Innovation, in our classroom, happens when the students are solving real-world problems and answering questions using their own ideas and their own designs. Over the past two weeks, we have been discussing weather and its effects on climate. Yesterday, the students worked in small groups to put together a paper house. The same materials were given to each group to ensure that the houses were the same. The groups then attempted to use wind to knock their house over. Now, I know what you're thinking! This is not very innovative. Well, you are correct; it is not. However, what the students did next was not only innovative but awesome! I set out a variety of materials that the small groups could choose from in order to reinforce their houses and make them stronger. The students were more than eager to begin making the strongest houses possible, and they were extremely creative in how they chose to strengthen their houses! Innovation, eng...
Last week, the 3rd Grade students presented their passion projects. The students worked very hard to become experts in their self-selected passions and create their presentations. Students utilized a variety of presentation methods and styles. Many students also learned new technology programs in order to create their presentations. Students who usually don't speak in class were presenting to complete strangers that night because they truly enjoyed their topics. I am beyond proud of all of the students for the time and work the students put into learning about and presenting their projects. As teachers, we reflect back on our teaching. I believe that throwing the 3rd graders into the "deep end" of the inquiry pool with no floaties was probably not the best way to teach them about how to research and present projects about their passions. Next year, I would like to have the first passion project of the year be more guided so the students can le...
Responsible Use of Technology One of the challenges of the 1:1 classroom is teaching the importance of responsible use and safety when using technology. This includes taking care of the chromebooks and using good judgement about how we use the chromebooks. In my class I have tried to review internet safety and taking care of chromebooks every 2 or 3 weeks as issues arise or I feel they are forgetting. The chromebooks add a whole new set of procedures and rules to the classroom. One of the very first issues of the school year was improper use of flipgrid. Students were using it to ask someone if they wanted to play at recess or to say hi to their friends in other homerooms. We had to have a few days where I modelled a correct video comment and they practiced. I had sentence starters for them to practice with. We also had issues with students trying to use the google hangouts to message each other. This caused me to have to increase my focus on the importance of worki...
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