Workflow in a 1:1 Elementary Classroom

In February, I will be going on my second year teaching in a 1:1 Classroom and it gets better each day. A question that I am often asked is what workflow system are you using in your classroom.  I am so thankful for my colleagues who shared Schoology and Seesaw during one of our iPad collaboration days. 

Delivery of Content and Curriculum - Schoology

I was using iTunesU to organize and share curriculum with my students, but quickly found Schoology is much easier and user friendly. Schoology is a Learning Management System (LMS), which I use to enhance my classroom instruction and create content to share with students. With Schoology, I post course content, assignments, embed videos and docs, as well as reviews.  Student are given an access code for each course. Students submit assignments to be graded or reviewed by the teacher, take quizzes and tests, as well as participate in classroom discussions online. In the past, my students submitted work using Google Drive. Schoology works on multiple platforms whether you are using a web browser of tablet.

I love that Schoology can be used to individualize classroom instruction. You can create specific courses to meet individual student needs.  

I also like that you can embed Youtube videos on the site so students aren't directed to Youtube to watch the video.  Thanks to my tech coach Ann Feldmann and colleague Lisa Keene I now have all my students take their individual Words their Ways spelling tests at the same time. Just another simple way to utilize Schoology in the classroom.

A Beginners Guide to Using Schoology

Successful 1:1 Implementation: Use Schoology as the Classroom Hub by Dave Eisenmann

• Schoology website: https://www.schoology.com
• Schoology Teacher Resource Center: https://www.schoology.com/resources
• Schoology Twitter: https://twitter.com/Schoology

Portfolio of Learning - Seesaw

It is important in a 1:1 classroom that students are able to share and catalogue their work in a portfolio and Seesaw is the answer. With Seesaw, students build a digital portfolio of work and projects they've been working on in class.  I have added folders for each subject area to help keep their work and projects organized.

It is a free iPad app and their work can be viewed not only by the teacher, but also their classmates and parents. Students can view each others projects and add written or verbal comments. It is a great way for students to collaborate with classmates and gives them a voice in what they are learning. 

Apps Seesaw is Compatibly With

Seesaw the Learning Journal

• Seesaw website: http://web.seesaw.me/
• Seesaw Teacher Resource Center: http://help.seesaw.me/hc/en-us
• Seesaw Twitter: https://twitter.com/seesawedu

Lessons Learned

Compile a List of Go-To Apps
Give Students a Choice to Show their Learning/Thinking

Let Students be the Teacher

Having an authentic audience for students is a must!

Create an Environment Where Learning is Student Centered
Be Flexible because things will go Wrong

I would love to hear how others are developing workflow systems in 1:1 classrooms.

Hour of Code and Box Island

With the Hour of Code 2015 right around the corner excitement and anticipation fills the air.  There are some great new online tutorials for Hour of Code. Who wouldn't be excited about the addition of Minecraft and Star Wars? Now a new free app by Radiant Games has been added to the Hour of Code - Box Island: One Hour of Coding.

This summer, I taught a Coding Class and wrote a post that featured the apps and sites we used. Box Island will definitely be added to my coding resources. 

Coding in the Elementary Classroom

The purpose of Box Island is to guide the character Hiro to collect clocks in different settings.  The 20 levels are all in 3D and the graphics are amazing, which will be engaging for students. Students will be challenged and learn the basics of coding with the use of algorithms, loops, and conditionals as they continue through each level. 

Teaching Resources

They have included a Curriculum Guide, Lesson Plans, and a Solution Guide for classroom teachers to use with students.

Movie Trailer for Box Island

What do my Fourth Graders think?

Kenzie - "I think Box Island is challenging, awesome, and hard.  I think it's challenging because there are laser boxes and wood boxes.  I think it's awesome because you learn. It's hard because they add new skills at at different levels.

Steven - "It is very challenging and when you have success it feels great. Box Island includes problem solving and higher level thinking. I love playing it!"

