Are We Born to Teach??? (Student Choice)

I hear many people say that they always knew they would be a teacher.  For me, that is not the case.  However, I have known for a long time that teaching was something I was able to do well.    As a teenager I spent summers teaching VBS at our home church and on mission trips.  I also taught gymnastics classes and babysat on a regular basis.  Adults would always tell me that I worked well with children and compliment my ability to relate to them during class, but I still never had this urging desire to teach.  After I graduated high school, I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do. So, my first major was business, but then after some encouragement from my parents I changed it to education my sophomore year.  I always earned good grades in my practicums and would hear from professors that I had a natural ability to teach.  However, I did not fall in love with teaching until  my first year in the classroom.  So here is a question....
Are good teachers born or made, or is it both?  I am not sure I know the answer to this question, or maybe there is no answer.  However, I really do think that my daughter Macie was born to teach!  I am posting a funny video that I created about two years ago when she was 5.  What you see in this video is something I have watched her do since she was about three.  You can see from all of her "supplies" that she is already a hoarder of teaching materials....that's scary!!   Even now at the age of 7, she teaches her imaginary students on a daily basis.  I never question what goes on in her classroom because she not only imitates her teachers but disciplines and rewards the same children in her imaginary class that are disciplined and rewards each day in her regular class :)  While I think Macie was born to teach, you will also see that she has learned some good strategies from many fabulous teachers she has had in daycare, preschool, and at Legacy.

QR Codes...(Student Choice Blog)

A few months ago I blogged about using QR codes on my teaching blog, and I posted the following circles activity:
Parts of a Circle

Over the past few months I have seen activities developed by more and more teachers using these great little squares :)  I recently presented on this topic (Presentation PowerPoint Link) and wanted to share with you some great activities and projects out there waiting for you to utilize in your classroom.  Many of them are referenced in the PowerPoint file located above, but I will list a few more below.

In addition to the activities, the Power Point also gives information on how to create your own codes and activities.

Also, if you have any QR Code activities you would like to share, please feel free to link us to them in the comments on this page :)

Free QR Code Activities on TpT:
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/search?keyword=QR&seltype=0&seltype=4&pr=1

QR Code Pinterest Board (not mine):
http://pinterest.com/jnase1/qr-codes-lessons-and-activities/

50 Ways to Use QR Codes:
https://docs.google.com/present/edit?id=0AclS3lrlFkCIZGhuMnZjdjVfNzY1aHNkdzV4Y3I

Kathy Schrock:
http://www.schrockguide.net/qr-codes-in-the-classroom.html

Middle School Math:
http://middle-school-math-tech-enhance.wikispaces.com/QR+Code

How Can Technology Innovations Be Sustained in Schools?

I had to do some research on this topic in order to blog about it, and guess what I found...
an article entitled

How To Sustain Technology Innovation In The Classroom

The link to the article is below in case you want to read it for yourself.  In essence, the article lays out the critical areas for sustaining innovation.  They are:

• Get the support of key business partners for funding and get them to buy into your initiative by providing research to back up your plans.  (This next part is not from the article).  While securing business partners is ideal, I have found that this is not always easy.  Businesses are hit left and right for donations, and while many are willing to help there are usually many guidelines and limitations as to how they can help.  One of the best models I have seen for funding technology within a single school is the 10 for Technology Initiative at Legacy Elementary.  If you want to get people to "buy in" to your program, start with getting "buy in" from your parents and local community.  The 10 for Technology initiative is a letter writing campaign by the students.  Every child brings in 10 addressed and stamped envelopes for a letter writing day.  A form letter is put into each envelope along with a personal message from the child, a small token of appreciate  (school calendar with the child's picture), and a return envelop/card for the donation.   Students who do not bring in the envelope still participate by sending letters to area businesses and politicians.  As the donation cards are returned with personal messages written back to the students from the person donating, these are posted outside the classroom for everyone to see. There are also incentives for the students to return their addressed envelopes and a theme for the year.  This year every student received a small plastic football and was able to compete in a competition with the football for prizes.  There was also a faculty/parent flag football game for the whole school to enjoy.  Over the past several years, this initiative has funded laptops, projectors, Promethean Boards and iPads for the classrooms.  The goal for future money is to maintain the technology and add as needed.  Here is a video:   10 for Technology Letter Writing Day
• The next step is to provide professional development for the teachers.  (This next part is not from the article).   I commend schools and systems for putting technology in the classrooms, especially to the extent in which I have seen in many schools in our area.  However, I wish more teachers had opportunities for ongoing professional development in the technology they have in their classrooms.  An ideal situation would be for every school to have a technology coach to help teachers with technology integration, but this is not financially possible in most situations. Over the summer I researched a model for ongoing professional development, but this model was based on the use of a technology coach. I would love to find out how other schools and systems effectively integrate technology without a coach on site....maybe this can be my research topic.  
• Enable online collaboration tools.    (This next part is not from the article)   http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Collaborative+Tools
• Encourage students to use their own devices.  (This next part is not from the article)   Hmmm... I would definitely encourage the use of personal devices at home, but this isn't feasible for all schools and systems. 
• Set targets and report results, including standardized testing scores in core subjects and feedback from ALL stakeholders.    (This next part is not from the article)  While test scores are important, so is the feedback from EVERYONE!  If you was requesting donations, then input from those who donated should be considered.  

