Grow Your Classroom

Breaking down the classroom walls! No longer is the fact that we live in a rural area an excuse for not connecting with others. Combining technology and the natural curiosity children have about others is a perfect way to connect with other classrooms from all corners of the Earth.

Following are several opportunities to make connections with others:

Global Read Aloud



Several of you took part in this activity last year and found it to be very rewarding. The basic premise is that you read aloud the book you choose to your class. Through various platforms, you can connect with another class(es) that are also reading and discussing the same book. This begins in early October/ Sign up at the link above and I will help you make connections.

2.  Quadblogging



As much as I love student blogging, one drawback I have found is that it is difficult to have consistent responses. Without an audience, the thrill of writing will soon fade and the motivation to blog and express feelings is soon gone. The concept of quadblogging is rather simple. Four classes from any part of the world commit to an agreed amount of time. During this time, classes take turns being the spotlight class. The other classes read and comment on the blogs. Awesome way to connect!!

3.  Web Projects

There are many different projects listed on the internet, but a particular page I like to work with  is Projects by Jen. She has quite a few different projects that you can sign up to join. They do not cost  to participate, but you may have to buy some easily available and low -cost materials.
My tier class did the O.R.E.O. Challenge and had a stackoff with three other classes from across the U.S. Several classes participated in the Christmas card exchange. Lots of fun and learning!


4.     

Several teachers have Skyped with classes and experts across the world. We have had Mystery Skypes, a kind of 20 Questions game, in which classrooms guess where each other is located. We have visited with marine biologists, park rangers, authors and many other experts. Students love this interaction with other people outside their classroom!
Google Hangouts are another option that is very similar to Skype. Let me know if you are interested!


5.  

Twitter,,,,what more can I say! Twitter is such a multi-purpose educational tool, In respect to connecting with others, it is wonderful because it is so easy to find and connect with multiple classrooms. A simple search is all that is required to find similar classrooms all around the world. Not only can you send out messages telling what your classroom has been doing, you can also see what other classes have been learning. This can  become a great resource for you.
Students can also interact with authors, experts, etc. in a quick and easy format. Give it a try!

Professional Learning Network

Hi! Friday of a three day weekend......I know the last thing you want to think about is developing your network of education professionals, but.....

I just wanted to let you know about this great place to keep in touch with peers from your area of study. It's http://www.edweb.net/.

Here you can join over 900 communities of people who are interested in the same things you are. The communities range from Common Core to Special Needs to Guidance. There is literally something for everyone.

In these communities, you will find many people who have the same job you do. You can post questions, read others' posts, read blogs, watch videos, etc. There are just many different ways to get information about what you teach everyday. A great aspect of belonging to a community is you receive email updates when someone has new info or questions, and invites to participate in webinars that deal with issues in that community.

 I know this is rather nerdy of me, but I have watched three webinars this week dealing from brain-based learning, to Google Hangouts, to iPad apps for the evaluating portion of Blooms. It is a great way to get current information about topics you are interested in, and often by respected leaders in education.

Think about it...it's an easy way to get you toe wet in expanding your PLN

Improved Google Tools

I know! More information! I think these are some ideas you will really be able to use in your classrooms!

I heard a Google designer last month say, "Take advantage of Google's push to stay on top of/compete in the technology world."
We, as educators, are reaping the benefits! Google is constantly coming out with ways to improve use of their products.

Here are two examples. The first link is very exciting! I think there are endless possibilities to effectively use this tool. They have included a research option under tools. This will allow you to stay on the same page and have the research tool appear at the right side of the page. You can right click on a word and information about that topic will appear. That could include web sites, pictures, quotes, maps, history, etc. Watch the video, as it will give you the basics. Very valuable!

The second link is about one click for Google tools. If you are using Google Chrome, which I recommend, you can now get an app for Docs, Presentation, and Spreadsheet from the Chrome Store. The app will appear on your "New Tab" page. This will allow you to go to New Tab and start your document/spreadsheet/presentation without having to go to Google Drive and then to Create. Nice little time saver.

Google research:  http://goo.gl/PBtgZ

Google one click:   http://goo.gl/GGqmQ    

As always, let me know how I can help you!

Online Libraries

With ever-shrinking budgets, subscriptions to databases are going to become fewer and farther between. Following are links to some online libraries that will help students do the research they need to prepare quality, valid presentations.
Included are historical documents, works of art, e-books, guides to other online libraries, and much more. Check some of these online libraries out.

http://goo.gl/WNSdK

http://goo.gl/Tbbpy

Educational Groups

Keeping up with everything that is going on in education is tough! 

One of the best ways I have found to do this is to to reach to the outside educational community through blogs, websites, etc. One of the websites I regularly go to is edutopia.com. It has MANY resources for classroom teachers, administrators, etc. including videos, blogs, lessons, and on and on. Excellent resource!

One of the resources I would like to acquaint you with is the group feature. You can join as many different groups as you would like. There are groups for new teachers, assessment, project based learning, Special Ed., using games, differentiation, arts, music, and drama, literacy, classroom management, etc. Obviously, something for everyone! Within these groups, you will find tips, ideas, questions, and suggestions posted by your peers related to the group topic. I have joined about ten of the groups and have gained a lot of good ideas to use.
Sign up is free......and very worth the effort!

Share My Lesson

Sharemylesson.com

This is a great site to find a lesson on a particular topic. It is good for all grades, k-12. There are many Common Core resources, as well. Check it out, you may even decide to share one of your lessons!

Personal (Professional) Learning Network

Well, it's getting closer...school is only a week away for all teachers! After twenty-three teaching years, I still feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. I guess I would wonder if I  felt differently. In the past, I always had a recurring nightmare that I would run out of activities for students. They are sitting there looking at me expectantly and I am frantic! But when I try to rationalize this, I realize I have NEVER run out of things to keep kids engaged and learning. I am sure many of you have had the same experience.
 This year it seems to be kind of the opposite feeling. With my new position, I have spent many hours exploring, learning, listening, researching, and pondering. I have so many ideas, I just hope I have enough hours in the day to get to all of them and not drive you bonkers with TMI! (too much information)
One reason I have so many new activities and philosophies is the development of my PLN, or Personal (Professional) Learning Network. I know, I know more initials! But seriously, there are so many educators out there with a tremendous amount of experiences, new ways of thinking, opinions, and brain stretching ideas. And the best part, you ask? They are right at our fingertips! Available at the click of a switch, pounding of the keys, touching of the screen. Previously, when I attended technology conferences, I always left with a sense of how far behind we were compared to other districts. Now we don't have to be! Everything is right there...we just have to go out and get it! One way to do that is to develop your network.
I know. You don't have enough time. You have a family. You need to cut it off somewhere. I understand. I'm there with you. It does take some time. I'm not going to lie. But chose something. Give it ten minutes a day. Talk to others to see who they follow. I follow people on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, blogs, educational sites, etc. I have participated in an online book discussion.  I have listened to a lot of webinars this summer. They have been terrific and allow me to do other things while I listen. I know I go overboard on this, but you can just do one thing. Dip your toe in. You will be amazed how this grows and changes your teaching. Or maybe reaffirms what you have been doing all along.
I found the following article from the New York Times. It lists thirty-three educators who had written guest articles for them. They were asked to reflect on their PLN and  list something important they had learned from their network and someone they would recommend to others to add to their PLN. There are so many great ideas in one place. There are many other places to find connections. Keep your eyes and ears open. Ask questions. I am here to help you!

http://tinyurl.com/c2mroqw