Meet the Teacher: A give-a-way & Movement Math!

If you've been following me from my transition from PreK-land to 1st grade, you already know that I was wanting to ensure I have plenty of sensory & movement opportunities for my students. I've been busy accumulating ideas this summer. I came across a Melissa & Doug store this summer while on a spa day with my Mother-in-Law. LOVE! Love her, love the store, too! 

I did some damage in that store and one of the items I bought was this hopscotch puzzle mat. It looks kinda baby-ish, but I thought some great math skills could be incorporated into a math station that let's kids hop around while learning some good stuff---especially at the beginning of the year! 

Aligned to the common core, students can play hopscotch and graph, practice number writing/formation, compare numbers, order numbers, add 2 numbers, add 3 numbers, and more!! It's aligned for K-1. I hope my students like it!! You can see it HERE! 

Also---I've been thinking about those first few days of school. I've created a "Meet the Teacher" slideshow so my students have a great visual and can get to know me (and a little about my family) on the first day. Would you like one? First 5 people to leave their E-mail address in a comment on my Facebook page can have it FREE! I think I will like doing my intro. this way! You can check it out HERE! It is completely editable so that all you have to do is pop in your own pics! Here's just a few of the slides. All seasons are included, favorite foods, and more!! 

Thanks for stopping by!! 

 

Blog Sabbatical Over! #INSPIRED!

It seems as if this year has thrown me for a bit of a loop----but in a great way! I haven't been so great about blogging since, well, November....because I have been so busy diving in and trying to be the the best I can be at my new grade level. Something had to give for awhile, and it happened to be blogging. So, to say the least, it's been a long while since I've been in the blogging world, but I just returned from the MACUL conference for 2 full days and am feeling more inspired and motivated than ever!

I was able to attend this conference by invitation with 11 of my K-12 colleagues from my district! I was so honored to attend and we had a blast! I attended several amazing sessions and was a little star struck by some of my favorite people on Twitter/blogs. Insert name dropping: Kevin HoneyCutt, Adam Bellow, Erin Klein, Kim Powell - to name a few! How about any of you? Did I pass you in the halls? Were we in the same sessions together?! I'd love to hear from you if you were there! 

Not only did I hear some very inspiring words, I learned SO much from my sessions. As I dive into some projects, explore some of the fabulous apps, and implement all of the innovative ideas and techniques, I will roll those out into my blog to share with you! The overall theme that I noticed is that classrooms have already, or are working toward, putting a device in each child's hand in the classroom. Some of the buzzwords I heard repeatedly? iPads, interactive whiteboards, apps, technology bond, and 1:1 classrooms. I can't tell you how many times I heard 1:1, 1:1, 1:1. JEALOUS!.... and motivated to see if I can work toward that goal. Donor Choose project submitted less than 24 hours post conference? CHECK! Pre-Grant Writing thinking and searching....CHECK! I can so vividly see how I would integrate iPads into all areas of my instruction, especially - and not limited to - Daily 5! If my students had their own iPad on a daily basis----oh, the possibilities!! 

Clearly, technology and devices in classrooms is quickly becoming ever popular, and necessary. It's the new paper/pencil, it's innovative, IT'S. THEIR. WORLD!!!! Currently, my students have better technology at home than they do in our school/my classroom. And some don't have technology at all---and I don't have much to offer them. That's so backwards! It is my job, my mission, and my responsibility to provide them with cutting edge projects, time to explore, learn, create, and publish. As Adam Bellow so wisely noted, we are currently preparing our students for the 22 century and occupations that don't yet exist! The longer I don't have technology & the longer my school district doesn't have this technology, the less prepared our students will be for the real world, for their world, for the technology driven world. 

I cannot wait to dive in to all the knowledge and put all this excitement to good use! In the meantime...

I'm curious, how many of you have 1:1 classrooms, use kindles, use hand-held interactive whiteboard tablets, have 7+ iPads? Tell me, I'd love to hear from you about what technology you have available in your classroom! 