Article Link:  http://www.k12educationtechnology.com/2012/04/24/sustain-technology-innovation-classroom/

Best Practices in Technology Integration

The DoDea Mars grant has afforded my an awesome opportunity to see technology integration first hand.  Over the past year I have helped teachers learn how to integrate the use of mobi slates, student mobis, student response systems, iPads, iPods, and document cameras into their daily teaching of mathematics.  While I have helped them learn, there are several teachers who have taught me a great deal.  Michelle White at Monrovia Elementary is one of those teachers who isn't afraid on any technology you out in her hands.  She uses the student mobis for cooperative learning groups, letting them share their thoughts, ideas, and work with the devices.  She instantly gathers data about her students using the student response systems, and she uses the iPads daily in small group instruction.  In addition to effectively using her technology tools, she also keeps a blog for her students and parents to document their learning throughout the year. Her blog is definitely worth checking out...Michelle White's Blog  I love how she even has a Twitter Board on her door for her kids to leave "tweets." if you are looking to observe a teacher who uses maximizes the use of technology, I would highly recommend Ms. White!

Student Mobis

A few of you have asked me about student mobis, so I am posting a really great video of them in use in a classroom.  This YouTube video shows one way the mobis can be used in the classroom. In this video, all student are writing at the same time in one large area.  However, you can also change the settings so the screen is divided into sections and students are confined to a section as they write.  The student mobis (Mobi Learners) can be purchased wi a charging station in groups of three.  They are a great tool for the classroom. Student Mobi Video

(Choice Blog Entry)

Technology Integration (Student Choice)

Technology Integration

Technology Integration can provide many new opportunities in a classroom for teachers and students.     Whether it's iPads, slates, interactive boards, clickers, or just a basic computer, all of these tools can enhance the learning that takes place and make a teacher more effective and efficient in the classroom  However, these tools put into a classroom can also be a big waste of money if one simple thing is overlooked...ongoing professional development.  Sure, there are teachers who take the technology, do the research and learn how to integrate effectively on their own.  However, there is also a large number of teachers who do not use their technology to its fullest potential due to lack of knowledge that could come from ongoing professional development.  I commend schools and systems for putting technology in the classrooms, especially to the extent in which I have seen in many schools in our area.  However, I wish more teachers had opportunities for ongoing professional development in the technology they have in their classrooms.  An ideal situation would be for every school to have a technology coach to help teachers with technology integration, but this is not financially possible in most situations. Over the summer I researched a model for ongoing professional development, but this model was based on the use of a technology coach. I would love to find out how other schools and systems effectively integrate technology without a coach on site....maybe this can be my research topic.  

iPads and Math

Tonight on my other blog, I posted about apps you can use for math instruction.  My final document is a paid item on TpT, but of course you can have it for free :)  If you want it, just send me an email and I will send it to you!  Have a great week!

My Post from http://5thgradechalktalk.blogspot.com/

Hi Everyone,
Over the past year I have had several teachers ask me, "How can I use one iPad effectively in the classroom?" and "How can I use the iPads for more than just games?"

Since those questions seem to come up quite frequently, I have begun searching ways to use the iPads for more than just a glorified math practice sheet. How can the students use reference apps to apply mathematical knowledge to real world situations?

In my search for better app usage, I have come across four that are ideal for teaching and practicing place value concepts. This document includes 9 different tasks that students can explore in order to see how numbers exist the world around us. They will look at a population counter, baseball statistics, measurements on a map, and statistics from National Parks in the US.

The task cards in this packet focus on the following Common Core Standards:
4th Grade: 

• [4-NBT2] Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons. 
• [4-NBT3] Use place value understanding to round multi-digit whole numbers to any place. 
• [4-NBT4] Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm. 

5th Grade: 

• [5-NBT3 a & b] Read, write, and compare decimals to thousandths. a.)  Read and write decimals to thousandths using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form, e.g., 347.392 = 3 x 100 + 4 x 10 + 7 x 1 + 3 x (1/10) + 9 x (1/100) + 2 x (1/1000).  b.)  Compare two decimals to thousandths based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons. 
• [5-NBT4] Use place value understanding to round decimals to any place. 
• [5-NBT7] Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method, and explain the reasoning used. 

Here is the link to the document ($3.00) and to the free preview. The free preview gives you access to one task card, the app list, and the general instructions. http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/iPads-and-Math 

Blessings! Mrs. J 

Why I Want to Be an Administrator: Becoming an administrator is not something I have thought about much until the past couple of years. As I have become more involved in curriculum leadership through my position as a math coach at MXR and now with the MARS grant, I have become more interested in pursuing a position as an administrator. My passion is to improve the educational experience for children by helping teachers become more effective in the classroom. While I know that an administrators job is more than just curriculum, I do hope that I can one day be an administrator who works largely with curriculum.

Well...here is my first post for class :) I love to use blogs! I read blogs about my friends and family, teaching strategies, and hobbies. I also have a blog of my own where I post teaching resources I have created. My Blog: www.5thgradechalktalk.blogger.com My Favorite Teaching Blogs: http://mathcoachscorner.blogspot.com/ http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/ http://teachinginroom6.blogspot.com/ My Favorite Crafting Blogs: http://pinstrosity.blogspot.com/ This Blog is HILAIOUS...if you are a crafter. It is about people who try projects they find on Pinterest and the result is a catastrophy :)http://lifeasathrifter.blogspot.com http://impatientlyprayingforpatience.blogspot.com Funny Blogs about Life: www.robinschicks.com www.shortfatdictator.com