Persistence

Persistence Reflection

This was the picture that I saw when I logged in to my assignments page and I thought to myself..."Oh, My...I have a feeling homework is going to be heavy this month if our vocabulary word is persistence!" Well, here are the questions that were asked for this particular assignment:
1) How you have been feeling the past two weeks and why - be as general or as specific as your comfort level
To be completely honest, I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed. With my plate being full- a wife, mother to 3, hockey season, housework (oh, the poor laundry!) report cards & conferences, and just teaching 5 & 6 year-olds! Not to mention Grad School homework and the anxiety of the upcoming Spring Conference...yikes! Needless to say, the weather has NOT been helping! I've been trying to weed out the things in my life that are unnecessary- like the little pebbles! I'm trying to focus my attention on the BIG BOULDERS!

2) How has reflecting upon “persistence” challenged your thinking
I've been trying to stay positive and keep reminding myself all the good that will come from all of my hard work! Soon I will be done with Grad School, summer will be here and I will appreciate all of the "Extra" time on my hands. I'm daydreaming of all of the fun that I will get to have with my family this summer and not feeling guilty for abandoning them because I have homework to do.

3) How has reflecting upon “persistence” broadened your thinking
It has helped me remain focused and it has also reminded me that I need to stop my negative self talk. I am proud of all of the hard work that I have put into myself and my teaching.

4) How has reflecting upon “persistence” improved (or not) your mental state and attitude to life in general
I have actually felt that the end is near and that I'm finally close to graduating! It has been a long year and a half and I now feel like I am better because of it! Not just a better teacher, but I am also better at making the most of my time. When I spend time with my family it is very focused on us being together...I am proud of that! I have learned how to juggle many tasks at once and feel like I've done a good job because I know in my heart that I gave it my all!

5) What have you learned from this two week process of “thinking about your thinking” (metacognition)?
That it takes TIME, for me anyway! Looking back at where I was to myself now I have learned a lot about ME! I've learned what type of learner and student I am. I am now able and more willing to be flexible when it comes to my students. I'm more open to having fun, playing and getting to know WHO my students really are!

Exploration of Haiku Deck

For class we were introduced to a new presentation platform.  It is called Haiku Deck.  Hiaku Deck is an online tool to help people create presentations.  While I was exploring this new technology tool I was thinking about ways that this could enhance student learning.  I'm not sure that it would be completely beneficial for my kindergarten students to create their own slides, however, I do see the benefits of using it as a teacher and for older students.  I think that any piece of technology will improve student levels of engagement and learning.  So, this is just another platform, almost a modified PowerPoint.  

In class I've been teaching my students about Reader's Workshop Strategies.  I created a Haiku Deck to review the strategies that I've taught thus far. Click Reading Strategies to see what I created.  It was a good way to review the strategies and my students seemed to be engaged.  I used it as a presentation tool (like PowerPoint.)  However, I wish that I could have figured out a way to put in pictures of our strategies without taking an actual picture.  I tried to upload an image but it didn't fit well, so I just choose some pictures that they suggested.  It was fun to learn that there is more out there and I would definitely use it if I taught older students or for professional presentations.  

January Glow & Grow

Glow:
For my current AR cycle I have been researching Learning Centers (I call them Stations).  I have had Stations in my room since I began teaching 9 years ago and each year have been trying to perfect the "craft".  I'm not quite sure if it's the group of kids that I have this year, or if it's all of the things that I've changed about my implementation, but they are going so AMAZING!  Anyway, before Christmas break I noticed that my students' handwriting was getting a little too "relaxed" (i.e. messy!) So, after they got back from break I opened up a new Handwriting Station.  At the Station I have an iPad where the kids have to practice correct letter formation through an app called Letter School, then they have a handwriting sheet to complete.  I have to say that it is going well as it has improved their handwriting tremendously!  I've also noticed that they are more often than not start at the top when writing their letters.  They seem motivated to complete the handwriting sheet more neatly after they have practiced correct letter formation on the iPad.  I just love technology...I'd love to hear how do you use the iPad in your classroom?

Grow:
Okay, so one of my favorite subjects for as long as I can remember has been Science.  A few years ago I purchased a piece of furniture that would serve as my "Science Station" and it contains a lot of interesting artifacts and what the kids like to call "fun stuff."  However, what I am finding difficult is periodically replenishing it with new resources.  My kids are totally engaged and discover and explore at the station, but sometimes it feels more like a "play" center...my question then is: Should it be just that...play (and discovery)???  Or, should I somehow have them provide some type of evidence to hold them accountable for their learning?

