Classroom Set Up-part 1

It's that time of year again....setting up the classroom! This is my first official time setting up a classroom that is MINE!! YES! IT'S ALLLL MINE!! I finally got a permanent job. I'll be teaching 4th and 5th grade science along with 5th grade language arts to my homeroom students at a Catholic school near to home. I've been going in at least 2 times a week since the end of July to figure things out. The room I inherited has LOTS of things in it, so I've spent most of my time in the room trying to organize it, and see exactly what I have.  Here are just a few pictures from my set up. My video and more pictures will be up by the beginning of September when it is FINALLY done!

Post of the Month-April-Professional Development

My most powerful source of ongoing PD is TWITTER! I know it seems like EVERYONE says Twitter is their go to PD place, but it really is an AWESOME resource for educators. Through Twitter I have grown in AWESOME ways within the past year and a half. I have met many new educators whom I've added into my PLN, I've found new conference opportunities, and I've become an executive board member of an AWESOME professional organization.

I will continue to promote Twitter to other educators until I am blue in the face. I can only imagine what Twitter will help me accomplish in the future.

Post of the Month-March-Educational Videos

The easiest way I've incorporated videos into my teaching, is through song. Huh? Well, let me explain.

During my 2 months as a "long term sub" for 6th grade science this school year, I found a youtube channel that produces educational songs--parodies of popular songs which include science related information. Mr.Parr's songs got my students engaged. By the end of a week, we ALL knew the words to the Moon Phases song, and understood why the lyrics were what they were. Check out that song below.

When we, as teachers, can find interesting and engaging videos for our students, they can enhance our learning experience. If only I could find some good songs on Ancient China....

Post of the Month-February-Creating a School Culture

       As a new teacher/substitute teacher, it's hard to create your own classroom culture, when your classroom changes every day. Most schools that I have been in portray a positive culture. Most classrooms are also positive. The one thing that has bothered me as a substitute teacher, is seeing teachers in the teacher's lounge, and seeing negative energy. Sometimes they are not welcoming to the new subs, and sometimes it is just hard to fit in. Other times, teachers are wonderful in making sure substitutes are welcomed into the culture of the school. 

       As a new teacher, I help contribute to the culture of the school by displaying a positive attitude in everything I do. From saying hello to janitorial staff to being enthusiastic about the learning the students are doing, every little thing helps. We change the culture by continuing to be positive and work towards the mission of the school. 

       I help foster a community of growth and learning in any classroom I am in by showing students that I am continuously learning too. I am always reading, writing, or looking into furthering my education. I help promote learning by being a learner. This is one of the few things I hope to bring into my own classroom. 

30 Goals Challenge- Goal 1

I found, through some of my PLN, this great challenge. Shelly Sanchez Terrell is the creator of this teacher/educator driven community. Below is her post on Goal 1. Here is my 321 Introduction.


Goal 1: Prepare for the Journey

Originally posted by Shelly Sanchez Terrell at TeacherRebootCamp.com

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” ~ Eugene F. Ware

Welcome! This year the 30 Goals Challenge for Educators, Cycle 5: Make a Difference, is on a world tour and visiting participant blogs from all over the globe. They are acting as our Inspire Leaders and helping us become better educators by challenging us to accomplish short-term goals. Choose 1 to 30 of the goals to accomplish by December 31st, 2014. Read more about the world trip here. If you’d like to be one of our stops, please fill out this form.

Goal 1: Prepare for the Journey

The first goal is to Prepare for the Journey. To accomplish this goal-

• reflect on your teaching in 2013 and share at least one accomplishment
• introduce yourself to the 30 Goals community
• make a connection with at least one person in the 30 Goals community

Some ideas on how to accomplish this goal: Try doing a 321 introduction, in which you list:

• 3 things we should know about you
• 2 goals you’d like to accomplish this year
• 1 achievement you are proud of from 2013

You can do this as a short video, poster, slideshow, comic, or podcast. You choose the tool. Here are 50 tools listed in a word cloud by Janet Bianchini. You can find many in my Symbaloo of digital storytelling tools. A few recommendations include Animoto, Smore, Buncee, Pic-Collage, MakeBeliefsComix, Tellagami,Fotobabble, and Powtoons. Here are many 321s from the participants of the Crafting Your Ebook EVO session. This activity is an idea I learned from Nicky Hockly. Feel free to post your 321 in the 30 Goals community or on this map,30goals.com/participantmap 

Post of the Month- January- Feedback

Feedback is the topic for January for the #blogamonth challenge. As a New Teacher (NT)/ Pre-Service Teacher (PST) and Substitute Teacher, I don't always receive constant feedback from my administrators. Very rarely, when I have been on an interview, do I receive feedback from those who have interviewed me. Feedback, as a NT, PST, and sub, is SO important. How am I going to land my first job, if I do not know where I "went wrong" in my last interview, or where my true weakness is when I am teaching? 

As a teacher, our students also need to receive feedback on their learning. This feedback comes, most easily, when we return assignments-homework that was collected, a project, a quiz or test. It can also come in our daily interactions with our students. If I saw one of the students I subbed for start to slip in their grades, I confronted the student. I would ask if they felt they needed extra help in that particular lesson, or if there were things going on at home. I would also send one grade reports, prior to progress reports or report cards. Not every family is going to have a computer with internet access, or they will not always sign up for the "parent portal", so sending the grades home is my way of trying to convey to parents, and students, how they are doing in my class. Emails, phone calls, and notes home are also good ways to give feedback to students. 

