I was lucky to be able to attend TCEA 2014 which is basically a technology conference for educators for those not familiar. Since I have become embedded in edu tech over the last few years, I have looked for more and more opportunities to share my thoughts and learn from others. TCEA is just one of those venues.
Over the course of this semester I will be looking into and implementing some of the following ideas I've gotten from TCEA sessions this week (more to come).
1. Pen Pals - Oldie BUT a Goodie with a Techie Twist
I am hoping to find digital pen pals with another secondary class somewhere outside of TX. I'm actually hoping to find a class outside of the U.S. I will ask them to email or use some other form of written communication (blog?) that I can monitor for a period of time and use this to help students with their writing... Maybe even do a Google Hangout at the end. I LOVE GHO, but that's for another blog.
2. Google Docs - specifically for student collaboration
I use Google Docs for myself a lot for collaboration with coworkers and other edu tech colleagues, but I am now going to jump in with both feet to incorporate collaboration among my classes/students and PBL groups using Google Docs. No MORE WASTED time! This is a big subject, so I will just leave it at that for now until I implement. I will post more during a project. Perhaps our Novel unit coming up in a few weeks. (See later Blog labeled Doctopus)
3. Gamification! - for flipped learning and stations
I will use some cool gaming sites to deliver some of the more boring content that needs repetition and perhaps in a flipped setting. This is REALLY new to me, so I'm looking forward to this one. Kahoot is a big one I'm excited to try out! Google Forms is an option as well. We currently have a staff member using Google Forms for student game end products, and it has worked well.
4. ePortfolios
Still not sure what platform, but plan to use an ePortfolio next school year and do a trial run for our Research and Creative Writing units coming up after testing.
Those are my BIG ideas for now for implementation. I will blog in more detail about each as I implement and share their projects/end products as we move through them and test them out!
That's it for now...
Maas Out!
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
Naive... perhaps...Idealistic... Yes!
I usually write about what I'm doing in my classroom and show student examples when I'm proud. Today is a little different.
I've been quite reflective... okay... more reflective than usual as I tend to think too much... But as I consider my next professional step and the path I want to take, I have been considering truths that I have learned not only throughout my teaching career but life. I have always been a little too passionate about my beliefs some would say. I tend to go all in. I'm not really sure how else to do things. So as I ponder my next step in the education system, I have really been asking myself the following: Why am I in education? Is is because of my love of the content? Is it because if you can't do, teach? (I love to write) Is it for the kids? Of course the real answer to those questions is quite complicated.
The reality here is that I am reaching that point in my career as a teacher than I am becoming disappointed with the education system as a whole. I'm sure most reflective teachers reach this point in their careers. I realize how much helping kids is part of my reason for staying in the system I am becoming disheartened with, but I also start to wonder which path I should take as a result. Giving up is not really in my blood. I simply don't back down from a challenge. To me, this broken system is a challenge, but it is one that can be all consuming and I fear that I will allow it to change my core beliefs and just give in to acceptance that I can't change anything. That's not okay with me.
I had to speak to a harsh realization this week that I know but don't want to verbalize: we can't save them all. I know this. I know that this system, one teacher, one administrator can't save all children from their own, many times, unfair circumstances. But I still ask, WHY? Am I really that naive or just too idealistic? If the system can't save them all, do we just accept that as a reality or do we change the system?
It seems a simple answer. I realize the solution is not nearly that simple, but nothing that is worth doing ever is. Food for thought.
I would apologize for my ramblings of my opinion on this, but that's not really in my DNA either.
Maas Out!
I've been quite reflective... okay... more reflective than usual as I tend to think too much... But as I consider my next professional step and the path I want to take, I have been considering truths that I have learned not only throughout my teaching career but life. I have always been a little too passionate about my beliefs some would say. I tend to go all in. I'm not really sure how else to do things. So as I ponder my next step in the education system, I have really been asking myself the following: Why am I in education? Is is because of my love of the content? Is it because if you can't do, teach? (I love to write) Is it for the kids? Of course the real answer to those questions is quite complicated.
