The Great Thing About Seniors

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for the Slice of Life with Ruth and Stacey!

We met with our homerooms on Friday for a short time. One of those days where information needs to be handed out and gathered. Homeroom tends to be the easiest way to do that. In our district, you start with a homeroom when they enter as freshmen and keep them until they graduate. It's easy to build relationships with them this way. This year, my kids are seniors.

It didn't take long for me to take care of business and there was quite a bit of time left before they could move on to the assembly. As freshmen and sophomores---maybe even juniors, they would have whined about this, tried to sneak off, or some would have gotten downright belligerent. 

But as Seniors, all they wanted to know was if they could hang out outside my room in the little space where I keep my comfy chairs. So that's what they did. Hung out. And laughed. And sang along to youtube videos. And laughed some more. "You know you'll miss us Mrs. Day," they kept telling me. 

And I will miss them. Because next year, I will have freshmen again....

And, yes. This is a senior boy.

Thoughts on Lesson Planning in a 1:1 Classroom

It's been a busy week. I intended to write a few blog posts about setting up my classroom, the first five days plan, a summer recap, etc. But my learning got in the way.

Last Monday and Tuesday were my PD days. Our district has gone 1:1 this year, and every student from kindergarten through 12th grade has access to a learning device. Kindergarten through sixth grade all have an ipad that they leave in the classroom. Seventh grade through twelfth grade have MacBook Airs. It's a massive undertaking. We are the first district in the state of Iowa to be 1: K-12.

During those two days we learned imovie, GarageBand, Safari tricks, screen captures, and put together projects. My brain hurt each day when I went home. I was more tired than I thought possible. But boy, did the ideas start coming!

Even though I have always had access to technology, knowing that each of my students has that laptop at their disposal truly changes the way I am thinking about my lessons as I design them.  And flipping my writing class, well, it certainly makes that easier.

I've started my website for Creative Writing if you want to take a look. It's in the early stages and I will add content as we work through the units. 

But as I have worked on each day's lessons, I have to think, "Will technology make this lesson better? Will it increase my students understanding of  the material? Am I just throwing in a tech component for no reason?" I don't want to use the tech for tech's sake. I want it to really enhance the learning in my classroom. My mantra has become, "Tech is the delivery tool."

But here are some things we will be doing:

English 9 students are setting up blogs this week and will be blogging and sharing with several districts in western Iowa to start off the school year. I had freshmen blogging during second semester last year and I have to say, I saw their writing improve. I would post a topic on Sundays and they had a week to write the post and publish it. I'll probably continue that schedule this year.

Students will also love the fact that their 3 inch thick textbook is online and they won't have to carry it around! But I will love that we'll be able to use the online components more this year since computer access won't be a problem. There are some great tutorials, videos and ideas online that I can't wait to use.

Creative Writing classes will set up digital portfolios this year (no more clumsy notebooks! Yea!). I was going to have them all use weebly.com for this, but ran across a blog post promoting choice of platform. I've decided to go with that. I give students choice in everything else, why not the platform for their portfolio?

Students will also share documents with me via Google Docs. I liked this last year because we could chat about their work as they were working, even from home. I'm going to add "Voice Comments" this year (a Google Chrome extension). I'm hoping that hearing me talk about their draft will make more sense as they revise and edit.

And of course, I'm flipping this class, so students will work more at their own pace. They'll have time to go back and rewatch videos explaining a genre. They'll be able to look at examples anytime they want. They'll have resources at their fingertips when they need a little help.

Speech and Drama will have their own tech moments, but probably not as much as the other two classes.  Speech students have always done radio broadcasts and TV commercials. These will remain part of our curriculum.  I'm thinking about having them read aloud children's books so we can share with the elementary. I know I'll have them record themselves practicing a speech so they can hear how they sound (and see how they look when we video record). I think hearing themselves before they present will help a lot of them get out of the "slacker boy" voice so common with high schoolers

Drama students will definitely record their performances. We may make a few videos also as we go through the semester. I'll have to keep thinking with this class, but I know there are lots of ways to integrate the tech!

The first few days of school have been amazing. I also have an Apple TV in my room, so I can project my computer screen right up onto the smart board during class. If a student has something to share, I give up control and the student can connect and share their screen. It's a little like watching an episode of Hawaii 5-0!  Kids have been great--not much off task behavior. They like that they always have their device with them. It's easy to keep track of assignments sinceI use Remind101 and Schoology.com
It will be interesting to see how the rest of the year progresses.

