WT# is Twitter
Twitter. To some it is a big, scary word and to others it is a critical part of growing as an educator.
I have found Twitter to be an invaluable resource for my own growth as an educator. As a result, my students have benefited, my classroom has benefited and my school site has as well. I have had discussions with other educators on topics that we didn't agree on which caused to to do some serious reflection on my own practices as an educator. I had to ask myself, Why? Why was I doing what I was doing? Because it was always done that way? Because it was best for students? Why? I think this practice of engaging in conversation and then reflecting is vital to our practice as educators. The ability to connect with teachers around the world opens up an endless amount of possibilities for us as educators and for our students. At my own school site, I have seen another teacher (@MViTDiTeach) connect her class with other classes across the United States in a very visual way. Talk about creating meaningful learning experiences for students! In the book, Innovator's Mindset, by George Couros (@gcouros) states, "Today, isolation is a choice educators make." A choice?? Why would we choose this? If we are to be preparing our students for jobs that do not yet exist, how can we justify isolation? I don't think we can. Kids deserve more.
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The #youredustory blog topic for this week is to write about the top 5 things you love about teaching. There are many things I love about teaching, and I think my favorite parts evolve and change. So these are my "current" top 5 loves. 5. Makerspace: Our school recently re-launched our library as a combined library/Makerspace. All classes now have extended library time to allow students time to check out books and time to create. My students have truly loved this change. They ask me everyday if today is the day we go to library! Our librarian/media specialist has introduced them to Makey-Makey, Little Bits, circuits, insulated play dough, and more. Their vocabulary expands during each visit, truly amazing to see. Our Makerspace has a website, check it out! http://mvitmakerspace.weebly.com/ 4. Student Centered: As I have grown and evolved as an educator, I have learned that I spent many of my beginning years teaching relying on my ego. My reading, growth, and PLN have helped to soften that in myself. I have learned to let go of things that I once held fast to because it was in the best interest of my students. One of the student centered things that I started this year was Genius Hour. My students pick a topic each month that they want to learn about. They spend a week researching and reading, a week taking notes and thinking about how they want to teach, a week developing their presentation and then the last week they practice their presentation and then present! It has had its ups and downs and I realized they needed some more explicit direction due to their age, but overall it has been transformative to their speaking and listening. I had students who would barely talk above a whisper, now fully reading and presenting. Not only does it address CCSS, but it is a tremendous boost to their self-confidence. 3. Digital Portfolios: I have only recently started these, but am loving every second. I am working with students individually to set up their Blogger sites and so far it has gone well. My students especially love the comment feature and I am enjoying teaching them how to leave feedback. I love seeing how excited they look when they realize someone has left them a comment on their posts. Here is one example: http://andreslearning.blogspot.com/
2. My coworkers: I have been teaching at Mountain View for the last 7 years. Over the past year or so our staff has truly "owned" our school and has started a grassroots movement to evolve. We launched a Makerspace, teachers have moved to flexible seating classrooms, training for or passed the Google Certified Educator exam, and we aren't done. Our principal is working on a proposal for our school that would extend what our staff is already doing. I love watching our staff and our school evolve. You can expect future posts about that! 1. My students: They are why I teach. I love that I can help students to see school a different way when they arrive at my door. This is why I continue to learn, to read, to grow. I know I have not yet arrived and that I probably never will. My hope is that I continue to evolve as an educator to let go of things that are ritual or "just because" and to continue to move towards a classroom that puts students' needs first. Our school went under construction to come into compliance about one and half years ago. Last June I had to leave for the summer with my room boxed up and ready to move. I began this school year in a portable. After about a month I began counting the days until I could move back into my classroom. I want kids to learn. Not all kids learn the same way. Most kids when they arrive at my door have had unsuccessful school experiences and I make it my challenge to change their perspective on school. My students have long since been able to choose how they work, but it was limited to standing or sitting. I didn't know it at the time, but this was my first step into flexible seating. On Twitter one evening last November, I came across and EdSurge article written by Kayla Delzer on her classroom setup. (https://goo.gl/1Hrlrd) I read it. Then I read it again. I kept revisiting it until I knew I had to do something similar in my own classroom. I started researching and pricing out different seating options. I took inventory of what was already in my room that could be converted or repurposed. I also talked to my students about how they like to learn. What would be the point of a standing desk, if nobody preferred standing? I also talked to my principal who loved the idea and told me to follow my passion. In December I began ordering, moved back into my room and started set-up. Throughout January I rearranged and swapped out some things and I'm sure I will continue to do so, but it has transformed into a magnificent learning environment that my students are truly enjoying and benefitting from. Work Areas:Students have tested out all the areas, and are learning what seating works best for them. They also know that I reserve the right to change their seat if I can tell the seat is not benefitting their learning. It is fun to watch them develop learning to learn skills! But where do they keep their supplies?Each table work area has a caddy on it that contains pencils, erasers, crayons and glue sticks. For safety concerns we do not keep scissors out and accessible. The students have two areas where they keep their own materials. They have a fabric cubby that they keep silent reading books, projects, headphones, and other larger items. They also have a magazine holder and binder that they keep papers, math workbooks and writing journals in. SuppliesWhen I moved back into my room, I was one entire tall built-in cabinet short. It had been removed during bond work and wasn't coming back. I know other primary elementary teachers can relate, but one cabinet makes a huge difference! Due to this change I had to add some bookcases and have more supplies out then I would really like. This is a work in progress and will evolve I am sure. Since I teach K, 1, 2, and 3 I need have many resources at my disposal. Free ChoicePart of our behavioral program includes students taking free choice breaks. I used to do this in an open area and students could choose anything from the area. When I moved back into my room I decided to change that up to a more structured format for my younger students. I have three tables set up and each week I change the choices at the tables. Choices can include: Legos, trains, games, coding (Beebot, code.org, etc.), puzzles, play dough, etc. A few years ago my dad and I made crate seats and this is the seating that I am using at the three free choice tables. Let me know if you have any questions or would like pictures of anything else in my room. I would be happy to add to this post!
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Ventura County Teacher of the Year 2016.
On a journey: Special Ed Teacher, Mentor, EdTech Advocate, Book Nerd, Knitter, Risk Taker, LA Kings Fan, #Whole30 lover, #SVTChat, GCE Level 1, Daring Greatly Categories
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