Macul Conference

AWESOME! That is the only word that can describe the conference. I learned so much and I can't wait to share the new technology I learned with the students. I learned that I was not using my iPod to its full potential. I did not realize all the possible uses in the classroom. I learned how to fine tune my podcast (expect a new one soon), millions of ways to tie the curriculum and technology together. We saw and heard about what other teachers were doing, learned about the Michigan E library, the top 10 uses for Web 2.0, where to buy more gadgets (I REALLY want a smartboard), digital camera tricks, a ton of sites that support the standards and GLCEs and so much more. I will definitely attend this conference again and highly recommend it to others.
Everyone was so nice in explaining things. I was actually surprised to discover how much I already knew. Considering I knew nothing 2 years ago. Thanks to Marilyn Western for inspiring me to use technology in the classroom. Marilyn is the technology teacher of the year and she definitely deserves the award. If you get a chance to take the Cool Tools through our RESD, I highly recommend it. She is so enthusiastic about technology. I left saying "I HAVE to do what she is doing!" Technolgy is my new soapbox. If you teach in my district, I would be more than happy to help you get started.

Read Around the Planet

We participated in the Read Around the Planet program for reading month. Kay Hauck from the RESD brought the equipment and made the match for us. We were matched with Rusk Elementary in El Paso, Texas. They did a presentation for us and we had a presentation for them and had a chance to ask each other questions. The program itself is great, but when you take the time to embed it into the curriculum and build lessons around it, it is that much more meaningful.
We started by going to Google Earth and looked at where we live and then we "flew" to their school. We were able to use that experience to talk about the difference between city and country. We talked about the different landforms in Texas and Michigan and the climate. The students were given a map of the USA and colored in Michigan and Texas. They could draw a line for their flight plan if they wanted to.
Another day, we looked up Michigan and Texas on the internet and found the state symbols. We printed them out, cut the pictures out and used them to make a double bubble map to compare Michigan and Texas. We talked about what was the same in Texas and Michigan and what was different. Libby realized that she had a state stone at home and brought it in the next day (her own connection and idea)!
We also had to plan a presentation. We read Dr. Seuss' book "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut" and decided to make our own "I Can Read Book". We made a bubble map to show all the places we could read in Michigan and the students each chose a location. They made their illustrations and wrote their sentences. When we presented, they each read their page. It turned out great and I plan on having them read the book again and videotape it. I wasn't able to videotape it that day. I was too busy watching the other class and helping my students know when to go up.
We spent time over 4 days learning about Texas and Michigan and preparing for our presentation. The students kept talking about it and asking "when are we going to talk to the kids in Texas". It was a great experience and the students were very involved and engaged. We also had to think about the question and answer time. We talked about what they could ask (although when the time came they were all too shy to ask them) and talked about what we could tell them about Michigan. It was a valuable learning experience and I encourage other teachers to try this. I will definitely have my students participate every year.

A side note-The thinking map training has proved to be very valuable. We find many ways to use them. The students even make them on their own during writing workshop without being prompted. One student made a circle map at home on her homework. The thinking maps really help the students focus on what we are discussing and help them to organize their thinking.

Our Circle Maps

My creation
Originally uploaded by julisian

I am taking a professional development course at the GIRESD. After the first 2 sessions, I came back to school excited to implement thinking maps. We started with the circle maps and the kids loved making them. They are making circle maps for everything. It was amazing how fast they caught on. This week we are adding bubble maps. They look forward to making maps now. It was a great training and I highly recommend it.

Digital Cyberpad In Use

Cameron was the first to use the digital notepad. He was the student of the day and used the digital notebook for his writing. It worked out great. The students could see his writing on the screen and could watch as he wrote. They helped sound words out and were his editors (they let him know if there was a mistake). The picture is his finished product.
It was great for assessment too. I was able to do an informal assessment and I can add the picture and notes I took to his portfolio. I will be able go back and check his writing when I need to. I watched for: Letter formation, spacing, directionality, and punctuation... I also observed his reading skills. After his writing was finished, he used a pointer to read it to the class. Again, I could quickly check concepts of print (directionality, one-to-one matching...)

Note on writing: I use Building Blocks by Hall and Cunningham. We start the year with these sentences on a poster and fill in the blanks. Each round of student of the day the activity becomes a little more complex. By this time of the year, we are writing the sentences with some assistance.

Writing Workshop

I happened to have the video camera out at the perfect time to catch a great writing workshop. Cameron is trying to figure out how to spell school and he asks Benny for help. At first, he thinks he needs the /qu/ sound, but by talking it over with Benny he realizes he needs the /k/ and tries to decide if he should use 'c' or 'k'. He makes his decision and moves on. He knows that it is important to get the sounds down and if he didn't choose the right letter, it can be fixed in editing. It was an awesome example of students applying strategies that have been taught. Actually, the whole class was right on that day. Everyone was engaged and they were all using strategies to write. So, I got out the video camera and went around and caught lots of great writing. I am in the process of putting the videos together to make a movie. I will post it as soon as I get it done. I am just learning to make movies, so it may take a little time. Besides uploading the videos to the web for others to view, we watched them all on the big screen and talked about all the strategies that were being used. They commented on each others videos and it was a great way to reflect on their own writing and learn from each others writing.

Low Tech Fun

You don't always need the high tech stuff to keep the students interest. Add a microphone and cheap cd player and you can turn any lesson into a game show. The beginning of the year, Jacob, was our announcer for "Patterns Are Right". He called a student to go up to the board and make a pattern with magnetic shapes on the whiteboard and then called another student "to come on down" and extend the pattern. The students love it anytime we turn a lesson into a gameshow.

New Computer Equipment

My family often gets me new computer gadgets for Christmas and birthdays. They always know what to get me thanks to the Amazon wish list. This year I was given an Adesso Cyberpad and I was late getting home from school tonight because I was showing my new gadget to another teacher (Mrs. Lewis). She also uses a lot of technology and is one of the reasons I have done so much in technology (think partner in crime). Anyway, the Adesso Cyperpad is awesome. I used it with the kids today and they were as excited as I was. The possibilities for its use in the classroom are endless.

I have often used the Wacom pen tablet, but this does so much more and is easier for the kids to use. It comes with a few software programs and its easy to use (for anyone, not just techies). The Adesso Cyperpad is a digital notepad that records your handwritten notes so they can be transferred to your computer and manipulated electronically. It uses a digital pen and regular legal sized paper. The pen writes smooth and the handwritten notes transfer nicely to the computer. It also comes with presentation software to use with powerpoint. In addition to being a digital notebook, it can turn your computer into a blackboard/whiteboard (If you can't afford a smartboard, this is a good alternative). This is the feature the kids used today. A couple students wrote on the pad and the other students could watch them on our big screen as they were writing. The difference in this versus the Wacom is that the kids write on paper so they can see what they are writing (they can't with the Wacom and they weren't able to coordinate their writing). They were able to easily show their writing. We talked about how we are going to use it in the future and they were excited. When they are student of the day they will do their student interview and their writing on the cyberpad and we will use their writing as lessons for that day. When we are using it effortlessly and as I come up with new uses and ideas for using it in the classroom, I will post updates.

In addition to classroom use, I can think of a lot of ways to use the cyberpad personally. I wish I would have had this when I was in college. It will be great for taking notes at meetings, conferences, recording student observations or taking notes during student parent-teacher conferences. The possibilities are numerous.
Thank you Bill, Autumn and Austin for a great gift!

You can go to www.adesso.com to read more about the cyberpad.