tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post3789631373922705135..comments2016-07-29T05:40:03.374-07:00Comments on Teach 'n' Life: Who's Doing It?Becky Reighardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10180523446980689368noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-16347383242117889032011-04-22T11:45:00.437-07:002011-04-22T11:45:00.437-07:00I teach 4th graders math and social studies and I’...I teach 4th graders math and social studies and I’m doing it. What I have found is that I can’t do everything I hear from about others in my PLN, but I can choose to make my lessons 21st century lessons by design. When I plan my lessons each week I include various Web 2.0 tools to use with my students. Instead of giving a paper pretest I create a flipchart for my Promethean board and have the students use ActiVotes to take the pretest. As I present my lessons I put the study guides, video clips, and discussion questions on our Edmodo group where my students have access to them 24/7. I list the weekly homework on our class website for my students and their parents to see. My students reflect on their learning by keeping their own individual blogs. <br /><br />I am constantly on the lookout for ways to have my students do collaborative online projects and I started by using projects hosted by Jennifer Wagner back in 2004. I found a Skype buddy through Jen’s Ning. My buddy (Jan Wells) and I have done several collaborative projects over the last two years and we now present about how we use Skype. During the last two school years my students have Skyped with dozens of classes across the country and in Canada. My students put together a Mardi Gras presentation to do for some of the other classes we Skyped with and they created glogs about Mardi Gras. We invited other schools to join us in a Skype Collaboration group on Edmodo where they were able to see my students’ glogs.<br /><br />This is an ever evolving process for me and my students. Since 2004 I have been learning and experimenting with tools that work for us. Some I’ve only introduced to my students and others we have embraced and use on a regular or daily basis. Yes, I have grade level expectations to cover, six interval assessments given by my district, and a high-stakes state test to prepare my students for, but what I’ve discovered is that by using technology I don’t worry about the tests. I design authentic, engaging lessons and my students do very well on the tests.<br /><br />As I have reflected on my lessons, there are many that I am extremely pleased with and there are many that still need to be revamped. That is what I try to do each summer – take another dozen or so lessons and recreate them for my 21st century learners. I feel that I am on the right path as far as my technology integration goes, and I will continue to hone my skills. <br /><br />Becky, at least we are on the path, so many teachers I know have not even stepped onto this path yet. Questioning your practices is a great way to develop as a teacher and you are doing that very well. Keep it up. You are doing it too.PLNauglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17589718884625860829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-25996355201835039712011-04-21T21:24:32.069-07:002011-04-21T21:24:32.069-07:00Hi Becky,
As Mrs. Ripp says, even if you do a litt...Hi Becky,<br />As Mrs. Ripp says, even if you do a little... I've blogged on some things I've been trying with different classes around giving up some of the power in the classroom, if you're interested in checking it out <a href="http://funinaboxcanada.com/blog/2011/03/giving-up-power-without-losing-control/" rel="nofollow">here</a>learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06130791748020410051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-17037613948976711032011-04-21T17:08:47.388-07:002011-04-21T17:08:47.388-07:00Hi Becky,
well I am doing it, partly at least. I ...Hi Becky,<br />well I am doing it, partly at least. I too have tests to cover and much curriculum dictated by my district and yet I find ways to make it more engaging. And when I cannot find ways I ask the students, they are just as creative, if not more so than me So although every project isn't always hands-on dynamic engaged learning, most of them are. next year's challenge will be to keep it up and to expand it more. And don't worry, even if you do a little bit then that is something. Make it work for you.Pernille Ripphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08664101868856118868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3088307393085914965.post-22000456167151556202011-04-21T15:41:08.493-07:002011-04-21T15:41:08.493-07:00(I teach 4th grade in a small public school distri...(I teach 4th grade in a small public school district in Iowa.)Wow! We have a lot in common. Some changes/additions I've made this year: My PLN - especially Twitter. When I can, I participate in chats, or just browse and look for good ideas and sites. I then add the good ones to my Diigo account. (Is it weird that I have Tweet Deck on 3 computers and my smart phone? LOL) I read what others are doing and think, "I'm not worthy!"<br />I have created an exciting teacher friendship with another 4th grade teacher in Ohio, and our students Skype and write to eachother to share ideas. I have dabbled with many ways to use technology in my classroom - blogging, symbaloo, and other web 2.o tools. Some, I'll use again. Some - not really. I love my classroom wiki. Our school is implementing Daily 5 next year, which I am excited about. I am working hard to find that balance of working in all my curriculum and giving choice to my students. Not easy. We have smart boards in all of our elementary classrooms, and our Jr./Sr. High is a 1:1 school. I have found it's a lot about technology, and even a lot more about student centered teaching that is authentic and based on positive relationships. Our elementary school received a science grant this year, so our learning team has been studying science inquiry teaching. There are days I drive home and feel really good about all that's going on, and then there are days that I feel disjointed and unsure. It will happen, with continual learning. This all takes lots of collaboration - with kids and teachers. I am really enjoying this journey, and couldn't do it without my family, friends, and my PLN!Jodi J.http://awesome4thgraders.wikispaces.com/noreply@blogger.com