21st Century Learning

 Today in class we were assigned 2 hours to create a video about 21st century learning.

What is 21st century learning?
 21st century learning is:

• teaching students to be prepared for a changing world.
• creating critical thinkers
• inspiring creativity in many different mediums
• students becoming problem solvers
• the ability to collaborate effectively
• teaching students skills for jobs that haven't been created yet

21st Century Learning Video

I think 21st century learning and getting technology in the hands of children is very important. Technology can allow students to dive deeper into their understanding of topics. I wish I was able to use technology in my classroom more often. I have a SmartBoard and a student computer in my room. My school has 2 Mac computer labs as well as a cart of iPads for the students to use at school. I have not been able to check out an iPad this year since some people at school decide to hog them, but hopefully I will be able to get the technology in the hands of ALL students. Technology is important, especially when students are constantly being exposed to bigger and better things. If resources were available, it would be well worth it to get technology in the hands of students. 

No matter what the age of a learner is, technology is always the new "cool" thing to "play" with. By switching the mindset of learners from playing to educating, a lot can happen with technology. Sure, I love Unblock Me as much as the next person, but using my iPad for work is even better! I think people who are still "18th century learners" need to see that technology is not scary, but a useful tool to enhance learning.

Comments or insights are welcome! :)

Action Research Project-Math Journals and Right/Left Brain thinking

My next action research project for my Master's of Teaching and Learning is math journals and right/left brain thinking.

At the beginning of the year, I started to use Math Reference Notebooks with my students. When I taught them a new skill or concept, I would have them get out their math reference notebooks (composition notebook with a table of contents and the pages numbered). Students would basically copy what I had written on the board. After doing some research, I decided I wanted to extend their thinking. I follow a blog called Runde's Room and I really like the way she uses math journals in her classroom. I am using her work that I purchased from Teacher pay Teachers to help me extend their thinking. Your can find that here. It is well worth the $14.99!

I just started implementing the right page/left page thinking strategy. What this means is when the students have their notebooks open to 2 blank pages, they copy what I have on the board on the right side of the page. On the left side of the page, students need to re-write the learning goal, tell me what they already know about the concept, and after the lesson they write what they learned in math class today. They also need to show me proof of what they learned and make a creative way to remember what they learned. This creative way can be a comic strip, mnemonic device, a rap, or anything else that will help them remember what they learned. I cannot take credit for this amazing idea, but I am using it every time I have my students fill out a page in their reference notebooks.

I am going to continue to do research and see what else I can find to help my students in math class.

St. Mary's Univeristy-First Post

For my Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning, I am creating a blog for other community members to read, post, and learn from. I am a fifth grade teacher who is always looking for new ways to become a better teacher. Feel free to follow and comment of my posts!

Math Rich Environment

One of my projects I have been working on in my classroom is creating an environment that can be used as a resource in math. I hope these ideas inspire you. I have been noticing my students using these tools to help them during math.

One thing I added is multiplication facts around my door frame and window frame. I just used paint samples and had the students help me write "tricky" multiplication facts. This allows kids to be exposed to their multiplication facts and it is a reference point, especially if they don't know all of their multiplication facts.

 I also have a vocabulary corner for the vocabulary words for the chapter.

I got these cards from The Ladybug Teacher Files. They are great... and FREE!!!!


One of my FAVORITE things I have in my classroom is a multiples number line. I bought this at a Kim Sutton training. If you ever have the opportunity to go to a training, I highly recommend it. She gives a lot of great ideas and creative ways for kids to practice math. My school has all of her math game books in the library and they are wonderful!

Here is the link to Kim Sutton's website. http://www.creativemathematics.com/learn/

There are some freebies, you just have to click around the site to find them.

One last thing that I have in my classroom is math reference books. My students have been writing their own math reference book. They use a composition notebook and include a table of contents, page numbers, and helpful information on each page. I do not have pictures yet, but I will add them soon!!!

The Story

WOW! I finally have a chance to breathe (and type)!

First, Dom left for the Officer Candidate Program in Quantico, Virginia on October 9th. We have been writing love letters back and forth since he is not allowed to have his phone. 38 more days until he graduates as an officer in the U. S. Marine Corps! December 14th cannot come soon enough!

Second, I finally chose a date for our big day! October 19, 2013! I just love wedding planning, but I wish I could devote more time to it without feeling guilty for ignoring school.

My engagements pictures came back. Holly Photography did an AMAZING job!!!!

Dom and I were taking pictures in a field before he left for OCS. We were just having fun during our photo shoot when I noticed he started getting... well... awkward! After an outfit change and some scenery change, we got talking about Holly's recent engagement. Well, Dom got down on one knee. I was thinking in my head, "What is he doing? OMG OMG OMG! That's what he is doing!" I didn't even give him a chance to ask me to marry him, I just started saying yes and hopping up and down!

Holly took amazing photos during the WHOLE thing and turned it into a great still-motion video. They both kept it a secret from me!Stinkers!

** Random fact: Did you know that 3% of the world has green eyes? Good thing Dom and I both have green eyes. The odds for our children to have these beautiful eyes are high!***

Salsa Day

Things have been so busy lately. I feel like have had zero time to blog. I have been so busy wedding planning, getting things ready to go for when Dominic leaves next week for Marine Corps training in Virginia, and I started my masters program! OOOFFFTA!

Well a tradition we have at my school is salsa day. We make salsa as a community building activity and to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month if from September 15-October 15. Students get to participate in this activity when they are in fifth grade.T=Students bring in ingredients to make salsa. I split up the ingredients list from the recipe and divide up all the supplies. The students bring in everything from crock pots and measuring cups to tomatoes from the garden and green peppers. I have parent volunteers come in to help clean and cut away the bad ends of the vegetables, then the students do the rest. I have my students sit at their tables with a paper plate and plastic knife. They cannot leave their seats at all. If they are done cutting their vegetables to the size of their pinky nail, they raise their hand to get more vegetables. It takes about 30 minutes to cut all the vegetables.

After all the preparing is done, I stick all the ingredients in a crock pot for the whole day. The last half hour is when we get to enjoy salsa. It is a great treat on a Friday afternoon.

This is a very fun activity that I highly recommend to do with your class.You can use ANY salsa recipe with your class. ENJOY :)

I AM ENGAGED!!!!!!!

The title says it all, but I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited to spend the rest of my life with the man I love!!!!