Well I registered for my last 3 sessions for the St. Mary's spring conference in April.
One of the sessions is about the implementation of the growth mindset in Writer's Workshop and how it motivates students to gain leadership skills in writing. My goal for the 2012-2013 school year was to improve my students writing skills by incorporating MORE writing activities in my everyday lessons. I feel this has been successful. I am interested to see what this presenter has to add about writer's workshop. There are always new things to learn and implement in a classroom. I know I have been focusing a lot on math for my action research projects, so attending this writing seminar will be a breath of fresh air.
A second session I am attending is about improving comprehension skills by using verbal, written and visual activities. Comprehension is always an area that students can work to improve. I feel like this session will give me a lot of new intervention and extension activities that I can include in my classroom. I am always looking for new ways to improve my students comprehension.
The third session I registered for in phase 2 is about differentiation in a middle school math class. I feel like fifth graders are in a transition to middle school. Attending this session will give me many new ways to support my struggling students as well as students who need extension activities. All of my action research projects so far have been about math and I feel like this session will help support me with further research. I have always been told that your students will raise up to the challenge if you teach them like they are one grade level ahead. Attending a middle school seminar will be helpful for me to challenge all of my students.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
St. Mary's University-Spring Conference
This morning I registered for two of my five sessions to attend at the spring conference. Looking at the course catalog was very overwhelming. I chose two sessions that relate to fifth grade.
The first sessions I signed up for is about 4th grade students mastering their multiplication facts. I chose this session because I always hope my students come to 5th grade with these facts mastered, but there is always a handful of students who do not have multiplication fact fluency. I am hoping to get a lot of new ideas to use as interventions with my students.
The second session I registered for is about incorporating movement into the classroom. The presenter has researched different activities and is incorporating brain based movements. I have started using Whole Brain Teaching strategies in my classroom and I think this session will help me improve my WBT in my classroom.
I get to register on Wednesday for the next three sessions. I am hoping to choose three more sessions to improve my teaching and inspire me to try something new in my classroom.
The first sessions I signed up for is about 4th grade students mastering their multiplication facts. I chose this session because I always hope my students come to 5th grade with these facts mastered, but there is always a handful of students who do not have multiplication fact fluency. I am hoping to get a lot of new ideas to use as interventions with my students.
The second session I registered for is about incorporating movement into the classroom. The presenter has researched different activities and is incorporating brain based movements. I have started using Whole Brain Teaching strategies in my classroom and I think this session will help me improve my WBT in my classroom.
I get to register on Wednesday for the next three sessions. I am hoping to choose three more sessions to improve my teaching and inspire me to try something new in my classroom.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
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:
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! :)
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
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! :)
Friday, February 1, 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
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!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
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!!!
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.
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!
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!!!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
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!***
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!!!!
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!***
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