The reality here is that I am reaching that point in my career as a teacher than I am becoming disappointed with the education system as a whole. I'm sure most reflective teachers reach this point in their careers. I realize how much helping kids is part of my reason for staying in the system I am becoming disheartened with, but I also start to wonder which path I should take as a result. Giving up is not really in my blood. I simply don't back down from a challenge. To me, this broken system is a challenge, but it is one that can be all consuming and I fear that I will allow it to change my core beliefs and just give in to acceptance that I can't change anything. That's not okay with me.
I had to speak to a harsh realization this week that I know but don't want to verbalize: we can't save them all. I know this. I know that this system, one teacher, one administrator can't save all children from their own, many times, unfair circumstances. But I still ask, WHY? Am I really that naive or just too idealistic? If the system can't save them all, do we just accept that as a reality or do we change the system?
It seems a simple answer. I realize the solution is not nearly that simple, but nothing that is worth doing ever is. Food for thought.
I would apologize for my ramblings of my opinion on this, but that's not really in my DNA either.
Maas Out!
Monday, November 4, 2013
7 Days, Two FANTASTIC Reading/Writing Conferences - LOTS of Resources!
I have been BLESSED!
In the last 7 days, I have been able to attend two fantastic conferences to see two major writing teachers/authors that I LOVE: Gretchen Bernabei and Ralph Fletcher. Within these last seven days...plus tomorrow...I have learned quite a bit of new information that I an incorporate into my secondary ELA classroom to help my students. In fact, last Wednesday I saw Bernabei, and when I returned to the classroom on Thursday...IMMEDIATELY implemented a kernel essay activity.
As a teacher opposed to such extreme accountability testing but understands that it is my reality, Bernabei helped put a spin on her writing activities that helped me bridge what I can to do to help my students' real world writing AND testing genre writing. Below are some of my FAVS from her Workshop:
In the last 7 days, I have been able to attend two fantastic conferences to see two major writing teachers/authors that I LOVE: Gretchen Bernabei and Ralph Fletcher. Within these last seven days...plus tomorrow...I have learned quite a bit of new information that I an incorporate into my secondary ELA classroom to help my students. In fact, last Wednesday I saw Bernabei, and when I returned to the classroom on Thursday...IMMEDIATELY implemented a kernel essay activity.
As a teacher opposed to such extreme accountability testing but understands that it is my reality, Bernabei helped put a spin on her writing activities that helped me bridge what I can to do to help my students' real world writing AND testing genre writing. Below are some of my FAVS from her Workshop:
- 11 Minute Essay & Truisms
- Kernel Essay
- Writing Tools Anchor Chart
- Color It Up
- Renaming Activity
- Ba-da-Bing
You can find MANY resources for her activities on her blog at the following address:
There are a TON of resources to download!
Another resource I learned about at the training is a 4th grade teacher blog with tons of free resources and ideas that she uses in her classroom: Texas Teacher Website
TODAY, was able to listen to Ralph Fletcher during his Keynote at the Reading Recovery Institute help by TWU, stand with him in line for lunch, and sit in on another session! I felt like such a rock star for being able to talk shop with Ralph Fletcher in a lunch line! What a treat!
After his session on mentor texts, I picked up two more FANTASTIC books that I will use in my teacher: 1. NonFiction Craft Lessons and 2. Guy Write.
Ralph really helps the writing teacher understand gender differences in writing and how to support those boy writer and be successful. If you aren't using his strategies in your writing classroom, you and your students are missing the boat! You can also find more information about Ralph and his works on his website: Ralph Fletcher.
Hope these resources are as helpful to you as they have been to me!
Happy Teaching!
Maas Out...
