The First Day of School 2014-2015

DAY ONE

After greeting the students outside the classroom door and working to memorize their names, we went inside to start the day. I told the students to find their name on the tables/desks and put their materials there. They have no idea yet that these will not be their spots for long! Their next direction was to silently line up in order by their birthdays (Responsive Classroom). This is a great time to observe the students. Which students take the lead and which are willing to follow. Who creates a new, innovative way to silently communicate their birth date? Do they help each other, support each other, etc. 

Playing throughout this activity was Safe and Sound by Capital Cities and Pompeii by Bastille. The music helped the students to have fun and loosen up while doing the challenging, silent activity.  Dave Burgess, Teach Like a Pirate author, stresses music as a powerful hook. It worked perfectly for this activity. On my IPhone, I have a playlist for quiet work times and a playlist for dance breaks and transitions. I bought a small, but powerful Bluetooth speaker for under $30 at Best Buy, so that I can control the music from my IPhone no matter where I am in the room.

The other purpose for this lineup is to form groups for cubbies. There are four sections of cubbies in the hallway and each group had to come up with a name for their group and design a poster to be put up in their cubby area. They had a lot of unique ideas and worked well together. Their posters are getting laminated and will be up on Tuesday.

Before we started the cubby poster work, we had a ceremony of sorts. They sat at the spot where their desk tag was and I had them pull off the tag and rip it up while playing a heavy metal version of Over the Rainbow by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. Later, a parent shared that tearing up the name tag was the first thing their child talked about when they walked out of the classroom at the end of the day. Funny! It was a symbol of no assigned seats.

The next activity, after making the cubby posters, was making play doh creations that reflect an interest or show something about them. We then circled up and shared. 

FYI: comedy/tragedy symbol :-)

After sharing their creations in a circle, we put the room back together and started the process of getting materials and supplies organized. This year, the goal is a place for everything and everything in its place. Students do not have their own desks, so I bought some bins and cleared some shelves!

Social Studies binders

Writing Binders and pencil pouches underneath. Only need pouches when traveling to Science and Social Studies. When in homeroom, there are caddies at each table/group of desks with communal supplies in them.

A bin for each student. These hold folders, spirals, math workbook, mini composition book (gratitude journal) and still room for a book to read!

I framed this as our classroom, and they need to contribute ideas of how to make the organization piece work for them. They came up with putting the board games elsewhere so that the pouches could be near the binders. Smart!!

We did grab some carpet time to read You're Finally Here. Tomorrow we will read Ish. Ish is probably the most important read aloud all year!

Dismissal was at 12:45, so with lunch in the schedule, that was pretty much all we fit in. Had to pass out a ridiculous amount of notices as well. :-) 

Going to be a great year and working hard to keep my commitment to at least one post a week! 

Teach Like a Pirate Part Two

So my first post about Dave Burgess' book, Teach Like a Pirate, was a reflection on the first part of the book only. Now that I have finished reading it, once again, I am inspired to share about how it is going to improve my teaching! 

In order to start incorporating the hook questions into my lesson planning, I took notes while I read all the great ideas. I will refer to them consistently while planning. There are some that I already do naturally, but plenty that I had never even thought of doing. So invigorating to my teaching!

So these notes are in a small spiral with my other notes and to do lists. In addition, I bought three spirals, one for each subject I teach: Reading Workshop, Math Workshop and Writing Workshop. Found cute ones at Ocean State Job Lot! I will brainstorm in these notebooks for each lesson I do. 

Part Three of the book was very motivational and it is so true that you can get started right away. All your ducks do not have to be in a row to try some of these ideas! It is also helpful to read the section on criticism. 

As the school year goes on, I will share my successes and failures here and on Twitter. Best PD ever!!

Teach Like a Pirate

Dave Burgess' book Teach Like a Pirate, is a game changer for sure. Confession, I am reading another book at the same time, so I am only halfway through Pirate, but I couldn't wait to reflect about it. 

One of the powerful messages in this book is that anyone can be creative with some hard work. I have always been a very creative teacher, but I definitely have to ask the right questions about my objectives for lessons in order to start the creativity process. Zooming in on real life connections to your lessons is really addicting! 

My theatre background means I am able to entertain, but I don't think that is the most important part of being creative. Even the most reserved teacher can plan engaging lessons that get students jazzed about learning. Burgess explains in detail how to ask questions that lead to  dynamic ideas. 

