New Class – New Ideas!

When September rolls around, teachers wonder what the new crop of students will look like.  How will they interact with you, with each other.  There is no way to tell.

Parents, and students whom I had years ago, will often ask if I am doing a certain project again this year.  They remember it fondly and so do I.  The thing is, a classroom has a dynamic of it’s own and the flow of activities and projects often respond to that.  I like to think that’s what a good teacher does.

After a few weeks together, a class personality starts to take form.  Now that we have reached the 3 month mark, we can really see the dynamic and personality of our group.

This year’s kindergarten class is really warming my heart.  We have quite a range of learners and skill levels.  We have limited English proficient students and others with different language challenges.  We have the over the top energized kid and his great big smile stirring up the rest of the pack.  Best of all, we have the energy that comes from an eager group of learners.  “Come on Mrs. Poulin – Bring It!!” seems to be their call.

Yep, I DO like my job this year. It is challenging and rewarding.

We Need Africa!

Anyone with Clustrmaps can see that the continent is just not engaged in the collaborative conversations we are having. There are millions of people on this large continent. Where are the little dots that spread across our maps almost everywhere but Africa?

The graphic representation of Clustrmaps really brings the message home. The only dots visible on the continent of Africa are along the coast. When we talk about how far we have come over the last few decades in terms of outreach and technology, we forget that there are people, especially children, who don’t get an education, people who don’t have access to technology.

Looking at the big picture, we can readily understand that there are some fundamental needs at the head of the line for our attention, things like food, clean water, health care, and safety. Some world organizations are helping.

One of my favorites is Ryan’s Well Foundation. (Supported in my sidebar) It was started by a young boy, now a college student, who wanted to take action to help some needy folks on the other side of the world.)

In this ever-changing world, we just can’t allow the gap to grow exponentially, year after year.

We are educators.

What can we do?

How can we help level the playing field and get these folks living, learning, and growing  alongside us?

Teachers & Sharing

I have only been learning and growing online for about 5-6 years and even in that short time, I have experienced many changes. I started with the K-12 Online Conference, then I joined Twitter. After that, I started blogging and reading other people through RSS. I’ve had lots of ideas shared with me via the web.

Now the learning is not only going more mobile but new teachers are approaching their careers from a somewhat different angle, and they are making their jobs work for them in other ways too.

I am getting more material in my Reader that classroom teachers have created and are selling or freely giving away through a few teacher sites. They are commercializing the materials they create on the job. No doubt this helps to pay the bills since our salaries are pretty bleak in many areas. I need to view this as a very strong trend as we roll with the changes in education. It’s also something that I think I might enjoy myself.  Creating things online is often fun. First I’ll need to buy some online clip art and graphics though, programs such as

http://www.scrappindoodles.com/

http://www.djinkers.com/home.php

My Google Reader Docs folder has really blossomed this summer, thanks to the work of others. A number of folks on Twitter have shared that these free materials made all the difference for them as they were working through their first years.

I have also seen something called “linky parties” and lots of giveaways for following the blogs. It’s pretty ingenious to bring others to comment on your blog by giving something away. Some of these sites even have the backing of companies in providing the giveaway item. Linky parties have a signup at Pinterest. Although I have submitted a request to Pinterest, I have been wait listed. (I received my invite in less than an hour!) I am seeing some interesting “pins” though. For instance the pinboard “Classroom” has some really cute ideas! Check it out!

Are you in the market for some new materials and ideas? Here are some of the sites that I have found offering materials either as free downloads or for $. I have found some helpful things there but I know I need to do a lot more exploring.

Have you created materials to share with others? Leave a comment with a link to your materials.

What kinds of materials are you hoping to find online?

Are there other programs and sites that you use and recommend? Please do share what you think.

My Top 5 Gurus

This morning’s reading included the NWP Daily and a post from Three Teachers Talk . The link brings you to a cool reflection by Molly, @finchesrule where she writes, “These people, places, and collections of great knowledge have made me a better teacher.”

Well that post got my own reflective juices flowing and I thought I would work on a post of my own as well. It’s interesting to note that 2 of the 5 are not active in the tech world so they’ll probably never read this post. Here they are – my own top 5 gurus!

#1 Patti Kennedy is a tremendous teacher who gave me my first job. We worked together in a 3 teacher pre-school classroom for 14 years while my kids were growing up. She showed me how a great teacher operates, with children, with parents, with outsiders, and with the community. I struggle with being tactful and this woman showed me the ideal. She also has an amazing sense of humor and is a real class act! She retired long before the advent of blogs and the internet reached into classrooms but if she blogged – she would be in my Reader for sure.

#2 Kevin Hodgson, aka @dogtrax, brought me firmly into the world of blogging, Twitter, and the concept behind building a strong PLN. I am still amazed that this tremendous teacher works just down the hall from me. Many years ago, during one of the first K12 Online Conferences, I happened upon Kevin in my reading. Thinking I was alone in the online world of education, I quickly realized the resource I had at hand. Kevin continues to teach me through his daily posts from his primary blog Kevin’s Meandering Mind.