Friday, October 25, 2013
Favorite App/Web Tool In My Classroom: LiveSlide
I mentioned in an earlier post that I have a few favorite Apps/Web Tools that I use a lot in my classroom. LiveSlide by Atlas Learning has become one of my favorites that I use multiple times per week.
This week I used LiveSlide to help students guide themselves after my mini-lessons on writing as they worked at different speeds on their personal narratives. I apologize for the dark pictures... my students and I are really moles... : ) We like darkness as we create!
As we analyzed brainstorming techniques, hooks, and conclusions I was able to annotate directly on the presentation. I can give students control from their own iPad and they can mark on the presentation as well.
Today, students corrected sentences as a class as LiveSlide randomly selected students for me, gave them control... they answered the questions...we discussed as a class and applied our learning to our personal narrative writing.
LiveSlide had created a more interactive presentation tool that also helps teachers address varying speeds of learners within the classroom. There are many other aspects of this took that are helpful that I can't even begin to explain to you... like a quizzing feature that allows teachers to conduct a quick check for understanding. You really just need to check it out for yourself!
Happy hunting for tech tools for your classroom.
Maas Out!
This week I used LiveSlide to help students guide themselves after my mini-lessons on writing as they worked at different speeds on their personal narratives. I apologize for the dark pictures... my students and I are really moles... : ) We like darkness as we create!
As we analyzed brainstorming techniques, hooks, and conclusions I was able to annotate directly on the presentation. I can give students control from their own iPad and they can mark on the presentation as well.
Today, students corrected sentences as a class as LiveSlide randomly selected students for me, gave them control... they answered the questions...we discussed as a class and applied our learning to our personal narrative writing.
LiveSlide had created a more interactive presentation tool that also helps teachers address varying speeds of learners within the classroom. There are many other aspects of this took that are helpful that I can't even begin to explain to you... like a quizzing feature that allows teachers to conduct a quick check for understanding. You really just need to check it out for yourself!
Happy hunting for tech tools for your classroom.
Maas Out!
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Novel Study: Hidden by Helen Frost
Hidden by Helen Frost... what a gem!
My students will be reading Hidden by Helen Frost over the next couple of weeks.
Reading Focus:
Literary Devices/Figurative Language
Plot
Character Traits/Motivations
Point of View
Symbolism
This prose novel is nothing short of fantastic! It offers a LARGE array of topics for study in the classroom and opens doors for analysis and discussion that meets Figure 19 needs for STAAR.
We are starting this upcoming week with plot, character traits, and literary devices and point of view. I can't wait to start reading. The next week we will dig deeper into inferences as we discover the hidden code the author has left in Darra's sections of the book. The last word of each long line in Darra's sections offers even more insight to her and her father. UNREAL! I can't wait to share it with the kids.
Character sketches, Venn Diagrams, Plot lines and much more will be involved with this week's lessons. Discussions will also include the idea of a hero, friendship, and the various meanings of the word hidden... as it represents so much in this novel.
After reading, we will be reading/writing Forgiveness poetry for more connections! Will post more as I go along with lessons and pics.
Maas Out!
My students will be reading Hidden by Helen Frost over the next couple of weeks.
Reading Focus:
Literary Devices/Figurative Language
Plot
Character Traits/Motivations
Point of View
Symbolism
This prose novel is nothing short of fantastic! It offers a LARGE array of topics for study in the classroom and opens doors for analysis and discussion that meets Figure 19 needs for STAAR.
We are starting this upcoming week with plot, character traits, and literary devices and point of view. I can't wait to start reading. The next week we will dig deeper into inferences as we discover the hidden code the author has left in Darra's sections of the book. The last word of each long line in Darra's sections offers even more insight to her and her father. UNREAL! I can't wait to share it with the kids.
Character sketches, Venn Diagrams, Plot lines and much more will be involved with this week's lessons. Discussions will also include the idea of a hero, friendship, and the various meanings of the word hidden... as it represents so much in this novel.