I read this Marlon Brando quote on Facebook last night and I felt it was very fitting to what Burgess believes:

Your figurative language unit has begun. You are driving in the car and you hear a new, popular Katy Perry song filled with metaphors. Pull over and write it down or tell it to Siri! Burgess emphasizes the importance of having a simple way of capturing ideas when they come to you. He uses a Mac Air. I use my IPhone and small spirals. The small spirals are my old way of capturing my ideas for writing and teaching, and old habits die hard. I have one on the coffee table in the living room, one on my desk at home, one in my car and one in my purse. Now, I also use the notes app on my IPhone. I have the other apps that are out there, Evernote, Everythink, etc. However, for me, this process is a stream of consciousness and simply starting a new note within my notes app works best for me. I do use My Writing Spot for my screenplay/story ideas. Great app!

I also loved the metaphor that Burgess used about not being a lifeguard, be a swimmer. I will admit that when it is a busy time of year, I sometimes sit at my desk and correct an essay or two while kids are working on their writing, for example. I always felt guilty doing it too. Kids knew they could come to me at any time to ask questions, etc., but I was not fully engaged. My pledge from now on is to always be a swimmer, in the pool with my students, not a lifeguard watching from a far. Getting rid of my desk is a great start!

Thanks Dave Burgess for your book. I can't wait to read the rest of it. 

My First EdCamp Experience

I went to my first Edcamp yesterday at Marshall Simonds Middle School in Burlington, MA.  It was a small group, so probably not a true representation of what an EdCamp is like, but I loved it. We all stayed together instead of going out to different sessions due to the number of participants. 

Burlington is a Google Apps for Education district and is one to one with Ipads grades 1-12!  It was inspiring to hear how they put aside 25% of their technology budget for PD .  They have a full time technology educator at every school and a Director of Educational Technology for the district who is not IT. He focuses on helping the teachers implement all this new technology.  An amazing, long term endeavor that is paying off for Burlington, for sure!

At the EDcamp yesterday, which is another way BPS supports their teachers,  educators from all around the MA area benefited from this district’s lead.  I learned how to manage my twitter activity with Tweet Deck, Diigo, Feedly, and Storify. Tweet deck makes it easier to see multiple columns at once and will help, especially during chats. Diigo is a great way to archive links that you want to revisit. Feedly helps you keep track of your favorite blogs. I became familiar with Storify when I saw chats on Twitter being archived using Storify. Very cool tool!

Canva was probably my favorite new online tool that I was introduced to yesterday. I pray that it continues to be free. I plan to use this site to create beautifully designed posters for my classroom, and I may use it for my blog as well.

It was motivating to talk to other like minded teachers, librarians and tech specialists. Sometimes it feels overwhelming because there are so many great tools out there. I know to start with my learning objectives for students and then match that with tools that will enhance learning and sharing of that learning. Can't wait to go to another EdCamp!

R.I.P. Teacher Desk

This week, I visited my classroom for a short bit to empty my desk so that the custodian can move it out of my room. I have been thinking about doing this for a while, but some helpful teachers on Twitter helped me successfully make the paradigm shift that was necessary.

As I started emptying the drawers, I began to panic a little. Where will I put all my supplies, files, and other materials that have always been in my desk? I quickly realized that communal supplies means I will add my markers, pens, etc. to the class supply. I have a few file containers/crates for the few files I still have. The past few years I have mostly used online resources and have minimal teacher files. The panic subsided and I became very excited for the change. It was a load off my back. I really don't need this monstrous, archaic piece of furniture.

I already have an area in the front of the room for my mini lesson chart pads and materials. I ordered these cool organizers that hang from the whiteboard tray, and I have a pencil pouch in one with my dry erase and chart markers. I also use these trays to organize assignments for the week. No need for a desk!

No desk means more room for students to work, which is the main reason I am doing this. Also, if I expect the students to be on board with not having their own desks, I should model that it isn't necessary. 

Teachers I have corresponded with on Twitter say they got rid of their desks and never looked back. They love it! First step for transforming my classroom is done.

More Space for Our Space!

Every year, around this time, I begin the process of rethinking my classroom space. What worked for my class last year? What was challenging for my students? At the end of the school year, each student filled out a survey about how the year went. There were a few questions about the space itself and it was very enlightening.

First of all, they all loved the carpet remnants instead of one large carpet. These carpet remnants have finished edges and were collected from Building 19 or Ocean State Job Lot. My sister in law gave me a few as well. Students mentioned that they loved the chance to work anywhere around the room with them. My reasoning in getting these was to keep my space flexible. I see one large carpet as very limiting. This is probably because I do not have a designer’s eye at all. When it is time for mini lessons, the students grab the carpets and come to the SMARTBoard or easel pad in the front of the room. Students worked together multiple times a day to arrange these carpets around the room to facilitate their learning and they really took ownership of the space. This was not wasted time because the students were more focused once in these self-selected spots.