#3 Twitter I realize now that I am listing these in the order they entered my teaching life. Twitter is a real fount of tremendous value. I visit links shared by others and then venture off to new areas for study, reflection, and entertainment. Twitter has brought me to tons of great reading, #kinderchat, Dailies, TED Talks, and a multitude of useful apps.

#4 Cindy Diemand is the Literacy coach at our school. She is an expert at all things related to literacy instruction. Our school is closely following the Fountas & Pinnell curriculum and this year we will have Cindy back as our literacy coach. I have already participated in hundreds of hours in training in the F&P methods.  Cindy will be providing more in-depth instruction and classroom observations for all of our staff. She is always supportive of us as learners and reminds us that it takes a lifetime to develop ourselves as teachers.

#5  The Edublogger and more specifically Sue Waters, have given me the tools I need for reflection and sharing through blogging. It took many months before I felt I knew what I was doing with this blogging thing. The tools are many and I continue to learn more all the time. I keep The Edublogger in my Google Reader, Twitter, and FB accounts so I never miss the latest tips.

• Who has influenced your practice the most?
• Where do you go when you are looking to learn and grow as a teacher?

Why not share a post of your own and please leave a comment with Three Teachers Talk who started this ball rolling.

Reflection in blogging is a marvelous practice.

10+ Easy Steps To Skype In the Classroom

I was recently reviewing and editing my profile at Skype in the Classroom. I saw a project that I had posted called “Our Own Hometowns.” Soon after my edit, I received an email from Rhonda Metcalf, down in NC, USA. She was interested in the tips I mentioned in my post and that in turn got me thinking about sharing my setup plan with others.

It would have been easier years ago if I’d had a real plan for what I was doing. It can be daunting to reach out to another class and not feel anxious and uncertain about whether it will work or whether you’re going to embarrass yourself. For that reason alone, I try to lighten the load for any teacher I connect with via Skype. My first experience, outside of my personal life, was with Silvia Tolisano of Langwitches and Around the World With 80 Schools. That was a quick call with a very experienced Skyper!

Here is the layout of my plan. You can make adjustments to fit your own technology set-up. Mine is still pretty basic. I have a small webcam, a hand-held mic, and a VGA connection to the TV. My class watches the project on the TV as we don’t have any IWB technology in our class. So “♬This Is How We Do It♬”

1. Connection is made between teachers by sharing/accepting ID info in Skype.
2. Teachers can have a short Skype call testing out their systems for any glitches and trying new setup adjustments for best viewing.
3. Via email or the  Skype call, teachers share what they want to address during class calls. Keeping calls to 10-15 min is reasonable but be ready for them to go on for more time.
4. I find it best to have an advance list of questions for each side. In that way the other class can assign speakers and practice ahead without having to do it “cold.” The questions are generally shared a few days ahead whenever possible. The class and I create the list of questions we want to ask.
5. On the day of the call, have your lists of questions to ask/answer and kids assigned to ask/answer them. I post these on an easel for quick reference and usually have my webcam on top of this easel, aimed down at the group on the floor. It sounds formal but really is just for convenience.
6. Having the camera aimed at the larger class works best with the children coming up to the camera/mic to ask/answer questions individually.
7. Classes go back and forth asking and answering questions one at a time, trying to stick to the lists in order, as that is how the other class will have prepared. The kids will know who has a turn next.
8. My class is quiet and shy the first time (every year ) needing lots of prompting, but will warm up over time. Once they have experienced it a couple of times, a few kids will bloom and set a good example for others.
9. Some simple things, just for fun, are singing a song, reciting a favorite poem or rhyme, or other presentation piece surrounding recent learning experiences in class. These are short and make each side giggle and warm up to each other. Last year we marched around the room to a silly song or sang patriotic songs. We once invited the other class to join in marching to “Knees Up Mother Brown.” The kids like to do things as a whole group whenever possible. The audience always gives some wild applause for the other side which feels good and settles the nerves a bit.
10. Which brings up the question of behavior. Yes, my class always has a few who get distracted and/or want to show off for the camera. It’s just one more lesson for them to learn. When kids have too much trouble settling and not being a distraction, I might say their name and/or give them a nod, or I point to a new spot out of the camera’s view for them to move to.

Another tip is, I always Skype with my 83 yo Mom either before school or a few hours before I connect with the other class. She is my tester – can she see and hear well? is my camera pointed in the right place? can she see us if we move around? It helps to settle my own nerves and makes a nice school connection with Mom ;D

After a Skype call to Hawaii

After the call it is good to talk about what the students learned from the question and answer session. You cement the learning and clarify any misunderstandings.

Don’t be afraid to jump right in. A few steps of advance preparation will go a long way. If technical difficulties arise (and they often do) don’t be too upset. It happens more than we would like and goes with the territory. We have no control over poor connections. More often than not you will be satisfied.