Stay tuned. I'm sure I'll write about it!

The Teacher Desk

In the past couple of weeks, I've seen a few tweets, talked to a few teachers, read a few blogs posts about people getting rid of their

 "TEACHER DESK"

Their principals were amazed. 

Their friends were flabbergasted. 

Their PLN applauded.

I got rid of my teacher desk years ago when I taught seventh grade. It made me feel powerful (for awhile). It made me feel superior (for even a shorter while). It didn't make a difference in my room. It didn't change the way I interacted with students. It didn't change how I arranged the rest of the room.

My desk is my space. It's my place to sit and work, or sit and rejuvenate, or just plain sit when there aren't students in my room. And sometimes, even when there are students in my room.

I get it. I understand the liberating feeling of getting rid of your desk and basking in the glory of a teacher deskless room. It puts you up in front of your students. It doesn't give you a place to hide. But I'll bet most of those teachers still have a place where they land during down time. And they have a place to put their STUFF, because we all need that.

Here's what really happens when you get rid of your desk.

You mix it up with your kids.  

Right there. In the middle of them. You interact.

That's what happens when you go deskless. 

It makes you think. 

There is no desk to sit between you and your kids. So you go out to them. And they come to you. 

And you talk together.

And you work together.

And you play together.

So, go ahead and get rid of your desk. And if, like me, you bring it back into your world, don't feel guilty. Even if it's in the FRONT of the room. It doesn't make you a bad teacher. Not if you have learned what its like to go deskless.

A Reminder

Here it is, almost August, and it seems wherever I look, there are reminders about school....

This past Saturday, my husband and I spent the day at his family reunion. He has four siblings and they all have kids and most of the kids have kids, so even though not everyone could make it, that's a lot of people.

And dogs, did I mention dogs?

Anyway,

Our youngest son was able to make it for awhile with his youngest son, Max. Max is two and a half and since he could move, he's been a climber.

Max loved the playground at the park. It was one of those all in ones with three slides, a bridge, ladders, and steps. Perfect for a boy who loves to climb. 

And of course, Max wanted to try everything the big kids did, quickly learning which things he could climb and which gave him "owies" when he fell ( three times!). The rope ladder seemed to be his favorite, although at first he needed a little support. So side by side they went up the ladder, as he watched what his cousin was doing. And don't all of us need a little support when we learn something new? Isn't it nice to have someone at our side to show us how to do something and encourage us as we go through the process?

The top step was a little long, especially the first few times, so a helping hand at the top was a great thing. I loved that the girls clapped and said, "Good job, Max!" when he got to the top. And we need that too, don't we? We need someone who appreciates our efforts and knows how hard we worked to learn that new thing.

Soon, Max was racing up that ladder all by himself. And then the prize for making it up the ladder....

The Twisty Slide! The end goal. The end must be worth the climb! Because who's going to put in all that effort in learning if the end result isn't worth it? 

So, as I begin planning lessons, I need to remember to give those new students lots of support as they start a new school year, and write and read alongside them to show them how it's done. I need to give them a helping hand when they need it and celebrate when they accomplish their goals. And, above all, it's got to be worth the effort!

Chloe Writes: I am a Rock-Star

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Slice of Life posts!

I'm pretty famous you know. Here at the lake I can't go anywhere without people wanting to talk to me and pet me. There are other dogs around, but I'm pretty much the favorite.

I love it.

Mom and Dad have been taking me with them this summer when they go visit our friends. I even get to stay for awhile!  Everyone says what a good dog I am. I could have told them that, of course, but I think they should figure it out for themselves. Mom sometimes wants to take me home, but they make her let me stay. It's kind of boring 'cause they just talk about golf and stuff, but at least I get to be outside.

One of my favorite things, though, is every week there are new kids to play with. Sometimes they get a little scared of me. I have to remember not to bark and not to jump. It's hard 'cause I'm just so excited to make new friends and see some old ones. There are some cute babies here this week, so I have to practice being really good and maybe they will get to come and pet me. I love babies, they smell so good....well, most of the time.

This week there are some old friends here too. They were pretty happy to see me Sunday night. Dad was taking me for a "walk and talk" (That's what Mom calls them. She says we don't get much walking done). All of sudden, my friends came running to us yelling, "Chloe! There's Chloe!" Dad was kind of surprised because he isn't here all the time, but he was OK with it and let them pet me for awhile.

