Technology Goals for a New Year....Is there a App for that?

You can hear the gasp from teachers across America (or let's be honest it is TOTALLY a cringe) when the school supplies surface on those Wal-Mart shelves.  It is THAT time again..... school.  And with most beginnings it is normal to reflect.  With a year (as a coach) under my belt, I have much to do differently and improve upon.  And one area for that growth is with technology.  I love technology!  I mean I no longer have to fill those seconds at the red light with thoughts or ask people what they ate last night for dinner---thanks Facebook.  I can create a life where I eat wonderful food, exercise, have a perfect house and wear amazing clothes--thanks Pinterest.  Wait, I just saw a tweet that you are suppose to actually DO the stuff you pin.  AS IF!  Maybe I am not using technology "correctly."  Or perhaps my "correctly" needs to be refined.

Far too often teachers (myself included) view using technology as a way to substitute their former assignments.  It may shock you but using Microsoft Word to type notes rather than writing them on paper is not infusing technology.  It is a start but it won't bring a deeper level of learning that technology has the power to do.  As I type this, my eight year old is writing her own blog (she asked).  She is reflecting on her life and is eager for feedback from others.  This is the way of their life.  The students in our classrooms are waiting for us to catch up to THEM!

It is my goal this year that as I work with teachers I will challenge them to engage learners with technology to deeper the knowledge and give it a hook on which to hang.  Using applications in a way that provides relevance and interest will allow our students a large concept on which to attach to hang the details of our class.  This is what makes information important to our kids.  This is what makes information stick in their brains.

Along the way, I will need to remember that teachers are in different cars along the information highway.  Some are Porsche roadsters and some are sitting on the side (with hazards on) and my support of them needs to represent this.  I am excited about this year and continuing to work with teachers to create engaging, exciting opportunities for our students to think, to reflect, and to deepen their learning.  

Well, I am off to lurk a message board on True Detective.... until next time.

Kelly

What are People Saying About YOU?

Today I attended a training on "Branding Yourself as a Digital Leader" and it was really insightful.  I hadn't really given much thought to myself as a "brand" other than "super mom, perfect wife, etc."  In my professional life, I thought my work ethnic spoke for itself.  But does it?    After today, I definitely think not!  As leaders, whether it be in one classroom or the entire campus how others perceive you is key to whether you are successful in your role.  As an instructional coach if others do not find me helpful, trustworthy or useful--then am I?  My intention is not really that important at that point.  

The task of marketing yourself can be intimidating, or worse-- what if others do not find me to hold up to what I am selling.  However, if you are walking the walk AND talking the talk people will get behind your brand not because you said it.  They will get behind you because you live it.  Your brand will be the image in which people conjure when they think of you and what you bring to the table.  It will take time, work and integrity but those things really should be a part of your brand anyway.  

Until next month....

Kelly James

Solution Finder, Doer & Thinker

Using Stations in the Secondary Classroom

In secondary, stations are things you watch on television and centers are where you shop! Plain. And. Simple.  However, I was recently working with a teacher who said I want to do some stations in my class.  She wanted hands on activities that covered numerous topics.  I said "Let's do it."  We set about creating stations for test review (which is a perfect place to start).  Beware--it will take some time the first go around for prep.  However, once you have the routine it will be so easy in the future.
Here is how we go the ball rolling....
1. Brainstorm what concepts you want covered
2. Research hands on and out the box activities for those concepts.  There are already great resources just WAITING for you!!  Check out some ideas here.
3. Create a document that guides students and provides accountability.
4. Create a flow map and directions for each station.  Collaborate with a teaching partner to work out kinks.
5. Double check to make sure you are ready and prepare your students for the experience.
6. Go find success and reflect on changes for next time.

If you think about it, learning stations and centers are EXACTLY what we should we doing.  We are often encouraged to have students moving around, engaged in small group activities that provide hands on learning.  Sounds perfect, right?  Then why do secondary teachers shy away from doing center in class?   I think it is the idea that stations are "too elementary."  Isn't good teaching good teaching?

Until next month....

Say whatttttttttttttttttt....You don't like to read?????

Today I was working with a teacher and overheard a student say "They didn't like to read."  The teacher said you have not found the right story.  We looked at each other and commented how we loved toread.  I read all the time.  I have always enjoyed reading and am thrilled Diva is picking up the habit.  She is a Magic Tree House fool.  I remember going to the library as a child and getting as many books as could be checked out.  My parents read, as do my siblings.  Reading is my major source of relaxation and I look forward to my monthly book club meeting.

