Code Much?

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at my kitchen counter pondering what I should do with a couple grades in the computer lab! I found myself on Twitter and Pinterest searching for a lesson idea when I found an article about Hour of Code!! December 9-15 was the international hour of code.  (I'm all about supporting curriculum in the computer lab but sometimes you just have to do something fun.) Thankfully, there is freedom in the lab to go in multiple directions. I decided I was going to have Kindergarten-5th grade code.  Kindergarteners coding?  Yes, I AM crazy!!!

Monday I got to school and put a sign on my door. I created an "I can" statement based on one I saw online and I found a coding activity for each grade. 

Fifth, second, and third grade were on Tynker.com.  My fifth graders were given the opportunity to choose any activity from the website. My second graders did "Puppy Adventure" and my third graders did "Candy Quest."  Talk about loving what they were doing.  I had several fifth graders come in during recess just to do more coding.  SCORE!!!  The kindergartners and first graders used botlogic.us.  The kindergartners were on the iPads doing the activity while the first graders logged onto the computer.

Overall, the week went splendid and we had a lot of fun participating in Hour of Code.  I was so impressed with the requests to continue coding or about coding at home.  You know you’ve inspired kids when parents text you pictures of more completed certificates.  Here are just a few of the certificates from the week.  

The delight from so many of my kids really has me thinking about the direction I want to go in the computer lab.  How do you balance creating and making the curriculum fit but at the same time, truly igniting excitement in students? As I prepare for next semester I am truly searching for more engaging tactics and ideas to engage students who find school to be boring.  I want to inspire students and get them hooked on learning.  I love watching kids’ eyes dance with excitement when it comes to learning, new books, or a computer program.  Be looking and watching for the new ideas that come from the computer lab!!  

I also encourage you to try something new in your classroom.  Make the new thing exciting and engaging!  Coming from the classroom I know you can turn most things into something fun and engaging.  (Now long division is another story...seriously haven't ever been able to come up with something fun for that one!)  In one of our regular ed. classes the students participated in a technology activity to learn transformations.  Those kids were so excited to come show me what they were doing and I LOVED IT!  I also heard from their teacher they did significantly better on that particular topic when tested.  I love seeing kids enthusiastic about what they are learning...do something different and fun next semester to appeal to your students!!!

Word….

Remember when you were a kid and all you wanted to do was "grown up" things?  I'm picturing my nephew who wanted to write like us, so he scribbled on a paper.  Or the other nephew pretended to talk on the phone because he saw us on ours.  Over the past few weeks, I introduced my students to something that made them feel like they were learning a "grown up" thing.  In fact, I heard many of them say, "My mom (dad) uses this sometimes."  The excitement (in most of them) was fun to see.

I introduced both the 3rd and 5th graders to Microsoft Word.  In fact, we learned Microsoft Word was one of many word processing programs.  Then, the students were given the opportunity to explore some features and share what they learned.

My fifth graders were introduced to Microsoft Word and explored the font section.  The assignment was to write a short story using figurative language and insert clipart to illustrate the story.  I taught the students how to format the font, indent the paragraph, go to next line with return, and insert clipart.  Over two class periods, we explored the different formatting options in chunks.  Their short stories with figurative language and matching picture were cute.  (Shh…don't tell the boys I said their stories were cute!)

My third graders were just going to learn to format the font this go around, but the enthusiasm to explore all aspects of Word changed my mind during the first 15 minutes of class.  You see, after I introduced Word and showed the students how to format the font; I sent them to their seats to explore.  It took about five minutes before they were running from computer to computer (YES - some were REALLY running in my lab) and yelling at each other to "check this out!" It was at this point, I revamped my plans!  (It really is ALL about flexibility!!)  I decided to give the kids 20ish minutes to explore and play before sharing with everyone (on the big screen) what they learned.  Once everyone shared, they went back to their computer to try new things.  In a couple classes, we had SOOO much to share, we didn't have anytime that day to try the new things out.  The next week they were able to explore the features their friends had taught them.  I think their favorite thing was using the "glow" feature.  Oh and I learned some new tricks too.  Did you know there is a button you can push and it "un-formats" all you have highlighted?  I sure didn't.  Once the kids had time to explore, they were given the task of writing a book summary.  They were allowed to insert clip art that matched their summary!

