My computer lab

Setting up a computer lab is a little different than setting up a regular ed classroom.  I have to be honest, as much as I knew I needed the change and the new job, I've been sad and struggling with the idea of not having my "own set of kids."  I can say that God has already showed me the blessings of this job while in grad school. (I am so very thankful to Kim McLaughlin for sharing my vision and working so hard to make it possible.)

Now, lets get down to the fun stuff…here is MY classroom, where I'll have the privilege of serving not just 25 kids, but 600 students!  Wow..600 kids…what an opportunity God has blessed me with!!!

Bulletin board outside of the classroom: 

(Social media at its finest!  Hopefully, the teachers will get involved and "like" the student work.)

My corner and small group area:

(I still plan on doing small groups)

Non-fiction research station:
(I think books are always important)

 The computer tables:

Meeting area/Whole room!

(Yes, I think a communal meeting area is necessary even in the computer lab)

One student who came to class this week described my room in these words:
"Ms. Armstrong, it's half classroom, half computer lab, and half library!"  Never mind the 3 halves, his comment made me smile and was exactly what I was going for.  This room is MY classroom where I can claim 600 kids as my own.  This room is MY library where I hope to engage students in reading.  This room is MY computer lab where I hope to do the previous things and piggy back classroom curriculum through the use of technology.

A couple of places in my room are changing or have already, but I don't have updated pictures.  I'll work on showing you the "Objective board" and my favorite "personal decor" items at a later time.

WORN OUT!!

I'm worn down…worn out…Spring break couldn't get here fast enough.  Even with snow days…there is something about this time of year that seems to exhaust teachers and try our patiences.  It's not explainable but it is very real.  Ask a teacher right now what they want to do forever…and even if they LOVE teaching, they might tell you something else.  

Well this morning as I was driving to school, the song "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North came on the radio.  I've heard this song before and it catches my attention most times, but this morning it captivated me.  It was like the words were coming from my heart instead of from someone else.  It describes me perfectly this morning and most mornings the past few weeks.  

I’m Tired I’m worn
My heart is heavy
From the work it takes
To keep on breathing
I’ve made mistakes
I’ve let my hope fail
My soul feels crushed
By the weight of this world

My prayers are wearing thin
Yeah, I’m worn
Even before the day begins
Yeah, I’m worn
I’ve lost my will to fight
I’m worn
So, heaven come and flood my eyes

Even before the day begins…as I'm driving in my car to work I'm worn out.  I've overslept (like be late oversleep).  My heart is very heavy these days from a variety of things.  

Although this is how I feel and each verse of this song depicts my feelings in a clear way, the chorus is the hope we must believe in. The truth in the chorus is what will help us get through the day.

Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn

God wants to mend your heart and give you life.  Are you going to let him?  You still may be the best thing these kids know.  The kids are taught to pay attention to you and because of that, they model your behavior.  What kind of model are you being?  Christlike in the midst of exhaustion?  God is calling you to love, be positive, and to continue caring!!

Thanks Tenth Avenue North for the amazing song!!!!  (Click on their name for lyrics to the whole song and the word song for a link to the music video)

Making Readers!!

Read, Read, Read, is the motto of my classroom right now.  I have been thinking and feeling directed to have more reading in my room, but was not sure how to go about it.   I began by talking to a colleague (thanks Summers) about what she did to have such great success last year; she said her kids were reading all the time! They were listening to stories, SRA, online computer reading program, and class novels. I began looking at how I could ensure focused reading time in my class.

I started with using the NOOK app and downloading books.  I downloaded a class set of books so we could read as a class.  I had to carve some specific time in class, but I think it is important.  My kids are eating up our class read aloud that ties directly to our Mythology Unit.  The kids following along makes the read aloud interactive.

I spent time talking to another colleague (thanks Legg) about what she was doing.  She has been picking books out for her kids and conferencing with each kid individually.  She gave me a website with leveled novels; Booksource.  I created a list of books and went to work (with the help of the librarian - thanks Miller) to pick out books for each of my students.  Following the example of my teammate, I am meeting with the kids and we are discussing the books as they work through them.  As I am thinking about specific books for kids and meeting with the kids, I am reminded of the The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller.  In this book the author talks about conferencing with her kids and picking books out for them.  If you haven't read it, it is worth a read.  I have to be honest, I haven't been 100% successful with picking out books for my kids, and a couple kids have complained the book is boring.  On the other hand, I have heard comments such as "Awesome, can I take it home and read more tonight?" or "This book is great!"  I want to pick books that the kids get excited to read and will keep working on it.


After they finish reading a book, they fill out a google form "book report".  The kids scan the QR code, which takes them to a link for the form. The form asks a variety of questions ranging from what is the genre to write a summary.  When I left school this weekend, I was impressed with the books on desks and the number of book reports in the google spreadsheet.  We have been using the google form book report for about a month now.
(I don't mind sharing the questions on my book report form, but it wouldn't work for you to have access or try this one b/c it would go directly to my spreadsheet.)