Well, it's time for me and Mom to go for a walk. I hope we go past the beach today, so I can see my friends!

See you next time!

Love,
Chloe

It All Started With Fresh Peaches...

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Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Often, Sundays are pajama days.

But sometimes, impromptu get togethers happen...

Chloe jumped up, gave a couple of barks and wagged her butt (really. When she's really happy to see someone, her whole butt wags) and from behind the tree came our neighbor, Sam, carrying two big cantaloupes.

"I was out toolin' around with Coach. Found these at Pioneer Beach. They had peaches and corn too."

Peaches. Fresh Peaches. My husband's favorite.

"I may have to check those out," he things aloud.

We eat lunch. He disappears for a bit. When he comes back...

"Coach says those peaches are great. Really juicy. I think I'm going to go and get some. Want to come along?"

What the heck! I grab my purse and off we go.

But first I had to stop and tell a friend I wouldn't be down to her place for awhile.

We find her and others playing ladder golf and lazing around in the shade.

"We're going to buy peaches," we answer their unasked question. "Sam says there are some at Pioneer Beach. Wanna go along?" Kris loves peaches as much as Greg.
"Sure," she says.

"Bring me six," says Robin.

We wait for Kris to grab her purse, when I hear Robin, "Wait! I'm coming too."

The smell of peaches fill the air as we walk into the store. Heaven. And, as they begin to sort through the peaches, the talk about supper begins and it's decided that it's silly for all of to cook separately. And, oh, wouldn't these peaches go great with ice cream and, oh!

Sangria! (Here's the link for the recipe and the blog. While you check out the recipe, you should check the blog too. I love this one!)

And so plans and Sangria and peaches are readied for a night of friendship and fun. We talk, we eat, we watch sunset.

"I think this was my favorite day ever at the lake," Greg tells me as we get ready for bed.

Sundays at the lake....
laid back,
no-rules,
restful.
Time for friends

Notes from a Concert

Perfect spot. Right in front of the stage, a couple of feet back. Little kids in front of us. We are ready for  The Nadas, our traditional 4th of July weekend concert. I was ready for fun music, dancing and singing along with my husband and our friends, enjoying the end of a long week.

The crowd is rowdier than most years. As The Nadas take the stage, the area in front of the stage fills with groups of people. Many have obviously been overindulging in adult beverages, but they are behind us and shouldn't last long.

I didn't notice the young woman in the orange sundress standing a little to the left of us and leaning on the stage. Not at first anyway...

But soon, a couple of other young women joined her. Lots of squeals and hugs and they pushed their way in front of us (take your high school reunion to the back of the crowd). And with cute young women inevitably come several young men, who also pushed their way in front of us.

But there's a space beside them, so I take a couple of steps and move up (Don't get between me and The Nadas). My husband joins me and the others move behind us.

The music is awesome and fun and I just want to dance and sing along.

The girl in the orange dress leaves, but her high school reunion stays.

And they are really rather rude. They keep taking over. I keep adjusting.

The Amazon Girl who ended up in front of me is wildly dancing--and I do mean wildly. Arms swinging, backing up into us, dancing side to side ( there's an art to dancing in a large crowd. She obviously doesn't know how to dance in one spot). I begin to think she's just trying to get us to leave, that this dancing thing is a game.

I decide to play along (I've been going to concerts longer than you've been alive. Just try to get rid of me).

I side-step, edge forward and get on her left. She turns to look at me. She now decides on a new approach. We'll be friends...

"How long have you been a Nadas fan?"
"Oh, 10 or 12 years."
"WooHoo!" And she raises her hand for a high five.

Really. A high five.

I roll my eyes and give her what she wants.

A couple of more questions and more high fives. Each time I try to position myself in front of her.

"Here," she says as she pats the stage, "Here's a spot with your name on it."

Oh, don't be condescending with me. I teach high school. I can go toe to toe with your attitude.

"I 'm fine. I'm just trying to get out of your dancing zone. You keep stepping on my feet."

During this time, the guys have gone for more beer and chase down another girl, so we have some peace.

It doesn't last long.

The guy comes back. Hallalujah! He is now friends on Facebook with the girl's sister! (Note to drunk boy--friending her sister on Facebook doesn't mean love is in the air!)

She again pats the stage and tries to get me to move and I again assure her that I am just fine where I am as long as she doesn't stand in front of me.

I'm getting tired of the game. This could get ugly.

Luckily, it doesn't.

They leave. I dance and enjoy myself with my friends.