly give kudos to the Smart Ed. Services people for planning and pulling off events like this one. I hope they continue to do this type of conference and continue to attrack quality presenters like this year. Very well done!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Next Novels for Literature Circles
Still trying to finalize which novels the 5th and 6th graders will be reading in the next few weeks. I've consulted with our History teacher and the 5th graders are studying the Revolutionary War so I think we'll go with that theme. Novels I'm considering currently include: "My Brother Sam Is Dead", "George Washington's Socks", "The Fighting Ground", and "Hope's Crossing". I still need a couple more choices for the 5th graders.
I had titles ready for the 6th grade, but then decided that maybe featuring African-American authors might be a great theme. Some titles for the 6th graders include: "Elijah of Buxton", "Bud, Not Buddy", "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry", and "A Friendship for Today". I think those titles provide some variety for the 6th graders to choose from. I'd like to find a few more choices. I still have a few days to decide. For the 6th grade novels, I'll be including some author activities as well as having the students study where the novel takes place. That along with their regular Literature Circle jobs should lead to interesting discussions. For our last class novel, we didn't do the Literature Circle jobs and I think the kids liked changing things up a bit!
And I've decided...I'm a book junkie! I could spend hours at the library finding books and even more hours reading them!! Have a great week!
I had titles ready for the 6th grade, but then decided that maybe featuring African-American authors might be a great theme. Some titles for the 6th graders include: "Elijah of Buxton", "Bud, Not Buddy", "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry", and "A Friendship for Today". I think those titles provide some variety for the 6th graders to choose from. I'd like to find a few more choices. I still have a few days to decide. For the 6th grade novels, I'll be including some author activities as well as having the students study where the novel takes place. That along with their regular Literature Circle jobs should lead to interesting discussions. For our last class novel, we didn't do the Literature Circle jobs and I think the kids liked changing things up a bit!
And I've decided...I'm a book junkie! I could spend hours at the library finding books and even more hours reading them!! Have a great week!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Reflecting on eTech Ohio 2010
I had to return a day early from eTech to attend a funeral, so unfortunately, I missed 1 day of motivation and exciting presentations. One of my colleagues and myself attended both Monday and Tuesday sessions last week. One of the things that I find the most interesting about attending a conference is the amount of new energy I return with and the willingness to jump in and try new ideas. Because this was a technology conference, I was particularly interested in how I can energize my teachers with new project ideas and resources.
It had been a couple of years since I last attended the eTech conference and I was pleasantly surprised at the availability of wi-fi throughout the conference center. I only wish that sessions that were totally filled could've been live streamed for those of us who couldn't get into the room. I attended a few sessions on making movies in the classrooms using a variety of resources. While we've used movie making before as a project outcome, it was helpful to see other options and ideas. I really like the idea of building "digital backpacks" for students to utilize when they tackle a movie or digital picture project.
Twitter was another popular topic for a few of the sessions at the conference. I use twitter mostly as a professional development resource. I follow lots of other educational technology folks and I learn alot from them, even though I don't always "tweet".
Monday's keynote for the afternoon was David Warlick. I've followed David for a few years now and he's certainly someone who knows of what he speaks(although now when I read what he's written I hear it with a southern accent!)! I could've listened to him for another hour. He talked about building your Personal Learning Network (PLN) and showed us some new and some not so new tools for adding to your network. To me, personal learning networks are the heart of my personal professional development. They are key to helping me discover new, sometimes better ways of accomplishing tasks. They provide resources and support when needed. I'm a firm believer in not re-inventing the wheel and my PLN helps me greatly!
Overall, I was glad to have attended the conference and hope that my enthusiasm continues. It is the kind of "re-charging" I need in February! Now, if we can only find the funds to do what we want!!
It had been a couple of years since I last attended the eTech conference and I was pleasantly surprised at the availability of wi-fi throughout the conference center. I only wish that sessions that were totally filled could've been live streamed for those of us who couldn't get into the room. I attended a few sessions on making movies in the classrooms using a variety of resources. While we've used movie making before as a project outcome, it was helpful to see other options and ideas. I really like the idea of building "digital backpacks" for students to utilize when they tackle a movie or digital picture project.
Twitter was another popular topic for a few of the sessions at the conference. I use twitter mostly as a professional development resource. I follow lots of other educational technology folks and I learn alot from them, even though I don't always "tweet".
Monday's keynote for the afternoon was David Warlick. I've followed David for a few years now and he's certainly someone who knows of what he speaks(although now when I read what he's written I hear it with a southern accent!)! I could've listened to him for another hour. He talked about building your Personal Learning Network (PLN) and showed us some new and some not so new tools for adding to your network. To me, personal learning networks are the heart of my personal professional development. They are key to helping me discover new, sometimes better ways of accomplishing tasks. They provide resources and support when needed. I'm a firm believer in not re-inventing the wheel and my PLN helps me greatly!
Overall, I was glad to have attended the conference and hope that my enthusiasm continues. It is the kind of "re-charging" I need in February! Now, if we can only find the funds to do what we want!!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Independent Reading with Middle Schoolers
I believe that one of the biggest contributing factor in developing good readers (in terms of fluency, critical thinking, etc.) is that students have enough time to read. While I see both of my Language Arts classes for several blocks each week, I want them to read outside of class. They have a library time each week and they seem to spend most of that time trying to figure out how to get out of the library.
Our librarian, beginning to get frustrated with them, searched for an idea to make them want to read. No, we didn't bribe them with gifts, cash, or extra recess! We came up with the "Passport to Reading". We gave them a goal and we gave them choices. We came up with the required genres that we would like them to read (including a free choice or two), they will choose the order and they can read the stories that interest them.