Marzano Summary

After reading Marzano's chapter entitled Instructional Strategies from his book What Works in Schools: Translating Research into Action,  we had an assignment to choose 3-5 strategies to implement into our teaching.  Below are 3 instructional strategies that I chose to implement :
1.  Setting objectives
       What I did:
Before beginning a new unit of study or a new topic/concept I was strategic in my explanation on why we were going to be learning what we were learning.  As a class we discussed and posted what we would be learning and why.  We made up a chart that we posted in our room and we were able to refer back to it often.  After awhile, the students were referring back to it on their own when
       Why I felt the need to implement it:
I think that it is important for the children to know why we need to learn.  I think that by setting objectives and talking about them first, it gives the students a goal or a purpose to learn.  Furthermore, by setting objectives I think that it helps them make connections to their own lives.
       How it went:
It was nice to have a "big idea" in mind throughout the lessons and I think that the children were able to clearly see an end goal (or objective) and make personal connections throughout the unit.
       Successes/Challenges:
We were able to have a big idea the whole time (success).
We referred back to it often (success).
It would be difficult to do this for everything that we are learning (challenge).
2.  Identifying Similarities & Differences (through Graphic Organizers)
        What I did:
While reading several versions of the classic tale The Gingerbread Boy, we created a Venn Diagram comparing the stories.  We used a graphic organizer (which Marzano notes gives students a 22% academic gain) to compare and contrast stories (which Marzano notes gives students a 45% academic gain.)   
        Why I felt the need to implement it:
According to Marzano, by identifying similarities and differences students can make a 45% gain in student achievement.   I decided to do this through the use of a graphic organizer to help students see connections between stories.
        How it went:
It was easier for the students to remember the characters in each story as well as making comparisons between the stories.  They referred back to them when they were retelling the stories in pairs.
        Successes/Challenges:
The students seemed to be able to make connections between the stories easier when we used a Venn Diagram. 
3.  Homework
        What I did: 
For kindergarten, there is not much homework assigned.  Our grade level however, sends home a generic homework packet with the students each week targeting the kindergarten curriculum in general.  To streamline the homework, I decided to make the homework packet reinforce the specific content that we had been working at in school during each week. 
        Why I felt the need to implement it:
After reading Marzano's chapter, it prompted me to take a closer look at homework.  According to Marzano, by assigning homework students can make a 28% gain in academics.  That was a huge number compared to all of the other suggested strategies. 
        How it went:
I figure out what I was going to teach each week and compiled a packet of activities/games/worksheets that corresponded with the content that I was planning on teaching.  I did not take any specific record keeping, but I did notice that their work at school was increasing in quality and content.
        Successes/Challenges:
Since I haven't been strict on homework coming back, I had a difficult time with enough students returning the packets.  I think that if I were to do this next year, I would make my intentions clear that I wanted the packet to be returned so I could see what families were actually doing the homework. 

Technology Implementation Refelction

One of our assignments for class this last semester was to integrate more technology into our teaching.  I choose to utilize the SMART Board and the iPad during our Literacy Work Station time. 
SMART Board~
Last spring I bought some interactive Cd's from Lakshore that help students practice specific kindergarten skills.  The SMART Board was a station that the kids could choose to work at with a partner or independently.  This worked well because I have been modeling how to use our classroom "baby" all year.  Like I stated in an earlier post, the kids were very on-task and engaged, not to mention motivated to use the SMART Board.  I think that they felt a sense of responsibility and ownership for their learning while at the SMART Board Station. I also enjoyed this time because I could easily monitor their work and could see the learning that was taking place.  Furthermore, I was still able to work with my small groups in the back of the room and there was little to no interruptions of my small group time from the children working at the SMART Board Station.
iPads~    
During this time, I also utilized my teacher iPad.  Originally, I wanted to use both of my iPads (my personal one and my teacher one) but since I was still collecting data on my personal iPad for my AR project, I only made one available to my students and they had to use it with a partner.  This worked well as I was able to teach the kids what games were available.  They were also very on-task and engaged while using the iPad.  I think that by making them share not only taught them how to share, but it also taught them how to problem solve.  When surveyed, the students were most excited to use the iPad during station time. 

December "Glow & Grow"

Glow:
Classroom community!  The particular group of kids that I have this year are AMAZING!!!  Not quite sure if it is because I just got lucky or if it is because of different strategies that I've implemented this year.  Either way, it's awesome!  This past summer I attended a 3 credit course in St. Cloud on Community Building and if you ever get the opportunity to take the course you will be glad you did (the facilitators name is Jerry Sparby-he's SO, SO, SO GOOD!) Anyway, I came away with a great set of community building activities & games that have been added to my tool box! Click HERE and feel free to use them for your class!


Grow:
An area where I feel like I could grow in, is Guided Reading.  I currently meet with my GR groups 2-3 times each week.  We meet for about 15 minutes and I get to 3-4 groups each day.  Lately, I have not been very motivated/excited for this time.  Usually we do some type of word work then we read our leveled readers.  I'd love for you to share ideas on how to make it more fun for the kids (and the teacher too!)
Tell me about your Guided Reading time?  
When do you begin?  
How long do your groups meet for?  
How often do you meet with your groups?
How do you choose the text for them to read?

Technology Reflection

What have you noticed about the students’ engagement?
Since integrating even more technology into my classroom, I have found that there is more student engagement and excitement.  During Work Station time the children have the opportunity to use the SMART Board to work on various literacy skills while I am in the back pulling children for small group instruction.  It has been working great.  For the most part, the children have been very on-task and engaged while at that particular station. 

How scary is it for you to implement something new?
This isn't something entirely new that I've implemented in my teaching.  However, it is new to this group of children and they seem to enjoy the responsibility very much.  The part that is the most scary is if something were to happen to the SMART Board, it is an expensive piece of technology and to give full control and responsibility to a 5 year old can be a bit scary.  I think that I've done enough pre-teaching and modeling on how to treat the board like a "baby", so my students are very careful around our classroom "Baby".  

What might you do differently next time to achieve better results? 
The only thing that I would change is to implement this earlier in the year. This particular group of kids is very responsible and they are doing a good job with learning from this piece of technology. It surely frees up some of my time so that I am able to pull small groups more often and for longer periods of time.