So three new things to try...nook app for kids to read class novels. Booksource.com to look up leveled chapter books (fiction and nonfiction). Google form "book report". 

They got the practice...but failed the test!

One of the most discouraging things for a teacher is to give a test and have only a few kids pass it.  Somedays, I feel like this is the story of my life.  As I was venting to a friend about how the kids seem to get it during guided practice and even independent practice, yet can't do it on the test; the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, "Amy, this is how I feel with you sometimes."  

Ouch!  But...let's be honest...it is true.  How many times as humans do we work with God to trust him, or to love our neighbors, and we "get it" during the practice?  We "get it" while we are at church and talking about it in Bible Study, but when the test comes, we fail! 

The cool part is that God understands how I feel in my classroom.  The more I thought about this, I realized God was using my frustrations to teach me how to handle the feelings.  He most definitely does not give up on me or take out His frustration on me.  In fact, He does just the opposite, He loves me even more.  So, the next time the kids "get it" in class, but don't show it on the quiz, I will work to pass MY test of loving, cherishing, and encouraging them.  That IS what I have been called to do.

Math Fluency

"This would be easier if you knew your facts!"  As teachers, this is a phrase that we know all too well! What can we do to improve their facts?  The iPad has multiple resources to help.  My kids ask multiple times each day if they can practice math fluency.  So what are they doing?

If not on their iPads, they are playing the game 24, or practicing flashcards, and eating up math fluency time!!

I am the five loaves and two fish...

WHAT A WHIRLWIND SEMESTER!!!  It was August...I blinked...and it's the middle of the November.

I cannot begin to describe the variety of emotions I have experienced with all the changes this school year has brought.  I have experienced excitement for new things, anxiety with change, negativity because of the negativity in education, discouragement with lack of engagement in my classroom, frustration with new iPad management program, stress in meeting deadlines, and exhaustion!  The excitement was short-lived and soon overtaken by the rest of the emotions.  

Last month, I decided to look at teaching in a different way; Christ was a teacher, surely He has something to show me about my career?!?  As I began reading Matthew I was overwhelmed (in a good way) with a refreshing insight of education and teaching.  

The biggest lesson I have learned comes from Matthew 14:13-21, "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand."  

Many of you know this story I am sure.  Christ is given five loaves and two fish to feed five thousand people.  Talk about minimal resources-yet Christ was able to feed FIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE!  Can we say "SPREAD a little thin?"  As I studied this story, God brought it to my attention that I myself am like the five loaves and two fish.  I am one person "feeding" 26 young minds at 26 different levels.  I am "feeding" them math, reading, science, social studies, writing, life lessons, responsibility, and on and on!  One person feeding all those little people all those things is "spreading teachers thin!"  The beauty of Christ's story is every single person was fed and no one left hungry.   IF I trust Christ, He will take me, (the five loaves and two fish) bless me, and "feed" the "five thousand."  WOW!!!

HE WILL AND IS BIG ENOUGH TO TEACH/REACH each child in my classroom in every area they need!!  I now pray every morning, as I enter the "battlefield," that Christ will take the minimal resources and bless them so they reach ALL children.  That my friends is our hope as educators.  It is not humanly possible to meet all of our students' needs, but Christ will join forces and lead our class.  Will you let him?

A Little "LemonAid" Love this week!

We had a big week in my class.  My students wrote thank you's to the Lemons (the iPad donors) and invited them to visit our classroom so we could give the thank you's to them personally.  On Wednesday, Larry, Jen, and Caroline visited our classroom and watched 5 different presentations.  Each group created a presentation including; assigned speaking roles, a visual poster with written instructions, and visuals on the iPads.

1. The first task was Research.  The kids told the visitors what they used to research, how they took notes on their iPads, and then made presentations.  

2. The next group of kids showed how we use Nearpod.  They walked the visitors through what a presentation was like and even had Mr. Lemon take the quiz.

3. Students in the third group showed how to use the iPad in all stages of the writing process; from brainstorming to publishing.

4. The fourth group presented Edmodo and all the cool things it allows you to do.  One boy said, "it's like school at home." Edmodo Video They talked about how I put lessons online with follow-up quizzes.  They are able to stay up with their school work even when they are absent.

5. Last and not least, my kids showed the guests iMovie.  They described the steps of creating a movie, starting with assigning jobs in your group and ending with a movie.  The kids included how you can use notes to write a script and assign parts. 

The kids did a great job presenting the different things we do with iPads.  They really enjoyed showing off how they were using the awesome tech tools and showed much appreciation to the Mr. Lemon.  Everyone had a fantastic time!