Feedback does not always have to be "negative". Positive feedback is more effective. I loved, during student teaching, when my 2nd graders would be able to move their clip up, especially if it was a student who rarely showed a specific behavior. As a teacher, I respond better to positive feedback than negative, however, I have gotten a lot better at accepting and listening to constructive criticism. 

During the rest of this academic school year, I am going to try my hardest to reflect more on my own practice to see if I can help myself improve. I will also not be afraid to ask others for guidance. My PLN grows more every day, and I know they are ready to help me when I need it. 

PLN Blogging Challenge-1

One night while I was participating in the #njed Twitter chat, I came upon some other educators discussing blogging, and the challenges of getting into a regular blogging routine. Somehow someone decided to make it a challenge to blog once a month. They created a Google doc to keep track of all of the names and links to the blogs, so we can keep each other accountable. I signed up and now here I am, blogging. 

I was nominated, by Drew, for this wonderful idea of blogging along with other educators who want to share their ideas and collaborate with each other. Here are the rules of the challenge:

The PLN blogging Challenge:

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4. List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love!
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you.)

11 Random Facts About Me

1. I have been to China twice to teach English to students at a Martial Arts School. I went in June-July of 2006 and 2007. It was a WONDERFUL experience. I hope that the "little brother" I had there has had a wonderful time growing into a young adult and that he has a good life.
   
2. I am certified with my CEAS in NJ for Elementary Education AND all 4 core Middle School subject areas. I only had to retake one praxis.
   
3. I love attending Professional Development workshops. It helps me see where I want to be in my career, and helps me understand the challenges and great things going on in the education field.
   
4. I am addicted to Vera Bradley bags and Alex and Ani bracelets. I have too many bags to count, and currently have 7 different bangles that I wear.
   
5. I love reading, preferably fiction books. I still enjoy reading "teeny bop" books, as they are quick reads.
   
6. I have started a good collection of books on anything education related- pedagogy, techniques, etc.
   
7. I love taking pictures and one day hope to be able to take good quality portraits.
   
8. I started teach Sunday School at my church and love the munchkins that come.
   
9. I am attempting to plan an education conference for New Teachers and one for Pre-Service Teachers with an awesome organization (NJASCD).
   
10. Within 2013 I not only got more involved with Twitter, but I started participating in Twitter chats to grow my PLN.
    
11. My favorite holiday is Christmas. 

Questions from Drew

1. What is your favorite movie of all time?
   I enjoy watching  A LOT of movies, but I guess my all time favorite is The Wizard of Oz.
   
2. If you could go to have attended any concert anytime in history, what would it have been?
   I guess it would have been cool to attend the concert that support Sandy relief in 2012.
   
3. What do you do for fun?  Hobby?
   I enjoy reading fiction books. I enjoy looking up different ways to help improve my teaching skills. I enjoy PD events. Those are all fun for me. I also enjoy watching movies. A hobby I have is doing various arts and crafts projects.
4. What two guests would make the best comedic pair as co-hosts for the Oscars?
   I am always bad at this part because I feel like I never know any comedians. I guess maybe Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy might be a nice duo because they did well in their movie together. 
5. Cat, Dog or Goldfish? Why…
   I have never had a cat or a dog because we thought I was allergic to them when I was little. My brother did have a fish. I want a dog though, in the next 10 years. 
6. How do you caffeinate?
   Depends on the coffee shop. Mostly its a Caramel latte (hot or iced) or a Caramel macchiatto. 
7. Favorite twitter chat?
   #njed, #ntchat, #satchat (I couldn't pick just one)
8. Best place you ever vacationed?
   Disney World. 
9. Best book you’ve read in 2013?
   I read several books in 2013 but I guess my favorite was Teach Like a Champion. 
10. Favorite television shows?
    So many!! Some are still on the air and others aren't. Grey's Anatomy, Tomorrow People, Arrow, How I Met Your Mother, FRIENDS, Teen Wolf, The Walking Dead, NCIS, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, That 70's Show, etc.
11. What is one thing you never/rarely share that you are exceptionally proud of?
    I guess it is the fact that I went to China to teach English. I speak of it from time to time, but I am extremely proud of it. I am also extremely proud that I was able to pass the middle school praxis tests for 4 different subject areas. 

Now it is my turn to nominate some bloggers:
I will put some of the fellow bloggers from the #blogamonth challenge. Feel free to join the challenge here http://blogamonth.weebly.com/.

Finally, according to the rules, it’s my turn to ask 11 questions of my nominees:

1. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? 

2. What made you decide to go into education?

3. Who was your favorite teacher and why?

4. What drew you to the school you work in now? 

5. Why do you blog? 

6. What is your favorite Twitter chat?

7. What is your favorite holiday? 

8. Where would you like to go, if you could go anywhere in the world?

9. What is biggest challenge you've ever overcome? 

10. What is one goal you have for 2014?

11. What is your favorite color?