E-Readers Vs. Books in Print

I came across an article in TIME magazine regarding E-readers and how they can actually impede a child's reading skills. I was intrigued. I mean....E-readers are everywhere, and even the youngest of learners use them! I know my own children have LeapPad Tablets, and enjoy using Grandma's iPad whenever the opportunity arises. A preschool student last year said to me, "Mrs. Powell, I don't use a computer at home....we have a tablet." Well, well, well....fancy for you, little one! 

On top of that, I had a parent laugh at me when I handed out cute little book marks with a quote about how children become readers on the laps on their parents. Really....outright laughed...and kind of scoffed...stating something like: "I can't believe teachers still hand out book marks with all the technology we have these days!" I was stunned. Really? And how do you suppose a child SHOULD acquire their language and literacy skills? Solely from an electronic device? I think not. 

Photo borrowed from GoodReader.com (IRONIC?!)

In a technology driven era, one can hardly deny that iPads, Leapfrog, V-tech, and other devices are not a prevalent part of a child's daily reading---provided they DO spend time reading at home and that the parents make it a part of the child's daily reading!! (I won't even think about the children who might not be getting their daily dose of book time this summer....okay, I am thinking about it, and it breaks my heart!) 

Electronic devices are a great supplement to a child's leisurely reading...but it cannot replace human interaction, communication, and questioning. In fact, researchers are finding that it impedes comprehension to a great degree. As teachers, we know that can happen...and we know how to use technology for purposeful, productive learning. However, parents may need our help and our professional recommendations. Check out this article from the NY Times. 

Here are a few key points from the articles: 

• Using an E-reader causes parents (or the device) to spout too many directives. "Turn the device this way, click here, don't hold it like that!"
• There are too many sounds and animations---it distracts the reader and significantly reduces comprehension. 
• Parents are less likely to ask questions about the story...rather on an E-reader they will say: "show me, good job, go to the next one..."---meaningless chatter reduces comprehension
• E-reader stories/apps rarely relate to real life. They are not relevant to the child....no text to self connections! 
• Choose wisely---on an E-reader, choose a book that has less bells and whistles---not too much to click on (few animations, less chatter or game like stories)

While there is not a ton of research out there, it is ongoing and there will be more, I am certain. The research that is out there is very consistent in saying that books in actual print/on paper---are still the #1 source for developing a love of reading, and all the core skills that are involved with becoming a good reader.

I've made a mental note to bring up this topic occasionally in my newsletters and classroom/parent blog throughout the year. I'd like to feed them tidbits of researched information and offer ideas for finding a happy balance between technology and print. It's going to be pertinent for educators to help parents understand what's important & why technology doesn't always win out---no matter how glamorous it may seem! 

I LOVE technology, don't get me wrong....and I implement it even with my youngest of learners....but I also feel that it is my responsibility to figure out a happy medium---and pass along that knowledge to parents and families so that we can continue to make great strides in the success of each child! And for your non-readers, or those that do not like to read....we can't deny that flashy technology isn't a great hook! It IS! Just be careful in the extent in which you use it. 

Oh...and if you are still a teacher that hands out book marks (it's not a bad thing---I'm doing it again this year!)....go grab your download HERE (scroll all the way down)! Hand them out proudly!! 

Add a ribbon and cutsie them up even more! Like in this Pinterest photo! 

Thoughts? Experiences? Let me know what you think....I'd love to hear from you! 

Parent Communication: It Works For Me! (& the 5 star blogger challenge)

As an educator, I firmly believe that parents and families should remain an integral part of their child's education. Communication is HIGH on my priority list ALL. THE. TIME! As teachers, you all know how important and beneficial parent communication can be, and we all know how hard it can be to accomplish sometimes.