(Word wall)                                      (Large version of Word for easy explaining)



Although I am sharing more of my lesson plans in this blog, I do want to leave you with a couple of thoughts…

1. Find something that really excites the kids - and once you do…pounce on it!  Let them explore.  I know I have more freedom in my schedule than classroom teachers, but if kids are bored, they won't be engaged!
2. Be flexible in your plans.  Take cues from your students about their needs!  Allow them to share if that is why they are running around your room!
3. Do something fun and engaging in the next 8 days!  You need it! The kids need it!
4. Let your kiddos teach you something!  They LOVE IT!!!
5. Remember what it was like to be a kid…and how you wanted to be grown up!

Thankful

As Thanksgiving break comes to a close, I decided it was important to share my "Thanksgiving thankful list!" (Usually my mom puts this on the fridge and I act too cool for it. She didn't do it this year and I actually think I missed it!)

Here is my list...

1. My God, who offers grace to a sinner such as I. 

2. My family!! Immediate and extended.  I could get specific, but you'd get bored. 

3. Shopping trips with my mom! 

4. Snuggles from my nephews!

5. Phone calls from my brothers!

6. Wisdom from my dad! 

7. Sisters ... I waited a long time for these

(Okay...some family members needed special mention!)

7. A job I love and miss on breaks.

8. A warm house I can call my home! (Okay fine, my parents' house!!) 

9. Friends who love me even though I'm ridiculous sometimes! 

10. My bed...it's just right and no other bed compares. Yes, some call me the Princess and the Pea! 

11. Food, more than I need. 

12. Laughter! 

13. This semester of grad school is over after tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

14. My Health!

15. Heaters. Thanks dad for turning it up!

16. My reliable car to get me many places. 

17. The gift of life. 

20. A boss that loves God, her teachers, and the students. 

21. Coworkers who I can call friends. 

22. 650ish kids who keep me young and on my toes. 

23. Kind words and notes from students. 

24. Smiles. (They really are contagious...not quite as much as "bathroom" in kindergarten, but pretty close!) 

25. Sunrises - Every morning there is a new picture painted in the sky! 

I could probably go on...but I'll let you make your own list. I'm sure many of you did during this holiday week but I encourage you to be thankful always. God has given us so many things to be thankful for even in this hurting world! The attitude of gratitude can turn a frown upside down! 

Kindergarten Circus

Some weeks I really question my job title and this week was one of those weeks! I’d like to re-write it to include circus clown, lion tamer, both!

Over the past few weeks I felt like Kindergarten had finally settled down! We've made life cycle pictures, color posters, and number cards. We were learning computer terms. With computer terms we practiced syllables, and letter sounds. The kids had been actively engaged and could finally put up their iPads on their own.  I changed my lesson plans up, and for the past two weeks, we haven't actually gotten on iPads.  Instead, we played "TECHY" (BINGO) and practiced finding letters on a keyboard.  It's really gone considerably well and this past Thursday was the last day of my rotation with those lesson plans. 

A little over a week ago, my principal decided to do an observation during kindergarten! Let's just say she suggested I tape off an area for the kids to sit in or get a rug! (Jumping beans might have been her description!) "Give a little bit more structure!" she suggested.  "Other than that you are doing great."  So I taped the floor off and carried on!  The classes seemed to like the tape and I was back to feeling pretty good about Kindergarten.

Then the other day happened…and I think I might have grey hair now! How in the world are kindergarten teachers still standing when the day is done? 55 minutes and I'm exhausted. I really feel like anyone could have grabbed a seat, eaten popcorn, and enjoyed the three-ring circus going on in my class.   

Act 1: Initial Corral!  Getting everyone in the room! Sometimes they just decide they love their classroom teacher SOOO much, they don't want to come in. I coaxed, I bribed, I loved, I encouraged, I told! I seriously looked like the most ridiculous clown at the circus. 

Act 2:  Acrobats in Action! The acrobats put on quite the display today, crawling through and around! Back flips off chairs ...(okay back flips didn’t really happen!) 