After reading, we will be reading/writing Forgiveness poetry for more connections! Will post more as I go along with lessons and pics.
Maas Out!
Monday, September 2, 2013
First Week Back Focus: Communication!
During InService this year, our staff went through a breakout session over communication. I like to think that I communicate well with parents, but I know I can always do better.
Our principal introduced Remind 101 to us based on the suggestion of one of our 6th grade teachers, Sarah Williams... THANKS Sarah!
www.remind101.com
Remind 101 is a FANTASTIC and FREE web based texting service that your parents can sign up for. You simply setup names for your individual classes and then send out the simple instructions for your parents to sign up for text messages.
NO... YOU DON't give out your personal cell number. You text via the Remind 101 website. Barely any work for you or the parent!
You can then send out reminders to a whole class about tests, field trips, assignments coming due, etc.!
I will be using it in my classroom this year! Already set up and ready for Open House to provide instructions to parents.
Hope this helps make your communication process a little more effective this year. I LOVE technology!
Maas Out!
Our principal introduced Remind 101 to us based on the suggestion of one of our 6th grade teachers, Sarah Williams... THANKS Sarah!
www.remind101.com
Remind 101 is a FANTASTIC and FREE web based texting service that your parents can sign up for. You simply setup names for your individual classes and then send out the simple instructions for your parents to sign up for text messages.
NO... YOU DON't give out your personal cell number. You text via the Remind 101 website. Barely any work for you or the parent!
You can then send out reminders to a whole class about tests, field trips, assignments coming due, etc.!
I will be using it in my classroom this year! Already set up and ready for Open House to provide instructions to parents.
Hope this helps make your communication process a little more effective this year. I LOVE technology!
Maas Out!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Summer is Here! I'm Still Learning. Tech Classroom Focus
I am almost a month into summer, but I feel like I'm just slowing down! ...and I LOVE it....
This summer I am ramping up on ideas for my second year in a 1:1 classroom. I have learned a TON on what to do and what NOT to do in my 1:1 ELA secondary classroom and am taking all of those lessons to heart. That being said, I want to share with you a few things I will be working on this summer to incorporate into my classroom this upcoming year.
This summer I am ramping up on ideas for my second year in a 1:1 classroom. I have learned a TON on what to do and what NOT to do in my 1:1 ELA secondary classroom and am taking all of those lessons to heart. That being said, I want to share with you a few things I will be working on this summer to incorporate into my classroom this upcoming year.
- Flipped Classroom:
I attended a district led Flipped Classroom Training in early June. I was VERY impressed with training and variety of ways I can Flip lessons. My thinking for my own classroom will be a little different from the traditional idea of Flipped because I will also be incorporating some PBLs into my curriculum. Follow this link for more info: http://www.flippedclassroom.com/
I will used Flipped Lessons for the following: 1st Week back to Introduce the Writing Cycle (used as a pre-assessement of knowledge), PBL Workshops, Writing Skills (mini-lessons), and Intervention lessons.
Note: Not all flipped lessons will be homework. Some will be in class flips. I will post more as I go along this year so you can see how I'm going to accomplish these tasks. I will post my writing cycle flipped lesson in August. I'll also share my resources. So stay tuned!
- Writing Workshop:
I'm reading Writing Workshop The Essential Guide by Ralph Fletcher this summer to really structure my writing workshop this year. I am a reflective teacher and I need to change the way I am teaching writing for a few reasons... sadly... STAAR is one of those reasons but a reality. This is a great book. I will be using some Flipped Lessons in order to accomplish this. Will share as I create them!
I would LOVE to collaborate with other Teachers on writing workshops and share resources! If you would like to join me, follow me on Twitter @MaasClassroom. I would love to start a networking group for writing there!
That's it for now! Please feel free to contact me any time. I love hearing from other teachers!
april@aprilmaas.com OR @MaasClassroom on Twitter
Maas Out!
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