Pinnacle is Tops!

10. I have a 21st Century Classroom!
9. Technology tools are for ready for student use!
8.Cooperative learning opportunities are part of daily learning!
7. Professional web presence is enhanced!
6. New professional contacts and learning communities are established!
5. Pinnacle provides support and feedback!
4. Training is provided so I know how to teach my students using technology!
3. Students are engaged and motivated!
2. Students learn and cultivate 21st Century skills in products of learning!
1. Student learning is relevant and meaningful!

Muppets Making their Mark

I thought the movie title that best matched my class was The Muppets Take Manhattan. This movie is about Kermit and his friends making the trip to New York to get their musical on Broadway only to find it's a more difficult task than they had planned. My cast of characters includes witty, intelligent, quirky and whimsical students. Combine this altogether and the days can change from fantastic to fury or, on a positive note, from fury to fantastic in a matter of minutes! As I continue to plot, ponder and plan lesson plans, assessments and curriculum goals, I have decided that keeping a sense of humor is near the top of my priority list. It's important for us to learn to laugh at ourselves. These moments of comic relief help sustain our persistence and allow us to accomplish our learning goals each day. Adjusting to the many changes in learning, teaching and delivering the curriculum has been an uphill journey so far. Making my way through this first year of common core has been more difficult than I had planned. However, I am making the time to have conversations with my colleagues, using technology when possible to make better use of time and working long after the school bell has rung to ensure I not only meeting the directives of the county but also to ensure that students are moving towards their individual learning goals. It can be overwhelming at times, but then I think about my zany cast of characters and the wacky director they have, now that's funny!

1st Semester Peaks & Valleys

     Integrating technology along with the Common Core requirements has been a challenge. Although I see technology as a necessary and normal part of everyday learning, the integration and implementation have been an uphill part of the journey. Many of my students have had little experience using technology on a regular basis in the classroom. I created instruction sheets for each learning labs, but students typically panicked instead of reading the instructions. I walked them through the instructions for the first few weeks, then guided them to the instruction sheet to help them become more independent. We also had some technical issues that were finally worked out about mid-October. The second nine weeks has started off a lot smoother since students are more comfortable using technology and knowing what to do in each learning lab.

     We have been using laptops for in our weekly learning labs to view science videos, blog, and create a Voicethread. Students were learning about concepts required by Common Core Curriculum . They then journaled about their learning after they viewed content specific science videos. Students blogged about our novels and shared reading stories and used Voicethread to complete literature circles.

Each one of the learning labs allowed students to make choices and take ownership of their learning either individually or in a small group. These activities were chosen because they do fully support Common Core Curriculum, student-centered learning and support 21st Century learning themes. 

Blogging sample- this question came from our first read-aloud, Top Secret. I love Kidblog because it allows students to contribute to a conversation in a non-threatening way. It's also relevant to how they communicate and share ideas in their world. The blog was used to discuss character traits, one of the focus skills during the first nine weeks.

Think about Allen…How would you describe his actions? Did Allen show courage, perseverance or honesty?Choose one character trait and describe a scene from the story to support your answer.

E20October 9, 2012 at 10:13 AM

yes allen did show honesty when he told the newspapper pepole and all the other pepole he was a plant but they didnt belieave him only his teacher at the end.

E17October 9, 2012 at 10:13 AM

He did show perseverance when his techer ,mom and dad did not belive him. He tryed something diffinet and told the newspaper.

     Voicethread really helped ignite student learning and participation in literature circles. Here's a sample of what students discussed in our first literature circle using Voicethread. Students identify vocabulary, text connections, narrative elements and favorite parts of the story. Meanwhile they are also learning how to use the microphone, and gain experience with Voicethread.

4th Grade Lit Circles-Voicethread

     Although I discuss the challenges that technology brings, I believe the opportunities and inspiration that it also brings makes it worth it! The benefits far outweigh the challenges. Students are excited about learning and displaying their learning using technology tools. I believe technology helps make teaching and learning more efficient.

     In thinking about ways to improve the technology experiences for the students, I plan to have students create a digital journal in Google Docs. Students will begin these digital journals beginning with the third nine weeks.