It really takes a lot of time and effort to build a positive rapport with your students' parents and families. With all the pressure that is upon teachers to reach school/district goals, monitor student progress, maintain data records, attend meeting after meeting, after meeting, do extra curricular work (the list goes on and on!)---it is often difficult to make the time, and have the patience and endurance to maintain parent communication (beyond a weekly newsletter and occasional post cards in the mail). However, if you make it part of your daily grind, and open up new venues to parent communication, you can be entirely successful----which in the end, benefits your students in a multitude of ways!

So....briefly, here are a few "old school", and STILL effective/necessary means of parent communication. Keep old school techniques alive!

• Weekly newsletters---WITH a few photos of students in action!
•  not bi-weekly----there is important information to report on each week! I recommend weekly newsletters no matter what the grade level. 
• Positive Postcards (select 6 students/month)---keep it short, sweet, and to the point. They are pleasant pats on the back via snail mail! Your families will love it! 
• Positive Phone calls home---every now and again, call a student's parents and brag about something great you noticed about their child!

Now, how can you do even more great things in a "techy" way? Here are some techniques that I use. I'd love to hear what you think of them----and if you have a technique that I should know about and try!

• E-mail newsletters to parents who would rather read a digital copy
• Blog for PARENTS! I am new to blogging for an audience of educators, but I have blogged for the  families that I work with for 2-3 years. I continually get a lot of positive comments about my weekly blog posts regarding our classroom happenings for a variety of reasons: 
• Parents can see their child in action via pictures posted
• Parents get to see various games, activities, experiments, and other learning opportunities in our classroom
• Songs and YouTube videos are posted for parents to become familiar with the songs we use in the classroom and an opportunity to snuggle up with their little one for a few moments and watch a video of our focus story of the week. ---They can hear first hand what we've been working on and share it in a quality manner with their child! 
• Videos of re-tellings and other student work is posted.
• Grandparents and extended family have access so they can stay current on their relative's school experience and support them, interact with them, and ask specific questions about school. Grandparents LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being able to do this! 
• Text a quick photo/comment to parents if you have their cell phone number and are comfortable doing so. I typically do this on occasion if I have a student that is the child of a colleague in our district. They appreciate the occasional mid-day update or special achievement that is shared! 
• E-mail notes to parents (a digital version of the positive postcard)

AND----for my new FAVORITE techy means of communication, utilize a QR code that links to your blog!! I recently presented this idea (as well as other uses/activities of QR codes for student use) at our district's Professional Development day---and it was well received by teachers K-12! I immediately got great feedback from various grade levels regarding how they were implementing the QR codes in their classroom. AMAZING! Here's how I use it...

GO AHEAD, SCAN IT---YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO! 

 I created a QR code that is linked to my classroom blog for parents. I enlarged it on the copier at work, and hung it in the hallway where the parents wait for their child to get dismissed at the end of the school day!! I am always seeing these little codes on everything---particularly products that are marketed in magazines, in stores, on flyers, brochures, etc. I thought it was clearly a great marketing tool aimed at a digital audience---generation X, if you will. I immediately thought that I could use it as a marketing tool as well. I was "selling" parent communication and an active involvement in their child's education. 

I tend to serve younger parents, from said Generation X, and they sure love their techy devices! Don't we all?!?!?! While they wait for the bell to ring, I noticed most parents were browsing Facebook, texting, or doing something similar on their smart phones.....so I gave them something valuable to look at while they wait for their child----and hopefully they find something intriguing that sparks conversation with their little one! All you have to do is scan the code!! 

Want a QR reader of your own? It's easy! Go HERE! Save it as a .jpeg and be on your way!! 

I hope that you have found this post to be helpful. These types of parent communication techniques work for me. I currently have just over 60% of my families following my blog regularly---to me, that's pretty good!!

Stay tuned for more helpful hints AND - link up with the

5-Star Blogger Challenge, too! 

I cannot wait to see what everyone has in store. 

There are certainly some very talented educators out there! 

Thank goodness for technology!!!