Act 3: Confetti Blast! The kids enjoyed the confetti shower…maybe it was in celebration of the acrobats? Or maybe it was out of disgust for the game of BINGO.  Whatever it was…BINGO markers make great red and white confetti.

Act 4: Little Drummer Boy! Quite the beat slamming the door can create! 

Act 5: Runaway snot!  Caught just in time by the ringleader! (Uh disgusting...I barely do my own snot let alone other people’s snot)

Act 6: Juggling iPads is just not the same as professionals juggling flaming batons.

Intermission: The lion tamer swept in and played some silly kid songs! They sang along, danced and got LOTS of wiggles out.

Act 7: The silent letter hunt! Paper keyboards and the alphabet song (Oh and Skittles!) Which reminded me why I love even kindergarteners! 

Although it was CRA CRA (as my fifth graders from last year would say) looking back, it makes me laugh...laugh out loud even! I survived and no one was harmed or caged, we even learned what the monitor is; that's all that really matters. I'll do it again tomorrow and keep loving my job! 

Words Alone Can Be Powerful...But With Actions...

As a teacher...most of the time, let's be honest, we like "words!" I mean we do stand up in front of kids all day and wah wah wah!  Okay, maybe it's just me...obviously I like words; I write these wordy blog posts and expect people to read them!  Each and everyday most of us (some WAY more than others) express ourselves through words.  Sometimes words are showing compassion and concern for friends, other times words are used to express anger or frustration, while additional words are also used to criticize or judge someone else. Our words whether written or spoken have a way of "touching" people in both positive and negative ways.  

The other day during third grade specials, the class was having a hard time settling in so I said, "I appreciate those students who are sitting quietly!"  Very quickly one of my kids rebutted with,  "You don't appreciate me?  That's not okay!"  Whoa, that is not the message I intended to portray with my words.  But in the eyes of a third grade I had told half the class I didn't appreciate them, and his feelings were hurt. 

This conversation got me talking to some teachers about different words teachers say to students.  As the teachers and I talked about words we hear around the school and in today’s world my heart was saddened.  On Sunday, my favorite preacher spoke about the power of words and actions.  Not only are your words powerful, but they must be backed up by your actions.  Interesting this came so soon after the conversations at school.  All this talk about the power of words rings true today; not just to students but also about students to other teachers.  (This can be applied in any area of life…family, friends, coworkers.)

These words I speak (and I speak A LOT) affect people around me.   As I reflected on the power of words, I began to take more responsibility for ALL my words and actions!  I decided I needed to become more aware of my words and actions.  If my actions don't say the same thing as my words, my words become null and void.  What am I saying and doing that shares God’s love?  What am I saying and doing to encourage others?  What am I saying and doing to inspire kids?  I must be careful to voice uplifting words when talking to my students and coworkers.  All people have a heart and words cut deep!  All people have a heart and most people are starving for encouragement!  All people have a heart and NEED to hear about God's love!  How many times are you discouraged because you don't see anything God is doing? What if someone shared about what God was doing and lived it out through their actions?  We could change lives.

Here is what I leave you with; I encourage you to be mindful of not only your words but also your actions. Whether they act like it or not, words sink deep into the heart and soul of children and adults. Words can also be empty promises if not backed up with loving actions.  You can make or break a day, plant a seed, seal the deal!  How are you using God's gift of words to back up those actions?

STUPIDITY!!

Do you remember what it was like to be a student? I mean really remember? Being a student again has really opened my eyes to a few different things from a student’s perspective.  I write this post not as a pity party for myself, but as a meaningful reflection of what I need to do in my own classroom to foster a safe learning environment.

A couple of nights ago I was sitting in class "evaluating" or maybe "assessing" (I'm supposed to know the difference) a peer's paper while they did the same for mine.  I was embarrassed of my paper, knowing I didn't give it 100% nor did I have the motivation to give it 100%.  Very much aware of the fact I did not understand the assignment to begin with only added to the feelings of inadequacy.  Now if the problem was only one paper...I might not have felt so pitiful, I mean we all have one paper that stinks.  But the problem is a weekly occurrence.  I feel five steps behind on EVERY assignment and during every class discussion.   

