Make it An Adventure!

  

During our PLC meeting on Friday, we were able to meet with Jason Schrage.  He had a trail mix of all sorts of ideas, tools, and successful strategies to share with us that he's implemented into his 8th grade social studies classroom at Horseheads Middle School.   His tech point-of-view involves... Hands-on experiences -> reflect and share - mix in tech components + so much more! In other words, get outside and do something.  Then come back to the classroom to reflect and share.  The sharing aspect would be where the technology comes into the equation. 

Since he knew we were focusing on Skype connections this year, he recommended using Read Across America as he and his wife had done to celebrate the day!  How can you connect your readers on March 2nd?  Next year, be sure to check out Read Across the Planet.  His class also participated in Reading for the Record on Twitter last year to see how many could participate in reading the same book.

Face to face conversations are essential, but to take it further through hands-on projects.  Often says to his students - Here's your goal, here's a flip cam, do it.  Excited and nervous students get to approach a fun project with a major creative component.  Mr. Schrage wants to make his student's learning "sticky"! 

Lego Project - part of Industrial Industry Unit - assembly line/race - hands-on element to take concept further

WWII - Teach-In Day /Wiki - community involvement - teams of students interview w/ snowball mic and cameras

VoiceThread - Study Task - PLN added tips and tricks to the students, rest was to guide in test prep

Skype/Remote Response/IWB - old multiple-choice state test ?s/competition format w/ another class

Perfect Quiz - Toolbox Pro - take a quiz unlimited # of times - perfect practice

Compass Course - flag markers w/ numbers and content-based questions/clues

Gaggle - Filtered email

StudyBoost - using IM and text messaging to study

So, get up and get moving, keep your objective in sight, guide your students through content with alternative gear, grab your backpack of tech tools, get creative, and embark on the hike!

A Close-Knit Classroom

Last month, our PLC team was able to learn from Andrew Kauffman, a third grade teacher and technology in education explorer from Indiana.  He shared with us some of the projects and initiatives that have proved to be successful.  Mr. Kauffman's classroom is a caring environment mixed with innovative strategies where kids love to learn. 

First, he explained how his students have used Marzano's approah with VoiceThread to have a conversation about what a word really means.  They use the tech tool to create a definition.  Andrew also explained how it could be done in reverse with student-created pictures and play guess the word and have a reason to back up your guess. 

Brain Pop has become the basis for classroom discussions, as the videos can be paused and turned into conversation starters.  The supplemental activites are wonderful and as he put it, "cement the learning" more. 

Andrew's one reading group is designing a comic strip and writing the script to correspond with a book they've read.  They've been able to contact the author and will be sending it to him.  What a neat way to get kids excited about reading! 

This year he's been able to create a caring classroom environment through knitting.  His class started a kidblog and have been learning from a local store owner.  According to Mr. Kauffman, "They have done amazing things in terms of relationships and students helping students, it's built a classroom community that is quite a bit stronger."

Another resource he recommended was utilizing PBS's free teacher resources.  The video clips and lessons have alligned with the standards that his district follows.

Thank you Mr. Kauffman for inspiring us to go beyond the tech and create connections withing the classroom through numerous ways!
 

How do you create a close-knit classroom where students are excited to learn?