Amy - "I think that Box Island is great! I love the 3-D presentation and how you can look at it from a different perspective. It is very hard and challenging."

Derek - "I think Box Island is challenging and fun. The 3-D graphics are amazing and makes it pop-out more! Every time you complete a level you feel great. There are 20 levels. You can skip a level and come back to it."

Kael - "Box Island is a great and challenging coding game that makes you feel great when you succeed. I love the graphics, shapes, and problems you have to work though. It is a five star game."

Cailyn - "I think Box Island is challenging and fun. You put your mind to work. You learn how to program and solve problems."

Audrey - "I think that Box Island is very tricky. It requires problem solving and higher level thinking. You can easily get stuck on a level. Box Island if fun, but challenging."

Join the Hour of Code from December 7th-13th

Forever Grateful for my Students

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it took my fourth graders to remind me what is truly most important about my job as an educator.  Our students count on us each day to make a difference in their lives, but I have come to realize they make a huge impact and difference in my life each day.

In this day and age, it is easy to forget why I went into the education profession. With the demands of all the testing, data collection, curriculum/grading expectations, paperwork, and meetings it is easy to get bogged down and have doubts why I'm still teaching. Yes, our job is endless and many days it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Two weeks ago, I was humbled and honored by what one of my students did for our classroom and "Our Team".  As educators we work hard and tirelessly to try to meet each of our student's individual needs.  Ethan is one of my fourth graders,  and he is diagnosed with ADHD. Believe me in my thirty years in the profession, I am not one to label students, but Ethan's mom and I are working closely together so he has the best year ever!  

On Monday, Ethan came bouncing in and was extremely excited about the meeting I was having with his mother after school.  We were meeting to discuss his plan we have in place to see if there were changes that needed to be made.  It was another long Monday with an unplanned meeting during my lunchtime, and my day with NO breaks. The day never seemed to end.  Yes, Ethan came bouncing in with a big smile on his face after school with his mom and grandma. What happened next gave me a huge reality check and brought tears to my eyes.

Ethan handed me a wrapped package, as he beamed with pride, and couldn't contain himself.  He was bouncing and jumping around.  He helped open the gift and inside was a Yoga Ball. At our recent Parent/Student/Teacher Conference we talked about Yoga Balls, and the fact that Ethan could bring one to school.  I was excited for Ethan, but his mom wanted me to watch a video that Ethan created. What happened next is truly remarkable.

Ethan's Surprise

What a powerful reminder.  Ethan didn't want to be the only one with a Yoga Ball for a chair. He wanted to make a difference for all his classmates and friends!  Our students are capable of far more than we can ever imagine. How easy it is to truly forget why we have the "Best Job in the World"! Thanks so much to Ethan and his mom for letting me share his story!

What am I Grateful For?

The smiles when my students walk in each morning.  The laughs and giggles.  When a student finally understands a concept for the first time. To the "Aha, now I get it!" "Wow, the day went by so fast." "I don't want to stop now, can't I just finish?" " I know you're going to love what I just did!"  Watching our students collaborate and work with any student in the classroom, not just their close friends. To the, "Have a great weekend, I can't wait till Monday!"  Parents who email to say their child is home sick and they are sad to be missing school. Coming in first thing in the morning and a student says, "This is going to be an awesome day!" Students actually sad it is Friday. A simple "please" or "thank you". When a student says, "Don't stop reading, Mrs. Evon!" When students leave school at the end of day with a smile, hug, or high-five. Wow, I could go on and on.

Today, as I sat back and watched my students review for their benchmark math test, yes it is worth 70% of their grade, I am truly blessed. The teamwork, problem solving, and collaboration they display did not go unnoticed. 

Each student touches our life in his/her own special way. So to my current fourth grade team and all my former students who I have been blessed to teach, Thank You! Thanks for making a difference in my life! You are the reason I love going to school each day!

Ethan was featured on WOWT.com for Being a Hero Next Door
Ethan the Hero Next Door