After sharing my thoughts and feelings of inadequacy with a classmate, she reminded me I was making good grades on my papers and there was no way I was stupid or inadequate.  Although she expressed and shared encouraging words, the damage was done and I couldn't accept the good grades on the paper.  It wasn't enough, so what was missing? 

This whole idea got me thinking about the students I teach each and everyday.  Just as I feel inadequate or stupid, I'm sure I have students who also feel inadequate or stupid.  The question is who and how many? Maybe it is a home life that keeps them from concentrating at school.  Maybe it is a true lack of understanding because the class is moving to quickly.  Maybe it is laziness.  Maybe it is a simple lack of motivation that leads to not understanding content which leads to feeling stupid.   This is a vicious cycle of feeling stupid…lack of motivation…not working hard…feeling more stupid…having even less motivation…and so on!  Even some of the kids, who show mastery, can still feel the same emotions of stupidity and inadequacy.  My students may be sitting in class feeling stupid today.  Would I even know??  What am I doing to make it better??  I only have to go to class one day a week, but they are coming to school five days a week for eight hours.  WHOA - talk about dampening a spirit! 

These feelings of stupidity and inadequacy for students and myself have to be stopped. The more stupid I feel the less motivation I feel.  Interesting how that is connected!  Oh wait, I think there is a motivation theory on that! If this is how I feel, imagine what my students feel as we cover 27 lessons in 19 days.  Or how they feel coming to school everyday of the week? Or when they don't have anything anywhere that makes them feel successful. I think the issue has to be addressed in our classroom and we MUST reach out to ALL our kids. When reaching out, we must ensure they are not feeling stupid or inadequate. So many times our kids act out because they are feeling five steps behind everyone else and just don't want anyone to see it. What can you do? 

In order to offer suggestions, I tried to think about what would help me in my class.  Although I don't have concrete ideas or even the answers, I'll share six things I think would help safeguard your students from feeling stupid. 

1. Get to know your kids so you can read their emotions and body language.  Know when they aren't feeling confident.  This will take time, but it is important.

2. Encourage your students and offer praise.  Acknowledge effort!

3. Love your kids as your own. 

4. Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself how you would feel as a student in your own class? 

5. Reflect on the words and tone you use with students. 
6. Slow things down and do what you do best…teach!

Fostering a supportive encouraging environment can be what a child needs to flourish! Christ never once makes us feel stupid for making the same mistakes over and over.  Satan is the one who fills our mind with the ideas that we are not good enough.  Don't let him convince you or your students.  Be Christ…

Dry Bones

Last year, I found the school skeleton and decided he needed to become the school mascot.  I dressed him up and hauled him around the building to a variety of places.  He attended PLC meetings, celebrated birthdays, joined movie parties, and served as principal for a couple hours.  He was just a bunch of dried old bones (really just plastic) that a couple of us used to bring life and laughter to the building. 

                

                   

I was reminded of Mr. Bones as I reflected on Sunday’s sermon.  Have you ever read Ezekiel 37? The prophet was led into a Valley filled with dried old bones.  God spoke to him and asked him if the bones could live.  He said only You know.  So God told him to prophesy to the bones and when the prophet did; the bones became covered with flesh and tendons.  Then God told him to prophesy to the bones to have life and breath.  The dead bones were hopeless yet God was able to breathe life into them.    

As I heard the story and sermon…my thoughts drifted to my world, my world being school.  Although my building has real skeletons, it is also filled with other “dead” bodies.  So many people I work with are living in this "dead" hopeless cut off valley described in Ezekiel.  The students I serve are so broken and worn out at such a young age.  I cannot fully describe the pain and heartache some of the students are facing.  The brokenness and lack of life is not just found in the students but also in other teachers.  Life circumstances sure have a way of beating us down. 

The sermon ended with the idea of us being the prophets to pray life into the hopeless dead.  My school, your school, your workplace and maybe even home are filled with “dead” hopeless bodies just going through life.  STOP and pray the breath of the Spirit sweeps over them and gives them life.  They NEED you to pray life into their souls.  Will YOU?  If you personally feel "dead" ask someone to lift you up in prayer.