my version of transparent, collaborative leadership...with a Teamann twist

Not App-ening!

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At our last staff development day we spent the afternoon discussing ways to incorporate all of the new “tools” in the building. There are NOOK tablets, NEXUS tablets, iPads, iPad minis, & iTouches. Through grants & what we as a campus have added you guys are becoming techmazing! (Shout out to Tammy for attempting to get them all connected yesterday!)

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We paused on our app purchases, not to make your lives more difficult, 🙂 but because with all the different options and opportunities, I really wanted to focus in on how to make all your “devices” could be productive and not just consumptive. Apps are easy, and I’m not saying that they aren’t amazing…but the power that you can put into student’s hands is only limited by your expectations.

Let them loose!

Watch this great video when you have a minute to see what I’m talking about and here is the menu of activities that your teams created.

 

 

appily sharing,

Amber

Mathmatically amused!

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I have a great post on math stations boiling but before I can organize all those thoughts, I must introduce you to this site…or even more importantly, this game…
5th grade is talking about prime numbers right now, which would tie right into this, but I think with the mental math and model drawing that we are ALL doing, this game would be perfect for getting those facts in our head! Plus…the challenge! 🙂
The tagline on the website is sensible strategies + engaging games = eager students…and I have to agree! This game sucked in the 5th grade class I watching in not only to find and get a zero, but to also do it faster than their other classmates. A win win!
LimboN,
Amber

Center-citement!

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Had the opportunity last week to visit classrooms at a neighboring campus. It was SO much fun! I loved getting to see their different styles of hall way management, cafeteria crowd control, and even some fun math lessons!
I wanted to share some of the center greatness that I saw. Why was I impressed? Well, it a 5th grade classroom for one. Usually, you think centers and you think younger grades…this was a excellent example of how it can (and should!) be used with intermediate grades. It was also a MATH classroom. Not the first subject you think of when you think centers, eh? I’m a big fan of centers mainly because of how easy it is to raise the level of Bloom’s in your classroom. If you look at your lesson plans, it’s probably obvious to see the “content”, the “what” of what you are teaching..but what about your students’ thinking skills, the how?
What does critical thinking look like in your classroom? Are learners active and in a continuous dialogue with you? Are you feeding them information or are they discovering it on their own? Are questions answered with explanations?
There are so many different benefits to a classroom where high level, student centered and student facilitated learning is key…but the greatest one has to be the higher acceptance and social level in your room. Students are welcome and want to go chasing after some crazy idea because they know it is accepted and encouraged.
Anywho. Off topic. Centers are an easy way to help make that happen.
Each student had to complete (with a partner/team/individually) each activity. The teacher walked around and was able to dedicate some serious on eon one time to students who weren’t understand the concept. With these activities, it was easy to see who didn’t understand.
Give it a try! We have an awesome IST who would love to help you make this happen in your classroom!
AmMath

Mystery Thread

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I was contacted by Craig Badura, a K-5 media/technology integrationist, also known from the That Guy in the Library Blog. He was interested in collaborating with different classes on a mystery skype/Voice Thread project. We set up a three way project amongst classes of second graders.

Each student was asked to draw a landmark that could identify where we were from. Craig, Martha, Mrs. Bain and I communicated back and forth through a google doc where we got everything all situated. (Amazingly convenient!)
Today Mrs. Bain’s group added their comments, it was auh-dorable to see how excited the students were to share their “landmark”. It turns out that Ms. Lackey’s class is only 40 minutes away. I wonder how long it will take for our students to figure that out!

Not sure what a VoiceThread is? A VoiceThread is a collaborative, multimedia slide show that holds images, documents, and videos and allows people to navigate pages and leave comments in 5 ways – using voice (with a mic or telephone), text, audio file, or video (via a webcam). You can share a VoiceThread with friends, students, and colleagues for them to record comments too. Instead of a parent program or assembly just for your class, you can create a VT and share with the audience of your choice!

 

Here’s several great “idea” banks to help you get started!

 

Some tips to get ya going?

 

 

 

  • Use your computer’s built-in microphone or a USB headset to record audio for your VoiceThread.
  • You can input your cell phone number onto VoiceThread, and the site will call you to record your audio.
  • PowerPoints can be easily uploaded onto VoiceThread. Save your PowerPoint slides as jpg files and upload them to your VoiceThread
  • Upload a variety of files to your VoiceThread including pdf, docs, etc.
  • You can record up to 15 minutes of audio per slide on the VoiceThread site.
  • The VoiceThread site will automatically scale photos so they fit the allotted space.
  • Allow anyone to view and anyone to comment on your VoiceThreads, but be sure to moderate all comments.
  • If you are concerned about sharing student work, you can opt to not allow your VoiceThread to be shown on the browse list.
  • You can create sharing groups to choose who can view and comment on specific VoiceThreads.
  • You can export your VoiceThread as a .mov file and burn copies for your class.
  • You can subscribe to VoiceThreads that you like.

I love this example of Math Strategies because it goes back to what we just talked about in staff development. Let students figure out their OWN way of solving a problem! (math + technology = happy Teamann!)

 

 

If you’d like to create a VT for your Lions…holler! Ask pain…quick and painless!

 

VT-ly,

Amber

Dum da dum dum…

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That’s not a lolly pop offer, 🙂
I’m talking mysteries! Came across a great scholastic site this morning, that has entranced my Lion Leaders. It combines problem solving with their natural mystery loving tendencies.
It’s a great site for teachers. It offers audio support for those who have difficultly reading and has the option to print each mystery out. Differentiation is offered in the form of different levels of mysteries.
These would be great centers, a homework alternative for problem solving practice, or a great way to close out a classroom lesson.
Enjoy!
Sherlock Amberolmes