Welcome to My Blog!

Being a teacher is full of ups, downs, and in betweens. I love the look on a students face when they learn how to read. I love when students can solve problems on their own. I absolutely love when students feel proud of their work, and want to share it with the class. This blog is going to be full of moments in the classroom, pictures, and sometimes videos. Take everything with a grain of salt, as it is my opinion & reflections.

Friday, February 27, 2015

PBL- The Conclusion of Black History Month & Other Milestones



CONGRATS on UPWARD BOUND! We are so proud of you!

Welcome to our class- we are so excited to have you!

I love Genius Hour!

Presenting on Black History Month
Taking us through a timeline of important events in Black History

Presenting on Black History Month using Keynote

We made the newspaper!

Proud of our VFW!
PBL Task Card
I loved closing our Black History Month with pressntstions and project based learning (PBL) projects! I adore see fifthsters so much! 

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Genius Hour Project Ideas 2015

Arts / Music / Video:

Austin is going to build our school in MineCraft.

Landry is going to be learning to knit, and possibly creating a website or DIY video.



Taylor is going to be learning to knit, and possibly creating a website or DIY video.


Chloe is going to be learning to knit, and possibly creating a website or DIY video.


Mackenzie is going to be learning to knit, and possibly creating a website or DIY video.


Ashley is learning to play the piano through an actual piano, and Garage Band.


Haylee is learning to play the piano through an actual piano, and Garage Band

Maddie is researching Russia and creating an Imovie with her findings.


Sarah is researching Russia and creating an Imovie with her findings.


Skyler is creating a marble contraption and creating a video with the final product.


Freddie  is creating a marble contraption and creating a video with the final product.


Christy is creating an Imovie to convince people not to abuse animals.




Research and/or Action:
Tiana is researching different animals, and blogging about them to teach others.

Noah is building an air filter.

Teddy is learning to take a part a computer and recognize all of its parts.

James is learning to take a part a computer and recognize all of its parts.

Alex is creating a catapult and testing which catapult can hold the stress of the different materials.


Kenneth is researching why people’s hair turns white as they get older, and possibly creating an iMovie. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Sweetness

Their last class picture as an Elementary Student- and a very sweet note I received from a student. Love these kids! 

What's New?

We've ventured into around 2 if Genius Hour! I'm so beyond excited! Students had their initial plans approved by me- and adjusted their names on our Genius Hour board. They will continue to adjust as needed.

We started a 'Create Board' which the students can research and present their learning to their peers in various ways (Educreations, Key Note, Student Created Wax Museum, Student Created Readers Theatre, iMovie, etc



Lastly, we reorganized our 'Non-Negotiables' with expectations, measurable criteria, and a daily and weekly focus. 

And- a couple more pictures of our visual American History timelines- THAT WE LOVE!

Links for Students for Genius Hour

What is Genius Hour?


Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school.


More on Genius Hour: Engage their minds

Be Inspired by Achievement

Tinkering StudioThe Tinkering Studio is full of interesting ideas for, well, tinkering.  There definitely seems to be a resurgence of the maker movement, and this site can inspire many creative projects.  Each project is described, offers pictures, and gives reasons for its educational value.  Many also offer PDF’s with instructions on how to do the project.

DIY IdeasDIY is one of the coolest new sites!


WonderopolisThis site encourages curiosity and independent research.  It includes videos and fun facts that are sure to entertain and educate.

MakeAnother resource you might enjoy is the “Kids and Family” section of Make’s online magazine.  From designing your own Marshmallow Shooter to making a 10-Rail Model Rocket Mega-Launcher, you can find all kinds of ideas for projects.  The projects are rated in difficulty:  easy, moderate, and difficult.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

PBL

Students working to create an interactive timeline on American History and how it has contributed to Black History. Love this interaction! 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Science Fair

Wishing our girls the VERY best as they compete at the District Science Fair! We are already so very proud of you!