After they read their selected novels, I will have them fill out a "book talk" sheet with basic information including what they liked and/or didn't like about the book and if they would recommend to another student. To meet curriculum requirements, they will then present a short live "book talk" to the class. After completing this requirement, they will get their passports stamped. Each passport entry (both their summary sheet and their live book talk) will earn them points for class. They'll have the rest of the school year to work on their passports and if they read above and beyond their goals, they can earn chances for extra prizes at the end of the year.
They seem really excited about this new activity. I hope we can keep that great spirit going for a few more months!!
Our librarian, beginning to get frustrated with them, searched for an idea to make them want to read. No, we didn't bribe them with gifts, cash, or extra recess! We came up with the "Passport to Reading". We gave them a goal and we gave them choices. We came up with the required genres that we would like them to read (including a free choice or two), they will choose the order and they can read the stories that interest them.
After they read their selected novels, I will have them fill out a "book talk" sheet with basic information including what they liked and/or didn't like about the book and if they would recommend to another student. To meet curriculum requirements, they will then present a short live "book talk" to the class. After completing this requirement, they will get their passports stamped. Each passport entry (both their summary sheet and their live book talk) will earn them points for class. They'll have the rest of the school year to work on their passports and if they read above and beyond their goals, they can earn chances for extra prizes at the end of the year.
They seem really excited about this new activity. I hope we can keep that great spirit going for a few more months!!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
It's My Journey
I've really struggled with where to take the direction of this blog. Technology resources, teaching experiences, professional development, or my personal educational journey? I guess it really doesn't matter. All of these topics are important to me. They are what I've built my career on. My job isn't just a job, its my career. Finding technology resources, learning more everyday about best practices in education, sharing my enthusiasm with other teachers and learning from them, deciding on the next path on my journey...all part of my career. So, I guess it's ok to jump around and talk about what is important to me, it's my blog, after all.
So, while I don't really know if anyone in the blogosphere is reading...it really doesn't matter. This blog is an important part of my educational journey.
So, while I don't really know if anyone in the blogosphere is reading...it really doesn't matter. This blog is an important part of my educational journey.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Books We're Reading...January 2010
My 5th graders recently finished a Literature Circle with Newbery Award winners. They read A Long Way From Chicago, Holes, Rules, The Princess Academy, and Ginger Pye. I'm always excited when they get excited about a book. Some are now reading books that they didn't choose for their Literature Circle. Some are exploring sequels to their books. Some even bought their own copy to keep at home! They are reading and I love it!!
The 6th graders also recently finished a Literature Circle. Their focus was on the mystery/survival theme. Their novels included: Among the Hidden, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Westing Game, and Hatchet. One of my students has decided to continue reading the Among the Hidden series (Margaret Peterson Haddix). Another student has decided that he likes how Gary Paulsen writes and has borrowed a couple of his books from the classroom library.
I don't think I would necessarily classify many of these students as reluctant readers. Many certainly didn't think they enjoyed reading at the beginning of the school year. They thought it was a requirement of school that they trudged through regularly. I wanted them to have some control over what they were reading, while still reading quality novels with good themes, writing styles, etc. The Literature Circle has made that possible. It's totally time consuming and totally worth it. They handle their "book discussions" like professionals. I'm so proud of what they've done and we're only 4 months in to the school year.
The 5th grade will take a couple of weeks to hit a genre study in their reading text. The 6th grade will spend the month of January reading Flush by Carl Hiaasen.
I'll keep you posted on their progress! As for me, I'm trying to read some of the Newbery Nominees for 2010. Those awards are handed out later in January by the American Library Association.
The 6th graders also recently finished a Literature Circle. Their focus was on the mystery/survival theme. Their novels included: Among the Hidden, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, The Westing Game, and Hatchet. One of my students has decided to continue reading the Among the Hidden series (Margaret Peterson Haddix). Another student has decided that he likes how Gary Paulsen writes and has borrowed a couple of his books from the classroom library.
I don't think I would necessarily classify many of these students as reluctant readers. Many certainly didn't think they enjoyed reading at the beginning of the school year. They thought it was a requirement of school that they trudged through regularly. I wanted them to have some control over what they were reading, while still reading quality novels with good themes, writing styles, etc. The Literature Circle has made that possible. It's totally time consuming and totally worth it. They handle their "book discussions" like professionals. I'm so proud of what they've done and we're only 4 months in to the school year.
The 5th grade will take a couple of weeks to hit a genre study in their reading text. The 6th grade will spend the month of January reading Flush by Carl Hiaasen.
I'll keep you posted on their progress! As for me, I'm trying to read some of the Newbery Nominees for 2010. Those awards are handed out later in January by the American Library Association.
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Year...Happy 2010
I always seem to have big ideas and then life has a way of consuming all of your time and the big ideas get smaller and smaller. I had every intention of continuing to blog about things technological...wellllll...three kids, two of whom have started in a new school, one who has started preschool, numerous family issues, and various assorted new job tasks have piled up and the time I had hoped I could spend changing the world with my blog has disappeard.
With the beginning of the new school year, I began to teach not only the technology portion of our school curriculum, but also Language Arts to grades 5 and 6. It has been fun, challenging, and has kept me busier than I could've imagined. That, together with a complete break down of several key components of our school network, has nearly plunged me into the abyss of a depression.
So, as we begin a new year, I am hopeful again that I can use this platform to expand my personal learning network and continue to engage myself in new ideas for my colleagues and my students.
With the beginning of the new school year, I began to teach not only the technology portion of our school curriculum, but also Language Arts to grades 5 and 6. It has been fun, challenging, and has kept me busier than I could've imagined. That, together with a complete break down of several key components of our school network, has nearly plunged me into the abyss of a depression.
So, as we begin a new year, I am hopeful again that I can use this platform to expand my personal learning network and continue to engage myself in new ideas for my colleagues and my students.
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