Another piece of feedback that showed up on many of the surveys was the fact that it still felt crowded in the room. Students wrote about their desks/chairs being too close to each other sometimes, and the fact that a few people during the year had bumped into the bookshelf that is in the back of the room. The placement of furniture had been a class decision, but we just had such limited space; there were still issues. Many also shared that they wished the library area was bigger.

The last important feedback I received regarding classroom space was that they loved being in one spot for mini lessons and then moving elsewhere in the room to do partner/group work or independent work. Kids know what they need and found they were more productive with a little movement within the learning block. Thank you, brain research!

So, what is my plan? Simply put, create more space for my space! Thanks to my students’ feedback and some very helpful educators on Twitter, I have some concrete steps to take this summer to create a better learning environment for my class:

1. I am going to get rid of my teacher desk. This will not only allow for more space, but it will model that we don’t need our own personal desk at school.

2. Bazinga! Kids will not have their own desks. We already have communal supplies. In addition, I have purchased bins for students’ journals, Math workbooks, etc. In the past, each homeroom student had their own desk and then the other two fifth grade classes came in for writing in my room. There were multiple complaints a week of missing supplies from kids’ desks. Not anymore. Kids have a three ring pencil pouch in their binder for the other two classes outside of my room. When they are in my room, I think they will use the communal supplies mostly. Along with not complaining about missing supplies, this plan will allow for desks to be moved around easily since they will be SO lightweight. The placement of desks will now be as flexible as the use of the carpet remnants. Side note: On the first day of school, fifth graders are nervous and want to know where they are sitting. Temporary name tag tents will be on the desks to ease the transition to this new kind of classroom environment.

3. Now my homeroom class will be able to work together to figure out how we can make the library area larger. This plan allows for students to have a big say in where things will go in the room to make their learning successful.

There are so many other space changes that will be made this year, and I will share them in this blog as they arise. I am still trying to figure out how to handle the materials that the other two classes bring in. Do they put their materials on the floor under the desk like last year? They will learn quickly to bring only what they need. There are issues that I haven’t even thought of yet, but I know my students will think of more creative solutions than I ever could. Wish us luck!!

A Summer Day at the Scholastic Book Summit

Independent reading, book talks and book talk clubs, parent involvement and classroom libraries. All topics discussed  at the Scholastic Book Summit in Norwood, MA yesterday. I want to share my "action items" from this learning experience.

Classroom Library

I have used Scholastic Book Clubs to build my classroom library since I started teaching in 1991. In addition, the bonus points have earned three round book displays seen below on the table. The kids love turning and looking through the selection and many try to help organize it into genres (see little signs on sections). It never lasts! :-)

At this summit, especially in Mike Weaver's session, I saw the big picture of every classroom needing a vast classroom library of at least 1,500 books of different levels, genres, etc. Yes, the school library needs money budgeted to buy new books, but so does every classroom teacher. What can I do to help promote this important philosophy? I will start a discussion with my principal and share what Mike Weaver has done at his school. Talking with our library media specialist will also be a goal.

Book Talk Clubs

Since independent reading is so important, I want students reading for fun and loving the process. I save the reading responses and strategies teaching for guided reading. Once introduced to book talks each year, some students volunteer to hold a book talk for a book they truly love. 

I enthusiastically attended the book talk club session yesterday. Led by the energetic, creative Alice Ozmo, this session was priceless. 

My take away is that I want to hold a book talk club during my reading block instead of after school. All volunteer and very exciting with filming included!

My instinct is that more kids in class will join when they see what we are doing.

Students read their independent reading books; the focus is on choice! Then they write book talks and peer edit, etc. Getting filmed is the highlight. I have a drama background and a local t.v. station willing to loan me a camera and an iMac for editing! This should generate excitement for independent reading.

Parent Involvement

Research supports parents reading aloud to their children daily from birth to college. Even when a child can read independently, the time together to read aloud and have discussions is invaluable. I will share this information with parents early in the year and share articles and books in this area. Jim Trelease is always a great reference!

Anna Lee, from Scholastic, shared four important points:

1. Encourage read aloud at home, birth to college!

2. Make sure every child has a library card and knows how to get there!

3. Just right books!

4. Believe in the power of the parent!