Communicating Globally in Special Ed – Thursday was such a fun day. @amberaslakson invited me into her classroom to observe her kids interviewing kids from Canada via Skype. They are doing a book study with the canadians with the book The 14th Goldfish. They have been collaborating with kids via Edmodo and were ready to go live with a skype convo. Something happened and the skype never occurred but I did enjoy my time interviewing the kids. They were incredibly excited to share and my favorite moment was when one 6th grade student piped up and said – “Blog, I love to Blog. Its my favorite thing to do.” These kids have had numerous skype discussions with kids all over the globe in @amberaslakson class and it shows. I observed these kids had a deep understanding in communication etiquette in technology communication (whether online discussion board, responses to blogs, or skyping live). This skill is incredibly invinvaluabled will take the a long way!!! Way to go!
Not your Momma’s PE Class – Our HS PE class was recognized for innovating and personalizing physical education when our local news crew (KTTC) came for a 1 hour observation/interview. This is a teacher led initiative and I am amazed at how far they have come in just 2 years. Please take some time to watch the video – its just one way they are transforming PE. I have also learned they are integrating iPads and ePortfolios as new forms of assessment.
One thing that resonated with me after a 1:1 conversation with a PE teacher, was how our district’s vision set the stage for these teachers taking it upon themselves to innovate in their program. They also took action when our superintendent stood up in front of the entire staff and said we should not be afraid of failure. So many things are unknown when you begin to transform your classroom, school, district. I am so thankful they took some risks as it is benefiting our students! THANK YOU!
Observing iPad use in classrooms – Next Tuesday, Nov 18, teachers from Rochester Public Schools will be coming over to Byron to observe the integration of iPads to support learning and teaching in our MS/HS classrooms. I sent out an All Call for teachers to sign up for the event. Boy – did my teachers represent! Here is our list. Our teachers definitely doing some amazing things…and this is a great opportunity for me to learn from them. My take away – I think I will take this opportunity and go on a tour of these classrooms as well. CANT WAIT!