Tech Brain

A week ago today, I turned 33.  It was a surprisingly normal day, which made me feel like my whole life is one boring day on repeat, ad nauseam. ⛈

But I wasn't in my classroom that day because I attended our monthly District Wide Technology Committee meeting.  Teachers, administrators, TRCs, and media specialists come together to talk tech and discuss decisions about our eventual 1-to-1 rollout.  That's 1 electronic device to 1 student.

Of course it's a cool idea, but the amount of planning and decision-making behind this initiative is staggering, even to me.  Well, I guess that's not saying much, considering how horrible I am at making decisions.  I'm 80% excited about it and 20% terrified about it.  I didn't even realize my terror until....

I found out I'll be piloting 28 iPads for 9 weeks in my classroom!!  I'll be giving feedback on the devices (iPads) and a new Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas.  I have a feeling it's going to be crazytown trying to get the best use out of them, but I feel up to the challenge.

Luckily, there are now many school districts who have gone through this very process, so there are several resources I can use!  In fact, today I Googled "ipads in 5th grade" and the first thing to pop up was a blog about a teacher piloting iPads in 5th grade!  The blog was from 2013, so it may not be completely current....... :D but still, it's a place to start.

So just some quick things I want to remember about this week:

- One of my students suggested I read the Warriors series.  I am completely hooked, and half my class is now obsessed with it.

- I brought back Monday Pun Day, and we are learning/discussing more vocab than ever.  This is most embarrassing because we have an actual vocab list every week.  Just goes to show that whatever your brain doesn't struggle with turns to mush.

- Students now get "skill checks" in reading and writing to balance out the tests and quizzes in the gradebook.  So far, the writing skill checks are responses to quotes.  This also leads to great discussions, and I feel like I'm molding little minds.  Next step: try to take over the world.  Wait, I mean figure out some good reading skill checks.

- A girl came up to me after class yesterday and gushed about how great Padlet is.  We had been using it for class discussions regarding compare and contrast in paired texts.  She loved being able to share her thoughts while reading and commenting on everyone else.  She said it was better than waiting in class to say ideas one person at a time. :D (This may be because she wants to make a comment after every other comment in class, hahah <3)

- Realizing how grateful I am every day for this job and the opportunities I have to learn and watch others learn.  So humbling!

Going Postal, Post-Break

Just kidding.  I'm not certifiable yet. 😬

Usually, the segue back into normal life after Christmas break is not a cause for concern; this year, however, Back-2-School "New Year Edition" really knocked me off my feet!  There are several things changing in the school year, and I am not very graceful when it comes to making changes mid-stride.  Long story short, I realized (too late) that I was supposed to plan waaaaaaay more than I actually did.  There were obviously other factors involved, but my small group and I are going through Andy Stanley's "Starting Over" series, and this was my (sizable) slice of the circle.

So, last week I worked very many 14-hour work days.  I didn't get enough sleep, and I was a grouch.  And after all the hours I worked and all the things I seemingly accomplished, I was still behind.  How is it possible to do so much and still have 2879365 things left to do???  Is this what it feels like to be a mom?  I just can't deal...

Fresh Beginning

Behold, I am blogging.

I'll put the exciting stuff first, and the reflection stuff last.  That way if you fall asleep half way through, you won't be missing much. :)

Today I did something new.  I posted a video on YouTube!  A video of MY FACE, guys (insert emoji guy with the blue forehead and melting face).  It was just the beginning-of-class announcements that I usually say out loud for each of my 3 periods, but now I only have to say it once and make better use of my voice and time.

Ok, fine.  Due to outtakes, I actually ended up saying it 14 times.  But it can only get better from here, right?*

Some goals I have for the month are to start a badging system for reading skills, and to set up my class on the free version of Canvas**.  This is, of course, in addition to my life goal of SOMEDAY GETTING CAUGHT UP WITH ALL OF MY GRADING.

Same as every Christmas break before, I am so incredibly happy to not have to work for two whole weeks.  Then on the last Thursday night, I'm like dying to be a productive human again.  That is, until Sunday night, when I beg the universe for a Christmas Break Do-Over.  I'm so hard to please.

I suppose I should give credit where it's due.  I actually have a private blog where I really air out all my dirty laundry, but AJ Juliani challenged teachers to start a blog and share it publicly.  So, here is my public, clean-laundry-only blog.  Please enjoy.

*No, really.  In one of my outtakes, I ended the video by saying, LET'S START THE YEAR WITH A BANG!  Then I died of shame.  It has to get better from here.

**If you use Canvas and have any lovely tips for me, please comment!