Thing 36: My Final Project

For my final project, I put together a VoiceThread.

I really enjoyed getting to connect with everyone through the course of this class.  I've learned so much from all of you and been inspired to push myself further than I thought I'd go!  I can't wait to see how everyone uses the tools and resources we've uncovered in this class.  Let's make a commitment to share with one another!

Thing 35: Flipped Learning and STEM/STEAM

STEM/STEAM vs. ELA STEM/STEAM and ELA

Ever since STEM/STEAM came on the scene a lot of us ELA teachers have had a bit of a chip on our shoulders.  I have definitely found myself feeling as though I'm on the outside looking in, and my eyes have admittedly glossed over as another STEM/STEAM conversation has picked up.  I have felt disenfranchised by the whole movement, so I used my research time this week to take a look at the connection between STEM/STEAM and my beloved ELA.  I'm so glad that I did!

The first article that I offer is from the Washington Post: How to Integrate Literacy with STEM.  The authors illuminate the idea that it's not an "either/or" discussion.  We cannot have STEM/STEAM without the literacy piece, so we do our best work when we strive to integrate these subject areas for kids. Brilliant!

I loved what Vanessa Greenlee had to say about the connection of STEM/STEAM and ELA.  She worked with her colleagues to develop STEM units of study that incorporated the ELA standards. "My job is to help STEM students gain the collaboration and communication skills they need to bring their science, technology, engineering, and math skills to fruition in the 21st century marketplace," Greenlee says about her role in as an ELA teacher in STEM education.

Finally, I visited a blog series that had many great ideas for STEM/STEAM units that are PBL focused.  These offer many ideas for integrated units.  One of my favorite sites was the bie.org site. I've already got ideas for great social studies units to use (that's right, I said social studies!!!).

Flipped Learning in the ELA Classroom

I've heard a lot about flipped classroom from my science and math colleagues.  I see the merit with it, but I've had trouble wrapping my mind around how something like this can work in the ELA classroom.  I focused my research specifically on the ELA flipped classroom, and I've come away with many great resources!

I'm really intrigued with the idea of blogs and reading.  Susie used them in her classroom last year, and I've got ideas for how I'd like to use them this year.  This article is a great resource for ELA teachers who want to get kids reading more in the classroom.  I love the assertion that the teacher is able to do much more coaching this way.  Basically, the kids read in class and blog at home to show their learning/understanding.  The blogs are giving the teacher insights into what to teach into and who to meet with each day.  

I found this post very helpful in wrapping my mind around what flipping is and isn't.  Again, the focus seems to be on the flipping being purposeful in adding to what can occur in the classroom.  You flip for things "students can find in a few seconds on their devices".  Obviously, this doesn't work for every concept, but it's got me thinking about which ones it will work for.  Flipping for those seems like a no brainer, and it would give us so much time together to work/write/read in class!

Finally, I started thinking about what this would really look like in practice.  I checked out this school's website, and I really liked the explanation that was given to kids.  One thing they shared on their website was that kids could pause and rewind the videos as they watched.  I love this feature of flipped learning.  When we're teaching live, we always tell kids "stop me if you need it repeated" or "let me know if you need me to slow down", and no one ever raises a hand!  The flipped classroom allows kids to go at their own pace without the fear that someone will judge them for it!  Brilliant!

Thing 34: Breakout EDU

I would really like to use something like this on a regular basis in my classroom, and I can't wait to see it in action!

The game I thought would be great for the first week would be: Teamwork.  I think the kids would get into it, and it would give them a chance to work together.  It would also be a really great thing to observe.  Who takes charge?  Who sits back?  Who gives up?  Who perseveres?  I could see this being a great way to get intel on the kids!

My game idea would be to create something that has to do with geography (the first unit I teach in social studies).  Here is a link to the very first drafts of ideas that I've gotten started on: Country X.  I will probably finish this game!  Does anyone know if we've got the funds to purchase any of the items from the website?

Thing 33: ELN

Mindset

Thing 32: Atomic Learning

I'm not sure what to think of Atomic Learning.  It's my first time using it, so it's completely new to me, and I realize that sometimes I'm hard on new things, but...

I liked the instant feedback from the assessment.  And I liked that I could immediately go and find lessons that could help me overcome some of my challenges that were illuminated in the assessment results.

I found my way to a very interesting tutorial series: Literacy: Reimagined by Angela Maiers.  After reading the introduction and watching the overview video, I was hooked.  But all the rest of the tutorial is locked.  I couldn't figure out a way around this (I logged out and logged back in a couple times), so I'm guessing I won't get to dig deeper into this tutorial series, but I'd like to...

I typed in "Social Studies" for my third task.  I found a fun "Egypt A-Z" tutorial, and I was able to access all the videos to see how to make an A-Z Egypt book using Kid Pix.  The other resource I found that I loved was "Building a Blog".  The example has the kids take on the persona of someone in Maria Antoinette's court, but it could easily be changed for any number of time periods/people.

I could see using the tutorials with kids.  There is no way to know everything when it comes to technology, and it's hard to get time with the school technology people every time you need to teach a new tool.  Do the kids have access to Atomic Learning as well?  If so, these would make for some great "flipped classroom" experiences...

I can see myself going back to this site in the future.  If something like that "Literacy: Reimagined" tutorial series were to come unlocked, I'd love to submit it for WU credit.  It sounds like an important lesson!

Thing 31: Learning Gizmos

I really like the idea of these types of simulations.  I think for some kids they will offer a different way of thinking about/seeing concepts, and that will help them to gain understanding.

I know the way we teach our math is pretty in depth, so I do wonder if this would offer the kind of depth that our teachers are looking for.  That being said, it could offer some great launch and/or extension ideas for teachers who are hoping to get everyone's attention.  Here's a list I thought could be helpful to my science partner: 6th Grade Science Gizmos.  I really liked the feature of being able to so easily share a list.  There were many that were pre-made that I'm sure are worth some attention.

One of my favorite places for simulation type experiences in social studies is The British Museum. It's got lots of great information, and each subject includes an interactive experience.  Many times this experience allows kids to create and/or experience life in ancient times.  Right now it's only for Egypt and Greece, but it's well worth the time we spend using it!

Last year a group of teachers and I did a whole study of simulations (role play) in the classroom.  We had a great time learning about different ideas and trying out different simulations.  Our fifth grade social studies does a comprehensive simulation of the discovery of America.  This past year I tried out a couple different mock trial simulations that helped us learn about the art of argument.  There's so much simulations can help us see!

Thing 30: Discovery Education

Discovery Education is a ton of fun!  I'm so glad we learned about this resource in this course!  I know I will use it a lot this year.

One of the things that really gets kids excited about 6th grade social studies is the idea of discovery. I'd use this video about The Ice Man to get kids interested in the ancient civilizations.  There is a nice reading that would compliment this in one of our social studies textbooks as well, so that's a good tie in!

I liked the Three Truths...One Lie strategy for helping kids zero in on the important details in a piece of media.  Sixth graders can be pretty passive consumers, so this would help them find the key points. I especially liked the idea of having them create their own Three Truths...One Lie once they got used to the strategy.

I built a board about Mesopotamia that I think I will actually use.  The first video I found will get the kids thinking about what constitutes a civilization.  Then they can watch another video specifically about Mesopotamia.  And there is a reading I like to use with the kids that I've attached.  I hope the board will really help them think about the beginnings of civilization.  I'll have them keep their notes in their SS notebook on Notability.