Approaching the Finish Line...

We're almost there. Another year come and gone. How do I feel as my second year as a middle school teacher closes? Well, once again I have learned SO MUCH! Some of the areas in which I feel I have improved the most are integrating technology (of course), embracing noise and action in my teaching style, and developing positive relationships with my students.

I have already blogged quite a bit about my journey of incorporating technology to inspire and engage my students. However, I would like to add that in the process I have learned and accessed new ways of doing things just for myself. For instance, I now use an online lesson planner instead of a bulky paper planner. It's awesome! Also, I have created some neat imovie presentations on personal subjects to share with friends and family. They are very impressed with my new capabilities!

As for embracing noise and action in my classroom, I have become much more comfortable letting go of the need to control every interaction and situation (not that I was ever able to but I sure thought I was supposed to try!). Now, I allow students to argue with each other in class, even when it is not scripted. For example, we are reading "The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make," and most of the topics lend themselves to colorful discussion. Especially since we are concurrently working on debate techniques in their other class, I've encouraged then to voice their opinions and respectfully challenge each others' thoughts. It's amazing what they will come up with!

Finally, I have found that most of my students feel very comfortable with me and will often seek me out for help or advice. Many of my students are viewed as difficult, due to their background, ELA or SPED status, or prior reputation. Although they definitely test me, they know I truly care and notably curb their rebellion in my presence. I anticipate that they will return to visit me next year and remember me fondly. These relationships are the most fulfilling part of my job. They are what keep me striving to do better as I genuinely want my students to succeed in their education and in life.

Giving it a go...

I proposed the idea to one of my classes of creating an electronic newsletter to cover their 7th grade year and they were very enthused. Typically, the middle school yearbook tends to have a stronger focus on 8th grade and it costs 30 bucks. So, my students are going to create a four page newsletter using one of the Word templates. We brainstormed to make a list of all of the field trips and special events from the year. From this list, they've chosen these sections for the newsletter: Sports, Teachers, Events, Drama, and Fun Stuff.

For the sports section they want to incorporate interviews with players and coaches, season overviews, and final stats. For the Teachers section they brainstormed ideas like birthdays, baby pictures, a goodbye interview with Mr. Cuevas, an introductory interview with Mrs. Vanwel, an update from a former beloved teacher and an article on the BCMS Teacher of the Year.

We're starting to research and write this week. Then we'll spend the last few days in the computer lab putting the newsletter together. I'll put a copy on my portfolio wiki page for you all to peruse at your leisure:)

Computer Lab Issues

I have to share how frustrating it is to not be able to use the computer lab during testing weeks. We have 3 labs but they are all currently in use for NWEA testing. For two weeks! It makes me realize how much I and the students rely on and enjoy using technology throughout the week. Fortunately, we have the ipod touches so I've been able to adapt some of the lessons to incorporate them.

In my opinion, one of the best ways to help our students stay organized would be for them to have their own laptops or ipads. That way EVERYTHING would be in one place. It would eliminate the excuses like, "I left it at home," "I forgot," "I couldn't do it because I don't have a computer at home." Students could set reminders for assignments and projects due. They could keep track of refer back to individual goals and test scores. Teachers could communicate all reminders and critical information via e-mail. Students who miss school would be able to see exactly what assignments they missed. All notes a student takes would be there and organized by class. Sounds pretty nice, doesn't it?

Obviously, there are possible issues to consider such as students not staying on task and using their computer for something other than what they should. Also, big considerations like cost, IT needs, insurance, and off-campus internet access would have to be addressed. I'm convinced this is the way of the future. Wouldn't it be great if our students could be on the front end of this new wave?

ipod touch

The kids love this tool! It provides instant motivation and engagement. So far we have used the touches to participate in a couple of debates. To do this I bring up todaysmeet.com with the projector, students sign in with their name followed by pro or con and then start making arguments. I tally up the points afterward and declare the winning side. This week we will be preparing for a debate on the resolution: rodeo and ranching practices are humane treatment of animals. Last week the students got an eyewitness account of a team roping event at our "Cowboy Day." The students will also read an affirmative and a negative article and then compose their arguments. We'll conduct the debate as previously mentioned. Next week, they will choose a resolution on which to write a persuasive essay in the negative or affirmative. The ipod touches really helped to set up the excitement of a debate and gave students a chance to participate in one and practice persuasive/argumentative skills before beginning their essay.

Cowboy Day is here!

This Wednesday is the big day: our field trip to the Eagle River Center to ride horses, swing ropes, pet a bunch of critters, and watch exciting equestrian feats. The 7th graders will be gaining eye witness access to a topic they are studying for their debate and persuasive writing unit: treatment of rodeo/ranching livestock. The 6th graders will use the experience to help them in their endeavors to compare and contrast North American rodeos with Mexican charreadas. And of course, we're all going to have a lot of fun! Someone from the Vail Daily is even going to show up to capture the excitement. I have Scott Jones of Colorado River Ranch donating time, horses, and cattle. He and his crew will conduct a mock branding to help students visualize how it is done. Alecz of One Spirit is bringing a couple of her horses for kids to ride while she gives pointers. Also, I have several parents who have volunteered either to chaperone a group of students or lead one of the horses. I have asked all of the volunteers to bring any extra equipment or cowboy gear they have so that students can check it out up close and take pictures of themselves dressed up as cowboys/girls. For my ESL students this experience will be very effective at drumming up their background knowledge and serving as a motivator to continue studying this subset of American culture.

Not much time left!

With 6 ½ weeks of school left, I am realizing that there is still a lot to do! Will we get it all done? Will my students be ready to move on to the next grade? Will they have acquired the learning and skills expected of them? I definitely feel more confident than last year at this time, and I suppose that my confidence will increase in regards to these questions with each year to come.

I appreciated that in our E2T2 text, the authors admitted that project-based learning is flexible and changing, and probably never perfect. I have to make a concerted effort to let go and realize that I can’t script or plan for every nuance. I tend towards perfectionism and like to be over-organized. However, this experience of project-based learning and incorporating technology has helped me relax a bit and learn to go with the flow. I have realized that I am more flexible than I previously thought and that unforeseen events can even be good!

I do enjoy change so it is probably a good thing that I decided to be a teacher. Even a successful and well-planned project is going to be different each time by changing the most important variable- the students.

Unit update

Well, I’ve been reading a few more chapters of Project-based Learning with my unit in mind. Good timing! I’ve been writing down ideas like crazy. The basic premise of the unit is debate and persuasive language.

Here are my notes: give groups of students pro and con sides of an issue, they read together and highlight best arguments before beginning debate with todaysmeet.com and ipod touches; Show examples of strong vs. weak arguments, have students rate; Reflect/review The Great Debaters movie using todaysmeet and ipod touches; Have students reflect at least a few times during the unit on their wiki pages; Use wiki as project home: post examples of persuasive writing, use calendar, checklists, rubric, and jing screencasts; Use screencasts to give feedback on writing; find student debate examples on youtube; search the internet to find out if there are online debates students could participate in; require an interview as a source for the persuasive paper; students use wiki to collect and organize notes or other web-based organizer like Desire2Learn of Moodle; check out research tools: ASK for Kids, del.icio.us bookmarking and Citation Machine; have students read draft to an adult, record questions or alternative viewpoints to address.

Wow- looks like I’ve got a plethora of ideas to research and consider in order to make this unit engaging, motivating, and effective for my students. I'd better get to work!