It saddens me when kids say they don't like to read or worse....I will just watch the movie.  Yeah, that is totally the same!!!  The info graphic linked below shows some real life impacts of literacy.   In today's world, literacy is like the key to the kingdom.  Your options are so limited if you are unable to read and comprehend the written word.  This graphic shows ways to motivate hesitate readers and even recommends apps that can help.

If you know someone, especially a child, who does not enjoy reading PLEASE encourage them to seek out their interest in books or read to them your favorite book to foster that love.  And it occurred to me as I was writing this I was hearing the theme song to PBS's Reading Rainbow in my head.

Reading Matters Infographic

Resolutions--a blessing or a curse?

Hello and Happy Year,

Don't you just love the New Year.  It brings such promise and everyone is aspiring to be their self version of themselves.  That last until....well, sweet little girls are selling cookies.  Diva is a Brownie so I know!   Why do we  repeatedly make resolutions we can not or will not keep?

The classroom is no different.  We vow to change our ways each year and yet fall prey to the old habits.  This year I encourage you to break free of those practices that trip you up and cause frustration and chaos in the classroom.  Linked below is a PDF study guide for the book, The Power of Habit.  The chapters are summarized and activities follow to help you achieve a true shift in your habits.  Growth is a risk but so worth it for the reward of new insight and change.

Make 2015 the year you clean house of those things that hold you back as an educator.  We can ALL find areas of improvement and aspects of our professional life that need growth.  Seek out a book study, podcast or find a mentor to help make this year the best one yet!

Until next month....

The Power of Habit Study Guide

If you can't reach them, you can't teach them!

Another coach friend and I were talking about teacher success and the role relationship plays in that.  She said "if you can't reach them you can't teach them." I don't know if she came up with that herself but let's pretend she did.  (I like to surround myself with smart people). This quote is so spot on.  I have said it before and I will say it again- relationship is the key to a teachers success.

As educators, we must make the effort to know our kids.  Showing children they matter and are valued installs in them the respect and importance people desire.  In turn, kids will perform and comply with your classroom rules, behaviors and do the work harder and better.  

In my coaching role, I go in many classrooms and it is evident, almost immediately, what teachers possess this relationship with their students and those they don't.   The teachers who are successful in this have well managed classrooms in which you would like to stay.  The others....where is the door? 

If this is an area in which you struggle, begin now to correct this issue!  It is never too late.  It won't be easy but so worth it to make changes toward getting to know your kids and letting them know you.  I know you will find the effort worth while on the other side.  If you aren't sure where to begin ask a co-worker who has found success in this area or ask a coach to come and make suggestions and model for you.  Use trial and error but just try! 

Until next month..... 

Change? Ain't Nobody Got Time for THAT!

"Be brave enough to start a conversation that matter." --Dau Voire

During our weekly edchat (Check it out Wednesday @ 4 pm #cisdedchat) the topic was the changing landscape of education.  We all discussed the differences from when we were children and our predictions for the classroom of the future.    Just in the course of my teaching career, technology has completely altered the way I teach.  When I first began I used an overhead projector.  Did you also?  Did you know that technology was created in 1930!  I was using it in 2006.  There are no overhead projectors in our classrooms now.  Our district is very forward thinking in regard to technology and we are equipped with 1:1 in grade seventh through twelfth.  Lower grades have multiple methods of engaging students with technology.  How quickly things have changed.  

My daughter independently takes an AR test on an iPad and the results go to the teacher.  If a student wants to research an earthquake in Japan they can Skype a person there or watch real time videos or even view an interactive model of the quake.  A drama student can project on a green screen and change the scenery without a hammer, nail or wood.  Needless to say--those things cannot be done with an overhead.  As educators, we simply cannot afford to use thinking (or equipment) to engage kids that worked in 1930 or even 2006 for that matter.  Our world is different and kids are different.  They learn differently than we did and have more options to guide that learning.  The opportunities we miss when we are reluctant to change can be devastating to the children in our classrooms.  

Change is difficult but not more than failure.  Break down the walls of your classrooms.  Be open to what possibilities are out there to engage the ever changing mind of the 21st century learner.  The ride might be bumpy but be brave enough to stay on and forge ahead.